Just my 2¢. Get samples.
$.49-$.59/chip will be the card mold from China. I like those over the china clays from Apache (just my humble preference). This link is for a buy currently in process. There’s a lot of designs to choose from, some might not be listed in the group buy thread. The Aria’s for example might be good.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/cards-mold-group-buy-june-2023-customs-welcome.105578/
$0.70-$0.80 a chip, then I’d go with ceramics from BRProPoker. They are a vendor on this site as well. The feel, stack, and sound great.
https://brpropoker.com/
Above $1.25 a chip and you’re entering Paulson clay chips (usually from closed casinos, older Paulsons, or live chips that people have harvested). I’ve gotten the majority of mine from The Chip Room sales. The most recent sale is here.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/diamond-jacks-secondary-and-roulette-chip-sale.103419/
I personally like these the most. If you’re not in a rush, you can go through the classifieds and piecemeal a set together.