I dunno, when I started out with drums, after I passed the 'newbie' stage, I decided that stock cymbals were just trashcan lids and ditched them for some other cymbals. I looked up Rankings and found a set of PST3 Paiste cymbals.
Yeah, they're made from brass, but I've found that they're pretty decent for a beginner. Officially, they're made from a specially made brass alloy that is apparantly more sonorous than the usual.
They're not spectacular, but the hi-hat is pretty good for its cost... has a decent sound and sizzles pretty nicely IF you leave a tiny gap between the two 'hats. Ride is okay, pretty washy though, over time mine began t o lose some its clear stick sound in the beginning it had. The Crash is not that good, pretty much a loud metal clang, with some washy. Hitting it on the body sounds pretty decent though.
All for slightly more or less than $350. Not sure, it's been a while since I bought it. You decide if it's worth it.
And I didn't exactly read your thread CLEARLY, I didn't realize that you only wanted a crash cymbal. But if you don't have any cymbals and you want to buy a crash only, then that's not really advisable.
Can recommend the PST5 Crash then, it's bronze at least (a superior alloy compared to brass) and from what I've seen, pretty decent.
And I'm really digging the unique sounds and looks of Paiste.
Just my 2centz. And a wall of text.
