Advice on neon pink spinel

[Spring Day]

Hello everyone. I’ve always wanted a spinel to call my own and this one caught my eye. Was wondering if I could get some advice. It is 1.18cts 5.8x5.4x4.6. He told me that there is a healed internal fissure. This gem is under $1k.
Thank you very much!

Videos:
Outside in sun
Inside artificial

Inside under artificial lighting


Outside, in the sun

 

[chrono]

Worth taking a look in person to see if you love it. Return policy is good?

 

[Spring Day]

Worth taking a look in person to see if you love it. Return policy is good?

There’s actually no returns.

 

[ShinyPink]

Hey, guys, what does "healed internal fissure" mean?

 

[Musia]

There’s actually no returns.

Then don't buy please. I am on a hunt for neon pink spinel myself. Visiting this site everyday, is there anything you may like? I don't mind if you buy the stone I want since there are many beautiful ones and I want them all! https://yavorskyy.com/collections/red-spinel

 

[Spring Day]

Then don't buy please. I am on a hunt for neon pink spinel myself. Visiting this site everyday, is there anything you may like? I don't mind if you buy the stone I want since there are many beautiful ones and I want them all! https://yavorskyy.com/collections/red-spinel

Thank you @Musia! That’s very kind and generous of you! I’m looking for a red with a little pink or a neon pink. But I also wanna be on a budget so that’s been hard. Hope it’s going well for you!

 

[Skyjems]

I can't comment on this gem or dealer, however:

Fracture filling is not what is considered 'acceptable' treatment for spinel (only accepted treatment for spinel is heat)

I would ask for a certificate to find out more.

I would not buy any gem online that does not allow a generous return policy, no matter how reputable the dealer.

 

[missy]

It’s very pretty! But I agree with the advice don’t buy if you can’t return. Nothing takes the place of seeing it in person. And I also agree one must know all the treatments. There are treatments that won’t hold.

 

[Spring Day]

I can't comment on this gem or dealer, however:

Fracture filling is not what is considered 'acceptable' treatment for spinel (only accepted treatment for spinel is heat)

I would ask for a certificate to find out more.

I would not buy any gem online that does not allow a generous return policy, no matter how reputable the dealer.

Thank you! I always thought that spinels were pretty clean stones so I was concerned about the internal fissure. But they told me that it was completely fine. I think they are a reputable dealer but this gem is a bit smaller than I would like but the price seemed pretty good. Must have been because of the treatment.

It’s very pretty! But I agree with the advice don’t buy if you can’t return. Nothing takes the place of seeing it in person. And I also agree one must know all the treatments. There are treatments that won’t hold.

I agree with both of you since color is so subjective. The seller usually does returns but because of covid it’s make it very hard for them to travel to where they collect their packages so I totally understand that. Everyone’s having a hard time!

 

[voce]

@Skyjems I've heard from many vendors that spinel is untreated. Where do you get the information that heat treatment is acceptable?

As far as I know, heat treatment in itself should have no effect on how spinels look, so the only reason spinels would be subjected to heat treatment is in conjunction with other treatments, such as clarity treatment/fillers.

 

[Skyjems]

Thank you! I always thought that spinels were pretty clean stones so I was concerned about the internal fissure.

Mahenge spinel with that kind of vivid saturation commonly have eye visible inclusions. If I were to pick a comparable gem, I would say they should be cleanish like fine rubelite, but unless you are getting into crazy prices, a vivid stone is going to have some inclusions.

@Skyjems I've heard from many vendors that spinel is untreated. Where do you get the information that heat treatment is acceptable?

As far as I know, heat treatment in itself should have no effect on how spinels look, so the only reason spinels would be subjected to heat treatment is in conjunction with other treatments, such as clarity treatment/fillers.

Unfortunately Voce, you have been misinformed (likely not on purpose).

Heat treatment is acceptable as long as it's disclosed (same as sapphire), a LOT of blue spinel is heat treated. This is why heat/no heat is mentioned on most Spinel certificates from the big labs (including GIA)

I can't link to my site, but I have spinels on there with GIA certs that note: 'No Indications of Heating'

Here is an article from GIA on the subject: https://www.gia.edu/ongoing-research/distinguishing-heated-unheated-spinel

 

[Arcadian]

In general, I have no fear of an internal fracture as long as its not surface reaching or in any way detrimental to the setting process.

But no returns? Uh uh, sorry but I get mighty suspect with a no return policy especially when its not a private seller.
A healed fracture on the other hand makes me pause and run in the other direction. It might be wording but still...... it also leads me to think it was probably filled with glass or other material.

though he disclosed (thankfully) Filling is not acceptable to any lab that I know of.

 

[voce]

Mahenge spinel with that kind of vivid saturation commonly have eye visible inclusions. If I were to pick a comparable gem, I would say they should be cleanish like fine rubelite, but unless you are getting into crazy prices, a vivid stone is going to have some inclusions.


Unfortunately Voce, you have been misinformed (likely not on purpose).

Heat treatment is acceptable as long as it's disclosed (same as sapphire), a LOT of blue spinel is heat treated. This is why heat/no heat is mentioned on most Spinel certificates from the big labs (including GIA)

I can't link to my site, but I have spinels on there with GIA certs that note: 'No Indications of Heating'

Here is an article from GIA on the subject: https://www.gia.edu/ongoing-research/distinguishing-heated-unheated-spinel

It appears that heating pink and red spinels actually detracts from their appearance. Going by the GIA text, the stones get darker after treatment. Going by the photo example, the treated spinel loses its luster. So, I (and other trusted vendors) have reason to disbelieve that heat treatment is common or desired. Just because heat treatment is available, does not mean that it will become common practice.

I don't buy blue spinel often, but not one spinel I've purchased (or even seen available for purchase online) was listed as heated. I've sent a few spinels to labs, and not one has come back heated. So I do not believe this is common practice.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

GIA Lab Reports on a New Cobalt Diffusion Treatment of Natural Spinel | Research & News

Report on a new cobalt diffusion treatment of natural spinel, using analysis of inclusions, UV-Vis-NIR and EDXRF spectroscopy, and LA-ICP-MS.

www.gia.edu

https://www.git.or.th/eng/testing_center_en/lab_notes_en/glab_en/2016/11/C9-A0237-1.pdf

The only thing I've seen that is particularly concerning is the diffusion treatments on common blue/clear poor quality spinel to mimic rare vibrant cobalt color. I see more and more attempts of these spinels being passed off as rare untreated material.

 

[Skyjems]

I don't buy blue spinel often, but not one spinel I've purchased (or even seen available for purchase online) was listed as heated. I've sent a few spinels to labs, and not one has come back heated. So I do not believe this is common practice.

You are correct that it isn't the 'norm' (most spinel are not heat treated). However, it's common enough that it's the default treatment note on spinel certificates from most labs.

It appears that heating pink and red spinels actually detracts from their appearance. Going by the GIA text, the stones get darker after treatment. Going by the photo example, the treated spinel loses its luster. So, I (and other trusted vendors) have reason to disbelieve that heat treatment is common or desired. Just because heat treatment is available, does not mean that it will become common practice.

They had a pretty limited testing run in this article, it notes that particular spinel was heated at 1400c in O2.

I am not an expert in treatments and do not know much about what particular combination of heat and gas is commonly used for treatment of spinel when spinel is indeed treated, however, I do know that there are hundreds of permutations of heat/pressure/vacuum/gasses available for treatment.