Are there good resources red spinels?

[winnietucker]

I’ve loved rubies forever but they’re not in my budget (and never will be probably). Buying my sapphire sparked something. I love that sapphire. It’s the first gemstone I’ve ever purchased and loved. And it took me about a year to buy, so I expect it’ll take me approximately the same amount of time asking too many questions & learning/ looking/ figuring out what colors before I’m ready to pull the trigger on a spinel.

This is one I’m watching if anyone wants to give feedback on color since that tends to help me figure out where to go next/ what exact issues or pros to look for/ whatever else is important... FWIW the seller sent me an offer of $6690 so I assume that’s their actual selling price.

Magnificent 2.72ct Mogok Burma Red Spinel & Lotus Certificate | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Magnificent 2.72ct Mogok Burma Red Spinel & Lotus Certificate at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

My main thing is pricing. I don’t ever need trade ideal anything so I figured as long as I like the color, I mostly care that I’m not getting ripped off. But also - I remember the thread where someone’s spinel cracked. What do I look for in a spinel to make sure whatever I buy won’t do the same? Treatments to be wary of? Are treatments a thing common in spinel? Is there something else I’m not thinking of?

 

[T L]

The report states its vivid red, but why does it look so brownish in the report photo?


I suppose my best advice would be to obtain one from a reputable dealer and with a reputable lab report. Spinels are sometimes oiled and you do need to be careful of synthetic materials. Always view it in and out of sunlight, because although you do want red fluorescence in the sun, they can brown out indoors.

 

[LilAlex]

It is very deep. And very expensive.

All the hyperbole in the eBay ad makes me a little queasy. "Gorgeous and certain to appreciate in price as time goes by...Quite possibly the most beautiful spinel for sale anywhere online today!"

It may appreciate in price -- but value is a different story

Edit: Lotus is a great lab. I'm sure it is vivid.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I’ve loved rubies forever but they’re not in my budget (and never will be probably). Buying my sapphire sparked something. I love that sapphire. It’s the first gemstone I’ve ever purchased and loved. And it took me about a year to buy, so I expect it’ll take me approximately the same amount of time asking too many questions & learning/ looking/ figuring out what colors before I’m ready to pull the trigger on a spinel.

This is one I’m watching if anyone wants to give feedback on color since that tends to help me figure out where to go next/ what exact issues or pros to look for/ whatever else is important... FWIW the seller sent me an offer of $6690 so I assume that’s their actual selling price.

Magnificent 2.72ct Mogok Burma Red Spinel & Lotus Certificate | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Magnificent 2.72ct Mogok Burma Red Spinel & Lotus Certificate at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

My main thing is pricing. I don’t ever need trade ideal anything so I figured as long as I like the color, I mostly care that I’m not getting ripped off. But also - I remember the thread where someone’s spinel cracked. What do I look for in a spinel to make sure whatever I buy won’t do the same? Treatments to be wary of? Are treatments a thing common in spinel? Is there something else I’m not thinking of?

The color is really nice and a Lotus cert. is reliable. I've seen it used for high end gemstones/jewelry. It is very deep as it's native cut so it'll face up a tad small. It looks like good crystal. The price has gone up a good bit for the holiday season, as I've had this on my saved list for a few months. I would wait until after the holidays before negotiating.
Spinels can be heated and they can be oiled. There are many synthetics. It's not at the level it would be with sapphire/ruby but it's something to watch for. If you're going to spend more than a few hundred dollars then a cert. is necessary.

 

[winnietucker]

The report states its vivid red, but why does it look so brownish in the report photo?


I suppose my best advice would be to obtain one from a reputable dealer and with a reputable lab report. Spinels are sometimes oiled and you do need to be careful of synthetic materials. Always view it in and out of sunlight, because although you do want red fluorescence in the sun, they can brown out indoors.

Good catch. Thank you for this! I’ll watch some PS approved vendors. I’m still working on figuring out what shade of red I like so it gives me lots of time/ opportunities to look!

It is very deep. And very expensive.

All the hyperbole in the eBay ad makes me a little queasy. "Gorgeous and certain to appreciate in price as time goes by...Quite possibly the most beautiful spinel for sale anywhere online today!"

It may appreciate in price -- but value is a different story

Edit: Lotus is a great lab. I'm sure it is vivid.

Is Lotus like the gold standard for gemstones? Wondering if this is what I need to look for in more expensive gemstones going forward if I want to

Is there any general price/ct guides
for red spinels? I’m having a hard time deciphering expensive and reasonable...

The color is really nice and a Lotus cert. is reliable. I've seen it used for high end gemstones/jewelry. It is very deep as it's native cut so it'll face up a tad small. It looks like good crystal. The price has gone up a good bit for the holiday season, as I've had this on my saved list for a few months. I would wait until after the holidays before negotiating.
Spinels can be heated and they can be oiled. There are many synthetics. It's not at the level it would be with sapphire/ruby but it's something to watch for. If you're going to spend more than a few hundred dollars then a cert. is necessary.

Good to know! I’m very unlikely to buy this one because I’m so green. It’ll take a bit for me to become comfortable enough with spinels to feel like I can plop down a few thousand (I’m assuming) for one and I assume at that point, this one will be gone. I’ll definitely make sure to get a certificate. Sounds like a Lotus cert is what I want? Everything else I have (mostly diamonds) have GIA certs. Do we like them less for gemstones?

 

[voce]

Good catch. Thank you for this! I’ll watch some PS approved vendors. I’m still working on figuring out what shade of red I like so it gives me lots of time/ opportunities to look!




Is Lotus like the gold standard for gemstones? Wondering if this is what I need to look for in more expensive gemstones going forward if I want to

Is there any general price/ct guides
for red spinels? I’m having a hard time deciphering expensive and reasonable...



Good to know! I’m very unlikely to buy this one because I’m so green. It’ll take a bit for me to become comfortable enough with spinels to feel like I can plop down a few thousand (I’m assuming) for one and I assume at that point, this one will be gone. I’ll definitely make sure to get a certificate. Sounds like a Lotus cert is what I want? Everything else I have (mostly diamonds) have GIA certs. Do we like them less for gemstones?

For the most expensive (auction house top dollar) colored gemstones, Gubelin is one of the names that is expected for the lab report, as those gems would be sold with multiple independent lab reports. I would consider AGL Grading Report fairly rare, too, and used only for top gems, that the vendor is confident about.

Below that tier are the regular GRS, AGL, and Lotus reports.

GIA for colored stones is fairly basic. It should only be used for emeralds, ruby, sapphire, maybe spinels. I will guarantee you that Lotus, located in Thailand, sees many times more spinels passing through its lab for a report in Southeast Asia, than any one location of GIA. GIA does send gemologists such as V. Pardieu toi collect spinel samples from all over the world, but the average GIA gemologist is probably less knowledgeable than someone at AGL (a lab specializing in colored stones) or Lotus (a lab specializing in ruby, sapphire, and spinel).

 

[marymm]

I haven't bought from this instagram vendor yet although I believe he is regarded as reputable/reliable ... the other day he posted a video of these Jedi red spinels ... the bottom row very left and very right are particularly beautiful reds to my eye

 

[winnietucker]

For the most expensive (auction house top dollar) colored gemstones, Gubelin is one of the names that is expected for the lab report, as those gems would be sold with multiple independent lab reports. I would consider AGL Grading Report fairly rare, too, and used only for top gems, that the vendor is confident about.

Below that tier are the regular GRS, AGL, and Lotus reports.

GIA for colored stones is fairly basic. It should only be used for emeralds, ruby, sapphire, maybe spinels. I will guarantee you that Lotus, located in Thailand, sees many times more spinels passing through its lab for a report in Southeast Asia, than any one location of GIA. GIA does send gemologists such as V. Pardieu toi collect spinel samples from all over the world, but the average GIA gemologist is probably less knowledgeable than someone at AGL (a lab specializing in colored stones) or Lotus (a lab specializing in ruby, sapphire, and spinel).

I didn’t realize there were so many reputable labs. Thank you for the breakdown. This is most definitely good info to be aware of.

 

[winnietucker]

I haven't bought from this instagram vendor yet although I believe he is regarded as reputable/reliable ... the other day he posted a video of these Jedi red spinels ... the bottom row very left and very right are particularly beautiful reds to my eye

I follow them too! They don’t really post pricing and I’m always so wary of asking. I’ll keep that open as an option for when I’m more comfortable with it. I’d hate to ask them a ton of questions and they block me or something lol.

 

[peppermintpatty]

I follow them too! They don’t really post pricing and I’m always so wary of asking. I’ll keep that open as an option for when I’m more comfortable with it. I’d hate to ask them a ton of questions and they block me or something lol.

I have bought one small spinel from them for a stacking ring. The only bad part was the 50.00 shipping. I ask what the price is, they are always very kind and gracious. I hate that people don't list the price. Who wants to respond to all of the people who ask for the price? I'd say ask away Good luck with your search!

 

[peppermintpatty]

haydenfred_gems on Instagram has a very pretty red spinel. It might be Jedi, I can't remember. I believe it was in the price range the one you are looking at is. It's worth a look. Annie is easy and wonderful to work with!

 

[fredflintstone]

The report states its vivid red, but why does it look so brownish in the report photo?


I suppose my best advice would be to obtain one from a reputable dealer and with a reputable lab report. Spinels are sometimes oiled and you do need to be careful of synthetic materials. Always view it in and out of sunlight, because although you do want red fluorescence in the sun, they can brown out indoors.

Sometimes lab report pictures can be terrible. Sometimes not. The stone if it does, and I say if, it looks like the vendors pic would not brown out like this. So, you have a coin toss, which photo to believe.

But…

Lotus is about as reputable as they come for labs. They say "red," "vivid," and medium tone. I'd forget their picture and think the vendors picture is right. Just make sure it is not a counterfeit report by checking the report number with the lab. I doubt it is, as why put such a terrible picture in a counterfeit report?

 

[fredflintstone]

Just a little bit of info here. Yes, Spinel’s like any other stone can be oiled but it is very rare to have this.

Red Spinel cannot improve color by heating but testing with Mahenge material showed some stones to improve in clarity… Some…

So, these really are not issues with Spinel. Plus, the report says, "no indication of heating/treatment."

 

[winnietucker]

haydenfred_gems on Instagram has a very pretty red spinel. It might be Jedi, I can't remember. I believe it was in the price range the one you are looking at is. It's worth a look. Annie is easy and wonderful to work with!

Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve started following them. I’m having an annoying day at work so I’ll have to really comb through their options after.

Just a little bit of info here. Yes, Spinel’s like any other stone can be oiled but it is very rare to have this.

Red Spinel cannot improve color by heating but testing with Mahenge material showed some stones to improve in clarity… Some…

So, these really are not issues with Spinel. Plus, the report says, "no indication of heating/treatment."

I know heat is undesirable in some gems and whatever in others. Where do spinels land?

 

[fredflintstone]

Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve started following them. I’m having an annoying day at work so I’ll have to really comb through their options after.




I know heat is undesirable in some gems and whatever in others. Where do spinels land?

No one wants a heated Spinel. But the question really can't be answered as 99.99% of Spinel is untreated in any way. Though beware of the vivid blue Spinels coming out of Sri Lanka. They have been lattice defused to give them a vivid color in may cases.

Don't have time to go into details. Sorry.

 

[Snowdrop13]

Have a look at Yavorskyy to see different colours etc. I’ve just bought a spinel and felt the same, pricing is all over the place! Also look at desertrose_gems (she’s about to list some more spinel), higems, stellamarisgems and thegemcollector, all on IG

 

[peppermintpatty]

Thank you for the suggestion! I’ve started following them. I’m having an annoying day at work so I’ll have to really comb through their options after.




I know heat is undesirable in some gems and whatever in others. Where do spinels land?

Hope the rest of your day goes better. Enjoy all of the eye candy as you search for your spinel

 

[winnietucker]

No one wants a heated Spinel. But the question really can't be answered as 99.99% of Spinel is untreated in any way. Though beware of the vivid blue Spinels coming out of Sri Lanka. They have been lattice defused to give them a vivid color in may cases.

Don't have time to go into details. Sorry.

Good to know. Thank you!

Have a look at Yavorskyy to see different colours etc. I’ve just bought a spinel and felt the same, pricing is all over the place! Also look at desertrose_gems (she’s about to list some more spinel), higems, stellamarisgems and thegemcollector, all on IG

I may follow all of them, I have to double check. I need to get eyes on as many as possible. I was going to some old threads and people were talking about orange, purple, or pink tones and I don’t have the eyes for that... I’m hoping that a while of just looking at them helps me figure that out.

Hope the rest of your day goes better. Enjoy all of the eye candy as you search for your spinel

So sweet, thank you!

 

[Kitten35]

I do not believe spinel is usually treated. It’s such a great gemstone.

I bought mine from Wild Fish.

 

[icy_jade]

Gubelin certs are super expensive so unless your gemstone is at least in the 5 digits range, I think less pricey alternatives will be more economical.

In Thailand you can also go with GIT cert which is reliable from what I know. GRS cert is well recognized but color grading can be “generous”. I’ve heard that vendors like to go to Lotus and GRS because they will give certain trade preferred color names for the stones.

 

[Rad_Fan]

OP. I thought of you when I saw this.

Spinel — Cushion Gem: Precious Gems of Color

www.cushiongem.com