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Benitoite

which would you buy?

  • #207

    Votes: 2 10.5%

  • #250

    Votes: 3 15.8%

  • #231

    Votes: 11 57.9%

  • dont like any of them

    Votes: 3 15.8%
  • Total voters
    19
  • Poll closed .
MAC-W

MAC-W

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 28, 2009
Messages
671
Which of these stones would you buy?

They are all roughly around the same price and roughly the same ct wt. I'm looking to use one in a blue stone pendant I'm collecting for.

Shape and size dont bother me.

I need to know about colour and cut. (Sorry - I know I'm being deliberately vague by not giving a lot of info about each stone but I really really want to know which in your opinion looks the nicest colour and the nicest cut regardless of shape or size or price)

If someone held a gun to your head and said "buy" - which of these would you buy?

ETA, dont worry about the fact that #231 is a pendant. I'm going to be using diamonds in the design too and figure I can use the ones on this pendant if the stone is the right option.

SP_bpn231.jpg

SP_b250m.jpg

SP_b207b.jpg
 
3 looks the best, but perhaps the reason it does is because its already set?

-A
 
Arcadian said:
3 looks the best, but perhaps the reason it does is because its already set?

-A
Click to expand...

+1 ::)
 
I like three as well..but one is a bit mesmerizing...the cut is a bit strange or maybe it is reflections on the surface
 
Round: The inclusions cover a large surface area and might interfere with the usual dispersive quality even though it is going to be set in a pendant. It is so bad that I cannot make out the cut at all although the colour is decent.
Freeform: Definitely wonky in design but could work if you are willing to invest in a custom setting. Colour-wise is all right.
Oval: Definitely the best out of all three in terms of colour, cut and clarity. It is going to look lively, crystal and all around more of an eye catcher.
 
I like 3 as well. The colour is very nice.

However, I think that 2 is also very nice. If it is a good size, it could be a stunner in the hand of the right designer.
 
3 for me also. Something to check though. Has the photo been altered? Look at the blue that you can see in the diamonds - that looks wrong. The white gold also looks blueish which, to me, is either a reflection OR the photo's been altered. It looks very clean for a Benitoite and if it's the same price as the others then ......... mmmmm, I'd want to know more.

If you opt for no.3, is there a good returns policy in case it's not as good as the photo? Does the price reflect that it's much cleaner and better cut than the others?

The round is very included but I like the colour differences. I love it when you can see colour differences in Benitoite but that's a personal like! I've also found that (in mine) the inclusions are far more prominent in photos than in person.

The freeform is a wonky cut and unless you're very imaginative it'll be a challenge to set and then be happy that it won't date. I normally like "different" shapes but this one is a little too wonky for me!

So, gun to my head? No.3 (after checking out the above).
 
gun to my head? i'd be dead.....

in your case, i'd keep looking.

MoZo
 
The third one does look a little too good to be true. Most benitoite have a grey mask. The first one isn't my cup of tea, it reminds me of the Uranian moon, Miranda, if it were blue. The second one is just too weird a shape and you would have to go custom on it.
 
3>2>1, but honestly, i'd probably keep looking.
 
#3
 
i agree but the emerald cut .62 for $495 also caught my eye.

MoZo
 
movie zombie said:
i agree but the emerald cut .62 for $495 also caught my eye.

MoZo
Click to expand...

For a stone that is notable for high RI, I would prefer a cut that maximized sparkle, not an emeral cut.
 
i agree. however, i'm a sucker for emerald cut diamonds as well.....go figure.

yes, he has some really nicely cut stones that would make a beni show wonderfully.

Mozo
 
I know - so am I, actually. I keep telling myself that an emerald cut sphene is not a good idea.
 
Dear All,
Thank you so much for all the feedback. You've definately given me a lot to think about (and also a new site to look at).

I think I'm going to pass on the ones posted based on your very wise advice.

If you happen to come across anything else, I would really appreciate it if you could let me know (beg, beg)

(My budget is up to $1200, and ideally I'd like an oval or a round, between 0.75 - 1ct, but definately above 0.5ct)

M
 
I would go with number 3. It looks cleaner and better cut. Plus, Benitoite can be tricky when setting so a standard cut would eliminate chipping or breaking concerns. Hats off to you on selecting a rare and extremely beautiful gemstone from an American source....there won't be a whole lot of pieces like yours out there! Unique is beautiful! :)
 
movie zombie said:
http://wsfgems.com/benito.html

another one for you to explore.

MoZo
Click to expand...

I like the 0.63ct pear on that site, and it seems to meet most of the criteria. Nice!
 
Nice site...he has some pretty montana sapphires and tourmalines too.

Laura
 
ah....i too was drawn to the .63 pear! rather gorgeous!!!!

MoZo

ps i think a pricescoper or two has purchased from him.
i'll go look at those montanas!
 
They are multicolors to some extent, but they look really interesting. Prices seem reasonable too.

Laura
 
as are many AU sapphires. sometimes i mind the zoning, sometimes i don't. but there are montanas....and AU sapphires as well....that are not zoned....but they are priced accordingly.

back to bennies: turns out they do originate from other parts of the world. but it is the California state stone and i think i should have one!

MoZo
 
MZ,
They do originate in other parts of the world?? I did not know that. I thought they were a one source stone, kind of like tanzanite.
 
tourmaline_lover said:
MZ,
They do originate in other parts of the world?? I did not know that. I thought they were a one source stone, kind of like tanzanite.
Click to expand...


Neither did I. I also thought they were a one source stone.



MoZo,
can you give more info about other sources?


Thanks
Mac
 
jstarfireb said:
movie zombie said:
http://wsfgems.com/benito.html

another one for you to explore.

MoZo
Click to expand...

I like the 0.63ct pear on that site, and it seems to meet most of the criteria. Nice!
Click to expand...


It seems quite dark in that photo. Do you think it will be as dark as that in real life?

I'm not sure I want a really dark "dark" stone. Do you think it will still be sparkly?









Just FYI everyone, the other stones that I already have for this pendant are a neon apatite, an aquamarine, a blue spinel, a montana sapphire and a jeremyevite (all around the 1 ct mark apart from the jeremeyevite, but I'm still looking for a larger jeremeyevite also). As well as the Benitoite, I'm still searching for a Hauyne, a blue diamond (irradiated - unfortunately I cant yet afford a natural), a blue tourmaline and a blue topaz (although I might recycle a blue topaz cushion that I already have in one of my rings).

Of the stones I already have there are 2 trilliants, 1 pear, 1 round and 1 oval.

so for the shapes of the other stones I'm looking for either round, oval, marquise or cushion.

All your help on any of the sought stones is very gratefully appreciated.

Mac
 
Mac, are all the sizes going to be even and around 1 carat? Or are smaller ones OK? And what type of saturation are you looking for or...just a nice range of blues for each stone. Interesting concept!

Laura
 
Largosmom said:
Mac, are all the sizes going to be even and around 1 carat? Or are smaller ones OK? And what type of saturation are you looking for or...just a nice range of blues for each stone. Interesting concept!

Laura
Click to expand...


Hi Laura

Ideally they will all be about the 1ct or 5-6mm mark, althought there will also be a few small white diamonds in there as well so smaller blue stones could work as well - for some of the rarer stones I'm happy to go smaller if thats all I can find - such as the jeremyevite I currently have which is 0.21ct although I'm hoping I can find (and afford) a larger stone.

Colour-wise I'm really just looking for a nice range of blues (light to dark, saturated to unsaturated etc etc) .

My plan is to (eventually) have a pendant that shows all the cuts/shapes, all the blue colour ranges and all the blue stone types.
 
I think that is a really cool project. I'll keep my eyes open for you as I am surfing about!

Laura
 
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