Black Spinel on eBay?

[btrsweet5747]

From the responses I've gotten from a few lapidaries that you all recommended, along with an exhausting search so far, I am thinking of changing the search for my ering center stone to a black spinel for budget purposes. I know that I won't get the same effect with a black center stone, but I was already planning a RHR that included a faceted black stone, and my fiancé and I decided we really like the look of the black and white together. Since my search has only been focused on lighter stones up until now, I'm wondering if anyone can lead me in the direction of some places with larger black spinel options? It doesn't matter if it's rough that needs to be cut or already cut. I'm still wanting a square cushion cut, approximately 12mm or so, to go in a prong setting with pavé diamonds- no halo. I found some candidates for recutting as well as a large selection of rough on eBay, but I'm very nervous about buying from there as I'm not very well-versed in what to look for as a scam. There is one on there right now that I'm watching, and it has a certificate from BGL, but it's from back in 2008. I also did a search on here about BGL and found some posts where you all had problems with the possible forging of the certificates from that lab. So I'm lost as to where to look. Should I post the ones I'm watching and you all can see what your more expert opinion is? Any advice is appreciated!!

 

[talamasca]

Fortunately, my memory was working for a change! Doug had a lovely round black spinel and he's currently selling a rectangular shaped one so I would definetely contact him to see if he could cut you something

http://www.bespoke-gems.com/SacredGeometrics_Gemstones_BlackSpinel.php

 

[movie zombie]

info re black spinel: http://aussiesapphire.wordpress.com/2005/05/14/gem-of-the-week-black-spinel/

i've purchased from andrew who is a miner/cutter/vendor. aussiesapphire.com.au [same website as above]
nice guy and easy to work with.

black spinel is lovely....the stone doug has cut is a nice example.

i like black spinel a lot but it doesn't "perform" re light as do other spinels. however, i do like it and think done right would make a lovely e-ring for one who appeciates it.

if purchasing off of e-bay, please be careful. not all is as advertised. while in expensive, you still want a real stone and not something dyed or plastic.

i've purchased australian topaz from doug and black spinel from andrew and highly recommend them both.

eta: both vendors will have more in their inventory than they list at their website. contact them via e-mail and tell them your criteria. shipping to the states is not a problem.

 

[btrsweet5747]

I will check those sites out- thank you both so much!

So is there any way to prove that the spinel on ebay is worthwhile? I'm looking at this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/110547433632?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

And maybe this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300605638386?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648

Those are just two I found, but there are others as well.

Thanks again!

 

[movie zombie]

lab costs to verify the stones will be as much as those stones.

personally, i'm not impressed with the material or the cut.

what is your total budget for setting, stone, pave, etc?

doug's stone is hard to beat.......for quality of material and cut. andrew could do well for you as well as he's associated with a mine.

pave with a poor center stone....especially a black center stone that does not have a high reflective index....may end up looking more like a cocktail ring than an engagement ring. i like the black/white combo but its a delicate balance between whether it will work or not.

if you have not actually seen black spinel in real life conditions [as opposed to only on a monitor], you might want to do so.....you could be greatly disappointed otherwise.

black spinel is an inexpensive stone. buying the rough and having it cut seems like a waste to me.

contact doug and/or andrew and tell them that you want a 12mm cushion and see what they have to say. that is you best bet.

 

[btrsweet5747]

Lol, I'm not impressed with the cut either. I was thinking of getting it recut, but you made a very good point- it will cost quite a bit to have it recut and it might not be worth it!

My budget is up to $3K for the whole ring (ering and outer wedding bands), but I would rather stay closer to $2K, if possible. I am looking at something similar to the Vera Wang pave ering setting, and then two small (2mm or so) bands to surround it containing black stones.

You also make a good point about the reflective index of the center stone- I definitely don't want it to end up looking like a ring from a dollar jewelry store or simply a cocktail ring!

I actually have a small black spinel coming that I am going to be using as a test stone to see what it looks like in my hand as opposed to the screen- I can thank all you great PSers for that tip!

I emailed both Doug and Andrew by email on their sites, so I will let you all know what I found out! Thank you so much!

 

[btrsweet5747]

Update:

Well, I emailed both Andrew and Doug. They were both extremely helpful and nice! Doug got back to me saying that the largest he had would yield about 10mm or so, and Andrew has a nice round cut that is 15mm. He said he could send me that one and I could have it recut into a 12-13mm cushion. It is going for around $65AUD with shipping. What do you all think? I don't know a thing about the cost of recutting.

He said if I don't want to do that, my best bet would be to get some rough and have it cut here...but again, the only place I've seen rough in black is on eBay. So I might be back to square one again.

I'm thinking the 15mm round is my best bet right now, but I'm not sure.

 

[MissStepcut]

Just wondering if you've ever tried on a 15mm stone in real life? That's like... very big. Possibly can't-fit-your-hand-in-your-jeans-pocket big. If you like it, go for it, but I would find that to be too big for my lifestyle, personally.

 

[talamasca]

I think you should see the 15mm in person as that's quite big, especially for an everyday ring. I wear a 9mm oval which is about 4-5mm deep and I catch it all the time LOL so as well as being wide the stone will probably be quite deep too. Both sound like good options though.

 

[ooo~Shiney!]

I have to agree with all the advice above, but especially about the vendors which have been recommended and also the
...... kinda large...... size stone you are going for...

You said you didn't want the ring to look too cocktail-ish....
A stone that size would scream cocktail to me, personally.
and it's true about the getting-your-hand-into-the-jeans-pocket
thing when wearing a largish ring. I think it would start to irritate me after awhile,
that's all.

That being said, I don't know andrew, but I have had a delightful transaction with Doug,
and I don't think you could do better, I think his cutting is wonderful,
and I am sure he could bring out the very best in black spinel..... JMHO

 

[btrsweet5747]

Thanks, everyone! I agree that 15mm is waaaaay too big, but since it is round I would have it recut into a 12mm cushion. I actually do have a ring that has a 12mm cushion, but it is a light pink stone, so maybe the black would look too cocktail-y in that size. I definitely don't want that. I may have to see what it looks like in my hand, I guess! I also have a pair of earrings that are cushions and they are 10mm, so I will go put that up to my finger and see what it looks like.

I am so glad to have found this forum- it's nice to not go into something like this blind!

So if I do go with the one that Andrew has, what are my options when it comes to recutting? Should I just try to find someone here to do it, or is there someone that is good to send it off to? If I get one from Doug, I know he can cut it, so that won't be a problem.

You guys are so helpful!!

 

[movie zombie]

my personal opinion in this instance is to let doug cut you one. easier and you don't have to go looking for someone here willing to do it. sometimes its just better to take the easier way out.

i do hope you see some black spinel before you order from anyone, though. or order a small inexpensive one you can use for a project another time just so you have one to see.

 

[Zzz]

not sure if you've seen it (of if you might be interested!!)
but Freke is selling a dark blue spinel, 1.45 cts., 6.9mm round brilliant, she describes it 'almost black',
you can look for the stone's photos here https://www.pricescope.com/forum/preloved-ps-jewels/freke-is-unloading-t166532-30.html

 

[btrsweet5747]

Thanks, Zzz- but I'm really looking for one that's a bit larger and in a cushion cut. Thank you for thinking of telling me that, though!

Movie zombie- I think I have decided to let Doug do it. I sent him an email and had him price it for me, and he said he could possibly have it to me within two weeks of me giving him the go ahead!

Now I just have to figure out the setting!

 

[movie zombie]

i hope you keep us posted with progress re the setting but especially i hope to see a picture of your black spinel when doug has completed it.

 

[btrsweet5747]

I am so excited- I just sent Doug the email with the go ahead! I will definitely keep everyone updated on the stone AND the setting-choosing process. Again, I want to thank everyone for all the advice and suggestions!