Blue spinel thread

[Autumn in New England]

I hope mine isn’t fake! It’s small and native cut. I can’t imagine why they would bother. I should check for inclusions but I think it’s pretty clean.

I *think* what T L means is that whether it's subtle or dramatic, they all shift to some extent, except the neon Vietnam material. But even my blue sapphire... under really warm incandescent, it has a hint of violet. I'm sure you're good!

 

[T L]

One more I forgot to post, blue in sunlight (in this photo) and violet in incandescent. This is more of a medium dark tone.

 

[Autumn in New England]

One more I forgot to post, blue in sunlight (in this photo) and violet in incandescent. This is more of a medium dark tone.

Oh see now this is right up my alley!! This is what I want. Medium-dark tone (NOT overly dark), little to no gray, and a touch of violet. Naturally, I also need eye clean and a quality cut. How large is this guy and has it been certified as cobalt? Simply beautiful!

 

[T L]

Oh see now this is right up my alley!! This is what I want. Medium-dark tone (NOT overly dark), little to no gray, and a touch of violet. Naturally, I also need eye clean and a quality cut. How large is this guy and has it been certified as cobalt? Simply beautiful!

It has natural inclusions, and I bought it eons ago, before this color was commonly synthesized. If I remember correctly, it’s nearly four carats. I never tested any of my blue or violet spinels for cobalt, although one glows bright red under UV, and this may be a cobalt bearing gem from Vietnam, but I don’t know 100% for sure.

There are grayish cobalts, so be careful, some aren’t as vibrant as their non cobalt bearing counterparts. Just make sure the cobalt imparts a more vivid hue.

Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Lexililac]

Clean rough neon cobalt spinel and rubies. Here in very poor daylight.

 

[Autumn in New England]

It has natural inclusions, and I bought it eons ago, before this color was commonly synthesized. If I remember correctly, it’s nearly four carats. I never tested any of my blue or violet spinels for cobalt, although one glows bright red under UV, and this may be a cobalt bearing gem from Vietnam, but I don’t know 100% for sure.

There are grayish cobalts, so be careful, some aren’t as vibrant as their non cobalt bearing counterparts. Just make sure the cobalt imparts a more vivid hue.

Thanks for the compliment.

I remember reading a quote by Chris Smith that one should look for the best color and sort of forget about the cobalt designation (unless, again, we're talking the Luc Yen neon material). A fine colored non-cobalt variety blue is going to be more valuable than a dull cobalt. So, yes, that's what I'm shooting for first and foremost. Thanks for your help!

 

[Hivona]

From WestView Gems.


From Finewater Gems


From Firstclass Facets

 

[Autumn in New England]

I really love the one on the left here!

 

[Crimson]

Sharing this blue spinel ring that I tried on at Alexander Laut. The spinel is over 5 ct. The one that @Autumn in New England described reminded me of this.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Sharing this blue spinel ring that I tried on at Alexander Laut. The spinel is over 5 ct. The one that @Autumn in New England described reminded me of this.

Oh good lawd, that's gorgeous! If the one I'm looking at works out (and that's a BIG if)... I'm struggling with how to set it. I'm not sure I want a halo, since I tend to default to it. And a 3-stone with diamonds may be bland, since we're not talking neon coloration. I love the idea of adding some pinks instead. What else would you guys add (colorwise) as side stones to a deep blue (that leans more violet than indigo)? TIA!

 

[Venti25]

Oops might need a clean it seems! Sadly chipped when setting but I couldn't pass it up.

 

[CHRISTY-DANIELLE]

This just popped up on Rioux Rocks IG in case it's someone's dream blue spinel color! At $375 it's not too much (right? )

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

This just popped up on Rioux Rocks IG in case it's someone's dream blue spinel color! At $375 it's not too much (right? )

Nope, that's a fair price for precision cut!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Beware

GIA Discovers Spinel Treated by Nickel Diffusion

Organization had not seen this type of enhancement before.

rapaport.com

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I just got this pair of teal blue spinels. I purchased them separately but they seem to match pretty well. They are 5mm and I’m thinking of making earrings.

 

[Ellipses]

I’ve had these spinels with me for a while but due to taking a break haven’t got the time to take pictures. A teal blue (more blue shifting) heart. A teal blue-blue-purple (bi-colored, but mostly blue/teal blue, and extremely moody color shift with light) shield (seller’s pic shows the bi-coloration better). And 3.3 mm gray-blue spinel pair (the largest rounds in the last picture, mismatched in terms of saturation, a bit to scared to try and separate them for my plans).

 

[Crimson]

Reviving this thread because I now have a blue spinel ring and a sapphire ring that are comparable sizes. I wore them on different hands and they sparked quite some interest
Re: the settings, yes l I am a fan of tapered diamonds and ballerina settings!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Reviving this thread because I now have a blue spinel ring and a sapphire ring that are comparable sizes. I wore them on different hands and they sparked quite some interest
Re: the settings, yes l I am a fan of tapered diamonds and ballerina settings!

You're lucky to even find them! The prices are ridiculous now for much of the material and everything no matter how apparent the gray modifiers are marketed as 'precious cobalt' for thousands a carat. If you can even find one. It's a bummer.

 

[Crimson]

You're lucky to even find them! The prices are ridiculous now for much of the material and everything no matter how apparent the gray modifiers are marketed as 'precious cobalt' for thousands a carat. If you can even find one. It's a bummer.

Yes, the prices have risen steeply over the last year, especially for Tanzania cobalt spinel. I bought mine soon after the new find was publicized

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Yes, the prices have risen steeply over the last year, especially for Tanzania cobalt spinel. I bought mine soon after the new find was publicized

Smart! I wish I had, I can tell you that

 

[Crimson]

Smart! I wish I had, I can tell you that

@ItsMainelyYou This is the spinel that I was unsure of at the beginning. It seemed quite “blah” when it arrived (at a time when the skies were overcast). I saw glimpses of its beauty only when the sun pushed through. Maybe all it needed a good clean, a nice setting and some sunshine

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

@ItsMainelyYou This is the spinel that I was unsure of at the beginning. It seemed quite “blah” when it arrived (at a time when the skies were overcast). I saw glimpses of its beauty only when the sun pushed through. Maybe all it needed a good clean, a nice setting and some sunshine

I'm glad you kept it, it makes a fabulous ring.