Calling all spinel (and chemistry) experts!

[Autumn in New England]

Reading all this with interest. It looks like they are at least the same hardness which is a big win for the cheaper material. I had not heard of gahnite/zinc spinel.

Right? Those were my initial thoughts too. But I purposely took a non-glamour shot of mine to show my vendor friend (with the gahnite), and his exact response was, "never mind, those are a much nicer color than my stones!" So I guess that explains the price difference. Not that I'm knocking gahnite! It's perfectly lovely. I'm just looking for that vivid true blue coloration without gray or teal. I'm going to keep these. I do love the color.

 

[voce]

P.S. I also think it would be a better contrast if the inner halo were diamond and the outer halo were the cobalt spinels. But that was impossible to find, even if I wanted to spend a fortune (I don't)!!

I was just about to suggest that! I think a straight halo would not do the cobalt spinels justice, as both red and a larger center stone are more attention grabbing to the eye. I would suggest a "twisted" halo of both white and blue where the blue alternates with white to grab more attention... Can picture it in my mind, just don't know if I can find a specific example.

Here's something similar to my idea. Can you picture if it's white and blue rounds, alternating in a slightly curved and repeating pattern, around the center spinel?

 

[Autumn in New England]

I was just about to suggest that! I think a straight halo would not do the cobalt spinels justice, as both red and a larger center stone are more attention grabbing to the eye. I would suggest a "twisted" halo of both white and blue where the blue alternates with white to grab more attention... Can picture it in my mind, just don't know if I can find a specific example.

Here's something similar to my idea. Can you picture if it's white and blue rounds, alternating in a slightly curved and repeating pattern, around the center spinel?

Yes! That's an interesting idea, thank you!!

 

[budmanbudman10]

Wow can't wait to see the finished product!!!

 

[T L]

The cobalt spinel remind me if Benitoite I’ve seen. Spinel is more durable though. There is hauyne abs apatite that color too. Spinel is very hard though.

I can’t wait to see the finished ring!! How exciting!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Wow can't wait to see the finished product!!!

Thank you! What is the cool crystal in your profile pic?

The cobalt spinel remind me if Benitoite I’ve seen. Spinel is more durable though. There is hauyne abs apatite that color too. Spinel is very hard though.

I can’t wait to see the finished ring!! How exciting!

Yes, I looked at both benitoite and hauyne! Beautiful stones, but I try to avoid anything less than a 7 hardness in my rings (as you said). I was just going to make my life easy and do blue sapphire melee, but then I located these. Thank you... I hope it turns out well!

 

[budmanbudman10]

Thank you! What is the cool crystal in your profile pic?



Yes, I looked at both benitoite and hauyne! Beautiful stones, but I try to avoid anything less than a 7 hardness in my rings (as you said). I was just going to make my life easy and do blue sapphire melee, but then I located these. Thank you... I hope it turns out well!

Thanks for asking! It's a colour shift sapphire in matrix from Madagascar. I think I have about 15 sapphire/ruby/corundum specimens from this locale (Zazafotsy, Ihosy, Ihorombe, Madagascar). Most are in matrix and I think they're just so cool! Fun with fluorescence too

Will take nice photos one day as I know some CS PSers like to see specimens as well

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thanks for asking! It's a colour shift sapphire in matrix from Madagascar. I think I have about 15 sapphire/ruby/corundum specimens from this locale (Zazafotsy, Ihosy, Ihorombe, Madagascar). Most are in matrix and I think they're just so cool! Fun with fluorescence too

Will take nice photos one day as I know some CS PSers like to see specimens as well

It's a really interesting piece! I, too, love when folks share specimens and crystals. I mean, we all enjoy faceted stones, but seeing the material in its raw state, just as mother nature intended, is so majestic.