Check out my new spinel-whatdya all think?

[Crazie4Cuts]

So I am on the hunt for a spinel and I know mahenge (I think) are outta the question (until I see Katharath one on Loupe Troop preloved oval mahenge spinel and now I want to shoot myself... too late since this shipped and now I have it!). My pics vs. vendor pics. I think my pics are more accurate. It is a pinkish purple cushion cut stone. Here's the stats:

Location: Sri Lanka
Carat: 2.04
Dimensions: 8.45 mm x 6.32 mm x 4.75 mm
Certified: Emteem Gem Lab



I welcome all comments -good, bad, and the ugly!
Thanks for looking and appreciate you all!

 

[katharath]

Hmm. Usually I think that vendor's gems look better IRL, but if your pics are more accurate to what you see - then I think you can probably do better. It just looks much darker than I expected it to, with a more noticeable window. And while I still don't think the cut is awful, it's not anything amazing either. It just doesn't really do anything for me personally, and it's expensive enough (IMO) that I think it should be something you really like. So with that said - how do you feel about it? Do you have a strong feeling one way or the other?

I know you wanted honest answers and that you're in the return period here, so hopefully if your mind isn't made up, we can help you out!

( and FYI - just so everyone is aware, there's no conflict of interest here, as the mahenge of mine that the OP referred to is no longer for sale

 

[Acinom]

The sparkle I see in the vendor pic does not seem to be there in your pics. It also seems to have a large bit of dark areas. Hopefully the more experienced PSers will chime in soon.

Does the vendor have a good return policy?

 

[mochiko42]

When you look at the stone in person, does it resemble the vendor's video at all?

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

From your hand pic the spinel shows quite a bit of grey which is expected as the vendor listed the stone as very slightly greyish. Since you will most likely be viewing the stone in indoor lighting you have to decide if the lack of saturation appeals to you. Some members like the cool grey tones (grey mask) of an unsaturated spinel so it is a personal preference. From your pics the spinel does not appeal to me in regards to color or cut but that is just my personal opinion.

 

[Crazie4Cuts]

Hello fellow PSers,

Thank you for your feedback! Well, I prefer deeper saturated colored stones (so I prefer medium/medium dark stones, no orange modifers and really the more jeweled pink tones with scintillation)and I am not as experienced in selecting (imho) 'idea' stones. Although this stone is a lot better than others I have viewed/looked at, I don't totally love it, but more love than hate. I feel its above so-so. So on the scale of 1-10 about 7.5. The window in some lighting isn't really apparent, but I think there is some extinction at the ends of the stones, but then I think, well is it masked because of the deep color of the stone? What I do like about the stone is that it is a purplish pink and I actually like it, I could live with the small window, but not so much with the extinction. The size of the stone is a super+ and cushion shape too! I am leaning on returning, but I do like the color!

 

[Acinom]

Seems the stone is growing on you. Do you have more and perhaps clearer photo's? I now realise who the vendor is and usually the photo's and especially the video's are spot on and so is the description. Was there a video available for this one? I realise we have reacted based on perhaps not so accurate pics? It's really difficult to make accurate pics of gemstones.

Please let us know what you decide. The vendor is a great person with excellent customer service and a large inventory so I am sure you can find a great stone there if this may not be the one.

 

[Crazie4Cuts]

Mochiko42: the video that was sent to me was rather grainy, and shot in full on daylight. The cushion appears to be lighter, whereas I shot the stone indoors, diffused daylight using the white pillow insert that was provided to me. So the stone does look lighter in full on daylight, but indoors (no fluorescent) the stone appears darker, like in my picture...

 

[minousbijoux]

Personally, I would send it back. That color of the spinel (medium dark, medium saturation, slightly greyish purplish pink) is still fairly prevalent and there is nothing about that one that is particularly special. I don't know the price, nor have I seen the vendor's description of it, but if you like jewel tones and bright pinks, this is certainly not that.

I don't know if this helps to say or not, but you'll likely find that you get pickier the more stones you see and collect. Many of us have learned the hard way that keeping a stone that is a "love more than hate" but not LOVE! means its eventually relegated to the gem box or sold at a discount instead of appreciated. But, as others have said, if it speaks to you, then keep it.

 

[chrono]

It seems like you don't love the stone, so I recommend sending it back.

 

[Crazie4Cuts]

Acinom: I agree the vendor is very helpful and quite accommodating. I've previously purchased a less expensive stone and loved it. But this one I have decided is not for me as In my opinion when set would be even darker. This is not at all the vendor fault in the pics received or the outstanding customer service I received. I appreciate the vendors time and effort.