Confess! Who got this from TGT?

[OTL]

2.28 ct. Tanzanian Spinel

Such a Bargain!

 

[Upgradable]

I just saw that. Beautiful! I hope someone shows it here.

 

[OTL]

I just saw that. Beautiful! I hope someone shows it here.

Me too. Would love to see how the stone looks like IRL. Not top color for Mahenges, but not bad either. And the size, cut and price really make it a bargain. So sad it's not me...

 

[JewelFreak]

That's very nice, but Brad didn't have anything that really grabbed me this month. Breathed a great sigh of relief because I'm bidding on something beautiful on eBay right now. Usually I want to buy half of TGT's drops & if I win the eBay stone, I'll be up a creek for a while. No groans & tears & gulps for me there this month, thank goodness!

 

[minousbijoux]

Laurie, I felt the same way, was so relieved that I didn't have to have anything. The only ones that caught my eye were the rubies for Uppy, but those were so small. Fortunately, I didn't care for the cutting on that Tanzanian spinel!

 

[jstarfireb]

No idea who got that, but I was DROOLING over the benitoite this time! (The precision faceted one, not the cab.)

 

[Lady_Disdain]

And the red beryl. Such nice cutting, as well.

I strongly recommend checking Brad's eBay listing. I will only say this: Luc Yen. I am out of the running, since I just got a ring that is either a huge deal or a big dud.

 

[innerkitten]

I liked the benitoite cab.

 

[chrono]

A bit orangish and sleepy but a good buy for those who like that quality.

I considered the red beryl and rubies briefly but in the end decided they were too small for earrings or side stones.

 

[Indylady]

TGT had some really great reds this drop.

 

[movie zombie]

i'm with InnerKitten!

 

[ChrisA222]

Nothing grabbed me this time (that I could afford). If I had it in the budget, I would have gone for the Benitoite, the faceted stone. It looked like a nice example...and the cutting/shape was cool, too.

MZ, I can't get into Benitoite cabs...I almost considered the last one he posted, a few months back. Then I thought about it. Why do I like Benitoite? The color, and its incredible brilliance and dispersion. If you go with a cab, you only get the color...so the brilliance and especially the dispersion that is almost unique to Benitoite is absent.

Just my opinion...if it was me, and I could only afford a cab (which, actually, IS me, lol) I would hold off until I was in a better position to afford a nice faceted stone. Again, just my opinion.

This all being said, I am generally not a fan of cabs. I made an exception recently with a blue Moonstone (I had been looking for a really nice one for a while, and I just bought one). I also eventually want to purchase some sort of Cats-eye and/or a star. So those will have to be cabs.

 

[OTL]

Isn't it just lovely! Looks like I will be the one to own this wonderful babe!

Brad told me I was the second one to offer, and the winner decide not to buy it. So, woohoo, it is available again!

It will be my first over 2ct Mahenge spinel!

 

[chrono]

Congrats. A few more days and it'll be in your hands!

 

[JewelFreak]

Post pics right away!

 

[OTL]

Congrats. A few more days and it'll be in your hands!

Thanks, although I am very exciting, but I'm adjusting my expectation based on the price.

 

[OTL]

Post pics right away!

I promise I will! I always do

 

[Starzin]

Looking forward to seeing your in-hand shots

 

[jstarfireb]

Nothing grabbed me this time (that I could afford). If I had it in the budget, I would have gone for the Benitoite, the faceted stone. It looked like a nice example...and the cutting/shape was cool, too.

MZ, I can't get into Benitoite cabs...I almost considered the last one he posted, a few months back. Then I thought about it. Why do I like Benitoite? The color, and its incredible brilliance and dispersion. If you go with a cab, you only get the color...so the brilliance and especially the dispersion that is almost unique to Benitoite is absent.

Just my opinion...if it was me, and I could only afford a cab (which, actually, IS me, lol) I would hold off until I was in a better position to afford a nice faceted stone. Again, just my opinion.

This all being said, I am generally not a fan of cabs. I made an exception recently with a blue Moonstone (I had been looking for a really nice one for a while, and I just bought one). I also eventually want to purchase some sort of Cats-eye and/or a star. So those will have to be cabs.

I want to echo this 100%! I wish I had the money for the faceted benitoite. I've been in love with benitoite ever since I knew they existed. Such a great size too. Definitely with you on the cab vs. faceted stone thing in general and particularly with stones known for their brilliance and dispersion. I'm also not a fan of cabs in general unless they have something special like adularescence or chatoyancy, like you mentioned.

Brad gets stunning benitoites from time to time, and some day I'll be able to afford one of his. The only one I have is 4mm round and scratched on the crown (I bought it that way for $100), but the dispersion is stunning and the tone is a little lighter than the trade ideal, but absolutely perfect for displaying the spectral color flashes.

 

[1001smiles]

Hi, OTL. Do you mind sharing what you thought of that spinel? Did you happen to take any pics?
Brad just e-mailed me that I am next in line for it...
Thanks.

 

[OTL]

Hi, OTL. Do you mind sharing what you thought of that spinel? Did you happen to take any pics?
Brad just e-mailed me that I am next in line for it...
Thanks.

Hi 1001Smiles

I just shipped that stone back like a hour ago I am sorry but I didn't take any photos, because it's been raining for a few days here and I just don't have the good light condition to take a picture.

Well, I obviously returned it for a reason, I guess maybe because I have not got a chance to see it in the sun. The color is not what I expected. To me it is more purplish red than purplih pink. I maybe completely wrong about the stone since I really am judging the color in cloudy days

 

[chrono]

Pink is a light toned red, so my guess is that when light conditions are poor, the pink darkens up a little. When the sun is out, it should lighten up and show you its pinker side. All that aside, you've got to like what you see and if it doesn't appeal to you under cloudy conditions, you did the right thing in returning it.

 

[OTL]

Pink is a light toned red, so my guess is that when light conditions are poor, the pink darkens up a little. When the sun is out, it should lighten up and show you its pinker side. All that aside, you've got to like what you see and if it doesn't appeal to you under cloudy conditions, you did the right thing in returning it.

Maybe you are right. And also found out i am definitely not a sleepy lover.

 

[erinl]

OTL-

I have returned more stones than I am willing to admit and I don't regret any of my returns when thinking back on them (yet).

 

[chrono]

Absolutely, better to free up those funds for something you are head over heels for. I'm not a sleepy lover too. I keep wanting to scrub the "oil" away from the surface, trying to make it sparkle. Don't get me wrong though, I like a touch of silk to diffuse the colour a bit, just a tiny bit. Do you think the concave-like faceting affected your decision too? It's not a style that everyone likes.

 

[OTL]

Absolutely, better to free up those funds for something you are head over heels for. I'm not a sleepy lover too. I keep wanting to scrub the "oil" away from the surface, trying to make it sparkle. Don't get me wrong though, I like a touch of silk to diffuse the colour a bit, just a tiny bit. Do you think the concave-like faceting affected your decision too? It's not a style that everyone likes.

I don't really mind of the cutting. For this specific stone, concave is really a good choice, brighten it up.

 

[chrono]

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[1001smiles]

Pink is a light toned red, so my guess is that when light conditions are poor, the pink darkens up a little. When the sun is out, it should lighten up and show you its pinker side. All that aside, you've got to like what you see and if it doesn't appeal to you under cloudy conditions, you did the right thing in returning it.

Maybe you are right. And also found out i am definitely not a sleepy lover.

I should ask my husband if I am a "sleepy lover"... Hmmm... Anyways, thank you for your feedback OTL. Did you feel the color saturation was good? Brad said he would send me a hand shot when he gets the stone, so we'll see...
I actually like slightly sleepy stones, here in Southern California they are very glowy. It's a good location for spinels

 

[OTL]

Pink is a light toned red, so my guess is that when light conditions are poor, the pink darkens up a little. When the sun is out, it should lighten up and show you its pinker side. All that aside, you've got to like what you see and if it doesn't appeal to you under cloudy conditions, you did the right thing in returning it.

Maybe you are right. And also found out i am definitely not a sleepy lover.

I should ask my husband if I am a "sleepy lover"... Hmmm... Anyways, thank you for your feedback OTL. Did you feel the color saturation was good? Brad said he would send me a hand shot when he gets the stone, so we'll see...
I actually like slightly sleepy stones, here in Southern California they are very glowy. It's a good location for spinels

Handshot is absolutely a smart idea! I am glad Brad will do that for you. I know it is a bit hard for him because I once asked handshot for another stone and he said the shooting equipment are set as is, and it's hard to maneuver. I think you will have a better idea with the handshot photo!