Couple of questions about spinel

[_Sarah_]

Hey everyone! I am curious about blue spinels, what are average prices of natural, untreated spinels about 1.50cts? What kind of treatments do they use on spinels? What should I look out for?

 

[colormyworld]

Hi Sarah, As with most colored gems price is related to quality. Most natural blue spinel has a strong grayish cast and can be very inexpensive. On the other hand though, natural blue spinel in a color close to nice sapphire color are very rare and are very expensive..

Spinel is not often treated. I have heard of spinels being oiled though.



Doug

 

[_Sarah_]

Ok Im just looking for a general price range of good to high quality blue spinel, I kind of like the greyish blue, but the prices I am seeing seem pretty cheap around 100-200 dollars for a 1.30-1.60 ct. Is that normal?

 

[Harriet]

Sarah, where have you been looking? Those prices do seem a bit low.

 

[_Sarah_]

Thats what I thought, I have just been looking at places through a search for blue spinel on google, I was wanting to know if those prices were right for good quality stones, it seemed awful low.... I dont know how pricy of a stone spinel is. Where are good reputable places to look for blue spinels? Im am not finding a whole lot.

 

[Harriet]

I get my stones from Richard M. (www.artcutgems.com), and have been very happy. In fact, I''m about to purchase a spinel from him.

 

[marcy]

I love spinels! The high quality one''s I''ve found can cost as much if not more than good sapphires. I hope your find a keeper and will look forwarrd to seeing it.

 

[poshpepper]

Date: 7/12/2007 11:03:03 PM
Author: Harriet
I get my stones from Richard M. (www.artcutgems.com), and have been very happy. In fact, I'm about to purchase a spinel from him.

The page is under development

 

[LeeLy]

I heard nice blue spinel is as rare as red spinel. This is also one of my favorites. I spot out this blue spinel ring. Any idea about the vendor?

Lee

 

[chrono]

I trust Antoine 100% as I've had dealings with him in the past. He also sells his gemstones through Gary at www.diamondexpert.com. He sell nice quality spinels, and not so nice ones, some are also better cut than others. You just have to ask the right questions and he answers you honestly.

1. The stone looks like it has purple in it.
2. Ask about cutting - is it native cut? I would expect so. Any windows?
3. Ask for a close up of the stone.

 

[colormyworld]

In my experince fine blue spinel is far more rare than fine reds.

 

[chrono]

Date: 7/13/2007 2:12:51 PM
Author: colormyworld
In my experince fine blue spinel is far more rare than fine reds.

Agreed. I am still searching for the elusive blue spinel that looks like a top blue sapphire. I am envious of yours, CMW. They look gorgeous.

 

[colormyworld]

Thank you Chrono. I found mine years ago before they were popular.

 

[colormyworld]

All the stones in my avatar are spinels.

 

[chrono]

Do you have newer pictures of your blue spinels? I recall you were setting one into a pendant but I never saw the finished product.

 

[colormyworld]

I did set one into a pendant but have since decided to have it recut because of a very noticable window. I have no recent pics at this time.

 

[colormyworld]

Blue spinels are a funny stone. The color changes drasticly in various lighting. They love fluorescent lighting but do not do so well in incandescent. Sunlight is the coolest though because of the dispersion they flash a lot of rainbow colors. You just don''t see in the reds.

 

[chrono]

Date: 7/13/2007 3:04:51 PM
Author: colormyworld
Blue spinels are a funny stone. The color changes drasticly in various lighting. They love fluorescent lighting but do not do so well in incandescent. Sunlight is the coolest though because of the dispersion they flash a lot of rainbow colors. You just don''t see in the reds.

That''s why I like pink spinels; they flash rainbow colours for me.

I don''t see this in reds too. Too bad.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 7/13/2007 12:46:57 PM
Author: poshpepper

Date: 7/12/2007 11:03:03 PM
Author: Harriet
I get my stones from Richard M. (www.artcutgems.com), and have been very happy. In fact, I''m about to purchase a spinel from him.

The page is under development

Just e-mail him.

 

[_Sarah_]

Thanks everyone for your advise! I dont know if I will be a getting a stone soon, my BF just bought me my first loose gemstone, a pale sapphire, last month and I still havent even gotten a qoute for getting it set, so thats my next goal. But I saw a stunning ring with a purple spinel as the center stone here on PS and loved the light return! I love pale- meduim blue stones and spinels are one of my favorites. I cant help but getting ahead of myself and start searching for my next gemstone purchase...

 

[_Sarah_]

How good are spinels for rings? I think they have a hardness of 8? Is that right?

 

[colormyworld]

Yes spinels are 8 on the hardness scale and with thier lack of cleveage makes them a good choice for rings.

 

[_Sarah_]

Ok good to know!

 

[AmandaFace]

I just purchased my first spinel! a beautiful 2 1/2 carat red. cant wait til it comes!

 

[Rae~]

Ooooh, sounds good - please post pics when it arrives!