Critique this Spinel

[CharmyPoo]

I am trying to learn more about spinels. Can you please critque this spinel (assuming it is a spinel)?

 

[CharmyPoo]

Another view ...

 

[CharmyPoo]

Last one.

 

[chrono]

Looks too shallow, which might account for the window.

 

[T L]

I agree with Chrono. Did you ever get that other spinel you won off of ebay?

 

[CharmyPoo]

I paid for it but it still hasn''t arrived yet. I guess shipping is really slow from Thailand to Toronto.

 

[T L]

That IS slow, I would ask the seller for a tracking number. I won some things after you won that from Thailand, and they already arrived. I didn''t get super fast shipping either.

 

[MMT]

I don''t know much about stones but the color is really pretty

 

[mochi]

When you say "window" do you mean the top part of the stone or the bottom?? Still trying to learn...

Thanks
mimi

 

[chrono]

Windowing means being able to see through the stone (see objects instead of colour) when looking at it from the top (table).

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 10/25/2008 1:20:45 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
That IS slow, I would ask the seller for a tracking number. I won some things after you won that from Thailand, and they already arrived. I didn''t get super fast shipping either.

I just got the tracking number and apparantly it arrived last week. I didn''t get a delivery notice but I will try to pick it up later. No pics probably until the weekend since I have to rush to the airport for a business trip.

 

[laurel25]

Mochi - I attached a pic with the window circled - it''s where you can see through to the bottom of the stone.

 

[mus]

Can you explain me why windowed stones are less appreciated ?

 

[Kismet]

Date: 10/28/2008 6:20:35 AM
Author: mus
Can you explain me why windowed stones are less appreciated ?

Because a windowed stone will only sparkle around the edges and there will be a dead spot in the center

 

[mochi]

AWWW...thanks all of you for the explanation.

 

[T L]

I have this thing with colored gemstones that if they look like a much cheaper gemstone, or can be confused with a much cheaper gemstone, that bugs me. For example, I don't want a paraiba tourmaline that can be confused with an aquamarine, blue topaz or zircon. I don't want a pink sapphire that can be confused with a kunzite or a light amethyst. For me, the gemstone must have unique properties that set it aside and make it look like an excellent quality of the particular gemstone species it is. To me, that spinel could be easily mistaken for a less expensive garnet or tourmaline. I dont' think the color is all that spectacular or sets it apart from other spinel gems, also as everyone states, the window is obviously huge. If you're not paying a lot, than that's a different story. I hope that makes sense. If you're getting it for just the color, there are less expensive and better cut species of gems out there than spinel of that color. However, if you're getting it to get a nice spinel, I would go for a more unique and better color. Hope that makes sense. Ugh, I just got a purple sapphire that looks like a cheap lousy cut amethsyt. Learn from my mistake!!

 

[movie zombie]

i could tolerate a window if i loved everything about the stone, the price was right, and most importantly, i couldn''t see through the stone to the point where i can see the background through it and/or read newsprint through it. that would be a very very rare stone indeed.

and most affordable spinel i''ve seen is hampered by major extinction.....if anything bothers me more than a window, its extinction. to avoid that one in spinel means stepping up to $1.5-2K per carat.....sigh. hence, i don''t own spinel because i just cannot get past the extinction problem because it just bothers me too much.

movie zombie

 

[CharmyPoo]

So I am going to come out and admit that I actually purchased this spinel before I posted. I didn''t really like it but again - I have a shopping problem! It was only $26 so I am not hurting. It seems that I am getting a large collection of ugly gems. My wish is just one pretty one out of the batch. The rest I will use for arts and crafts.

 

[chrono]

Charmy,
If you want just one pretty one, please spend some time learning about gemstones and taking your time to pick out something nice and not too cheap. There is a reason why it''s very cheap - it''s because it isn''t very pretty or something is very wrong with the cut. I guess it''s not too bad that this one is only $26 though.

 

[movie zombie]

it you like it, it is pretty! its your eye to which it must be pleasing! don''t buy for us! buy for yourself and your own personal pleasure! however, if you''ve got a shopping problem, this is probably the way to go as you''re not out a ton of $. enjoy your collection and use it as you please. however, i do doubt a $25 stone is worth a diamond halo.......

movie zombie

 

[CharmyPoo]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will take my time to learn more before I make a more expensive purchase for myself. In the mean time, I have called it quits to my eBay gemstone shopping. I wanted to order a few more that looked pretty to me to balance out the shipping cost.

I should note that I am a sucker for shape. I do love the shape of all the stones I got but it doesn't do me much good when it doesn't sparkle.