First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spinel!

[soprano87]

I've been away from pricescope since 2006/7 when we built my engagement ring/wedding band. I started lurking on colored stones about a year ago, looking to learn about sapphires. I'm completely overwhelmed by colored stones, so we figured we'd best start in person and start small.

We went to Intergem at National Harbor, MD today, planning just to look at sapphires. We were completely unimpressed with most vendors and their selections. Frankly, I didn't see a sapphire anywhere that I was impressed with. I wasn't really expecting to find a high quality sapphire just sitting around, but I thought I'd see some that looked pretty good. Sadly, no.

We found Jaimeen and Prima, based on a recommendation from this forum. Couldn't have been happier with them. They were low pressure, very up front about any issues with stones, and extremely helpful. They didn't have any sapphires, but I looked at a couple tanzanite that were quite lovely. But my husband couldn't stop looking at the mahenge spinels.

My engagement ring is an elongated cushion, but I have been wanting a square cushion for a while now. Jaimeen had exactly ONE mahenge spinel in a square cushion cut. It's not a perfect stone at all. It has a feather inclusion that I saw with the naked eye (granted, I'm extremely picky), and (I think) a couple extinctions. I don't think it's a particularly outstanding cut. And frankly, I didn't know the right things to ask about. But the color is delicious -- a yummy raspberry -- and it's SO sparkly, we couldn't leave it there. Especially b/c it was pretty inexpensive.

Here are a few shots from my iPhone, all in weird afternoon light, but I was too excited to wait!

1.54 carats
7.1mm square

I'd love to hear your thoughts on it, just to help me learn more about it. I know it's an imperfect stone. Don't worry, I'm a big fan of it, so you won't make me fall out of love! I do wonder whether I'd love it as much, sitting next to a Jeff White cushion cut. But I imagine it would be 3x the cost, and I'd have to wait to find the perfect thing. I may just enjoy having this in my hot little hand enough that it's worth not having the most perfect stone yet.

 

[distracts]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Nice! It looks like a nice color, great size, and nice (though as you've noted, not perfect) cut. I'd say definitely a good buy... and everyone at Prima is just so nice and fun!

I think more pics are a must...

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

I like it! Very pretty.

In my dealings with Prima, I've found them to be great for spinels and tsavs and many great stones coming from continental Africa--I think they would readily admit that they are not sapphire specialists. Maybe I'm wrong about this..but that's what I've gleaned from some conversations with them and having fun looking through their stock.

I love it in the third picture on your hand when it is sitting diagonally. Perhaps because it has some cutting issues, it performs a little better when sitting diagonally? This might just be the particular photos, but if you were open to setting it diagonally, I would play around with how it looks when on a diagonal and see whether it performs best this way...just a thought.

 

[LD]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Which photo shows us the colour you see in real life please? From your description I suspect it's the last photo of the bunch which looks incredibly different to the others.

BTW I most definitely wouldn't set this on the diagonal. If the last photo is a good representation then I'd set it like that.

 

[colorluvr]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Pretty stone! Congrats... I agree with LD, I like the way it looks in the last photo and sitting in the semi-mount gives you a good idea of how it will look. A lot of colored stones with "issues" look much better once they are set.

I was fortunate to have snagged a sweet 2.25 ct unheated bright pink cushion sapphire from the last Chantilly show from Primagems. It's from Madagascar and was the only one I saw that was this bright pink color. Just like you, I couldn't walk away from the color.

Sounds like they may have sold all their sapphires.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Pretty stone! Congrats... I agree with LD, I like the way it looks in the last photo and sitting in the semi-mount gives you a good idea of how it will look. A lot of colored stones with "issues" look much better once they are set.

I was fortunate to have snagged a sweet 2.25 ct unheated bright pink cushion sapphire from the last Chantilly show from Primagems. It's from Madagascar and was the only one I saw that was this bright pink color. Just like you, I couldn't walk away from the color.

Sounds like they may have sold all their sapphires.

Photos please

 

[chrono]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

I thought it looks all right in the last picture; is that what you see or does it look different in person? It looks purplish pink.

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Thanks so much for your kind comments! The best representation of the color is the 3rd photo where it's next to my diamond. The last photo is a bit more purple than I see in real life. The first two photos were in my backyard in the shade, so they are not representative of the stone. It snowed here today, so I'll try to take some more photos soon in better light. The last one was in the front yard in the sun, but late afternoon light.

I'm now going back and forth on it. I LOVE the color and how sparkly it is. It makes me super happy when I see it. But I'm concerned about the darker areas, and because I really only saw a handful of stones -- probably none with an amazing cut -- it's hard to know how this compares.

Something about it definitely speaks to me and makes me happy. At the same time, I'm hesitant to spend significant money on a good setting, if I find myself wondering about the quality of the stone. And since it's my first colored stone purchase, I'm unsure what to look for. I wish I could show it to you in person!

I think the price is pretty great, given what I was quoted elsewhere. I found one that was similar; 2ct vs. 1.5 and a better cut, but it was three times the cost. I considered it, but I really disliked the vendor and didn't want to support his business. I also didn't want to lay out thousands for my first CS, since we're not nearly as educated as we were about diamonds.

Here's the thing: the dark spots move depending on how I hold it. I'm not sure whether that means it's an actual extinction, or whether it's just not reflecting light as optimally as it could. Thoughts?

 

[chrono]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

How close is your head when you see the dark areas? Roughly how much of it covers the stone? Half of it? More or less? Does it ever lessen and under what conditions?

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

I can see them at arm's length, and on the table a couple feet away. It lessens when I turn the stone. Example: area on the bottom that is dark turns super sparkly when I turn it 180 degrees.

I'm looking at it in the little white box. I presume it would be better to put it in the semi-mount and get back to you. Hold, please

 

[chrono]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

The percentage of darkness matters; it should not hamper your enjoyment of its colour. Can your describe how prevalent it is in approximate percentage of the crown (face up) of the spinel? Arm's length is an acceptable distance and on the back of the hand is sufficient.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

My thought would be to keep it if you love it. Please don't make the mistake of keeping it if you don't love it just because it was a good deal. I've learned the hard way that even my "good deals," if I don't love them, end up being just purchases I wish I hadn't made so that I could use the money elsewhere.

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Here are a few in my living room. Not great lighting, but there's some natural (albeit gray, today) sunlight coming in.

It's hard to say whether these are representative, given I couldn't get the same angle all the time. But it's some more views, at least.

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Maybe 20-30%, chrono? What kind of percentage would a good cut have?

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

My thought would be to keep it if you love it. Please don't make the mistake of keeping it if you don't love it just because it was a good deal. I've learned the hard way that even my "good deals," if I don't love them, end up being just purchases I wish I hadn't made so that I could use the money elsewhere.

Great advice, minousbijoux. I will be sure not to keep it just for the savings. It DOES make me smile when I see it! I just want to make sure that I really love it, and that the dark areas won't make me sad later when I learn more about colored stones.

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

These iPhone photos definitely don't capture the sparkly side of this stone!

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Okay, now to provide what may sound like contradictory advice!

The other way to look at this is to know that we all have, or had, starter stones at one point or another. It is really hard to learn about gemstones without having them in hand and seeing them in different lighting. I suppose one could be extremely diligent and learn by reading and visiting gems at gem shows in the absence of taking any home, but the majority of us have not found that to be a practical way to learn. As a result, one tends to buy what one likes (how else would you do it?!) and as we evolve in our tastes and knowledge, we tend to change out stones. Sometimes, I look at it like all those learning stones I bought early on were the equivalent of a gemology course (well, sort of), so they were worth the money.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

If its okay, I'll be honest. A Mahenge would not be my first guess for what that gemstone is because at least in the photos, it appears not to have the intense saturation that Mahenges are known for. If that is the case, that would account for an inexpensive price per carat.

It might help you to search for other Mahenge threads and compare yours. I also see some extinction and even perhaps a small window...

 

[chrono]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

The extinction is not bad but the stone has other cut issues. It shows a tilt window fairly easily and I suspect a small window face up. The colour is not one that I would associate with the Mahenge name. It is not as well saturated, which might account for the lower pricing. Keep it if you love it though. We all don't love the same colours and not everyone likes ideal or well saturated stones.

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

I actually like the color a lot, even though it's not a typical Mahenge color. It's not as dark in person. My issue is the cut and resultant uneven light return. In some areas, it's super sparkly. In others, it's just dead.

My husband called Jaimeen, who will be looking for similar stones with a better cut. I suspect I'll be happier with one of those. Meanwhile, to educate myself more so I know what I'm looking at.

Thank you so much for your helpful feedback!! I'm happy for this to be a starter stone, but since it already has known issues, I'd rather wait and exchange for something that performs better and doesn't leave me with nagging questions (even tho I mostly love looking at it!)

 

[LD]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

I'm not sure where you're thought process lies at the moment so I'm going to list a few pros and cons (as I see them) and maybe that'll help to make up your mind? Perhaps if you did a similar list it might help also?

Cons:

1. As others have said, when somebody says "Mahenge Spinel" my first thought is intense vivid hot red/pink. So although this is a lovely Spinel and obviously hails from Mahenge, it's not going to be one that fetches the top dollar that a true Mahenge Spinel would reach.

2. In some of your photos (which is why I asked about the colour) it looks quite pale. In others it looks lovely. Certainly in the setting and on your hand it improves with colour. Do you love the colour? If it doesn't rock your world then it should be in the con list.

3. You see extinction and it worries you. This is not something that's going to go away. Irrespective of whether this is your head blocking the light OR extinction, if it's there, it's there and it can ruin your enjoyment. In all honesty, from your photos, there's not a significant amount of extinction. Don't forget this is a natural material and so will react differently when it's reflecting light.

Pros:

1. Great size.

2. Great price. Probably actually priced realistically because of the colour.

3. Reasonable cut. You probably would put this in your "con" list but actually it's a decent cut and not shabby by any stretch of the imagination. A tilt window will be present in many many many lighter gemstones and should be disregarded unless so huge it takes over (which yours doesn't).

4. When you saw it, you loved it.

Minou gave you great advice. Don't keep it just because it's a good deal. I have loads of those that sit around doing nothing and have been a total waste of my budget. If you will wear this then keep it. If you won't or you'll regret keeping it then please return it. You'll know whether you've made the right decision if you go to send it back and don't have any regrets!

 

[pregcurious]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

If you won't or you'll regret keeping it then please return it. You'll know whether you've made the right decision if you go to send it back and don't have any regrets!

Can't support this enough. I just started being aggressive about returning things, and it's been good. It's hard to send things back, especially because most stones only come with a 10-day return period, but if I don't love it, I send it back immediately. No regrets so far. A few hundred here and there adds up to a very nice stone.

That said, if you love it, you love it. I have an imperfect stone that I love for it's color.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

I actually like the color a lot, even though it's not a typical Mahenge color. It's not as dark in person. My issue is the cut and resultant uneven light return. In some areas, it's super sparkly. In others, it's just dead.

My husband called Jaimeen, who will be looking for similar stones with a better cut. I suspect I'll be happier with one of those. Meanwhile, to educate myself more so I know what I'm looking at.

Thank you so much for your helpful feedback!! I'm happy for this to be a starter stone, but since it already has known issues, I'd rather wait and exchange for something that performs better and doesn't leave me with nagging questions (even tho I mostly love looking at it!)

The great thing about what you've done is to have brought it home and had it in hand to see it in different lighting situations. You have already educated yourself a lot, as this is typically the hardest part. When you do see other stones, try and keep a mental image in your head of how this stone fared in equivalent situations so that you have something to compare future stones to.

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

We went to Intergem again (this time in VA) and saw Prima. They had one other spinel that a similar size. It was round, gave very even performance, and was certainly a very nice stone. But after looking at it and my cushion both inside and outside, I just like mine so much better! It really looks better in person than in any of these photos. The more gems I saw, the more I like this one. Jaimeen said, "I'll be honest, I like the round stone better, because that is my preference. But I think they are the same quality. That's why I priced them the same." He said he's going to Tanzania (I think) this summer, and we could wait to see what he finds. I'd like to have a few other cushions to compare it with. In general, I love the facets and the colors and the sparkles. I may wait, but I also might set it, b/c I'm kind of in love with it

I took it to Pete at Quest on our way home; Pete thought the stone was lovely. We talked about a few different options for setting it (he did my wedding band, and was great to work with.) I'm now collecting a bunch of photos and putting them on pinterest. I'm leaning towards something like this, but with a smaller halo. A halo that big would make my RHR much bigger than my engagement ring and cover my whole finger!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/it-was-in-his-guitar-case.31577/ (also done by Pete at Quest)

I'll keep you posted as things progress. Thanks again for your help!

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Here is brightspot's Quest piece, which I love and am considering as a model. I had already talked with Pete about the three cord shank before I found this photo!

 

[PrecisionGem]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Mahenge is a location, not a color. I have seen spinels from this region of Tanzania in many colors, ranging from a light pink, blue, mauve, the fantastic hot red/pinks, and dark purples. So when someone says they have a Mahenge spinel, don't think it hast to be that neon red color.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Mahenge is a location, not a color. I have seen spinels from this region of Tanzania in many colors, ranging from a light pink, blue, mauve, the fantastic hot red/pinks, and dark purples. So when someone says they have a Mahenge spinel, don't think it hast to be that neon red color.

So true. I have a red, IMHO slightly muddy spinel from Mahenge. I just call it a red spinel, because Mahenge used as a descriptor usually means neon.

 

[chrono]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Mahenge is a location, not a color. I have seen spinels from this region of Tanzania in many colors, ranging from a light pink, blue, mauve, the fantastic hot red/pinks, and dark purples. So when someone says they have a Mahenge spinel, don't think it hast to be that neon red color.

Gene,
I understand what you mean but unfortunately, the origin name of Mahenge now has the automatic connotation of the neon pinkish red spinel much the same way that Kashmir brings to mind a rich velvety blue sapphire. Few are aware that there are many different colours of spinels mined in Mahenge as well and not all of them are strongly saturated.

 

[minousbijoux]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

Mahenge is a location, not a color. I have seen spinels from this region of Tanzania in many colors, ranging from a light pink, blue, mauve, the fantastic hot red/pinks, and dark purples. So when someone says they have a Mahenge spinel, don't think it hast to be that neon red color.

Gene,
I understand what you mean but unfortunately, the origin name of Mahenge now has the automatic connotation of the neon pinkish red spinel much the same way that Kashmir brings to mind a rich velvety blue sapphire. Few are aware that there are many different colours of spinels mined in Mahenge as well and not all of them are strongly saturated.

+1

The OP gave the impression she was aiming for the extremely saturated pinkish red spinels we have all come to know and love as "Mahenge." But that said, its a good reminder Gene, that there are many hues and saturation levels of spinels coming from Tanzania and people vary in what they like. Many of us, despite the stone not exactly meeting the "typical" Mahenge standard, have urged the OP to keep it as she clearly, clearly loves it and THAT is what its all about, definitions/expectations of others be damned!

 

[soprano87]

Re: First foray into CS: Intergem & my surprise mahenge spin

I'm actually not after the expected neon color that some associate with Mahenge spinel. We were looking for blue stones, and I"m not actually that excited about pink/red, but my husband saw this and loved it, and I thought it was pretty great. I'm not really concerned about whether it meets the expected color for the name. It's a gorgeous color, so I'm happy with it. I'm more concerned with whether it's a good cut. And I think it's a fairly good cut, but not perfect. We're also not paying premium for a perfect cut, so it's understandable.