Found a Kyanite Ring - Good Idea?

[Jambalaya]

Hi there,

I have found the most beautiful kyanite ring, but I wanted to post about it here before buying, as I'm so wary of colored stones. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Here's the thing: I'm aware that kyanite is soft and has perfect cleavage along the length, and has the two Mohs ratings. So I know not to wear it every day. This ring is a longish oval and appears to be expertly set, in that it's a half bezel with the bezeled ends being the two ends of the oval. So the perfect-cleavage part is taken care of as much as possible with the thick metal ends. The bezel and the basket is also thick and substantial. The stone is gorgeous - it looks like a perfect mid-sapphire.

In terms of treatments, I've asked the store if the kyanite is treated, and I've held the ring up to the light. I don't see anything suspicious like the line of white along the pavilion in my suspicious London Blue topaz from Macy's. The store say they are as sure as they can be that it isn't treated. It's a rock and mineral store that has been around for thirty-plus years, and they do have some created items which are clearly marked as such.

The ring costs $140 plus $20 for sizing.

Is there any reason why getting this ring would not be a good idea/would be a waste of $160? I know it isn't much money but I still don't like to waste a three-figure sum if kyanite is a seriously bad idea.

Thank you so much for your help!

 

[chrono]

Kyanite is an incredibly soft stone and is best as a pendant or earring. It's a true occasional wear ring, meaning wear it out to dinner, then remove it once you come home. Without knowing how the orientation of the stone during the cutting process, I cannot say with surety that the bezeled ends is the C axis. It is also prone to facet abrasion. Kyanite is untreated for the most part.

 

[Jambalaya]

Thank you so much, Chrono.

I wonder how it's cut in terms of that orientation. Is that something you can tell from a photograph? When I look at the ring I can see different lines/grain in it.

The stone is quite large, so it looks like a Princess Di ring. I definitely wouldn't wear it every day as I usually wear more delicate pieces. What is facet abrasion - presumably when the facets grind down due to wear. Or does it happen anyway? Does the stone just gradually fall apart??

I do also have a pair of silver and kyanite earrings from that store, although they are more like cabochon cut.

I didn't realize that kyanite is quite as soft as you say. It's difficult because I think the ring is gorgeous. Guess I just have to bear in mind that it can shatter with one blow? And never put it in the ultrasonic, I'm guessing.

 

[chrono]

I don't think I will be able to tell the orientation unless the picture is highly magnified, but better yet if I am able to manipulate the stone in person. Yes, facet abrasion is when the facets are worn down. It happens to all stones eventually but stones with low MOH will go first. The stone will not fall apart but will end up looking smooth like a cabochon. If Kyanite were a hardier stone, you can bet it will cost more and it will be more well known as a sapphire alternative. No CS should ever be put in an ultrasonic except corundum (as long as it isn't clarity enhanced), alexandrite, chrysoberyl, and spinel.

 

[Jambalaya]

ETA: I read that kyanite often occurs in long thin crystals, and you can see that with this stone as it's a somewhat elongated oval. I read that the weaker hardness of 4.5 - 5 runs along the length of the crystal and the harder Mohs rating is along the width of the original long thin crystal.

(From geology.com: "Kyanite often occurs in long, bladed crystals. These have a hardness of 4.5 to 5 along the length of the crystals and 6.5 to 7 across the width of the crystals.")

Therefore, I'm thinking that in all probability, the weaker hardness is running from end to end of the oval, with the ends thickly protected. I know we can't know for sure unless standing over the cutter, but it would make sense, right? Seeing as the long oval shape follows the shape of the original crystals, whose weaker angles run lengthwise.

 

[Jambalaya]

Posting at the same time, Chrono. Thanks for your reply!

ETA: Do you think the ring is a fair price? I estimate the stone to be approx 15mm by 9mm, and it's beautiful, quite transparent, and a lovely blue.

 

[chrono]

I think we can presume the long ends are the C because the rough is elongated. Then there's the perfect cleavage too. In terms of quality, is there colour zoning? Is it transparent or translucent? Is it eye clean? How is the colour (dark, light, eye popping bright)? In general, I do not make any purchases from local B&M stores due to the low quality for the price.

 

[Jambalaya]

It's translucent, and the blue is a beautiful mid-blue - like a dream sapphire. A midnight blue on the lighter side of midnight. I don't think there's color zoning...but I'm not an expert. In terms of being eyeclean, there are no marks in it like black or brown or white, but I think I can see some graining. If it's an independent store, is it still a B&M? It's a specialist rock and mineral store.

Thank so much for all your help, Chrono. I'm just feeling very suspicious of all CS at the moment!

 

[chrono]

A good quality kyanite should look like a fine sapphire, intense blue but not dark, transparent and with even colouration (no colour banding or lines going across it that is visible to the eye without magnification). Midnight blue sounds too dark.

 

[Jambalaya]

I'd say it looks like this in terms of the color: http://www.gemselect.com/other-info/graphics/kyanite-gem-large_info.jpg

But I'm not looking at resale value, so I'm not so concerned with whether the color is valuable - I just know I love the color of this particular ring.

I guess I'll think about it some more.

 

[chrono]

My question isn't with resale in mind but to gauge what would be a reasonable price for what you are considering, since you asked whether $160 is reasonable. In order to determine that, I have to know the quality of the piece and the primary quality consideration is the colour because colour is what sets the price. Colour is more than just how blue it is, it also involves any unevenness of colour as well. What is the metal used for the ring?

 

[minousbijoux]

Go for it! If it withstood the setting process, and its beautiful, and you will be careful with it, why not? Check it over carefully, and if there are no obvious flaws, cracks, problems, etc., I would get it. Have you shared what the metal is that it is set in?

 

[Jambalaya]

Hi Chrono and Minousbijoux, thanks so much for replying. The ring is set in sterling silver. The blue is gorgeous in my opinion. It's like the blue in the link. I've been thinking about this ring for a while. I wish I lived close enough to go down and take a pic, but it's a day out to get there.

 

[Jambalaya]

Chrono - I don't believe there is any unneveness of color. If I hadn't known any better, I would have just mistaken it for a gorgeous sapphire.

 

[Jambalaya]

I managed to pull the image. This isn't the ring, but the blue is like this, minus the lines across the stone.

 

[lovedogs]

I managed to pull the image. This isn't the ring, but the blue is like this, minus the lines across the stone.

To me, if it's a gorgeous color (which it looks like it is if it's the same color as the photo) and it isn't a ton of money (which for a CS ring $160 doesn't seem like a ton), I would go for it! Especially if you love it and know you won't wear it every day. I'd love to see pics of it, but maybe put it on hold first since I know lurkers sometimes snatch stuff up from under people. But it sounds like you love it, and usually if you've thought about it for a while and still love it then you'll be happy

 

[Jambalaya]

Thanks, lovedogs. I do love the ring and will probably end up getting it.

 

[Jambalaya]

Here are the kyanite and silver earrings that I bought at the same rock and mineral store. Cabochon cut on the top, faceted on the bottom. Cost $79 incl. tax.

 

[Acinom]

I would go for it and be very very careful when you wear it. Seems like a gorgeous color for an affordable price and obviously it is 'filling' your mind.