Help me decide!

[kristy_lyn]

I want to order a stone over the weekend - something large in size, and somewhere in the blue/purple/pink range.
Because of my timeline, I need somthing that''s already cut, and that would ship fairly quickly.

I want something well cut, that''s preferably rectangular, square, or octoganal... with dimensions between 11-16mm. I want to make a halo necklace kind of like lauren''s alexandrite one, or matamoros'' blue spinel.

I want the center stone to be under $500 - so, in that size, I am thinking that I will probably need to get something like an amethyst?

Would you buy any of these amethysts?

http://www.ajsgems.com/AMY/AMY-00376.htm
http://www.ajsgems.com/AMY/AMY-00385.htm
http://www.ajsgems.com/AMY/AMY-00386.htm

If so, which one and why?

Can anyone suggest other options (less than $500) for a large stone in the blue/pink/purple range??? I''m open to ideas!

 

[clementine]

I vote for the 1st one.........I like the cut a bit better.

Clem

 

[Dogmom]

I agree with Clem.

 

[chrono]

Gee, all of them look similar and photography of gemstones is very difficult. I would not make my decision just based on 1 straight up picture. I would email AJS and ask their opinion on all 3 stones. You don''t want to buy something you won''t like because shipping and returns from Asia/Thailand is slow and painful.

 

[twodoor2]

Make sure ajsgems gives you a true indication of the color and saturation. It''s been known to happen that his pictures don''t always match up to the actual stone color. Not his fault, it''s just difficult to capture true color in a photograph sometimes.

Brazilian, or most South American amethyst does not always have the color saturation and deep purple "Siberian" hues of say, African (namely Zambian) or Arizona Four Peaks Amethyst. There are always exceptions, and Uruguay has some nicer amethyst, but Brazil is generally mediocre.

There is another link in Pricescope of some prime examples of four peaks amethyst (do a search of four peaks). It''s kind of expensive, but would be under the $500 price range for a nice stone. At least you can see the color saturation of fine Siberian quality amethyst.

 

[kristy_lyn]

hmmm... maybe I will consider getting a US stone! It may be easier for shipping, etc. - and, the pictures I''ve seen look great.

Has anyone ever dealt with the Colorado Gem and Mineral Company? It looks like they have some nice stuff... any opinions on some of the stones they have listed here?

http://www.coloradogem.com/index.php?display=Amethyst_Gemstones

 

[twodoor2]

I haven''t dealt with The Colorado company (I was wondering myself if they were good), but the one other person on the pricescope thread for four peaks amethyst got hers from Gary S. Dutton.

Here''s the link to his amethysts, but he can show you others if you send him an email.

http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=catg.setup.cgi&submit_search=1&name=Amethyst