shape
carat
color
clarity

HELP NEEDED! - WF E-Ring & Neon Hot Pink Mahenge Spinel

crasru|1303796224|2905156 said:
TL, your Mahenge makes me drool...

Ditto that!
 
Hi gutgem,

I think that Tan's is too dark. Roger's probably has the best cut since it's a precision (but I'm not sure if that's the color you're looking for). The gem trader gem will give you the most bling for your buck (in terms of hot pink, I think) and it is fairly rare to find a round hot pink mahenge spinel. I think that the swala pink seems a bit watermelony like the ajs one.

I'm just curious: Do you have your heart set on a hot pink color or an oval shape? An oval blue might give you more options.

My favorite of the lot you've selected is the round from the gemtrader because it seems to be the most hot pink of your choices.
 
gutgem|1303811932|2905212 said:

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I would look for certified unheated hot pink sapphires too. WIth the crazy prices on Mahenges lately, and the poor saturation on many of these super expensive stones, I think I would. BTW, the Swala gem is marked as sold.
 
I do really want the "neon hot pink color".

I like how the gem looks the most when in a oval or round shape cut and I think its the most appropriate for the Lady Kate style engagement ring I envision.

These are the stones Mr. Saul suggests fit what I am looking for as that other one is apparently sold and maybe one of these also since its hard to tell on his website...
http://www.swalagemtraders.com/search-gems/detail.php?pid=2339
http://www.swalagemtraders.com/search-gems/detail.php?pid=2388

Possible to find this color and fluorescence in a certified unheated sapphire?
 
gutgem|1303827666|2905291 said:
I do really want the "neon hot pink color".

I like how the gem looks the most when in a oval or round shape cut and I think its the most appropriate for the Lady Kate style engagement ring I envision.

These are the stones Mr. Saul suggests fit what I am looking for as that other one is apparently sold and maybe one of these also since its hard to tell on his website...
http://www.swalagemtraders.com/search-gems/detail.php?pid=2339
http://www.swalagemtraders.com/search-gems/detail.php?pid=2388

Possible to find this color and fluorescence in a certified unheated sapphire?

Sapphires come in hot pink, and they often don't color shift to orange like most Mahenge spinels coming out of the ground these days. They also have fluorescence.

I'm rather upset that Mahenge spinels of lower quality are so expensive. I guess in this case, I rather have a non-shifting hot pink sapphire. I would not limit my search to Mahenge spinels, that's all I'm saying. However, be very aware that there are many treatments on sapphires, so it's very important to get a reputable lab report with one indicating no treatment.
 
Well, I am taking the advice and widening my search. So now I am considering sapphires, round/oval/cushion cuts (especially concave!), and perhaps a larger budget...

Ok, so here is the long list of pink sapphires I am considering:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-00-Carat-Wonderful-Neon-Pink-Sapphire-Mozambique-/260760808109?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item3cb68e2aad#ht_2522wt_1140 (pictures look nice, very affordable, but is it a trusted reputable seller?)
http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detg.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=SA00178&submit_search=1 (a natural something at girdle? very expensive...)
http://www.gemsuite.com/detail/?-1320408350 (a little purple)
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?34881897 (doesn't jump out at me)
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=11975 (looks very nice, but who knows the price?)

I tried narrowing this long list down, but did so less and less towards end. There are some nice looking stones here, I think... Which would you suggest?

Thanks!
 
gutgem|1303841326|2905471 said:
Well, I am taking the advice and widening my search. So now I am considering sapphires, round/oval/cushion cuts (especially concave!), and perhaps a larger budget...

Ok, so here is the long list of pink sapphires I am considering:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-00-Carat-Wonderful-Neon-Pink-Sapphire-Mozambique-/260760808109?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item3cb68e2aad#ht_2522wt_1140
http://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/pink-sapphire/pink-sapphire-0.76-carats.html
http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detg.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=SA00178&submit_search=1
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_pink.html (Hot Pink Sapphire Oval Mixed Cut, Weight: 1.12 cts, but heated)
http://www.gemselect.com/sapphire/sapphire-283612.php# (1 of them look ok...)
http://www.gemsuite.com/detail/?-1320408350
http://www.gemsuite.com/detail/?-1295031822
http://www.israel-diamonds.com/product/Sapphire/sg/27879.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fsearch%2fsapphires%2fpink%2fResult.aspx%3fpage%3d1%26order%3dprice%26PF%3d300%26PT%3d3000%26WF%3d0.75%26WT%3d3%26C%3dpink%26Sh%3dround%26Sh%3doval%26Sh%3dcushion
http://www.mineralminers.com/images/sapphire-pink/gems/spkg125.jpg
http://www.mineralminers.com/images/sapphire-pink/gems/spkg135.jpg
http://www.mineralminers.com/images/sapphire-pink/gems/spkg121.jpg
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?34881897
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=11975
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Pink/P2138/Cushion/stoneid=P2138
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Pink/P2346/Cushion/stoneid=P2346
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Pink/P592/Cushion/stoneid=P592
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Pink/P2359/Oval/stoneid=P2359
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Pink/P2358/Oval/stoneid=P2358
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Pink/P2414/Cushion/stoneid=P2414
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Pink/P2227/Oval/stoneid=P2227
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/1080/7206
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/1080/9560
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/1080/9738
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/1080/11447
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/1080/12019
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/1080/12021

I tried narrowing this long list down, but did so less and less towards end. There are some nice looking stones here, I think... Which would you suggest?

Thanks!

First of all, I do not recommend getting heated sapphires, as they are often dyed that color and the treatment is very difficult to detect, even with top lab equipment, so please skip those. Many of the ones you chose are heated or "thermally enanced" - please skip those. As for NSC, they have a bad reputation on this site, and I find them very overpriced. Wildfish, in my opinion, really enhances their photos from what I've seen people post on this site. I actually spoke in person with a lady that told me that she returned two stones that didn't look a thing like the photos on his site, and I've seen dramatically different vendor shots and consumer shots here. They are also too expensive IMHO. There was a stone recently posted on this site that looked so utterly different than the owner's photos, I was shocked beyond belief. I don't want to post the stone as I might offend the poster. Ed has his fans though, so I just caution about the photos.

Any vendor should allow you to buy an unheated stone and let you send it to the American Gem Lab or other very highly reputable lab for testing. AGL is the premier lab in the United States for colored gems. If it comes back as heated, then they should allow a refund. Also ask the vendor if they can obtain a lab report for you. Some reputable labs in Southeast Asia are AIGS, GIT and there's a GIA there, if you're going through an Asian vendor.
 
Thank you everyone for your help with my search. TL you have been especially helpful. I appreciate your cautioning against certain vendors, treatments, and suggesting widening my search to sapphires.

I have narrowed down my list above by editing the post. What do you think of these 5 stones?

The pala and ebay stone look the best to me, but who knows the price of the pala stone and were these images photoshopped? Is the ebay vendor reputable?

Thanks,
David
 
You're welcome. Even though I caution about Ed, people do find him reputable and respect him, but I just can only tell you what I see and hear, and please understand I have never dealt with him myself. NSC has conducted themselves very unprofessionally on this site, so I would totally avoid them.

Which ones have you narrowed your list down too?
 
Ok, so here is the long list of pink sapphires I am considering:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-00-Carat-Wonderful-Neon-Pink-Sapphire-Mozambique-/260760808109?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item3cb68e2aad#ht_2522wt_1140 (pictures look nice, very affordable, but is it a trusted reputable seller?)
http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detg.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=SA00178&submit_search=1 (a natural something at girdle? very expensive...)
http://www.gemsuite.com/detail/?-1320408350 (a little purple)
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?34881897 (doesn't jump out at me)
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=11975 (looks very nice, but who knows the price?)

TL, do you have an email address I can send you something to look at?
 
gutgem|1303843349|2905511 said:
Ok, so here is the long list of pink sapphires I am considering:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-00-Carat-Wonderful-Neon-Pink-Sapphire-Mozambique-/260760808109?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item3cb68e2aad#ht_2522wt_1140 (pictures look nice, very affordable, but is it a trusted reputable seller?)
http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detg.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=SA00178&submit_search=1 (a natural something at girdle? very expensive...)
http://www.gemsuite.com/detail/?-1320408350 (a little purple)
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?34881897 (doesn't jump out at me)
http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=11975 (looks very nice, but who knows the price?)

TL, do you have an email address I can send you something to look at?

The ebay stone you posted above is an enhanced photo and it has a huge window (you can see through the stone center) and the lab report says nothing about treatment. NEVER EVER accept a seller's word that a sapphire is untreated, always get a lab report.

What about the mineralminer ones? Were those heated?

I believe you can get the price for the Pala one from the vendor of the diamondexpert.com. He deals with Pala. I know people that are very happy with him, although I have never purchased from him myself. I also don't think he enhances his photos.

We are not allowed to give out personal information on this forum, sorry.
 
I will definitely pay for AGL testing done then!

The mineralminer ones don't look very good and all it says is no evidence of heat treatment...?

I sent a message over to the diamondexpert.com about that pala gem. Well good that sounds promising. Hopefully no one grabs it before me if it is an acceptable price and quality as it seems?

Wow, that is weird rule... Can't even PM on the forum? Interesting. Since people post their websites in their signatures that you can get contact info, but then again I guess they pay for that privilege.

What do you think about concave cut gems?

I am guessing flawlessfacets and gemsbydesign have a good reputation?

Thanks.
 
gutgem|1303844585|2905527 said:
I will definitely pay for AGL testing done then!

The mineralminer ones don't look very good and all it says is no evidence of heat treatment...?

I sent a message over to the diamondexpert.com about that pala gem. Well good that sounds promising. Hopefully no one grabs it before me if it is an acceptable price and quality as it seems?

Wow, that is weird rule... Can't even PM on the forum? Interesting. Since people post their websites in their signatures that you can get contact info, but then again I guess they pay for that privilege.

What do you think about concave cut gems?

I am guessing flawlessfacets and gemsbydesign have a good reputation?

Thanks.

I have not dealt with flawlessfacets, and gemsbydesign. It's very difficult to get a non-treated hot neon pink stone on a budget as it is one of the most expensive colors. I cannot tell you how disheartened I am with Mahenge spinels as of late. I know someone who bought several very expensive ones, and she was disappointed in the color of many. I suspect the material coming out of the ground isn't the quality it was one or more years ago. The prices are so high as well, and I just cannot fathom paying those prices for stones that shift to a more desaturated color in certain lighting. I did see a Burmese pink spinel that was drop dead gorgeous. I can't post the picture as it belongs to someone else, so maybe you can look at other locales for hot pink spinels. Mahenge, Tanzania doesn't hold the monopoly on hot pink spinels, that's for sure.

Concave cut gems are not everyone's cup of tea, and they often deepen tone in a gem, which may not be desirable here. That kind of cut often appear on synthetic or cheaper gems too, and I think that puts me off from them, but that's just my personal opinion. Others may differ. Keep us posted. Good luck!
 
Thanks, I sent him a message with that request.
 
Well, I decided on a gem from Richard P. Homer, G.G., Gems By Design, Inc. at http://www.concavegems.com/main.html

I am very impressed by the extraordinary cut and color as pictured. I hope it is everything I believe it is and am sure it will be according to many others thoughts on him and his work!

I am also considering going to the International Gem & Jewelry Show this weekend in Dallas, Texas to educate myself more. Also, Vance Gems who was recommended as a possible source for the stone I seek will also be there with some pink spinels.

The square cushion concave brilliant I am purchasing beside his comparable round which is still available:
6278-6778PkSpinelComparison.jpg


The square cushion concave brilliant by itself:
6275PkSpinel.jpg


Thanks again for everyone's help. I will update again later.

David
 
gutgem|1303856833|2905680 said:
Well, I decided on a gem from Richard P. Homer, G.G., Gems By Design, Inc. at http://www.concavegems.com/main.htmlDavid

Gems always look more neon against a dark background. I hope he has a good return policy. Before you buy a gem from him, why don't you go to a gem show. That way, you'll learn a lot more about the different colors of hot pink out there.

When you do go to the show, try to locate Andrew Sarosi as well. He usually gets amazing gems in, and he might have some examples of hot pinks in sapphires and spinels.
 
Not sure if you've already purchased a stone, but I really like the oval spinel from Swala and the 2 stones from AJS. I'm not an expert though, but just thought I'd add my opinion. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

ETA: And that marquise that TL just posted is GORGEOUS!
 
I have ordered the check to be mailed for the gem I selected. He has a 3 day inspection period and full refund as I understand it. I consider the gem from Richard P. Homer, G.G., Gems By Design, Inc. at http://www.concavegems.com/main.html to be a good value at $1415 shipped. I like the cut as pictured and look forward to seeing the fire and brilliance from the stone in person. Picking out a stone and finding an appropriate ring for it is an incredibly personal thing which I believe the color fits her taste and the cut my personality so I think its very fitting for us!

Sarosi of Africagems?

Yes, I will go to the gem show if I have time (I have finals and moving to attend to - catching up after short vacation with her to see family in Florida). If not, I am sure I will still be happy and if not I will mail it back. I will post pictures and try taking it to a local jeweler for an opinion.

No, I do not like the marquise cut.

Thanks for everyone's help especially TL.
 
gutgem|1303860921|2905739 said:
Sarosi of Africagems?

Marc Sarosi, who operates africagems.com, is the son of Andrew Sarosi.
 
Thanks TL. I guessed there was some kind of relation and that was the company you were referring to.

I have had email communication with them and there was nothing I found of interest or in my price range, but perhaps I will see otherwise if I am able to attend the gem show.
 
gutgem|1303860921|2905739 said:
I have ordered the check to be mailed for the gem I selected. He has a 3 day inspection period and full refund as I understand it. I consider the gem from Richard P. Homer, G.G., Gems By Design, Inc. at http://www.concavegems.com/main.html to be a good value at $1415 shipped. I like the cut as pictured and look forward to seeing the fire and brilliance from the stone in person. Picking out a stone and finding an appropriate ring for it is an incredibly personal thing which I believe the color fits her taste and the cut my personality so I think its very fitting for us!

Thanks for everyone's help especially TL.


Hi gutgem (how did you come up with that name?)
I think it's good to get lots of information here, you found the right place.
There are so many knowledgeable and
helpful folks in these parts, many of whom have been studying and collecting
FOR YEARS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... :sun:
And others of us work hard at the encouraging and enabling parts ! :oops:

The thing is, you can get lots of great advice, but in the end, you need to
choose based on just what you said above.
I am sure that you will love the stone you picked and if it's what you and your
fiancee love, then it will be the perfect stone FOR YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!
And I think everyone here wants that for you too...
 
"gut" means good in german and the first part of my last name.

Yes, this place is a great source of knowledge and advice! I do not know that I will ever become a collector, but I do appreciate the beauty of the gems and for my special lady I want something equally unique and personal for her.

I guess I would be an enabler! :)

I looked at many pictures and spent several hours searching. I believe I have a better idea now of what I am ACTUALLY looking for (rather than wanting what everyone else sees as the prized and coveted gem) and want yet it still would definitely be good to attend the gem show if I have time to see in person what the photos are unable to show. Unfortunately my budget dictates part of the decision as a full time student. I can always upgrade later, but I believe my efforts and help I have received will prove to find a stone we can be happy with for a long time. Could be considered an investment too. The stones I really liked were $2500+ which I am sure would be great, but I am not as impressed with the cut as I think I will be with the concave one. Plus, the difference between the stone I am getting and the premium for the marginal improvement in color alone is probably not worth it. Though there is the saying, "cry now or cry now later..." Well, there will always be nicer out there and more I can spend, but it can be used better elsewhere and I can upgrade later if I so choose when I am doing better financially. I feel we will be happy with this choice, I will see soon! I like Mr. Homer of Gems By Design, the service I am receiving, and helping support innovation/art in the field ccolored gems.

I am sure everyone wants me/us to be happy too! Thank you everyone for all the help.
 
Ok, still hunting for the right stone... The one from Richard Homer wasn't quite the right color.

So still looking for strong fluorescence, vivid saturation, medium tone NEON HOT PINK. Not too much red, the right amount of purple, no orange, no brown. Sapphire, spinel, or tourmaline seem to be best choices for color. Willing to go down to 0.5 carat, but 1-2 carats would be better. Round is my favorite shape, then oval, lastly cushion for a platinum halo engagement ring (most likely from whiteflash).

This is around the color I want:
http://www.starruby.in/store/images/large/Faceted-Sapphire/SFN1119-1.00-carat-sapphire-230311_LRG.jpg (SOLD)
http://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/pink-sapphire/pink-sapphire-0.76-carats.html (small, but appears to be nice color/price!)

http://www.gemfix.com/newest_gems.html (the trillion half way down page spinel-240 seems nice but not the shape I am looking for)

Here is some more, but hard to tell their color:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-29ct-Extraordinary-Fine-Oval-Natural-Hot-Pink-Spinel-/370335505536?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5639b75c80#ht_2432wt_917
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-45ct-Screaming-Oval-Natural-Tanzania-Hot-Pink-Spinel-/370179187146?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56306621ca#ht_2380wt_906
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-06ct-Extraordinary-Beautiful-Cushion-Hot-Pink-Spinel-/230445554674?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a7a01bf2#ht_2282wt_917 (this one looks nice and is cheap! but makes me question it...!)
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-68ct-Extraordinarily-Cushion-Natural-Hot-Pink-Spinel-/250821953910?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a66274976#ht_1921wt_958
 
minousbijoux|1303796913|2905163 said:
crasru|1303796224|2905156 said:
TL, your Mahenge makes me drool...

Ditto that!

Thanks!. It is one of the rare sub-two carat stones that shows a red primary. It's a pinkish red. In the sun, it literally looks like a stop light due to the added punch of the strong UV fluor. I wear it almost every day. I am very fortunate to have it.
 
gutgem|1306086523|2927799 said:
Ok, still hunting for the right stone... The one from Richard Homer wasn't quite the right color.

So still looking for strong fluorescence, vivid saturation, medium tone NEON HOT PINK. Not too much red, the right amount of purple, no orange, no brown. Sapphire, spinel, or tourmaline seem to be best choices for color. Willing to go down to 0.5 carat, but 1-2 carats would be better. Round is my favorite shape, then oval, lastly cushion for a platinum halo engagement ring (most likely from whiteflash).

This is around the color I want:
http://www.starruby.in/store/images/large/Faceted-Sapphire/SFN1119-1.00-carat-sapphire-230311_LRG.jpg (SOLD)
http://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/pink-sapphire/pink-sapphire-0.76-carats.html (small, but appears to be nice color/price!)

http://www.gemfix.com/newest_gems.html (the trillion half way down page spinel-240 seems nice but not the shape I am looking for)

Here is some more, but hard to tell their color:
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-29ct-Extraordinary-Fine-Oval-Natural-Hot-Pink-Spinel-/370335505536?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5639b75c80#ht_2432wt_917
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-45ct-Screaming-Oval-Natural-Tanzania-Hot-Pink-Spinel-/370179187146?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56306621ca#ht_2380wt_906
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-06ct-Extraordinary-Beautiful-Cushion-Hot-Pink-Spinel-/230445554674?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a7a01bf2#ht_2282wt_917 (this one looks nice and is cheap! but makes me question it...!)
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-68ct-Extraordinarily-Cushion-Natural-Hot-Pink-Spinel-/250821953910?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a66274976#ht_1921wt_958

I would avoid any heated pink sapphire, even with a lab memo that states heated, as it could also be be-treated. Some labs provide that input. I'm not as familiar with Tokyo gem lab either.
 
On the other hand I am perfectly happy to buy heated pink sapphires. Be treatment requires very high heat, so a stone that has been heated at relatively low temperatures is fairly easy to detect and will not be diffused. You don't need a super-expensive lab report for this. A simple one will do the trick.

I bought one recently that was potentially unheated - the lab said they saw some evidence of heat-treatment but it had been a tricky one as a lot of the rutile inclusions were still looking good. I was happy with the price I had paid and had it been unheated I would have been super, super happy.

Going with heated stones will hugely increase your choice for your budget.
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP

Featured Topics

Top