Kitten35|1340987729|3225967 said:This is Russian (per vendor--reputable vendor).
It is described as having "some" life...not entirely sure what that means.
Kitten35|1340989888|3226006 said:Thanks!
I appreciate the advice. I am becoming very interested in gems, but, unfortunately, haha, on a limited budget.haha. (Especially right now, as we are in the process of moving, and I had to give up my job until we get settled again).
I understand this one isn't the most desireable color, but I was curious as to the rest and if this was worth purchasing or not. I rather think the inclusion is cool, but I am not sure if I would ever set this (a little small); mostly just interested in it for collection purposes. If it was really pretty I might set it into a pendant with something else, or a ring, but I was thinking of just starting a small collection....the addiction begins...haha. If it is not worth purchasing, that is okay too, and it is ok to say so. I may eventually set some, but generally for gems under $100 I would not want to set them in gold unless they were really stunning, because the cost of setting would be so much more than gem. Maybe silver, but maybe not at all.
I am new to gems (not to jewelry--I have a pretty decent pre-PS jewelry collection, I have always loved gems/jewelry, but this is the first time I am really learning nuances of cut, varities of gems, what's really good vs. just ok, and etc) so that is why I was asking; sometimes I am not sure yet, especially when seeing pictures online, how to sort out what is worth purchasing and what is not. This particular gem is under $60 just for point of reference, not sure if I would be over, under, or fairly paying, or whether it is worth purchasing at all or if said $60 would be better saved for something else. I tend to be the type who would rather have less but higher quality, but I do not have the budget for lots of top-quality gems. I would like nice gems, but they don't have to be top quality...however, I do not want low quality or not worth it, either.
Kitten35|1340990314|3226011 said:I also found this apatite for a similar price.
Is this gem of good quality, better or worse than the demantoid, and why? What are you judging the gem on?
Thanks!
It is significantly larger, I think it is 1ct, roughly.
Kitten35|1340994459|3226068 said:Ok, thanks.
So, is the apetite generally probably better quality of the two?
As far as the demantoid, that's kinda what I was wondering too--the price seems very, very low. It is listed as old stock, but it still seems low to me. Thanks!
minousbijoux|1341008680|3226215 said:I have seen a fair lot of demantoids and considered purchasing a topnotch pair of Russian stones about a year ago, each being about one carat. These particular demantoids had come out of someone's collection and were up for sale. They were stunning. Vivid, slightly lighter than chrome green, microscopic horsetails that looked like fireworks, and the dispersion was unbelievable - like they were on fire. There is a thread about them here, as I came for help with pricing. IIRC, they were about $10k/ct.
GemFever|1341016508|3226276 said:minousbijoux|1341008680|3226215 said:I have seen a fair lot of demantoids and considered purchasing a topnotch pair of Russian stones about a year ago, each being about one carat. These particular demantoids had come out of someone's collection and were up for sale. They were stunning. Vivid, slightly lighter than chrome green, microscopic horsetails that looked like fireworks, and the dispersion was unbelievable - like they were on fire. There is a thread about them here, as I came for help with pricing. IIRC, they were about $10k/ct.
Man, I'd love to just see those stones! Your description has me drooling. You say the horsetails looked like fireworks? Is that why they are so prized, because they bring extra points of fire to the stone?