I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/comments?

[two_little_birds]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

So yesterday I received a hand shot from Marc (Africa Gems) and I was very disappointed in what I saw which I was honest with him about.

I have been in contact with Yvonne and I'm getting some more information from her. Again we were in contact last year as well when I started my search.

Time will tell whether I move forward with anything, or whether I continue to wait.

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Did you make a decision?

This one caught my eye, but feel free to critique since I'm not an expert.

1.01 ct
5.4mm, depth 4.5mm
VVS
No treatment
$880
http://www.gemfix.com/spinel.html
(number 266 if you want to search the page)

Yes, this stone is actually the one that started my search last summer. But to be honest, I want something bigger. It could still be a contender though if I double halo it. Gemfix doesn't ship stones over $1K to Canada either, so that's another downfall.

 

[GregS]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Did you make a decision?

This one caught my eye, but feel free to critique since I'm not an expert.

1.01 ct
5.4mm, depth 4.5mm
VVS
No treatment
$880
http://www.gemfix.com/spinel.html
(number 266 if you want to search the page)

I suspect that stone will shift hard orange under artificial light, I would bet money on it.

 

[sparkleismyfavcolor]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Good luck! I know first hand the Mahenge search these days can be a tough one. I was able to see a couple of Yvonne's spinels, and I have to say they looked so much better in person! I ended up going a different route but she was super responsive and helpful and great to work with.

I was trying to find a hand shot of that Africa Gems emerald cut spinel to post for reference but must have deleted it. They had sent one when I had asked a few months ago. I don't know which was off, but the video looks great and the hand shot was just "meh" for me at best.

 

[T L]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

So yesterday I received a hand shot from Marc (Africa Gems) and I was very disappointed in what I saw which I was honest with him about.

Just curious, was it very brownish or too orangey??

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

So yesterday I received a hand shot from Marc (Africa Gems) and I was very disappointed in what I saw which I was honest with him about.

Just curious, was it very brownish or too orangey??

TL here you go...

 

[T L]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

So yesterday I received a hand shot from Marc (Africa Gems) and I was very disappointed in what I saw which I was honest with him about.

Just curious, was it very brownish or too orangey??

TL here you go...

I guess a picture speaks a thousand words. Thanks.

 

[chrono]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

You don't think it's just a horrible picture (because I cannot make a single thing out)?

 

[Marlow]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Sorry - is this a joke???

1,79 ct for 2900 $ and this quality???

Neither Vivid/Neon nor hot pink - hope you find a much better one!!!!

 

[LoversKites]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Pretty disappointing from that image. What light source was it under?

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Pretty disappointing from that image. What light source was it under?

Not 100% sure, Marc didn't specify. He did send me another video yesterday, taken outside, but not on the skin/hand. I have until Friday to make a decisions. The videos look great, the professional still photos great, but the hand shot...

 

[sparkleismyfavcolor]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Not 100% sure, Marc didn't specify. He did send me another video yesterday, taken outside, but not on the skin/hand. I have until Friday to make a decisions. The videos look great, the professional still photos great, but the hand shot...

Very interesting to hear you say that, because that is the exact same experience I had with their EC spinel mentioned previously in this post.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Do any of you know if Africa Gems negotiates on price? They have a couple of things I am interested in.

 

[T L]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Pretty disappointing from that image. What light source was it under?

Not 100% sure, Marc didn't specify. He did send me another video yesterday, taken outside, but not on the skin/hand. I have until Friday to make a decisions. The videos look great, the professional still photos great, but the hand shot...

Did he say the video or the photos are more accurate? Why such a disparity? Is his white balance off or something?

In the photo, it looks like a regular ordinary pink spinel.

 

[chrono]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Did he say the video or the photos are more accurate? Why such a disparity? Is his white balance off or something? In the photo, it looks like a regular ordinary pink spinel.

I agree which is why it would be good to clarify. Under normal circumstances, I would advise to see the stone in person but with your being outside of the US with a hefty tax implication, it isn't an easy decision.

 

[Acinom]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

What a dilemma. It indeed looks disappointing purely based on the handshot. Can they make a video with the stone on a hand in natural daylight?

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Did he say the video or the photos are more accurate? Why such a disparity? Is his white balance off or something? In the photo, it looks like a regular ordinary pink spinel.

I agree which is why it would be good to clarify. Under normal circumstances, I would advise to see the stone in person but with your being outside of the US with a hefty tax implication, it isn't an easy decision.

Exactly, shipping stones back and forth is not really an option. Thus I have to be very diligent in my selection.

There is potential to work with Yvonne on the emerald cut, and it's on hold. I received a video today from her and hopefully she's sending me 2 more videos.

Also working with Marty from FGS on potentially 3 stones (for a 3-stone ring).

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

"two little birds," I didn't realize that you live in Canada. I understand your dilemma better now, since many vendors won't even send stones to Canada for examination. Is there any chance that you could come to the Tucson gem show in February and/or visit NYC to see some Mahenges in person?

Unfortunately no. I have already booked a vacation in February outside of the states. Attending a show won't happen, I know that. But just to clarify again, I have indeed seen Mahenge's in person. So I know what I want, my challenge is finding it.

 

[Niel]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Brad just dropped a lovely one...but the price !

 

[Marlow]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Beautiful but the price was a shock for me - what is going on with Mahenge Spinel??

The australian sapphire is cool!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

In regards to the hand shot- I had a "sleepy" mahenge that looked like that in sunlight. It changed from sparkly pink/red to a pink, hazy, glowing stone. I didn't like the change and decided I prefer spinels that are not sleepy.

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

So I've decided to pass on the AfricaGems stone from Marc. Sadly it fell short of my expectations.

I have this 2.14ct parcel on hold with Marty - http://www.forevergemstones.com/proddetail.php?ProdID=4408
I've also asked him to also provide a hand shot.

In addition I have this 2.87ct emerald on hold with Yvonne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-0H4S66zgc&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LllnNbSZIWw&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2tg1Cx_5ZE&feature=youtu.be

Thoughts/opinions on these new selections?

 

[marymm]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

So I've decided to pass on the AfricaGems stone from Marc. Sadly it fell short of my expectations.

I have this 2.14ct parcel on hold with Marty - http://www.forevergemstones.com/proddetail.php?ProdID=4408
I've also asked him to also provide a hand shot.

In addition I have this 2.87ct emerald on hold with Yvonne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-0H4S66zgc&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LllnNbSZIWw&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2tg1Cx_5ZE&feature=youtu.be

Thoughts/opinions on these new selections?

The 2.14ct parcel has potential I think - the center stone looks the nicest (best color/cut of the bunch), and the other two look to be well-matched - depending on the hand shot, may well be worth buying so you can see them for yourself.

The emerald-cut Spinel looks to be too included for my preference (YMMV) - nice color and shape though.

 

[gingercurls]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

I completely agree with Marymm. The emerald cut stone looks to be included to the point that it almost impacts the color of the stone. Also, the videos paint a very different picture of the stone in comparison to the still pictures. The 2.14 carat parcel looks great, though.

 

[T L]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

So I've decided to pass on the AfricaGems stone from Marc. Sadly it fell short of my expectations.

I have this 2.14ct parcel on hold with Marty - http://www.forevergemstones.com/proddetail.php?ProdID=4408
I've also asked him to also provide a hand shot.

In addition I have this 2.87ct emerald on hold with Yvonne.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-0H4S66zgc&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LllnNbSZIWw&feature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2tg1Cx_5ZE&feature=youtu.be

Thoughts/opinions on these new selections?

The 2.14ct parcel has potential I think - the center stone looks the nicest (best color/cut of the bunch), and the other two look to be well-matched - depending on the hand shot, may well be worth buying so you can see them for yourself.

The emerald-cut Spinel looks to be too included for my preference (YMMV) - nice color and shape though.

Forevergemstones is known for extreme photoshopping around here.

 

[chrono]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Forevergemstones is known for extreme photoshopping around here.

Ditto.

 

[marymm]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Forevergemstones is known for extreme photoshopping around here.

Ditto.

Thanks for this info.

Question: Will the hand shot Forevergemstones provide also be photo-shopped? Or, I guess, more likely, he may refuse to provide the requested hand shot.

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Forevergemstones is known for extreme photoshopping around here.

Ditto.

Thanks for this info.

Question: Will the hand shot Forevergemstones provide also be photo-shopped? Or, I guess, more likely, he may refuse to provide the requested hand shot.

I have shared the link for the post with Marty and Yvonne. I've asked Marty for hand shots and in the past he has provided them, so we shall see.

 

[two_little_birds]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Just received an e-mail from Marty, he will not provide a hand shot.

 

[sparkleismyfavcolor]

Re: I have this Mahenge currently on hold... thoughts/commen

Oh no! Did he say why?