Impulse red spinel! Was it score or uh oh?

[laurakayp]

Hello everyone!,

While I'm waiting for my mahenge to be set I decided I wanted a red spinel. I knew I wanted a big stone that made a statement.

I'm anxiously waiting to find out if my red spinel is a beauty or a beast. Ughhh. While I didn't spend a fortune on it, it also wasn't cheap. I would love everyone's thoughts. I guess until its actually in my hand I will not know whether its a muddy brown mess or not.

Please don't hold back your opinions. Here is the stone! It is describe as a neon pinkish red.... We'll see...

 

[VapidLapid]

Are you still within the return time?

 

[laurakayp]

It hasn't shipped yet. Just got it today

 

[VapidLapid]

it looks to be dark to me. have you other photos?

 

[laurakayp]

Yes, but they're pretty enhanced. This one seemed more true to life. Dark doesn't bother me if it has some bright flashes but, if it looks dark and dull then it's going back. Does the color seem ok?

 

[VapidLapid]

Well, it's very hard to tell from pictures, especially just one. That is why everyone says you cant judge them except in hand. Where it does return light is a pretty color, more pink than red. What are the specs?

 

[laurakayp]

i warned you! VERY enhanced with a capital E. I feel like the uploaded picture from my iphone is darker than on my computer. here are all the images.


Stone ID: SP-652
Clarity: VS2, Near Loupe-Clean
Gemstone: Natural Spinel
Color: Neon Pinkish Red
Pcs: 1
Origin: Mahenge (Tanzania)
Weight: 2.12 Carats
Hardness: 7.5 to 8 (Mohs Scale)
Size: 8.08 x 7.32 x 4.35 mm
Treatment: None (Natural & Untreated)
Shape: Cushion
Remarks: Free IGI Certificate (See Below)
Cutting: Faceted

 

[chrono]

Definitely not neon and is too shallow and windowed. Tone is also dark with some brown.

 

[colorluvr]

I'm afraid I agree with Chrono. From just the photo I would have guessed it was from Burma not a Mahenge because it doesn't seem to have the Mahenge glow that the red spinels from Tanzania usually have and if the cert is calling it "deep", that may mean "dark".

I hope it looks better IRL, but from the photos I'm afraid you may be getting a dark stone that only "shines" when it is in bright lighting - I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

The lab report picture shows a more pink stone, while the vendor photos show a reddish stone with brown. I think you will need to see it in person to judge. Please let us know when it arrives and your perception of it.

 

[laurakayp]

ok! here it is...

I'm not sure what I think of it. I actually enjoy the mix step/cushion cut but, the color... not so sure. while in nice daylight it looks kinda pretty but once in nasty indoor lighting it does pull some brown. I'm probably going to send it back and get a credit for another stone.

 

[laurakayp]

here's more

 

[LD]

Oh Laura, I'm sorry this hasn't lived up to your expectations. I think sending it back for a credit (or better still refund) is wise. At least if you decide to go for a credit (which isn't usual by the way) then you know better how to read the vendor's photos.

 

[laurakayp]

It's definitely taught me alot about reading photos. Y'all are such great help too! The vendor is actually very nice to deal with and I asked if we could work out a credit because there is a tsav that i've been eyeing. I've also learned to turn the lighting down half way to get the most accurate color.

 

[corundum_conundrum]

i guess the vendor photo was taken on the surface of the sun. The stone actually looks fairly close to the vendor handshot, though. Not a bad one to post in the vendor photo/my photo thread.

 

[chrono]

This is why I like hand shots; harder to manipulate, easier to spot manipulation and for the most part, colour tends to be truer. I'm sorry to be proven right but at least you can get a refund / credit.

 

[minousbijoux]

I would have to agree with your conclusion and only add that in this case, the hand shot they provided was pretty true to life, unfortunately.

 

[LD]

I would have to agree with your conclusion and only add that in this case, the hand shot they provided was pretty true to life, unfortunately.

I agree BUT because this has such a noticeable shift indoors, (that I'm assuming wasn't mentioned) I would not want to buy from this Vendor. However if he/she disclosed that (if asked) then I'd be much more comfortable.

 

[chrono]

Few vendors will mention any such shift unless they know the customer really well or is asked directly by the customer.

 

[ChrisA222]

Im wondering how much the cut of the stone is letting it down...

Do you guys think its possible that if this stone was recut into a smaller, but much more brilliant cut, that it would help out the dead appearance? Or is it just too poorly saturated to really end up looking like a nice red Spinel?

Not suggesting the OP do this--just a thought that popped into my head...

 

[chrono]

It is so shallow that you'll end up with a stone of half the original size which will lessen both the tone and saturation into a pink coloured spinel.

 

[laurakayp]

It is so shallow that you'll end up with a stone of half the original size which will lessen both the tone and saturation into a pink coloured spinel.

I agree. I think even if it were re cut the color would still be a little too "garnety" which is fine if I wanted to buy a garnet but, not for a "red" spinel.

 

[laurakayp]

There is also a huge cloud over half the stone. I didn't realize it until I shined a light on it. I guess that could also be keeping it from its brightness. It actually looks like a finger print inclusion. I don't know....

 

[minousbijoux]

Im wondering how much the cut of the stone is letting it down...

Do you guys think its possible that if this stone was recut into a smaller, but much more brilliant cut, that it would help out the dead appearance? Or is it just too poorly saturated to really end up looking like a nice red Spinel?

Not suggesting the OP do this--just a thought that popped into my head...

Its lacking in saturation more than its badly cut, so a recut would just make it worse, not better.

 

[chrono]

I have concerns about the vendor from what you've written about the non disclosure. He described it as VS and almost loupe clean but interestingly, the lab memo made a note about a "natural inclusion pattern" which I now understand to be the cloud you mentioned. I don't see it at all in his magnified picture yet it is large enough to affect colour and light return.