Lavender spinel

[Autumn in New England]

Did someone say lavender jade and spinel?

How on earth do you find these goodies?! That thing is

!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Sadly, the 8.31ct. is sold, but I'm sure it was well out of my budget anyway!

The seller of the ring sent me videos in daylight. I can't figure out how to link or download vids from instagram private messaging. So here are the best grabs from each vid. Note the loss of saturation. This one looked promising, but I'm moving on from it.

I inquired about the emerald-cut T L posted, and the girl promptly blocked me. lol Not sure what the purpose of her account is...

So I'm back at square one!

im not usually one to comment but that person at the very least needs some hand and nail cream of some kind, i bearly remember what we are discusing, backyard landscaping and new laundries .....

 

[Autumn in New England]

im not usually one to comment but that person at the very least needs some hand and nail cream of some kind, i bearly remember what we are discusing, backyard landscaping and new laundries .....

Girl, I cringed when I saw those jagged cuticles. Ouch!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Sorry to crash your thread Autumn but I can’t resist posting my cheapie lavender jadeite purchased years ago! Picture my sister took today. Lil Sis has absconded with it but I’ve made it clear that under no circumstances have I gifted it to her!!!

I want to make a new dress for this stone one day!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Sorry to crash your thread Autumn but I can’t resist posting my cheapie lavender jadeite purchased years ago! Picture my sister took today. Lil Sis has absconded with it but I’ve made it clear that under no circumstances have I gifted it to her!!!

I want to make a new dress for this stone one day!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Sorry to crash your thread Autumn but I can’t resist posting my cheapie lavender jadeite purchased years ago! Picture my sister took today. Lil Sis has absconded with it but I’ve made it clear that under no circumstances have I gifted it to her!!!

I want to make a new dress for this stone one day!

Again... jade has the PERFECT lavender shade. This is stunning! If it's "cheapie," as you said, you must have received quite a bargain, because it looks $$$!!

 

[T L]

Just for fun, I found this tonal chart of lavender. Jadeite certainly has many of these shades. I love lavender jade. I wish I knew enough about how to purchase jade to get a piece.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Just for fun, I found this tonal chart of lavender. Jadeite certainly has many of these shades. I love lavender jade. I wish I knew enough about how to purchase jade to get a piece.

When you figure it out, @T L, please share your knowledge with me. Actually, @Crimson, would you ever consider a crash course thread on this topic? How to buy jade in general, but specifically lavender?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Again... jade has the PERFECT lavender shade. This is stunning! If it's "cheapie," as you said, you must have received quite a bargain, because it looks $$$!!

It was a bargain basement situation 6 years ago when stuff was released in droves everyday. There was a lot of junk but some great stuff nestled in between. Kinda like digging through the bargain bins at the sales.

It has great colour but there’s one patch of colour that is super deep and bright. I think that’s a nono because connoisseurs want even colour with lots of water. It is by no means high end or anything like that! At any rate I love it and the kid wants to inherit it one day so for the price I paid, the amount of wear lil sis has derived from it, its earned its keep!

See the nono deeper patch!



Anyhow, how are you on this spinel situation? I find that I have moments of intense hunting sometimes and then I settle. The gem in question usually just lands on me when I’m not looking for anything! That happened with Bulbasaur!

 

[Autumn in New England]

It was a bargain basement situation 6 years ago when stuff was released in droves everyday. There was a lot of junk but some great stuff nestled in between. Kinda like digging through the bargain bins at the sales.

It has great colour but there’s one patch of colour that is super deep and bright. I think that’s a nono because connoisseurs want even colour with lots of water. It is by no means high end or anything like that! At any rate I love it and the kid wants to inherit it one day so for the price I paid, the amount of wear lil sis has derived from it, its earned its keep!

See the nono deeper patch!



Anyhow, how are you on this spinel situation? I find that I have moments of intense hunting sometimes and then I settle. The gem in question usually just lands on me when I’m not looking for anything! That happened with Bulbasaur!

That "patch" is ever so slight! It doesn't detract from the stone at all. I don't know much about jade... and even less about the lavender variety... but I just know this is a lovely stone and ring. Tell your little sis to take good care of her or else!

I have officially suspended my quest indefinitely. I told the few sources I had looking to pack it in. I saw some vids of the first stone, and it was grayer than the photo. And then I always assume there will be further desaturation in person (though not always). Since that stone was coming from one of the most knowledgeable, fair, and respected dealers here on PS, and it is considered very fine color in her opinion (hence the price), I'm thinking lavender spinel simply isn't for me. But! The good news is, this frees me to start the setting process for one of my current stones. So silver lining and all that.

Thank you for following along on my (ill-fated) journey! lol

 

[Lunean]

Just fell on those two if you are still looking

That "patch" is ever so slight! It doesn't detract from the stone at all. I don't know much about jade... and even less about the lavender variety... but I just know this is a lovely stone and ring. Tell your little sis to take good care of her or else!

I have officially suspended my quest indefinitely. I told the few sources I had looking to pack it in. I saw some vids of the first stone, and it was grayer than the photo. And then I always assume there will be further desaturation in person (though not always). Since that stone was coming from one of the most knowledgeable, fair, and respected dealers here on PS, and it is considered very fine color in her opinion (hence the price), I'm thinking lavender spinel simply isn't for me. But! The good news is, this frees me to start the setting process for one of my current stones. So silver lining and all that.

Thank you for following along on my (ill-fated) journey! lol

What do you think of this one? Too purple?

5.90 cts Exquisite Lavender Spinel From Burma Fine Lustre

Purple Spinel 10.8 x 10.4 x 7.1mm 6.52 cts Auction #2344052 Gem Rock Auctions

www.gemrockauctions.com

 

[Autumn in New England]

Just fell on those two if you are still looking

What do you think of this one? Too purple?

5.90 cts Exquisite Lavender Spinel From Burma Fine Lustre

Purple Spinel 10.8 x 10.4 x 7.1mm 6.52 cts Auction #2344052 Gem Rock Auctions

www.gemrockauctions.com

She has particularly nice luster, doesn't she? Thank you for the suggestion! I think I'm moving on from this stone for the foreseeable future. But I'll never stop wanting to see more eye candy!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

She has particularly nice luster, doesn't she? Thank you for the suggestion! I think I'm moving on from this stone for the foreseeable future. But I'll never stop wanting to see more eye candy!

i bet the right one will just pop up one day, so i prefer to think this thread is just one the backburner for a while

 

[NKOTB]

Glad you’ve made the decision you did. I looked for many years for a similar stone (acquired a few, then realized I wanted more blue), and finally gave up. Then the unicorn presented itself (13 years later lol), and although $$$, I didn’t hesitate, and even gave up one of my “never sell” items in order to get it. Your stone will come (or it won’t, and you’ll have moved on).

 

[Autumn in New England]

Glad you’ve made the decision you did. I looked for many years for a similar stone (acquired a few, then realized I wanted more blue), and finally gave up. Then the unicorn presented itself (13 years later lol), and although $$$, I didn’t hesitate, and even gave up one of my “never sell” items in order to get it. Your stone will come (or it won’t, and you’ll have moved on).

Thank you! I actually have one last lead (even though I've sort of thrown in the towel).

If it turns into anything, I'll update the thread. Wow... 13 years... that's dedication. I'd love to see your unicorn!!

 

[NKOTB]

Thank you! I actually have one last lead (even though I've sort of thrown in the towel).

If it turns into anything, I'll update the thread. Wow... 13 years... that's dedication. I'd love to see your unicorn!!

Thread to come.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thread to come.

I didn't realize she was new! Ok, now I'm thoroughly excited...

 

[Autumn in New England]

Autumn waiting for @NKOTB's lavender spinel reveal thread like:

 

[NKOTB]

Autumn waiting for @NKOTB's lavender spinel reveal thread like:

Sorry, I meant soon! I just finished paying it off yesterday! Haven’t seen it in person yet. It’s going straight to DK.

Teaser pic, for making you wait! Some around here may recognize it…

 

[Autumn in New England]

Sorry, I meant soon! I just finished paying it off yesterday! Haven’t seen it in person yet. It’s going straight to DK.

Teaser pic, for making you wait! Some around here may recognize it…

Nooo I know, I was just teasing! Well isn't she a STUNNER!! So you like them a little deeper and bluer. Looks like a violet-blue cobalt... is she Vietnamese? Perhaps eventually you might be comfortable sharing weight and pricing info. I'm really trying to get a gauge of value for this material. In any event, I'm positively elated for you!!

 

[mamalovesgems]

Nooo I know, I was just teasing! Well isn't she a STUNNER!! So you like them a little deeper and bluer. Looks like a violet-blue cobalt... is she Vietnamese? Perhaps eventually you might be comfortable sharing weight and pricing info. I'm really trying to get a gauge of value for this material. In any event, I'm positively elated for you!!

This is Jeff White's spinel, it's gorgeous!

 

[Autumn in New England]

This is Jeff White's spinel, it's gorgeous!

It's huuuuuge!!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Saw this and thought of you Autumn

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[Autumn in New England]

Saw this and thought of you Autumn

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She's lovely!

 

[Autumn in New England]

I did end up buying a stone... let me describe my desperation level. I wired $10k (we negotiated for weeks down from a $13k starting price) to a vendor in Vietnam I'd never dealt with before. How's that for s̶t̶u̶p̶i̶d̶i̶t̶y̶ trust? It's the sort of thing I would fervently caution newbies against. Do as I say, not as I do.

Anyway, it came with a Guild report, but I will recertify out of an abundance of caution.

The specs:

~3.37ct.
~13.40 x 7.36 x 4.71mm
~Almost loupe clean
~Luc Yen origin

My appraisal:

~Indoors... pure purple base with pink flashes... zero gray.
~Outdoors... she shifts to a truer violet-lavender... color remains crisp.
~The native cut leaves something to be desired. She has a couple of open facets at the base of the keel/culet. And as with most pears (especially elongated ones), she has a bit of a bow-tie and tilt window. If she were precision cut or even had a really high-quality native cut, she'd be ideal (IMO).

Final grade:

~Cut is a 7/10 as native cuts go.
~Color is a 9/10 for this material.
~Clarity is a 10/10 for this material.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

She is beautiful!!!!!!!

Ah yes! The good ol wire random money overseas! But it all worked out didn’t it
Sometimes there are no other options! I did it for jadeite and now I have a lot of pretty jadeite!

Are you happy? She looks like the colour of lavender jadeite!!!! Don’t you find that when you love something you run off and buy it without hesitation? That’s when I know I love something!

I think her cut has just fine and the bow tie doesn’t even come close to one of the previous stones posted!

More photos Autumn!!!!!

 

[newtojewels]

I did end up buying a stone... let me describe my desperation level. I wired $10k (we negotiated for weeks down from a $13k starting price) to a vendor in Vietnam I'd never dealt with before. How's that for s̶t̶u̶p̶i̶d̶i̶t̶y̶ trust? It's the sort of thing I would fervently caution newbies against. Do as I say, not as I do.

Anyway, it came with a Guild report, but I will recertify out of an abundance of caution.

The specs:

~3.37ct.
~13.40 x 7.36 x 4.71mm
~Almost loupe clean
~Luc Yen origin

My appraisal:

~Indoors... pure purple base with pink flashes... zero gray.
~Outdoors... she shifts to a truer violet-lavender... color remains crisp.
~The native cut leaves something to be desired. She has a couple of open facets at the base of the keel/culet. And as with most pears (especially elongated ones), she has a bit of a bow-tie and tilt window. If she were precision cut or even had a really high-quality native cut, she'd be ideal (IMO).

Final grade:

~Cut is a 7/10 as native cuts go.
~Color is a 9/10 for this material.
~Clarity is a 10/10 for this material.

Oh it's beautiful! I don't think the cut is an issue at all with the color and clarity and lovely shape.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Ah yes! The good ol wire random money overseas! But it all worked out didn’t it
Sometimes there are no other options! I did it for jadeite and now I have a lot of pretty jadeite!

I feel like sometimes you just have to take a calculated risk. But yeah...

They could have not sent the stone at all or sent me a piece of flint. I'd have had zero recourse. Want to hear a funny story? Remember years ago when puzzle rings were all the rage? I bought a tri-colored 18k gold one from Turkey. It was through Etsy, so I figured I was covered if anything went wrong. The ring was supposed to be 15g and I paid about $900 at that time. It took months to be made and then get here. Did they not expect me to weigh it? It ended up being a flimsy 8g and so cheaply made. I told them that day I wanted to send it back, and they approved it. I saw that it was delivered and checked in... even though they had agreed to a refund and had a return policy, they refused, saying it was now beyond the return period. I mailed it back the day after I received it. lol Long story shorter, at that time, Etsy sort of stayed neutral when sellers and buyers had issues (they've since taken on a more active role like ebay). They said their hands were tied. I was enraged... like ready-to-book-a-plane-ticket-to-Turkey angry. Straight up thieves. Finally, I bothered Etsy so much, they did the only thing they could; they closed his shop. Oh he was irate! "I cannot make money and feed my family... shame on you!" Shame on ME? He had the ring back and my money, and was somehow justifying it. Anyway, I used it to my advantage, and told him I'd have Etsy reopen his shop if he refunded me immediately. And so he did. Etsy never did reopen his shop. Sucker.

Sorry for the rant! I'm fuming all over again!!

 

[Autumn in New England]

She is beautiful!!!!!!!

Are you happy? She looks like the colour of lavender jadeite!!!! Don’t you find that when you love something you run off and buy it without hesitation? That’s when I know I love something!

I think her cut has just fine and the bow tie doesn’t even come close to one of the previous stones posted!

More photos Autumn!!!!!

So... back to the stone... lol Yes, very happy with the color, clarity, and size! I searched a looooong time for this shade of spinel. As for the cut, I suppose none of my gems is perfect. And I have no intention of chancing the stone dipping below 3ct. to recut it.

What I don't understand is this... why hand a fine crystal off to someone at the mine for a rushed cut? How much can quality cutting cost in Vietnam for a volume wholesaler? I'd have gladly paid the full $13k for this gem if it had a precision cut. So I just don't understand the logic. Anyway, thank you for the lovely comments, my friend!

 

[Autumn in New England]

Oh it's beautiful! I don't think the cut is an issue at all with the color and clarity and lovely shape.

Thank you! Since the cutting defects are fairly minimal, I wonder if a clever ring design would (optically) right them?