Mastercut gems end of summer sale!

[peacechick]

I agree I would keep the emerald too. It’s beautifully cut, very clean looking and I think the saturation is better than the oval?

 

[LJsapphire]

I love the sapphire and the EC spinel - I was looking for a purple EC for my 40th birthday ring. My 40th has passed now though

 

[blingbunny10]

@stonewell - I love your first two stones especially! I agree with your oval vs EC dilemma. I prefer ECs to ovals generally, but in this case I think your oval is so pretty.

I took my garnet out this afternoon. Boy, it is a fun outside stone.

 

[natasha-cupcake]

I just got an email from Rachelle. My gems are on the way. Yippee!

 

[blingbunny10]

@natasha-cupcake - Are those blue stones the Iolite parcel? I’d been eyeing those along with the ruby pair for the last couple sales, but I’m trying to be good lol. Curious to see what you think when you receive them!

 

[eapj]

I am a terrible picture taker (using just a cell phone doesn’t help) but here is my little tsavorite garnet. I really like it!

I have to figure out what to do with the stones I have. I’m new to all of this but see a loose stone collection ahead...

 

[natasha-cupcake]

@natasha-cupcake - Are those blue stones the Iolite parcel? I’d been eyeing those along with the ruby pair for the last couple sales, but I’m trying to be good lol. Curious to see what you think when you receive them!

Yes, those are the iolites. There are 19 of them priced at only $12 for the entire parcel. What a bargain!

@eapj, your tsavorite is beautiful! It's such an intense green. I love it!

 

[voce]

Unfortunately, the web pics disappeared after I purchased. I didn't think to save them first, darn it!

Yeah, that's been my regret too, on a prior purchase. This is why I love shopping on Etsy--I can still view the pics after I buy.

Looks like several orders arrived today - lovely gems, ladies!!

My package came too. I was trying to catch the last bit of daylight so I didn’t get a chance to give them a proper cleaning before taking photos.

Here are the Afghan green tourmaline and the unheated pink/purple sapphire indoors and outside:



A sleepy spinel... this was a difficult one to photograph!



And finally, two silver/pink spinels I’m trying to decide between. Would love everyone’s feedback - should I keep the oval or the emerald cut?

Wow, happy unwrapping! The sleepy spinel is TDF. You should just keep everything, imo

 

[voce]

@stonewell - I love your first two stones especially! I agree with your oval vs EC dilemma. I prefer ECs to ovals generally, but in this case I think your oval is so pretty.

I took my garnet out this afternoon. Boy, it is a fun outside stone.

That's a gorgeous garnet! Too bad it looks so different under fluorescent lights. But meh, I'd just take that as my cue to spend time outside more often and not wear the ring while in my kitchen.

 

[voce]

I am a terrible picture taker (using just a cell phone doesn’t help) but here is my little tsavorite garnet. I really like it!

I have to figure out what to do with the stones I have. I’m new to all of this but see a loose stone collection ahead...

Your tsavorite is so pretty! I would put it in a stacking ring and wear it as a part of a stack.

 

[ChickityChicken]

I am a terrible picture taker (using just a cell phone doesn’t help) but here is my little tsavorite garnet. I really like it!

I have to figure out what to do with the stones I have. I’m new to all of this but see a loose stone collection ahead...

I can't wait to see what you do with it! O have long admired that stone. Such a luscious green color.

 

[sydneyatl]

Here's my 2.53 ct mint tourmaline. It's been in the mailbox since early today but I didn't have a chance to go get it until just now. First up, Dana's picture:



This is my first time ordering from him so I had no idea what to expect - came in a tightly taped Priority Mail package, which I chopped open with a kitchen knife because I was so excited, and then tipped it on its side. There was the sound of something hard hitting the glass counter, and I thought, oh crap, the stone just hit the glass!
Nope.



And here it is, indoors:



Outdoors (a little lighter in color than the camera made it out to be)


And indoors again (a little darker in color than this picture lol)



Woohoo - thanks Dana for making my day!

 

[stonewell]

@Hivona @eapj @peacechick @LJsapphire @voce thank you all for your feedback! I ended up staying up really late last night because I couldn’t resist playing with the stones and researching settings.

@blingbunny10 it has been a dilemma for certain. I love your garnet! It’s such a beautiful color

The verdict is in... I’ve decided I just can’t pick between the two spinels - they’re both beautiful for different reasons and given the great price why choose? So, I’m going to keep both.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

They've arrived!!!!!!


In the sun



I adore the garner so much!!!! I own nothing like it!!!! I'm doing everything I can to stop myself from marching out to set it this weekend. It is fabulous under all lights. A bright pinky orange with no brown.

The spinel is too similar to the other spinel I own. I'm torn though cuz I can't justify the funds to set it but it's so lively......

Might give it to Lil Sis as a present or the kiddo fit his gem collection.


The garnet

 

[eapj]

They've arrived!!!!!!


In the sun



I adore the garner so much!!!! I own nothing like it!!!! I'm doing everything I can to stop myself from marching out to set it this weekend. It is fabulous under all lights. A bright pinky orange with no brown.

The spinel is too similar to the other spinel I own. I'm torn though cuz I can't justify the funds to set it but it's so lively......

Might give it to Lil Sis as a present or the kiddo fit his gem collection.


The garnet

Both are beautiful! But that garnet - so pretty!

 

[voce]

They've arrived!!!!!!


In the sun



I adore the garner so much!!!! I own nothing like it!!!! I'm doing everything I can to stop myself from marching out to set it this weekend. It is fabulous under all lights. A bright pinky orange with no brown.

The spinel is too similar to the other spinel I own. I'm torn though cuz I can't justify the funds to set it but it's so lively......

Might give it to Lil Sis as a present or the kiddo fit his gem collection.


The garnet

Wow, that garnet is saturated with color! Great hand shots. No chance this spinel pairs with your other spinel? You could have them set together into a pendant?

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Wow, that garnet is saturated with color! Great hand shots. No chance this spinel pairs with your other spinel? You could have them set together into a pendant?

Alas I've set the other one already

 

[voce]

Alas I've set the other one already

Then, maybe a matching ring for your lil sis...

 

[Hivona]

This is the only gem I bought from this current sale. I had been eyeing it for quite some time. It’s ok. Sometimes I like it but I don’t love it. It does have a lot of fire scintillation that I couldn’t seem to photograph but for some reason I’m kind of meh about it over all. It does seem to like my bathroom lighting, the last two photos that show it as purple.

 

[voce]

This is the only gem I bought from this current sale. I had been eyeing it for quite some time. It’s ok. Sometimes I like it but I don’t love it. It does have a lot of fire scintillation that I couldn’t seem to photograph but for some reason I’m kind of meh about it over all. It does seem to like my bathroom lighting, the last two photos that show it as purple.

I really like the last two photos. Fluorescent light, I'm guessing? Then again, I'm a purple lover.
I don't think it's worth keeping if you don't like it in natural lighting. There does seem to be a small tilt window that looks largest in the first photo. At this point I also feel meh about most of the stones that I bought off Ebay, except for small star sapphires. I feel like if you wouldn't feel excited to set a gem, you should not hold on to it, unless you want to "invest", but the stock market is better for investing.

 

[Hivona]

I really like the last two photos. Fluorescent light, I'm guessing? Then again, I'm a purple lover.
I don't think it's worth keeping if you don't like it in natural lighting. There does seem to be a small tilt window that looks largest in the first photo. At this point I also feel meh about most of the stones that I bought off Ebay, except for small star sapphires. I feel like if you wouldn't feel excited to set a gem, you should not hold on to it, unless you want to "invest", but the stock market is better for investing.

Yes the last two are under the curlicue lights! And I’ve been so busy since I received the gem I haven’t had a chance to see it in natural shaded sunlight where most gems look best! Today it’s overcast due to possible rain. As I was looking at it a little while ago it was growing on me but I might chalk it up to a learner stone... I’m ok with tilt windows as I’ve read on PS that nearly all colored gems will have them just at different viewing angles. Also, I really am trying to only purchase gems that I feel are worth setting but sometimes they don’t turn out to be as expected or hoped for! At least it wasn’t expensive!

 

[hobbitfancier55]

Purchased this pastel yellow looking tourmaline:
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...-GemMedia.php?FromPage=9&ProductMediaID=28073

 

[hobbitfancier55]

Tourmaline is in! Not sure what i am going to do with it. I also still haven’t set the spinel and demantoid trio that’s been sitting for awhile.

SO and I have been discussing engagement rings for what seems like eternity, and he knows a yellow diamond would be my first choice. At $25 this would be insanely more budget friendly. We could replace it later on. I know it’s not as durable as sapphire, spinel, or chrysoberyl, but given care, maybe it would be ok? Thoughts?

Let’s ignore my horribly dry and unmanicured hands.

 

[voce]

Tourmaline is in! Not sure what i am going to do with it. I also still haven’t set the spinel and demantoid trio that’s been sitting for awhile.

SO and I have been discussing engagement rings for what seems like eternity, and he knows a yellow diamond would be my first choice. At $25 this would be insanely more budget friendly. We could replace it later on. I know it’s not as durable as sapphire, spinel, or chrysoberyl, but given care, maybe it would be ok? Thoughts?

Let’s ignore my horribly dry and unmanicured hands.

First, let me say that that is a GORGEOUS pastel yellow, well-cut tourmaline! I like your pictures better than Mastercut's.

Imho, I think that given care, maybe it would be ok for an e-ring. However, having had accidents in the past, I would go with yellow sapphire. I think for the extra durability, the extra cost would be worth it. The following vivid yellow sapphire, also from Mastercut Gems, looks to be of a similar size and comes with an AGL gem brief. Apart from mint garnets, in general I prefer more vivid colors in gems.

https://mastercutgems.com/Products-...Yellow_Sapphire_2_35_carat-Gem.php?FromPage=1

I just think that unless there is a very good reason to go with such a low budget stone for an e-ring I would personally prefer to know that my SO is willing to spend more than a dinner budget on my engagement ring. Plus, if you plan to set it with diamonds, it wouldn't be a ridiculous price mismatch between stone and setting.

That said, if you actually prefer the pastel yellow of your tourmaline to the vivid yellow of the sapphire I linked, feel free to go with whichever gem makes you happiest.

 

[elle_71125]

They've arrived!!!!!!


In the sun



I adore the garner so much!!!! I own nothing like it!!!! I'm doing everything I can to stop myself from marching out to set it this weekend. It is fabulous under all lights. A bright pinky orange with no brown.

The spinel is too similar to the other spinel I own. I'm torn though cuz I can't justify the funds to set it but it's so lively......

Might give it to Lil Sis as a present or the kiddo fit his gem collection.

That garnet is lovely! The color is unique and is going to make one gorgeous ring (please tell me you're considering a halo).


The garnet

 

[elle_71125]

I just moved to a new apartment, and there is a place that sells gorgeous stones and does settings DOWNSTAIRS. Every time I go out or come home, it's like walking past a gorgeous dessert buffet while I'm on a diet.

I know this is a couple days old but I just saw this and I about died. The visual was freaking hilarious!

 

[Rubybrick]

Tourmaline is in! Not sure what i am going to do with it. I also still haven’t set the spinel and demantoid trio that’s been sitting for awhile.

SO and I have been discussing engagement rings for what seems like eternity, and he knows a yellow diamond would be my first choice. At $25 this would be insanely more budget friendly. We could replace it later on. I know it’s not as durable as sapphire, spinel, or chrysoberyl, but given care, maybe it would be ok? Thoughts?

Let’s ignore my horribly dry and unmanicured hands.

Beautiful gem! Lovely rich champagne color to my eyes. I would set it as a stacker and have fun with it. Maybe a promise ring?

 

[hobbitfancier55]

First, let me say that that is a GORGEOUS pastel yellow, well-cut tourmaline! I like your pictures better than Mastercut's.

Imho, I think that given care, maybe it would be ok for an e-ring. However, having had accidents in the past, I would go with yellow sapphire. I think for the extra durability, the extra cost would be worth it. The following vivid yellow sapphire, also from Mastercut Gems, looks to be of a similar size and comes with an AGL gem brief. Apart from mint garnets, in general I prefer more vivid colors in gems.

https://mastercutgems.com/Products-...Yellow_Sapphire_2_35_carat-Gem.php?FromPage=1

I just think that unless there is a very good reason to go with such a low budget stone for an e-ring I would personally prefer to know that my SO is willing to spend more than a dinner budget on my engagement ring. Plus, if you plan to set it with diamonds, it wouldn't be a ridiculous price mismatch between stone and setting.

That said, if you actually prefer the pastel yellow of your tourmaline to the vivid yellow of the sapphire I linked, feel free to go with whichever gem makes you happiest.

I agree! I was thinking that would be making it far too easy for him i do love the color of that sapphire, but I’m such a stickler for no heat and precision cutting. The antique cushion diamond i was looking at isn’t too much more than that (well maybe 1k more ). Too many options to consider

 

[qubitasaurus]

Tourmaline is in! Not sure what i am going to do with it. I also still haven’t set the spinel and demantoid trio that’s been sitting for awhile.

SO and I have been discussing engagement rings for what seems like eternity, and he knows a yellow diamond would be my first choice. At $25 this would be insanely more budget friendly. We could replace it later on. I know it’s not as durable as sapphire, spinel, or chrysoberyl, but given care, maybe it would be ok? Thoughts?

Let’s ignore my horribly dry and unmanicured hands.

That tourmaline is really beautiful. I have worn one everyday for 3 years and while I can see some wear on the fascet junctions, it isnt distracting. Personally I have a very included stone, and I've wacked it into doors, draws, desks, coat hangers you name it. Despite this, it really looks like new.
Having said this, I am lucky enough to have full-time help who saves me from cooking and cleaning, and there is always an ellement of luck. You may also want to find out how much a custom setting will cost, vs your dream stone. The difference may not be that significant.

If you havent watched this already then you should, it is surprisingly apt. Especially regaurding the budget bit , with retrospect it is not worth stressing overly about how much you think you should be spending on item X, vs how much it will cost for what you really want.

 

[hobbitfancier55]

That tourmaline is really beautiful. I have worn one everyday for 3 years and while I can see some wear on the fascet junctions, it isnt distracting. Personally I have a very included stone, and I've wacked it into doors, draws, desks, coat hangers you name it. Despite this, it really looks like new.
Having said this, I am lucky enough to have full-time help who saves me from cooking and cleaning, and there is always an ellement of luck. You may also want to find out how much a custom setting will cost, vs your dream stone. The difference may not be that significant.

If you havent watched this already then you should, it is surprisingly apt. Especially regaurding the budget bit , with retrospect it is not worth stressing overly about how much you think you should be spending on item X, vs how much it will cost for what you really want.

God that video is so true. Exactly why I’ve told SO that i don’t want a traditional wedding. I either want to elope or have a ceremony with immediate family and dinner at a room in a restaurant.