More durable Mexican Fire Opal substitute?

[sisxixon]

Hi everyone!

I'm feeling some last-minute pre-wedding panic and thought I'd distract myself by starting a new project. I'm thinking about making a ring taking elements from my Vietnamese wedding dress-- it's this gorgeous bright orangey-red color that looks like Pantone Warm Red C on my Macbook using Chrome as a browser.

I LOVE the colors and sleepy glow of Mexican Fire Opal, but I prefer sturdier stones and am looking for something at least as sturdy as a spinel. Would you lovely people have any ideas? I have no cap on budget yet, and thought I'd use this initial search to get an idea of what I might have to work with.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

ETA at Chrono's urging I've set a stone budget of $1500

 

[chrono]

If you do not have a budget cap, just spring for a blood red ruby with a touch of silk, which helps it glow.

Seriously, you need to set a budget. Intense and glowy red is not an inexpensive colour and if you want a durable stone, you'll either need to stick with a cabochon or ruby/spinel.

 

[sisxixon]

Thanks for the nudge back to reality, Chrono!

I'm actually looking for something that's more orangey-red than a pure red, which I assume might be less desirable and hopefully more attainable. I'll set a stone budget of $1500. I'm open to considering any shape and size, since color is highest priority for me.

 

[chrono]

Orangey red is quite expensive these days too. Are you looking for faceted only or is cabbed fine? I think another poster was considering 2 orange reds and even those were in the $3K range for 1.5 ct.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-to-go-for-mahenge-or-blue-tourm.213643/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/which-to-go-for-mahenge-or-blue-tourm.213643/page-3[/URL]

It looks more brown than orange but it is well cut, durable and within your budget.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CUSTOM-CUT-2-42ct-ORANGE-SPINEL-WATCH-VIDEO-/371278903097?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5671f27739

 

[chrono]

How about this (pink instead of red but with a healthy dose of orange)?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-51ct-Stunning-Oval-Cut-Natural-Orangy-Pink-Spinel-/251964081620?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3aaa3ac5d4

 

[sisxixon]

Cabbed is fine. Thank you for the suggestions! I"ve been eyeing the one from Jeff Davies but am worried that it's a little too brown.

 

[agingsparkle]

Maybe you could ask for a video of this one? There appears to be a "dark side" (extinction) in these pictures, but since they're all from an angle it's hard to tell how severe in real life. The color looks like a nice orangey-red to me… https://www.etsy.com/listing/212132593/burmese-red-oval-spinel-351-carats?ref=shop_home_active_9

 

[PieAreSquared]

Thanks for the nudge back to reality, Chrono!

I'm actually looking for something that's more orangey-red than a pure red, which I assume might be less desirable and hopefully more attainable. I'll set a stone budget of $1500. I'm open to considering any shape and size, since color is highest priority for me.

Hessonite garnet, a dark orange spessartite garnet, an orange-red spinel...

 

[Lovinggems]

The best substitute I think for a fire red opal would be a reddish orange spessartite.

 

[minousbijoux]

Honestly, I'm a bit stumped by your question, as I don't think there is any durable stone that comes close in terms of the vivid glow and color of Mexican fire opal. But you've received some good ideas for somewhat close substitutes. Good luck!

 

[mochiko42]

Still a bit low on the Mohs (6.5 to 7) and it's not really red, but if you want something orange, this might be nice.

Orange chalcedony.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/234317436/tangerine-cahlcedony-designer-cabochon?ref=related-4

Edited to add: Sorry! Just read the OP again and realized the request was for something as durable as spinel. So scratch this one out.

 

[minousbijoux]

Still a bit low on the Mohs (6.5 to 7) and it's not really red, but if you want something orange, this might be nice.

Orange chalcedony.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/234317436/tangerine-cahlcedony-designer-cabochon?ref=related-4

Edited to add: Sorry! Just read the OP again and realized the request was for something as durable as spinel. So scratch this one out.

I know! Its what came to mind colorwise for me as well, but doesn't cut it for durability.

 

[chrono]

Durability limits the OP's options but as she is open to cabochons, I think chalcedony will probably be fine.

 

[T L]

Thanks for the nudge back to reality, Chrono!

I'm actually looking for something that's more orangey-red than a pure red, which I assume might be less desirable and hopefully more attainable. I'll set a stone budget of $1500. I'm open to considering any shape and size, since color is highest priority for me.

Hessonite garnet, a dark orange spessartite garnet, an orange-red spinel...

Most hessonites I see, are very very brown.

 

[marymm]

Well, a Carnelian cabochon could get you the color you want, and at 7 mohs a bit more sturdy than Fire Opal... but of course Carnelian doesn't have the translucency and glow that Fire Opals have.

Just a thought... depending on the size/shape of the stone you envision, and the setting (hopefully prongs), have you considered buying a pair of Fire Opals and then in the future switching out stones if necessary?