My first buy - Need advice

[Vyriis]

Hello community, a newbie here

I'm seeking some advice for my first time buying a loose gemstone!

I realised my love for gemstones almost 2 years ago and I've been slowly learning about them. I do have a preference for (very) sparkly light coloured stones.
I haven't been willing to buy loose gemstones until now because I wasn't ready and because I did not know where to have it set. I live in Europe (Luxembourg) and we hugely lack jewellers that would set a loose stone in a setting of your choice.
After long searches, I've finally come across a potential jeweller that could make a custom design.
So, I'm ready to buy my first loose stone.

Here are my 2 final choices:
http://www.artcutgems.com/item.php?item_id=327&page=7
http://www.artcutgems.com/item.php?item_id=491&page=5
I love how the spinel looks sparkly and delicate. But also love the reddish reflections of the yellowish/greenish tourmaline.
I think that I would like them to be set as rings, so that I can see the stone when I'm wearing it
FYI, I'm a ring size 4.

I cannot buy both, so I have to choose one

I also love this one, but I think that I wont be able to wear it as a ring...
http://www.artcutgems.com/item.php?item_id=315&page=4

Although I know that most of the decision comes down to personal preference, I still would appreciate your opinion and advice on the items I've listed.
Which one might be less common? Which one would sparkle more?

Thanks a lot for all your feedback

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

You have a preference for light sparkly stones. So of the two that would be suitable for rings I think the spinel will be more to your liking. The tourmaline will probably look more of an olive green and you will have to have the light hit the stone just right to see the red flash that you like. The spinel has a bow tie but it is still a pretty stone that will sparkle nicely. The orthoclase will be more prone to chipping or scratching and best used in a pendent.

Hope that helps.

 

[Vyriis]

The spinel has a bow tie but it is still a pretty stone that will sparkle nicely. The orthoclase will be more prone to chipping or scratching and best used in a pendent.

Thank you LisaRN for your prompt reply
What is a bow tie?

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Most oval cut gemstones have some extinction-a dark band across the middle of the stone. In really well cut ovals you can barely see them and in others they are a bit more prominent.

 

[Anne111]

Hello community, a newbie here
I live in Europe (Luxembourg) and we hugely lack jewellers that would set a loose stone in a setting of your choice.
After long searches, I've finally come across a potential jeweller that could make a custom design.

Same problem here. Can you share whom you found in Lux? I'm closed by in Trier. And have you solved / considered the import rules into Europe?

 

[Vyriis]

Same problem here. Can you share whom you found in Lux? I'm closed by in Trier. And have you solved / considered the import rules into Europe?

Glad to find someone with the same problem as me
Here's the jeweller I found: http://www.pierrelorin.net/
He's in Metz, France. I've had some calls with him and he's given me some advice. He's told me some issues that he could have while mounting the stone and what to look for.
If you'd like, I can keep you updated if I ever get something done by him

Regarding the import rules, I've got family living in the US. I was planning to deliver it to their place and have it either brought to me or sent to me by them So I haven't thought about it! >.<

 

[Vyriis]

Most oval cut gemstones have some extinction-a dark band across the middle of the stone. In really well cut ovals you can barely see them and in others they are a bit more prominent.

Thank you LisaRN, I see it now indeed. It didn't strike me with my newbie eye!