my new "Grape Gatorade" spinel

[petit_bijou]

My latest eBay purchase is a spinel I found when I was still thinking of creating a lavender e-ring... it's an elongated cushion/boxy oval cut with a grapey-grayish colour. The pavillion isn't exactly symmetrical, which makes the cullet off-center, but it isn't as apparent in real life as it was in the vendor photos.

Stats are allegedly 3.3 c I didn't realize until after I purchased it that there is one place in the listing that said 2.3 (Jerry's estimate based on the dimensions was in the 2.something range, which made me go back and scrutinize) so I'm not entirely sure... the listing title and gem box say 3.3 but I'll have it checked since I don't have the experience to figure it out from its size. That will teach me to skim on eBay!
The measurements are accurate, as I could check those with my digital calipers 8.2 x 9.2 x 5.8.

Before it reached me, I had been thinking about having Jerry recut the pavillion to get it evened out, eliminate the small window and help some of the extinction I see in brighter lighting but it's actually not too bad in hand. Based on Jerry's estimate, I could have it re-cut and still be under $100 (shipping would take it a bit over, but I think it's a pretty good value) so I'm going to play with it for a few days to see how it behaves in different lights and then decide.

Even though the tone is very different than the vendor photos suggested, so far I like it in indirect light, and under my incandescent bulbs. It really sparkles, and the colour is much richer. In direct sunlight it tends to close up a bit, and the steeliness really comes out.

I'll start with vendor photos...

 

[petit_bijou]

Now the iPhone pics I took in my apartment last night! I'll try to get some daylight and incandescent shots in the next few days...






I'm starting to appreciate my skinny "ET" fingers... definitely helps with finger coverage!

 

[SB621]

Well i love the purple color - I have been on a hunt for the perfect lavendar stone for years so if this color sings to you that is all that really matters. I think recuts can be $$$ so that is your call. Regardless good luck!

 

[T L]

I don't think the window is too bad, and it will close up in a setting. It has a nice high crown too.

 

[Amys Bling]

my new "Grape Gatorade" spinel

Lovely color!

 

[deorwine]

Sweet! I really like spinels, and that looks like a very pretty purple one.

 

[minousbijoux]

Love high crowns! If your first photo is any indication, it looks pretty close to the color in the vendor photos.

 

[chrono]

I am on the fence on this spinel with regards to a recut; the window isn't too noticeable, as is the slight off center and symmetry. What did Jerry advice on what are the potential pitfalls versus benefits of a recut?

 

[petit_bijou]

I am on the fence on this spinel with regards to a recut; the window isn't too noticeable, as is the slight off center and symmetry. What did Jerry advice on what are the potential pitfalls versus benefits of a recut?

I am in the fence too, as it's better than as it is than I had anticipated. Jerry said he could close the window and add more sparkle in the middle, but that the extinction elsewhere (which isn't bad by any means) probably wouldn't change much. He agrees that it's a tough call, as it wouldn't be a drastic change. He thinks there's enough pavillion bulk that the dimensions wouldn't have to change, and that the crown is probably fine. His estimate was a lot lower than I'd anticipated, but I'd be spending a bit more on the recut than I did on the stone (which with shipping and everything was just under $50).

Part of me wants to try to make it "it's best", and part of me thinks I should just leave it be and see what happens in a setting.

 

[beau-wy]

I'm not seeing much of a window, if any - but I'll take your word it's there. Doubt it will be visible in a setting, so the question comes down to: will the asymmetry bother you? If not, keep it as-is, but if it will - and knowing it is there, you will see it - I would recut it. However, you also have to keep in mind the slight but real possibility the stone will be destroyed during recutting, change color, saturation, etc. There is no right or wrong answer, just the one that works for you!

 

[T L]

Can we have some more face up photos with the gem sitting between your fingers? It would help.

 

[Laila619]

I really love the grapey color!! Makes me want a grape popsicle.

 

[petit_bijou]

Can we have some more face up photos with the gem sitting between your fingers? It would help.

It's been tricky, as I often get table reflection when I shoot head on, but I get an angle then the asymmetry is masked... here are my best shots! Hope they help.

If it looked like the 1st photo all the time I'd leave it as is, but I do tend to notice the window as in the 3rd photo... but setting might help so I don't know

 

[petit_bijou]

I really love the grapey color!! Makes me want a grape popsicle.

It's a really yummy colour!! I had these mini-gummy bears that I wish I'd taken a photo of the stone with- these minty-green looking ones looked like a very pretty pairing. Gave me some fun ideas for potential 3-stone colour options

 

[LD]

Can you live with the window? You've mentioned that it's noticeable so I'm wondering if it will bug you?

Looking at your latest photos, I'm not sure that it will close up in a setting (which is why I asked if you could live with it). Having said that, it's not as obvious as some windows I've seen and if you get a fairly closed in basket, it will certainly help.

When it's on your hand do you LOVE it? Does it make you want to run out and buy a setting immediately so you can wear it? These are always questions I ask myself because I've kept too many stones thinking I might be able to live with them and then they just sit all lonely and never get set.

Forget how much you paid for the stone for a minute. Do you love it enough to have it recut? If Jerry thinks he can do it and improve it without too much weight loss then it may be worth going for because then you'll have a ring without the flaws that you don't like at the moment.

 

[petit_bijou]

Thanks for your thoughtful post LD.

I do really love it... I've been keeping an eye out for a stone like this (colour/shape/size) for awhile now, and I think the time/price/quality tradeoff works out in my favour. I keep playing with it in its box, and bookmarking setting ideas so I definitely know I want to keep it.

I was thinking I would just live with it as it is, but I keep having these pangs wishing those little flaws were cleaned up. I am leaning toward sending it to Jerry to see what happens. At the very least it will be a relatively inexpensive learning experience and I'll still have a pretty stone!

 

[minousbijoux]

There's a big difference between a recut of a 3.3 ct stone and a 2.3 ct stone. Did you resolve which one it is? Also, do you think Jerry can recut to rectify the window without losing that great color? That would be my main concern in having it recut - that, and the fact that it would potentially be a pretty small stone if it was 2.3 ct to start with...

 

[T L]

There's a big difference between a recut of a 3.3 ct stone and a 2.3 ct stone. Did you resolve which one it is? Also, do you think Jerry can recut to rectify the window without losing that great color? That would be my main concern in having it recut - that, and the fact that it would potentially be a pretty small stone if it was 2.3 ct to start with...

If it were a really rare colored stone, like a paraiba, or a fine ruby, no way, no how would I suggest a recut. However, you may love a 2.3ct precision recut stone far more than a 3.3 ct stone that has problems that are bothering you. For what you paid, I personally wouldn't sweat it sending it to Jerry, even if a carat is lost. A 2.3 carat spinel is still a decent size.

 

[petit_bijou]

There's a big difference between a recut of a 3.3 ct stone and a 2.3 ct stone. Did you resolve which one it is? Also, do you think Jerry can recut to rectify the window without losing that great color? That would be my main concern in having it recut - that, and the fact that it would potentially be a pretty small stone if it was 2.3 ct to start with...

That's a good point.. but Jerry seems to believe that he can recut the pavilion of the stone without affecting the dimensions or crown (both of which I'm quite happy with), which is more important to me than the carat weight. Even if I lose up to a mm in each direction, it will still have the presence I'm after.

I will likely send it to him and see what his thoughts are on the colour and benefit of a recut once he has a chance to assess it in person. Worst-case scenario, it will be a good learning experience!

 

[colorluvr]

That's a great color for a "grape gatorade" spinel.

My two cents: I'd send it to Jerry and see what he says. He's great about emailing you the pros and cons of recutting and making suggestions once he has the stone in his hand. He has several of mine right now that I'm hoping to get back this week. Most of them were just cleaning up windows and a couple involved more than that, including two complete recuts. He called the results "modest to spectacular"

In my "learning curve" of buying stones (after I stopped buying fish tank gravel ), I realized I did a decent job of getting some stones a while back with nice color and so so, but not horrible cuts, so I decided to have some of them "spiffed up" to see how I like the difference. If these turn out well, I'm going to be sending him some more.

 

[minousbijoux]

I will likely send it to him and see what his thoughts are on the colour and benefit of a recut once he has a chance to assess it in person. Worst-case scenario, it will be a good learning experience!

Sounds like a good plan

 

[erinl]

This spinel is such a pretty color! Where did you find it?

 

[blithesome71]

Oh my, I so ♥ the color and it looks good on your skin tone. Judging from those photos (RL & Vendor shots) the window doesn't look that bad at all but then again, it's still your decision. I bet once the recut/repolish is done on its pavillion, it'll be much livelier & more brilliant. Keep us posted & post more "beauty shots" of this grape spinel of yours

 

[chrono]

It's been almost 2 months since - I wonder what happened to the spinel now.

 

[petit_bijou]

It's been almost 2 months since - I wonder what happened to the spinel now.

Sorry for the lack of action everyone! In grad school the work tends to come in fits and starts, and between conferences, end of term course-work details and traveling to a few out of town weddings the spinel has been sitting along on my desk for the last few months. I am going to send it to Jerry this week and will be sure to update with photos as soon as I see the result!!

 

[minousbijoux]

PB: you may have already told us, but if you don't mind sharing what ebay vendor did you purchase it from? You might have already shared that info, but I couldn't find it...TIA

 

[petit_bijou]

PB: you may have already told us, but if you don't mind sharing what ebay vendor did you purchase it from? You might have already shared that info, but I couldn't find it...TIA

I purchased the stone from Premargems2010. This was the only stone I've purchased from them, and for the price I bid (and ended up winning) I didn't bother going back and forth with too many questions about the stone before I chose to take the risk. I would say the stone is a bit darker in tone IRL than the impression I got from photos in the auction listing, but the actual hue was pretty accurate.

 

[minousbijoux]

That's a vendor I don't have on my list! Thanks, I'll check them out. And Petit, thank you for your descriptions. I find them really helpful.

 

[petit_bijou]

Yay!!! Jerry just sent me photos of my stone, and I can't wait to get it in my hands next week!!!

It went from a 3.3 to a 2.92 with no change in face-up dimensions, which was what I cared about more than weight. Jerry's cutting and shipping costs brings me to a grand total of $120 for this stone.

It used to close up quite a bit in bright natural light, so this looks MUCH better! I am really excited to see how it looks in person and take it from room to room checking out different lighting. Here are the photos Jerry sent to tide you over until I get it myself

 

[minousbijoux]

It really looks different, doesn't it? I bet it has more of those spectral flashes now...