Naturals on Jedi spinel

[JewelledEscalators]

@Jopdrop, though I am a big fan of bright neon spinels, part of me wonders if a calmer/more classic red or pink might be better for an engagement ring, given that it's going to be worn a lot, including with work outfits (though this depends on what kind of work I guess).

 

[voce]

Hopefully the larger stone will be recut to match the smaller stone. The look to be a lot more neon, to the point that even in indirect sunlight they become a bit hazy due to the fluorescence.



I don’t think so, the 1.25ct is cut quite shallow and has a large window. I will see what the lapidary thinks once they have it in hand. If they can recut it to remove the window and keep it above 1ct then I may feel differently.

I can't wholeheartedly agree with you, because I think the indirect sunlight is not the same and not a fair comparison. HiGems lives near the tropics at a lower latitude where gems look brighter simply because sunlight is more intense at lower latitudes. Yavorskyy is New York where indirect sunlight is a lot dimmer. I've personally bought a number of gems from Sri Lanka sellers, and their gems invariably look brighter and more vibrant in their photos (not intentionally manipulated) than when I receive the gems in California. Without having seen both sets of spinels to compare side by side in the same lighting, I very much disagree with your conclusion that the pair you decided to get is better than what you were previously considering.

 

[JewelledEscalators]

I can't wholeheartedly agree with you, because I think the indirect sunlight is not the same and not a fair comparison. HiGems lives near the tropics at a lower latitude where gems look brighter simply because sunlight is more intense at lower latitudes. Yavorskyy is New York where indirect sunlight is a lot dimmer. I've personally bought a number of gems from Sri Lanka sellers, and their gems invariably look brighter and more vibrant in their photos (not intentionally manipulated) than when I receive the gems in California. Without having seen both sets of spinels to compare side by side in the same lighting, I very much disagree with your conclusion that the pair you decided to get is better than what you were previously considering.

I think Yavorskyy is based in Hong Kong these days.

 

[Jopdrop]

@Jopdrop, though I am a big fan of bright neon spinels, part of me wonders if a calmer/more classic red or pink might be better for an engagement ring, given that it's going to be worn a lot, including with work outfits (though this depends on what kind of work I guess).

I do have alternates that I can wear if for some reason the neon stones wouldn’t be suitable to wear. I tend to wear a lot of colour though so I don’t think it will be too much of an issue.

I can't wholeheartedly agree with you, because I think the indirect sunlight is not the same and not a fair comparison. HiGems lives near the tropics at a lower latitude where gems look brighter simply because sunlight is more intense at lower latitudes. Yavorskyy is New York where indirect sunlight is a lot dimmer. I've personally bought a number of gems from Sri Lanka sellers, and their gems invariably look brighter and more vibrant in their photos (not intentionally manipulated) than when I receive the gems in California. Without having seen both sets of spinels to compare side by side in the same lighting, I very much disagree with your conclusion that the pair you decided to get is better than what you were previously considering.

Thank you for that, I hadn’t considered that before. I come from a subtropical climate and the sunlight here is very strong. I haven’t often noticed much of a difference when I receive gems. However I do seriously struggle to take photos and videos of my stones in natural light where they don’t look washed out.
I believe I saw on the Yavorskyy website that these stones ship from Thailand. I would assume the stock is held in Thailand in that case and that the video was taken there. I could definitely be wrong though.
I’ve bought the stones from Higems already. They were significantly cheaper which is great because our dollar is quite weak currently.

 

[voce]

I believe I saw on the Yavorskyy website that these stones ship from Thailand. I would assume the stock is held in Thailand in that case and that the video was taken there. I could definitely be wrong though.
I’ve bought the stones from Higems already. They were significantly cheaper which is great because our dollar is quite weak currently.

I have never purchased from Yavorskyy before. I assumed from their website that they're based in NYC. If the gems do ship from Thailand, then you're right.

It's great to hear that the ones you purchased from Higems were significantly cheaper. With the cost of a recut pending, it would have upset me if you ended up spending more money for gems that may end up being about the same.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I wouldn't let it bother you. As you stated, the naturals were on the girdle and pavilion, which will probably not be visible once you set them. I remember being dismayed my spinel had a nick in the crown itself, but I actually don't find it even noticeable and will probably need a loupe to find that natural.

I positively LOVE your aesthetic and use of color. The end.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I just wanted to pop in and say that, in my experience, Yavorskyy's photos tend to be waaaaaay more saturated than the actual gem. That doesn't mean they aren't the quality they say (Yavorskyy is as legit as they come). And I don't even think most reputable sellers mean to enhance their photos. It's just sort of the nature of the beast with professional photography of gems. But simply for realistic expectation purposes, I felt the need to mention it. Always ask for vids... and, for me, they must be outside under indirect light. Some feel differently. Good luck in your hunt! Lots of great advice here already!!

 

[Jopdrop]

I have never purchased from Yavorskyy before. I assumed from their website that they're based in NYC. If the gems do ship from Thailand, then you're right.

It's great to hear that the ones you purchased from Higems were significantly cheaper. With the cost of a recut pending, it would have upset me if you ended up spending more money for gems that may end up being about the same.

I initially thought the same too. I only noticed it while reading the descriptions on the stones. I wonder if the more high end stones and finished pieces are located in New York?

These two stones ended up around half the price of the Yavorskyy pair. They may not be precision cut but I am a lot more confident that they will be neon. I would have been very disappointed to buy the pair from Yavorskyy and find they look like the video I was sent and not like the photos. Even if the Higems pair isn’t everything I am expecting they will be more “mind clean” for me knowing that I didn’t pay a huge amount for them. I do have a backup plan in place if these can’t be recut to match.

I just wanted to pop in and say that, in my experience, Yavorskyy's photos tend to be waaaaaay more saturated than the actual gem. That doesn't mean they aren't the quality they say (Yavorskyy is as legit as they come). And I don't even think most reputable sellers mean to enhance their photos. It's just sort of the nature of the beast with professional photography of gems. But simply for realistic expectation purposes, I felt the need to mention it. Always ask for vids... and, for me, they must be outside under indirect light. Some feel differently. Good luck in your hunt! Lots of great advice here already!!

I definitely got that feeling after viewing their photos and then comparing them to the videos of the stones. While he does have a return process it’s complicated being in Australia because I have 10% tax before customs will release anything over AUD$1000. Considering the premium attached to these stones I am very glad that I didn’t order them.