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Need help choosing a Pink Spinel or Morganite Stone

GlamMomof2

GlamMomof2

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 17, 2012
Messages
17
Hello Everyone!
I am a PS newbie and am in the process of designing a replacement engagement ring. My husband and I have been together 10 years and about 5 years ago I lost my engagement ring and one of my wedding bands :( It was a halo setting with micro fishtale pave circling a .50 ct round diamond. Long and sad story short, one of the pave stones fell out and I took the ring and band off and wrapped it in a napkin and placed it in a ziplock bag. Big mistake!!! The ziplock bag was misplaced and I can only guess thrown out by another member of my family!

So after 5 years of searching and praying we find it, we have both come to the realization that the ring is gone for good and it is time to replace it.

This time around I am having a more hands-on approach in designing my e-ring and I am leaning towards a colored stone. I would like a pale-silver pink colored center stone in a cushion cut. I have done some research and have narrowed it down to either a Morganite or Pink Spinel. These are the two Pink Spinel stones that I have been eyeing and I am not sure if either is a good stone. I figured I would turn to the bounty of experts here on PS.

Here are the Pink Spinel stones that I have found and love! Please let me know your expert opinion on the cut and quality of these stone. I am leaning towards the first spinel as it is more the pale silver pink color I am looking for and it is less than half the price of the second one. But I am not sure if thats because it is a bad cut or quality.

Thanks <3

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Also, this is the setting I have decided on.

screen_shot_2012-11-17_at_4.jpg

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Hi! :wavey:

Both are too windowed to be worthy of that setting, IMO. I would go with spinel over morganite for durability. Have you read the "new to coloured gemstones" thread? If you don't mind sharing your budget, we might be able to make some suggestions, too. :)
 
Beautiful setting and I love your taste in stone color! I love that baby or blush pink as well. Both of those stones have sizeable windows which I doubt will close up in the setting. If you had hand shots of them both, you'd see that against the skin, the middle part of the stone would take on more of the color of your skin, as you'd be seeing right though the stone to your skin below. This is due to the fact that the stones are shallow in their cut. The other reason to see it against the skin is that you'll notice in each of the photos, the background is in the same color family as the stone. In fact, the pink stone has a background that matches the color of the stone so that it would intensify the color. I'd be afraid that if you put it against your skin it might read as much less blush pink and more clear/flesh colored. I hope that helps. I'm sure there are several of us who could help you to find other candidates, if you'd like.
 
Hah, Kid, we were posting at the same time!
 
I notice that http://gemcal.com/ often has well cut, cushion shaped spinels. Oh and I agree with NKOTB - a spinel over a morganite.
 
I see what you both are saying about them having a window. I have a a ring that has a big window and I hate that I can see through the stone to my finger! I am looking for something along the color of the first one (pale silver pink) in a 2 ct elongated cushion. I have seen some stones with a Portuguese cut that have really made my heart skip a beat! As far as budget, I am not sure. I was quoted $4500 for the setting and was looking to spend $500 (give or take) on the center stone.

Here is another stone however, it is listed for $1,400. It is not as elongated as a prefer and is a bit bigger than I was looking for.

screen_shot_2012-11-17_at_6.jpg
 
How is this one? It is listed as light violet.

screen_shot_2012-11-17_at_7.jpg
 
The 3rd one you showed also has a large window. The fourth one is obviously oval and would require a modified setting. I do like the cutting, though. $4500 seems like a lot for the setting, but I don't have too much experience with settings...

You seem to showing stones mainly from one seller - would you consider stones from other sources, like the one I posted?
 
So the oval is a good price, but it has an off center culet and a bowtie (the darker center area across the stone). It is a common phenomenon with oval and elongated stones and is a product of slightly off cutting.
 
I really like the gems from gemcal, however, there is nothing on his site in the color range I am looking for. Am I able to contact them and see if they have other stones than what they have online? I am open to purchasing a stone from any where. As, far as the setting I am not sure if that price is high or not. I got a quote a while back from Leon Mege and it was $6K just for the setting and it didn't have as much diamonds as the setting I chose.
 
I suspect that that last one has a window too. It has a "fish belly," meaning that a lot of its carat weight is in the pavilion, which is rounded.

Edited because I looked at the video and it looks better in the video than the picture.
 
Hi Glam:

Since you are new to the forum, I wanted to warn you about poachers. They are folks who read the threads, wait until there is a general consensus that you've found a good stone, and swoop in and buy it out from under you. In general we advise folks to either put the stone on hold first, or try to disguise the vendor (though those of us who've been around for a while know most vendors by their photos or can figure it out). Just a heads up. I have not looked at the stone but I'm sure Erini is correct in her observations.

You can contact almost any vendor and ask if they have what you're looking for. I've found that the vendors on the pinned thread above are pretty much all responsive; ebay vendors are hit and miss, though worth a try.

How about also trying jeffdvs101 on ebay as he seems to have access to good spinels from time to time. I'll think about others and later I'll see if I can find some stones for you. Got to be on Mom duty now :))
 
One more - contact Jason Brim of Select gem. I've bought several spinels from him. He does some of his buying from ebay, but knows enough about stones to verify its real. He also buys rough and has it cut, I believe. He has sold PSers some beautiful stones - keep in mind though, that many of them are not precision cutting. I hope that helps. You should have no problem finding a spinel in the color and size you want for under $500.
 
Glammom-- bug away-- this is what we log on for! :naughty: I can't buy everything I like myself so helping others or reading about other's quest for the perfect stone is a second best fix.

I am glad minou brought up the poachers--it has happened a lot on PS. Heck, I see stones and am tempted to buy them all the time, and I might not be aware of them until posted on a thread. I have never bought one that way, but it would be construed as poaching!

I am trying to figure out if the third ebay stone is a store related to colorgemstore on ebay: http://myworld.ebay.com/colorgemstore?_trksid=p2047675.l2559 I have bought and returned two stones from this vendor, they were well cut and pretty stones. He is a very mice man, from the correspondence I have had with him. I would definitely take that make an offer button to heart (like by at least half ;)) I think that stone would be more of a silvery/gray stone with a hint of purple/pink. Beautiful in their own right, more similar to the stones in treenbean's following thread that the true light pink you are seeking if I am guessing correctly:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/side-stones-for-grey-silver-violet-spinel.172122/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/side-stones-for-grey-silver-violet-spinel.172122/[/URL]
 
Thank you for warning about poachers. It would definitely be heartbreaking to find a stone you love and have someone swoop in under you and buy it.

Erin,
Those two ebay stores do seem like they can very well be the same seller. That particular stone is more on the gray/silver side and not so much pale pink like I originally wanted. I am a big fan of gray and silver and I guess thats why I gravitated to that particular stone, however I am not sure how I feel about the purple hue. I can see what you mean about the stone carrying it's weight in the pavilion. I am learning so much from you guys already!
 
Glammom:

I also found that I detest flat crowns-- they just aren't as sparkly, in my opinion, and I don't like the look of a flat topped stone. For example, I was bedazzled by this one but emailed about the crown because the picture looked like the crown might not be great, and Michael confirmed it was pretty flat:

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8833

This is another example of a flat top stone:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-64-CT-LUSTROUS-HIEND-NATURAL-INTENSE-PINK-SPINEL-/390494502626?_trksid=p2046732.m2060&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D3535164199204797516%26pid%3D100040%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D4%26sd%3D360508368588%26



Are you looking for something like this?

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/recut-of-a-pale-pink-spinel-by-dan-stair.113816/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/recut-of-a-pale-pink-spinel-by-dan-stair.113816/[/URL]


I think the ring you posted is gorgeous. But the colored stone hunt can be a lot longer and more complicated than a diamond, you may want to decide what size range you want for the center stone, then figure out what the the price range might be, and then factor in the ring? But then again, this is your project!
 
I bought this morganite stone off ebay for really cheap ($17 with shipping). Because it is close to the color pink I have been looking for so that I may try it against my skin and see if it blends in with my hand. I'm not too concerned with the quality of this stone and might kick around in my jewelry box, but I just snagged it for the color. I'm thinking I might need to go with a darker shade of pink than I was initially planning.

screen_shot_2012-11-17_at_8.jpg
 
Erin,
I too looked at the second stone you posted from ebay. It was very flat faced. I like when a stone has some cushion/rounded crown. The recut in the pricescope thread you posted is fabulous!! It looks like a completely different stone! Amazing!

I am trying to achieve a look similar to this ring. I'm pretty die-hard in love with the setting and hope to find something that fits. The setting details says it is made for stones 1.50 carat+ I really don't want to go too big with the stone that the ring looks cocktail-ish. So I would be happy to anywhere between 2-3 carats (give or take).

screen_shot_2012-11-17_at_9.jpg
 
I just got done reading you Sapphire Ering thread! What a spectacular job you did picking out the stone and setting! The setting I chose is from www.mdcdiamonds.com . Any recommendations of other places for settings? I love the setting you chose for the Sapphire Ering!!

The morganite stone you have a quite beautiful! It is very close to what I am looking for however the size might be overwhelming once placed in the a halo setting.
 
GlamMomof2|1353198958|3309037 said:
I just got done reading you Sapphire Ering thread! What a spectacular job you did picking out the stone and setting! The setting I chose is from www.mdcdiamonds.com . Any recommendations of other places for settings? I love the setting you chose for the Sapphire Ering!!

The morganite stone you have a quite beautiful! It is very close to what I am looking for however the size might be overwhelming once placed in the a halo setting.
Click to expand...


I totally understand. To give you perspective my wife's stone is roughly 10mm long and 10mm wide. **edited by moderator. last warning, no plugging sales in the forum**

What size ring finger are you? Ring size can have a big part in how "cocktailish" the ring may or may not look. My wife is a 6.

I think you are on the right track with the setting especially that last picture oh my gosh that is beautiful!!! Just call and see if that is for sure the best price they can offer. Never hurts to ask!

This is where I had my setting made. http://www.diamondringforever.com/rings.htm They have lots of options and there pricing is usually very good. Sometimes even better when you call. Ask for Jasmine if you call. She was great to work with on my setting.

~Justin
 
My choice is pink spinel over morganite. In something pale, the higher RI of a spinel means more sparkle and it is also more durable.
 
2,000 pink Spinels later here is what I found for you. Please look at the videos because I feel that they give a better idea of the true color of the stone.
Also please keep in mind that these are all best offer stones. The 3rd one here is my personal best pick for you. Don't let the price scare you way. You never know what the dealer might consider for the stone. Maybe ask if the seller has a website.

1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unheated-1-...713?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abe56e531

2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unheated-1-...204?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58989367a4

3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Unheated-3-...345?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58984a2e19

~Justin
 
OP, Justin has showed three stones - are they the color you're looking for, because that color, a not very saturated - and therefore kind of grey or dusty - color are all over ebay. I was thinking that you were looking for more of a pure light pink or lavender, or am I confusing that based on what I want for me? :lol:
 
minousbijoux|1353267913|3309513 said:
OP, Justin has showed three stones - are they the color you're looking for, because that color, a not very saturated - and therefore kind of grey or dusty - color are all over ebay. I was thinking that you were looking for more of a pure light pink or lavender, or am I confusing that based on what I want for me? :lol:
Click to expand...

In all fairness the 3 I posted are the only quality cushion Spinels that tone on eBay. I know because I looked through every single Pink Spinel on eBay last night.

I just felt that from my computer monitor these stones shared some of the same face up pink flash tone that the stone in this picture has. This is of course only seen in the videos. I am disregarding what I see in the pictures.
I thought the OP like the color in this picture? :confused:

screen_shot_2012-11-17_at_9.jpg

I did suffer a nasty head injury last week which resulted in a concussion so it is possible I am not seeing things correctly. My apologies if that is the case. :blackeye: Just trying to help.
~Justin
 
Justin- thank you for taking the time to search ebay for me. They stones you have found are superb in quality and cut but a bit too dark in color for my taste. I am looking for a very pale silver pink. Some call it icy pink or sweet baby pink.

Erin- I have been eyeing that stone all day. It is very close to the color I am looking for. I would go lighter along that color scheme, but not much darker. There is a beautiful pink sapphire on there as well that really has me thinking.

I have been drooling over this stone, but it is so out of my price range:
http://www.africagems.com/oval-pink-sapphire-g2k-4114.html

And this sapphire is just the right color just not the right size or shape:
http://www.africagems.com/oval-pink-sapphire-g2k-3749.html

I spotted a few morganites that caught my eye however, I know that's going in a different direction and I'm not sure if the setting I like would overpower a morganite.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330828753574?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1426.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330829978830?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140887301324?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370688836300?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648
 
This is LoveMaegan's ring and the one that I really fell in love with and what made me decide to go for a colored stone instead of a traditional diamond. It is morganite set in platinum. I really love the soft pink look and cut of the stone. After doing some research on PS many people were recommending Spinel over morganite because it is a more durable and sparklier stone. However, I am not sure that I will be able to achieve the same soft pink effect with a spinel. I guess I just have to realize that finding the perfect stone isn't an instant gratification thing, but rather a process that takes time. So I guess I should keep searching for the right stone.... I know it's out there!

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