New stones - Tourm cab + red-pink spinel

[arjunajane]

Hiya folks,

Get ready for some extremely ordinary and not very creative photos, ha!
I have received a couple new gems lately and I like both of them a lot, but have been totally remiss in taking
pics lately...I haven''t even taken any yet of my BGD ering re-set

So, when I had the time this eve I snapped a few of my newest gems - I am going to do the whole "these are much prettier than the pics show" thing, he he..and promise to follow up with nicer ones on the weekend

First up is the Barry blue green tourmaline Cab - it is a great fun size at 5.23cts, 11.5x9.5mm, and has a lovely colour imo. The cabbing is also very nicely done.

Now, I did warn you...all these photos were taken at night, in my bedroom under halogen down-lights.

 

[chrono]

These pictures are good enough for me. The Barry tourmaline cab looks really pretty! It is quite translucent and the inclusions minor.

 

[arjunajane]

The second stone is kinda exciting for me, as it''s my first ebay stone

I have been searching around for a red-pink spinel through various cutters etc, but soon realized the colour and size I would like are out of the question for right now.

This stone was sold to me as a 1.52ct, VVS, "raspberry red" spinel.
For all intents and purposes I am 99% confident it is as the vendor described - it looks and behaves like spinel, and the colour is *exactly* what I was seeking. It is a bright red with some hot pink tones/flash.
It does come with a Thai lab certification as being natural and untreated, but who knows if that is worth the card it is printed on

I don''t have any reason to doubt the vendor, they have been very helpful and forthright with me. However, just for peace of mind I will be having someone check it in the next couple days, before I close off the transaction - this is mainly because I would like to purchase from this seller again, if everything checks out.

Anyways, for my first ebay gem purchase I am pretty happy with the results..

 

[arjunajane]

Also, for a total precision-cut-nut, I am surprised how much I like this, my first native cut.!
It is quite a charming vintage cushion style, with a high crown and almost a Maltese cross effect..
It does hold a bit of the weight in the belly though, at 6.1 x 5.6 x 5.5mm..


(btw, apologies for the slow-poke posting - internet is playing up like crazy tonight, grrrr)..

 

[innerkitten]

Those are both so pretty! I love cabs. That spinel is so pretty it almost made me wonder at first if it was real because it''s such an ideal color. But if it''s an honest vendor it probably is.
Congrats on your two new stones!

 

[arjunajane]

The both together..the cab looking bit darker than real life here.

 

[innerkitten]

I like the high crown too BTW. Re these just for your collection or to be set?

 

[T L]

It appears that much of the octahedron shape the rough spinel was probably in was retained to save weight. Nothing wrong with that, but often these stones face up small for the weight. The spinel appears to be a pleasant color, and not dark/extinct like many are. Congrats on your purchases.

 

[arjunajane]

The spinel on its own - in this lighting its looking very raspberry, which is nice..But it is actually quite a bit more Red IRL..
I will try to capture that with some daylight pics.

 

[innerkitten]

Thats kind of how the old mine cut diamonds were cut.

 

[innerkitten]

What''s the origin?

 

[arjunajane]

pink and green together - not a bad combo!

 

[arjunajane]

one more of the cab..



(oh, and I apologize but I am *not* ignoring your questions and comments at all - my internet is just so tempermental, I''m trying to get the pics up whilst I can)

 

[arjunajane]

and of the spinel..again showing a tad darker than I see, plus the cushion cutting again..

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 4/23/2010 10:44:32 AM
Author: Chrono
These pictures are good enough for me. The Barry tourmaline cab looks really pretty! It is quite translucent and the inclusions minor.

Cheers C!
It is a really pretty cab, I am happy with it for sure.
It does have a section of small-ish inclusions, but sometimes I prefer that in a cab, I like the interest it adds.

 

[arjunajane]

Hi IK - cheers for your comments.

I agree, I of course am tentative considering gems this colour on sites like Pala sell for a whole lot more..
Like I mentioned, I will have it checked out just to be sure..but the vendor does seem very decent. They only have a small inventory at any one time, and I would call the majority of the stones really quite nice (both cutting and colour).
I do intend to report back once I have it confirmed it is all natural etc though

It was sold as Namya Burma origin.

And yes, I agree the cutting style and high crown reminded me a lot of an OMC so I''m happy with that..
TBH, I haven''t decided yet whether to set them; however the spinel''s shape I do feel would lend itself nicely to a collette style bezel..
If the spinel checks out as legit, I may choose to buy a larger one to be set instead.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 4/23/2010 11:04:48 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
It appears that much of the octahedron shape the rough spinel was probably in was retained to save weight. Nothing wrong with that, but often these stones face up small for the weight. The spinel appears to be a pleasant color, and not dark/extinct like many are. Congrats on your purchases.

Hey TL, thankyou! Yes, of course it does face up smaller than something from say Barry would - but this is to be expected I guess

It is definitely not extinct or windowed at all, and imo has a nice pattern of contrast..for my first foray into ebay gems, so far I am happy.

 

[oddoneout]

Both stones are nice but I really like the colour of the cab.

 

[ma re]

Great stones Arj! Each is really beautiful in it''s own right!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Very nice stones. I particularly lke the spinel - the colour is very good and I like the cut as well.

How do you plan to set the cab?

 

[Indylady]

Very pretty! I really like both. Will you be setting them together?

 

[Barrett]

Wonderful stones..I bet that spinel is much livelier in person than in the photos..i like ''em!!!

 

[baby nurse]

They''re both lovely! You can''t go wrong with a stone from Barry and your spinel has gorgeous color and is so sparkly! Thank you for sharing

 

[stepcutgirl]

Those are so pretty! I really want a cab like that!

 

[Laila619]

Ooh, I love the color of that Raspberry spinel...yum!

 

[brandy_z28]

Oh man, those are both so pretty! Raspberry looks especially lucious!

 

[CharmyPoo]

I always look forward to your projects - they are always so lovely.

These two stones are beautiful. That cab is really dreamy. I have a spinel from ebay that looks like that color - I liked it a lot and went back to the seller for another.

 

[arjunajane]

Thankyou everyone for your kind comments, I appreciate them!
It''s been a while since I''ve had something new to post, so it''s nice to share again

Lady D and Indy - thankyou; no concrete setting plans yet; although I was considering a pendant for the cab.
Indy, I hadn''t actually considered setting them together, but I guess they could make a pretty nice pendant with the right design...the colours are very much like a watermelon together

Charmy, is yours a pink/red one too? I will be buying again if this stone checks out, I really like it.

 

[arjunajane]

I did manage to get some nicer pics in today''s afternoon sun..

Together: ( would say this is very close to the colours I see).

 

[stepcutnut]

Both stones are beautiful!