Odysseygem accurate?

[Niel]

There's a stone that looks amazing on that site, and well within budget. I've googled reviews on here and read a few good ones, but the price seems too good to be true, so I have to ask, are the reputable? Their vids and pics accurate?

 

[chrono]

With the exception of a few gem types, the video is more accurate than the pictures. Do watch out for poorly cut stones though; you'll need to know how to sieve through his inventory as there are some really nice stuff and some that are clearly lacking. He is a reputable eBay vendor though; no issues with returns or refunds. Many established PSers have purchased from him.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

In my experience the higher the price of Tan's stones, the higher the accuracy of the vids and pictures. For example I have bought cheap spinels (under $200) that show much more grey (IMHO) then the pictures on his website. Anything over $400 (for me) and the pics and videos are very accurate. I never worry about buying from him because I have returned stones and the only hassle is return shipping. He always gives a prompt refund and apology if the stone is not to your liking. Hope this helps.

 

[Niel]

Haha the price is right around 400 :/

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

With the risk that someone may buy this stone from under you, I suggest you post the link and let the keen eyes of some of our awesome colored gem enthusiasts guide you. I have been walked off a cliff more than once by these keen eyes.

 

[Niel]

With the risk that someone may buy this stone from under you, I suggest you post the link and let the keen eyes of some of our awesome colored gem enthusiasts guide you. I have been walked off a cliff more than once by these keen eyes.

Hmm OK. I see a slight window but I feel like it could be closed up.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330997348032?redirect=mobile

 

[athenaworth]

I've been in love with that one for a long time. Please buy it so I can stop dreaming about it.

 

[minousbijoux]

A fair price for what it is.

 

[carmen1]

Interesting, I bought a pretty pear spinel from Odyssey Gem that I thought was impossibly low priced as well. When I received it I noticed there was a chip in the girdle which I had missed in viewing the video. I can see this one has a similar issue, so I guess that explains the price?

P.S. I kept the stone, I plan to bezel it

 

[chrono]

It doesn't have a chip at the girdle but there is a fairly large feather close to the edge which I cannot tell whether it breaks the surface or not.

 

[Niel]

It doesn't have a chip at the girdle but there is a fairly large feather close to the edge which I cannot tell whether it breaks the surface or not.

I had seen that. How much of a concern do you think it is?


Comments on the color?

 

[T L]

A fair price for what it is.

+1

I don't think the price is "too good to be true," but it is harder to find decent orangy red spinels these days. Most look very dark these days. These shift too, so it could look more orange in some lighting.

 

[Niel]

A fair price for what it is.

+1

I don't think the price is "too good to be true," but it is harder to find decent orangy red spinels these days. Most look very dark these days. These shift too, so it could look more orange in some lighting.

That's true I suppose. I just don't ever used orange red, I only see ones that have pink undertones. These look more red to my eye. And I know she likes red. Maybe I should ask if it shifts.


Plus it seems bright, which I dont usually see bright and saturated this price but I don't usually venture over here, so I'm no expert

 

[minousbijoux]

It has an orange modifier as you've noted, and has decent but not great saturation, which is why the price is not higher. As I said, I don't think its a bad price, but definitely not "too good to be true."

 

[Niel]

It has an orange modifier as you've noted, and has decent but not great saturation, which is why the price is not higher. As I said, I don't think its a bad price, but definitely not "too good to be true."

Only decent? I must be terrible at this.

Looks really nice to me.

So frustrating.

 

[minousbijoux]

Think of a really intense, neon orangey red. Get a picture of it in your mind. Then open your eyes and look at the stone again - by comparison, the stone will look a little brownish to you...HTH

 

[Niel]

Think of a really intense, neon orangey red. Get a picture of it in your mind. Then open your eyes and look at the stone again - by comparison, the stone will look a little brownish to you...HTH

See I don't see that. This serious hate this. Its no fun.

Dhe deserves something nice but this makes me so sad. I don't get colored stones I guess. Don't wanna fail her and my BIL. And he's no good at it, she doesn't want to know or help, its like I get it but its stressing me out.

 

[athenaworth]

Think of a really intense, neon orangey red. Get a picture of it in your mind. Then open your eyes and look at the stone again - by comparison, the stone will look a little brownish to you...HTH

See I don't see that. This serious hate this. Its no fun.

Dhe deserves something nice but this makes me so sad. I don't get colored stones I guess. Don't wanna fail her and my BIL. And he's no good at it, she doesn't want to know or help, its like I get it but its stressing me out.

Color recognition comes with time and seeing lots and lots of duds in person. I look back at some of my old CS threads and wonder what kind of crack I was smoking.

 

[Niel]

Think of a really intense, neon orangey red. Get a picture of it in your mind. Then open your eyes and look at the stone again - by comparison, the stone will look a little brownish to you...HTH

See I don't see that. This serious hate this. Its no fun.

Dhe deserves something nice but this makes me so sad. I don't get colored stones I guess. Don't wanna fail her and my BIL. And he's no good at it, she doesn't want to know or help, its like I get it but its stressing me out.

Color recognition comes with time and seeing lots and lots of duds in person. I look back at some of my old CS threads and wonder what kind of crack I was smoking.

Its that bad?"

 

[chrono]

Don't be disheartened; it's not that bad. Considering the size and colour, it is a good price. It's not the steal of the century but you aren't paying too much either. Reds just aren't cheap.

 

[Niel]

Don't be disheartened; it's not that bad. Considering the size and colour, it is a good price. It's not the steal of the century but you aren't paying too much either. Reds just aren't cheap.

I mean I know this isn't RED but I mean for what it is I thought the color was beautiful. But the color isn't for me so I can't say "i like it so I'll buy it which I know is the mantra here.

I mean I want something saturated. Sure not red saturated, but it seems bright orange red. I thought it was nice. Bah. I am disheartened. That's exactly the word.

 

[T L]

Don't be disheartened; it's not that bad. Considering the size and colour, it is a good price. It's not the steal of the century but you aren't paying too much either. Reds just aren't cheap.

I concur. It's not a bad stone at all, but you thought it was "too good to be true" and some of us think the price is fair. The inclusion on the side of the stone appears to look like a chip in the video, but I think it's just a reflection of the stone's inclusion that gives the appearance of a chip. In any case, just google, "orangy red spinel" and you'll see lots of various examples, some great, some bad, and some in between.

 

[Niel]

Ugh. I wish it was in the USA I'd just get it home.


And your right I did think it was nice. I still do. But I don't trust myself. Which is what I meant by too good to be true. I think its nice but in my price range, could it actually be nice? .....

 

[T L]

Ugh. I wish it was in the USA I'd just get it home.


And your right I did think it was nice. I still do. But I don't trust myself. Which is what I meant by too good to be true. I think its nice but in my price range, could it actually be nice? .....

Well, red is the most expensive color in gems. To get a highly saturated red, or even a highly saturated orangy red, in a natural, untreated stone, is going to be pricey. Therefore, expect it not to be as saturated as you would like.

I also have a decent orangy red spinel pear from Tan. Here's what it looks like, just to give you an idea. The nice thing about these spinels is that they fluoresce in sunlight, so they will appear more saturated on a sunny day. A good red spinel should do that, and the ones from Tanzania don't seem to fail in that respect.

Here's mine, ignore the green stone.



Here it is in the sun, and notice the fluorescence

 

[Niel]

See I tink your pear is beautiful. If it would look like that I think she would be thrilled.

 

[T L]

Check with primagemsusa.com too. He has a large collection of orangy red spinels as well.

 

[chrono]

Check with primagemsusa.com too. He has a large collection of orangy red spinels as well.

Ditto the above. He has many orangy red spinels at a good price and is in the US (East Coast).

 

[Niel]

Check with primagemsusa.com too. He has a large collection of orangy red spinels as well.

Ditto the above. He has many orangy red spinels at a good price and is in the US (East Coast).

Any suggestions? I looked but there where only rounds or ovals and she hates those :/

 

[T L]

Check with primagemsusa.com too. He has a large collection of orangy red spinels as well.

Ditto the above. He has many orangy red spinels at a good price and is in the US (East Coast).

Any suggestions? I looked but there where only rounds or ovals and she hates those :/

Email him. He doesn't often list all his existing stock.

 

[chrono]

Call him. I sometimes find it better to call, then continue the convo via email. He has lots more stones than listed on his website.