Okay - how many of you are like this?

[T L]

You buy a certain species of a stone, and you fall madly in love with it. One is not enough, so you have to buy another, then another, then before you know it, you have a collection of a zillion of the same species of stones with the same color. I wonder if this is a good or bad thing. I do collect tourmalines, but I try to at least collect different colors, but for a while I was really stuck on cuprian blue/greens. When I look at how many I have, I think I need to get my head examined.

I just wish I could buy one of a super fine stone, and leave it at that. I am trying to be more discriminating lately because I don''t want to end up with 20 of the same stone. I know Mochi recently posted her cuprians. Here are some of mine. I also have three that are already set in rings.

This isn''t even all of them - I can''t get a few more to fit on my finger. Bad windows and all from ebay. However, I love the colors, which are much nicer in person. I''m planning on getting the round to the left recut.

 

[chrono]

Uh huh, me and my spinels. Tons of reds, blues and pinks. Which is why I'm trying very hard to add other gemstones to my collection. It's only in the past year that I've branched out to garnets and tourmalines. About 2 years ago, I stopped buying stones under 1 ct. I now aim for the biggest and best gemstone of the type which I like so I don't end up with 10 stones that I'll never set and wear.

 

[T L]

I know how you feel Chrono. I can understand collecting the same species of a gem as long as you end up with various colors, like tourmaline, spinel, sapphire. However, just to buy fifty blue sapphires, because you like blue sapphires, is it worth it? Perhaps in some cases it is if the stones are all fine quality, or you''re planning on reselling at some point for a higher price. I have to admit, I love ColorMyWorld''s amazing collection of red spinels and I think everyone is worth keeping. He really likes spinels, doesn''t he?

 

[glitterata]

TourmalineLover, I''m exactly like that too! Not about colored gemstones (so far, anyway), but lots of other things. I keep looking even after I''ve bought one and should be satisfied. If only I could save up for a single high-quality item, but no.

I can see why you love the color of those stones, though!

 

[dancingflame]

Guilty, but shameless. I collect lots of spinel and sapphire, gravitating toward pinks (peachy ones) and earthy tones. I did however purchase a lovely set of peridot although I can never see myself wearing that limey color. I''ll probably set and gift them to my sisters who both appreciate and can pull off the lighter greens.

 

[omieluv]

I know I should not be adding my 2 cents here, since I do not buy colored stones too often.

No need to get your head examined. I think we are all just drawn to certain colors and/or go through phases. Though not the same as your situation, whenever I feel the need to buy nail polish, I seem to buy nearly the same color that I already have. Maybe it is a shade or two different, but close enough to what I already have. It is not as if I set out to do this, it just seems to happen. Even when I get a pedicure, the same thing happens. It seems that I am drawn to a certain color and have to make a conscious effort to tell myself to try something new.

When I was searching for an aqua to be set in my great grandmother's engagement ring, I did the best I could to find the nicest stone within my limited budget. I am sure you would look for a super fine stone if you had a setting that warranted it. Maybe set your sites on being a collector of super fine gems? Unless you have a huge budget, you will not get instant gratification going this route, but in the end, you will be happy your hard work paid off. Since you know Tourmalines so well, hunt for the best you can find/afford in a color you love for a long-term jewelry project. Just a suggestion...

 

[TravelingGal]

LOL, I don''t think you have to have your head examined, as we all collect something.

To answer your question, even though I have loved lurking and gawking on this forum for ages, I would rather buy one awesome specimen from the type of gem that I covet vs a bunch of decent ones. I guess because I would have no joy from just seeing them in a box...I have to be able to wear them, so I don''t think I''m a true collector.

But I get why people do. I mean, people collect stamps...what are those but to sit and admire (and maybe get rich of a rare one!)? It''s not like they are licking them and putting them on mail.

 

[movie zombie]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:12:12 AM
Author:tourmaline_lover
You buy a certain species of a stone, and you fall madly in love with it. One is not enough, so you have to buy another, then another, then before you know it, you have a collection of a zillion of the same species of stones with the same color. I wonder if this is a good or bad thing. I do collect tourmalines, but I try to at least collect different colors, but for a while I was really stuck on cuprian blue/greens. When I look at how many I have, I think I need to get my head examined.

I just wish I could buy one of a super fine stone, and leave it at that. I am trying to be more discriminating lately because I don''t want to end up with 20 of the same stone. I know Mochi recently posted her cuprians. Here are some of mine. I also have three that are already set in rings.

This isn''t even all of them - I can''t get a few more to fit on my finger. Bad windows and all from ebay. However, I love the colors, which are much nicer in person. I''m planning on getting the round to the left recut.

isn''t that the truth?! actually, having a fine stone has kept me on the straight and narrow....i''ve bought some stones that are not fine and i''m just not as happy with them. i''ve got one that borders on fine and i''m going to set that puppy this year, i think!

movie zombie

 

[chrono]

I have to agree with MZ. Since I''ve got my wonderful red spinel from AJS, the bug has lessened exponentially because now I compare everything to it and nothing else comes close. Same with my spess.

 

[Catmom]

Date: 1/27/2009 12:26:54 PM
Author: TravelingGal
LOL, I don''t think you have to have your head examined, as we all collect something.

To answer your question, even though I have loved lurking and gawking on this forum for ages, I would rather buy one awesome specimen from the type of gem that I covet vs a bunch of decent ones. I guess because I would have no joy from just seeing them in a box...I have to be able to wear them, so I don''t think I''m a true collector.

But I get why people do. I mean, people collect stamps...what are those but to sit and admire (and maybe get rich of a rare one!)? It''s not like they are licking them and putting them on mail.

Ditto TG! I somehow can''t have a stone stting around without going crazy. It must be set so that I can wear it. If I did collect however, and I had the money I think I would collect blue sapphires. I just love the color. I do collect cobalt blue glass though, maybe that''s close enough.

 

[RNgemlover]

Me too! 10 alexandrites, 22 sapphires, 18 rubies (plus a parcel of 12 3x3''s), and omg, fancy diamonds... My paypal account is a terrifying sight, an obvious sign of sickness!!!

 

[T L]

Date: 1/27/2009 1:11:40 PM
Author: Chrono
I have to agree with MZ. Since I''ve got my wonderful red spinel from AJS, the bug has lessened exponentially because now I compare everything to it and nothing else comes close. Same with my spess.

Same thing here. Aqua is my birthstone, so for a while I went on an aqua buying rampage. I was never happy until I got my 8 carat scissor cut stone. I think once I got that perfect stone (to my mind anyways), I stopped buying aquas. I probably need to seek professional help.

 

[T L]

Date: 1/27/2009 1:25:39 PM
Author: shaunrice
Me too! 10 alexandrites, 22 sapphires, 18 rubies (plus a parcel of 12 3x3''s), and omg, fancy diamonds... My paypal account is a terrifying sight, an obvious sign of sickness!!!

I wish my husband was more like you!! A man with the gem collecting bug would be fun to live with, although detrimental to our checking account. Well, I''ll say one thing for my DH, he despises jewelry and gems, and likes sports (for the most part, it''s free to watch football on tv). I guess that keeps us in balance. He thinks long and hard before he spends more than $100 on anything. For the last year and a half, he''s still been researching getting a sound surround system for his big screen, and he won''t pay more than $400 for it. He''s determined and patient, that''s for sure. I wish I was more like him.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:12:12 AM
Author:tourmaline_lover


I just wish I could buy one of a super fine stone, and leave it at that.

When I think of all the stones that I''ve bought in the past of a certain species--tallied it up--I could''ve gotten one super fine stone. The answer is to stop and wait--for me anyway. Same goes for jewelry--no more temp/yuck settings. Patience is hard, but worth it.

 

[hoofbeats95]

Hmm. . . maybe some of you should sell parts of your collection? Maybe some of us would be interested.

 

[LD]

Couldn''t agree more TL. I''ve also taken it one step further and not only have I collected a number of gemstones to an embarrassingly high amount, I then had to have one (minimum) of each cut AND they had to be 1ct or higher. There''s no hope for me ........

 

[innerkitten]

Chrono, Do you have any photos of your spinel from AJS?
Perhaps i''m one of the few that isn''t like that. I like variety and try to get a little of everything in my collection. I do have my favorites though.

 

[glitterata]

Date: 1/27/2009 1:40:55 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 1/27/2009 1:25:39 PM

Author: shaunrice

Me too! 10 alexandrites, 22 sapphires, 18 rubies (plus a parcel of 12 3x3''s), and omg, fancy diamonds... My paypal account is a terrifying sight, an obvious sign of sickness!!!

I wish my husband was more like you!! A man with the gem collecting bug would be fun to live with, although detrimental to our checking account. Well, I''ll say one thing for my DH, he despises jewelry and gems, and likes sports (for the most part, it''s free to watch football on tv). I guess that keeps us in balance. He thinks long and hard before he spends more than $100 on anything. For the last year and a half, he''s still been researching getting a sound surround system for his big screen, and he won''t pay more than $400 for it. He''s determined and patient, that''s for sure. I wish I was more like him.

I''m glad you''re like YOU. I''m sure your husband is a wonderful man, but YOU are a great asset to PS.

 

[T L]

Date: 1/27/2009 8:06:36 PM
Author: glitterata

I''m glad you''re like YOU. I''m sure your husband is a wonderful man, but YOU are a great asset to PS.

Glitterata,
Thank you so much, what a sweet comment. The truth is that everyone is an asset to PS, we all learn so much from each other.

 

[Pandora II]

Garnets are my weakness - but I''m pretty fussy and won''t buy stones that don''t add to my collection. That said, I do have rather a lot of rhodolites at the moment - but some of them are destined for settings rather than THE collection.

I''ve never been a quantity kind of person, so cheapy ebay stones aren''t my thing (although I can see the attraction). I do try to buy as near to 2cts as I can afford. I also don''t like certain shapes so I avoid them.

 

[mochi]

TL!! I

your collection! I''m so in love with that color blue right now. Right now I''m into shapes, EC, step cuts, asscher.

 

[T L]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:41:55 PM
Author: mochi
TL!! I

your collection! I'm so in love with that color blue right now. Right now I'm into shapes, EC, step cuts, asscher.

Thanks Mochi. I am inspired to get a recut because this stone (purchased by someone else a while ago) was your typical windowed paraiba bought off of ebay. The window was so large, but the color was very pretty. I wish I had the before picture, but I don't anymore. She lost some caratage (it was a big stone to begin with), but oh my goodness!!

Richard Homer did the recut (back when he was doing recuts). Even with the needles, her well priced ebay purchase became glorious.

 

[mochi]

That is awsome! Who are you thinking of using for your re-cut??

 

[marcy]

Tourmaline Lover, I totally understand and I do that too. I do it more with jewelry than gemstones. Just recently I started going the route of picking loose gemstones then have it set in a custom piece of jewelry. I have recently tried to be more picky and get what I truly want so I don''t keep spending money on something that just sets in my jewelry box then I sell it for a lot less than I paid for it.

Your gemstones are lovely.

 

[RNgemlover]

Do you mean something like this... p.s. I have more LOL!

 

[klewis]

Date: 1/27/2009 1:32:07 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 1/27/2009 1:11:40 PM

Author: Chrono

I have to agree with MZ. Since I''ve got my wonderful red spinel from AJS, the bug has lessened exponentially because now I compare everything to it and nothing else comes close. Same with my spess.

Same thing here. Aqua is my birthstone, so for a while I went on an aqua buying rampage. I was never happy until I got my 8 carat scissor cut stone. I think once I got that perfect stone (to my mind anyways), I stopped buying aquas. I probably need to seek professional help.

Aqua is my birthstone too. Have you posted a pic of that stone here before? I''d really love to see it.

 

[Sharon101]

I do this alot in my life too. I think it has to do with being scared to spend alot in one transaction. ie. its out of the confort zone. But smaller amounts let me indulge in all my `soft addictions`!

Meanwhile the smaller purchases end up adding up $ wise with much less reward or satisfaction!!!!!!

 

[cssuja]

Date: 1/27/2009 11:55:27 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 1/27/2009 11:41:55 PM
Author: mochi
TL!! I

your collection! I''m so in love with that color blue right now. Right now I''m into shapes, EC, step cuts, asscher.

Thanks Mochi. I am inspired to get a recut because this stone (purchased by someone else a while ago) was your typical windowed paraiba bought off of ebay. The window was so large, but the color was very pretty. I wish I had the before picture, but I don''t anymore. She lost some caratage (it was a big stone to begin with), but oh my goodness!!

Richard Homer did the recut (back when he was doing recuts). Even with the needles, her well priced ebay purchase became glorious.

Hi TL,

This is the picture before recut.

 

[cssuja]

And the weight went down from 7.63 to 6.25 carats.

Anita

 

[mochi]

Anita,

Is the stone in a setting now? Any pictures?? The color of that paraiba is TDF!!!