Opinions on a blue spinel

[Django74th]

I found a blue spinel that I like and would love to get some opinions on it. I know many blue spinels are dark and black out easily. These pictures from the vendor are taken in overcast lighting and it seems to have good color. It’s from Sri Lanka and 1.69ct, 7.01 x 6.36 mm. It appears to be priced pretty well, particularly being small (I have an affinity for smaller gems) — what do you think and what’s the most you’d pay for it?

 

[marymm]

To my eyes, the background does not seem to portray overcast conditions and the tweezers are gleaming, and the gemstone to me appears dark and will be darker still once set. YMMV. If you find it attractive and within your budget and there's a reasonable return policy, go for it.

 

[Django74th]

Ah, now I see what you’re seeing. I’m still learning how to view gem photography as it relates to other objects in terms of lighting. Good call on the tweezers!

 

[fredflintstone]

Nice color, but I think it is going to be dark. Because if that is a picture taken in the tropics outside, say Sri Lanka or Thailand, stones appear brighter & in many cases more vivid than they are further away from the tropics due to the angle of the sun.

Still, it may be a nice stone. Just make sure before you buy there is a return policy and I'd only pay with Paypal to protect you.

 

[JackTrick]

Concur that it may be darker. Any photos/videos of it on the hand in different lighting?

 

[LilAlex]

I think it could be a legit overcast photo but I agree that the stone will be dark and maybe a little undersaturated and a hair toward the green side. A top blue spinel should rival (maybe surpass) the best sapphires in vividness. At least the half-carat ones that I've coveted.

This one comes down to your faith in the vendor in terms of sharing representative photos. If there are some modest-looking or even meh photos supporting his/her lower-priced gems, that would help me. OTOH, if every single stone is drool-worthy, then I would not trust this photo either.

It's hard to extrapolate reality from a photo you don't fully trust.

 

[Django74th]

I had my doubts so this just shows me I should trust my gut. I’m going to pass. Thanks all! So appreciative of the input!

 

[Polyhex]

I always ask vendors to give a video indoors in normal dim lighting conditions. It's also a good signal on whether the vendor actually owns the stones or is directly employed by someone who does vs. is photographing stones in a store, in terms of how quickly they get back. Especially in low cost regions it makes financial sense for the vendor to put in the work to make on-demand videos. If I love the stone in the indoor dim video, then how it looks outside is just a bonus.