Opinions on buying a stone please!

[blingymo]

I am new to buying gems online and very nervous. My husband gave me a chunk of change to buy a piece of 25th anniversary jewelry, and I think I can get more bang for my buck if I do it myself instead of going to a jeweler and paying crazy markups! I want an orange-red stone, so have kind of settled on a dark spess garnet or a "flame" spinel, and have searched all the sites that have been suggested here, plus some I think. I'm obsessed!! I over think EVERYTHING! But this is a lot of money so I guess over-thinking is good.

Anyway, I was hoping that all you experienced buyers would help me out and give me opinions on some stones I am looking at. I wish I could have them in a pile IRL and sort through. I am looking for large size, color, and sparkle (aren't we all!). Not sure how to link in, but I will give it a try - I hope that is allowed. (?) Please tell me if I should do it differently in the future. Would prefer pear shaped, but that has been the hardest to find. Probably an elongated cushion is second. But I have all kinds linked here. I don't want a bright pumpkin orange, but don't want a true red either.

Also, please tell me if the website is not trusted.

http://www.gemfix.com/garnet_spessartite.html
2nd down on right
Weight: 4.57 cts
Measurements: 9.5x9.3mm, depth 6.1mm
ALSO 3rd row middle:
Spessartite Concave Cut Oval
Weight: 3.89 cts
Measurements: 10x7.6 mm

3.11 ct pear: http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/10949/11344

#16949 Spessartite Garnet,
Md Dk Orange, 3.57 cts split sided emerald brilliant cut http://www.djraregems.com/cutbyus.html

http://www.djraregems.com/cutbyus.html

http://www.ajsgem.com/garnet/spessartite-garnet/mandarin-garnet-spessartite-4.75-carats.html

This one looks like a spess, but is a zircon. Don't know much about the difference except price!! http://www.ajsgem.com/zircon/honey-red-zircon/red-zircon-6.07-carats.html

Too orange maybe - and don't know the price. http://www.whitesgems.com/gallery/GAR082.htm

http://www.gemselect.com/spessartite-garnet/spessartite-garnet-133119.php#

Thanks in advance for any opinions/advice!

 

[FrekeChild]

We're going to need to get an idea of what the budget is first.

Also, you'd probably have to have Jeff White custom cut something for you, that Spess that you posted was likely sold a long time ago.

 

[minousbijoux]

I would knock out DJraregems and Wildfish as too dark. Both of these purveyors use lighting that shows true color under bright light, which means that in reality, 95% of the time, the stones look much darker.

Also, is this going to be a frequent wear ring, or only occasional? That would make the difference if you really were to consider the zircon. For more info, refer to this thread: [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/lowest-mohs-hardness-for-rings-other-decisive-factors.176872/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/lowest-mohs-hardness-for-rings-other-decisive-factors.176872/[/URL]

 

[blingymo]

My budget for the entire ring is $5000. I want to mount it with diamonds to set off the deep orange color. Thanks for the heads up on zircon, as I do want to wear the ring frequently - I usually insure jewelry and then wear it - why else have it!? I also saw this just now on ebay - http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-10-CTS-GEM-PIECE-TOP-QUALITY-SPESSARTITE-LOOSE-GEM-/250821342752?_trksid=m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D117664134811262609&_qi=RTM1084480#ht_3254wt_829 - but again, want to be careful of the seller.

Thanks for all your help! I am a bit lost

 

[Fly Girl]

With a nice budget and being that this is a special ring, I'd look into a nice stone from Richard Homer or Richard Wise. How about this 3.29 ct spess from Richard Wise, and ask about a designer setting for it?

http://www.rwwise.com/products/id%7C1476

 

[0-0-0]

Perhaps something like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-31ct-Superlative-Intensely-Colored-Mahenge-Tanzania-Flame-Spinel-27033-/221050383991?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3377a12e77#ht_1315wt_1163

I bought and returned a stone to this vendor before. Prompt delivery and refund.

 

[minousbijoux]

Spessartites in the color you seek and not that uncommon, and should not be that expensive. You are doing the right thing by looking at many of them before you decide. Is it possible that you could go to a gem show and see some in hand before you buy?

 

[blingymo]

Thbmok - this stone is a little too opaque for what I have in mind.
Flygirl - this stone is beautiful, but I'm afraid it would be too "pumpkin" bright orange. I wish I could see it IRL!
minousbijoux - I would love to go to a gem show (that might be dangerous to my wallet! ) I will have to do some research on where to find one. I live in MD, west of Baltimore. Any suggestions?

 

[minousbijoux]

Look up Intergem. Is Timonium any where near you? If so there's one next weekend...

 

[minousbijoux]

Is this one in the ballpark for color?

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8932

Also, do you know the size/shape you're looking for?

 

[txgreeneyes]

Perhaps something like this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-31ct-Superlative-Intensely-Colored-Mahenge-Tanzania-Flame-Spinel-27033-/221050383991?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3377a12e77#ht_1315wt_1163

I bought and returned a stone to this vendor before. Prompt delivery and refund.

Wow.. Did you see his big topaz for $49,000?

(sorry for the thread hijack.. Love the orange garnets!)

 

[blingymo]

Yes, Timonium is not far! I'm so excited! TY!! There is also one in King of Prussia, PA, which is only about 2 hrs and near my parents (so I can knock out two things) in Sept - although I am not known for my ability to delay gratification. My husband was a Marine, so I must have gotten that hurry up (I want it NOW!) and wait (look at all options first) attitude

 

[blingymo]

Yes, that is the color, but that particular stone is not "clean" enough - I like it transparent, but not windowed - a good, sparkly cut, if you know what I mean. I would prefer a pear, emerald brilliant, or cushion I think. And size? The largest that I can get and still drag my hand around LOL

 

[blingymo]

txgreeneyes - I covet that topaz too! Not going to happen in this lifetime, though.

 

[blingymo]

minousbijoux - That richard wise is growing on me. He also has this: http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1857 which is a little darker - if it were bigger I would buy it

 

[minousbijoux]

FWIW, I find Richard Wise quite expensive. OTOH, I guess you're paying for his reputation? Personally, I wouldn't because I can find cheaper ones elsewhere, but thats me.

Have you told us what size and shape you want?

Also, are there any here that are the right color, shape or size?

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=view&cat=256

 

[minousbijoux]

His new stones go really fast, but some of my favorite cutting has got to be Barry's.

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_h.asp?idCategory=141

If you were comfortable doing so, after you pin down what you want, you may want to contact him and see if he could cut you something. I really think you are lucky in that you don't seem to mind a little dark and a little red/brownish so you will have many more options...

 

[blingymo]

This one is beautiful http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=6227 but not big enough.

I would like 3-5 carats (well, really 4-5lol), pear, emerald brilliant, or cushion.

I am narrowing down and am looking at these three (of course, others that you find - bring it on!):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-10-CTS-GEM-PIECE-TOP-QUALITY-SPESSARTITE-LOOSE-GEM-/250821342752?_trksid=m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D117664134811262609&_qi=RTM1084480#ht_3254wt_829

http://www.ajsgem.com/garnet/spessartite-garnet/mandarin-garnet-spessartite-4.75-carats.html

http://www.gemfix.com/garnet_spessartite.html 2nd row on right 4.57ct

What do you think of those?? And the sellers??

 

[minousbijoux]

For those prices, I would definitely wait until after you've been to a gem show. Of the three, my preference would be for the Gemfix stone as I like the cushion shape and I see the least amount of brown in it. The ebay seller I am not familiar with, and I believe that it is likely that the stone might be radically different in hand. Perhaps you could contact them and ask them for additional photos, maybe hand shots?

I'll let those who have bought from AJS respond, but I believe that sometimes their gems are darker IRL. Not sure though.

Here's another awesome seller with impeccable cutting:

http://www.spectralgems.net/A-garnet.html

If I were you, as it appears that you are mostly doing, I would look for a precision cut, or at least a well cut, stone.

 

[chrono]

Congrats on a wondefully long marriage and upcoming project.

First off, I'd like to see if you can narrow down or clarify exactly the colour you are looking for. Orange red does not mean picking a brownish stone. I've seen some really gorgeous orange red spessartites where the colour just zings like hot lava. However, spessartites are not everyday wear ring stones. They are best removed once at home. The facet junctions will show wear and tear in only a few years. Spinels are more durable and can be everyday wear ring stones as long as you aren't planning to do yardwork, laundry and the like with it on.

Gemfix 1 cushion - sort of brownish.
Gemfix 2 concave oval - makes me drool. A bit dark but the colour still comes through well.
Wildfish - super dark and not my choice.
DJ - also dark and not my choice
AJS - looks brownish
Jeff White -hey, that's mine. Yes, it is quite orange but you can always inquire if he has any orangish red spinels or spessartites.
eBay pear - going to end up REALLY dark in person and I would pass on it.

 

[stargurl78]

I like both of the Gemfix stones the best. I like the one from Master Cut Gems too but as you said, its not big enough...