Opinions on this Red Beryl?

[Django74th]

I've been thinking about getting a red beryl. I love the glow and deep color, and the rarity has some appeal. With that, I don't want to buy it just because it's rare. Regardless, I found these two stones (they are certified) and they are priced really (really) well. They are each 1/2 carat and the one on the right is more expensive due to the darker color and slightly larger. The pictures aren't great but I was curious what others think about this.

I'm leaning towards the lighter one on the left (the one on the right seems to dark and has a major inclusion)... but I can't decide if either one is worth it. I'd love some opinions! I'd also be curious to hear how other people think about these sorts of purchases. How can you tell if you love something just for the rarity or if you're actually smitten with it?




Another picture of the stone on the LEFT:



Another picture of the stone on the RIGHT

 

[JackTrick]

How are they on the hand? From a raw appearance perspective, I like the right one. Red beryl is almost always going to be included, and I love the richer reds.

Where is the gem cert from? Any clarity enhancement noted on them? (Like oil or resin)

 

[Django74th]

@JackTrick — thanks for the input! Both stones have oil but no resin. The one on the right is a little more than I was thinking about spending so I‘m debating... decisions, decisions...

 

[Django74th]

Here’s another picture... now I’m leaning towards the right one — definitely more saturated. However, it’s also about $200 more expensive than the right one (still well under $800 though). I could swing the extra $200 but it means I‘ll have to save for a bit longer for my next project... but oh so glowy and deep.

I’m lost in overanalysis mode and would love some opinions!

 

[voce]

Is red beryl a holy grail stone for you? If so, I'd keep looking, in your position. I find both to be shallow, windowed, and lacking the glow I value in my red gems. Maybe it's a compromise between cut and size, where I'd choose tiny but mighty over a shallow cut, and someone else has different set of priorities.
Here's the only red beryls that I own. They're the three rounds, 2.7-3mm each.

 

[Django74th]

@voce — this is super helpful. I saw this ring in your other post but read it too fast and thought it was all spinel. I’ve been looking for pictures of smaller stones to see how they glow and yours is a lovely example. Thank You!

Red beryl is a holy grail (one of many)... I always struggle with selecting rare stones — trying to balance the feeling of “it’s really hard to find in my budget and maybe I won’t find another one” with “it’s worth waiting.” I’m still not great at interpreting gemstones from photos — the lighting always tricks me!

I sooooo appreciate a voice of reason... it’s much better than the overanalysis in my head

 

[LilAlex]

I think they are both pretty crummy, tbh. How esle could you get a super-rare stone for a few hundred dollars?

I love the glow and deep color,

These two stones do not capture the qualities you love. They are pale, included, windowed, and undersaturated. You would do much better with a spinel.

Maybe my dream is to own a 911. I can buy a still-smoking shell of a burned-up Porsche for a song and post #thereisnosubstitute but that's not really owning a Porsche...

 

[Django74th]

@LilAlex — thanks for input! I really appreciate it. I saw the large window and was hoping someone with more expertise would confirm. If you don’t mind, can you share how you determine saturation in a photo like this? I keep reading threads trying to see what others point out from photos but I’m just not seeing it, especially with all the various lighting environments.

 

[voce]

@voce
Red beryl is a holy grail (one of many)... I always struggle with selecting rare stones — trying to balance the feeling of “it’s really hard to find in my budget and maybe I won’t find another one” with “it’s worth waiting.” I’m still not great at interpreting gemstones from photos — the lighting always tricks me!

I sooooo appreciate a voice of reason... it’s much better than the overanalysis in my head

When it's hard to find in my budget, I either give up (Kashmir sapphire) or up my budget and wait. Not being able to judge gemstones from photos, means that it might benefit you too work with a vendor who has a great return or exchange policy. Don't worry, it takes years to build up a good collection of holy grail stones, but it's doable and worth the doing!

 

[prs]

@Django0413 Perhaps these might be of interest.



Don't forget to add the 25% buyer's premium to that estimate!

 

[LD]

You sound like you’re hesitating. As you said it’s no point buying something unless it speaks to you. Do you think you’ll have buyers remorse if you get it? I have to be honest and say they don’t appeal to me and I’ve seen better BUT there’s a reason for the price they are.

 

[Django74th]

Yea -- I'm more than hesitating... I decided to skip it... no regrets. I have a hard time telling the difference between bad pictures of good stones and bad pictures of bad stones. I suppose that's the fun of learning... as long as learning doesn't impact my budget too much, which is why I'm incredibly grateful for all the expertise on this forum. I've redirected my search to a color change garnet

 

[Django74th]

@Django0413 Perhaps these might be of interest.



Don't forget to add the 25% buyer's premium to that estimate!

Oh geez! Unless those stones have some magic powers to grow a money tree in my backyard, I'm thinking no...

 

[LilAlex]

If you don’t mind, can you share how you determine saturation in a photo like this? I keep reading threads trying to see what others point out from photos but I’m just not seeing it, especially with all the various lighting environments.

Really one rule-of-thumb: whatever you see online, it will look worse in person. Sometimes a hair worse; sometimes a lot worse.

Plenty of folks here will disagree but that's mostly from the days when it was hard to take photos. Any smart phone will make your gems look better than they do IRL. That's a promise.

 

[VividRed]

I would pass, washed out color and windowing - don’t let the name of the stone fool you, it’s not worth it.

 

[T L]

If you do opt to get a red beryl, make sure it comes with a lab report, as there are synthetics on the market.