Pink spinel or Pink tourmaline....

[DianaBanana]

I''ve been sniffing around for a large pink stone and have found 2 big rounds, both about the same carat weight (3.93) and roughly the same price.

I have never owned a spinel or tourmaline so I''m not sure what I should consider when trying to choose between them - I love the cut of the spinel but the stone does have some eye visible inclusions, I''m not sure if this will bother me or not.

Both stones are on hold - the tourmaline is Peter Torraca''s, the spinel is Gene''s - I plan to set a big pink stone into one of James Meyer''s bezel beauties - any thoughts on which one I should choose and why?

 

[D&T]

I vote for the spinel I really really love that color.... but its personal preference,, have you seen these in person? which one calls out to you?
ETA- oh I just see that you say it has some inclusion... hmmmm

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I would go with the spinel because 1) I like the color better 2)I love the sparkle fact of the spinels 3) I think that high crown would look awesome in the JM bezel, and 4)it's a tougher stone than the tourmaline, and would probably hold up to ring wear better over time if you plan to wear it often.

Have you seen the spinel in person? Are the inclusions distracting to you?

 

[T L]

The tourmaline doesn''t do much for me. Get the spinel.

 

[tlh]

I like the spinel too...

 

[Fly Girl]

I love that spinel.

You should get the tourmaline so I can have the spinel.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Haha Fly Girl!

 

[DianaBanana]

Date: 4/28/2009 6:26:23 PM
Author: Fly Girl
I love that spinel.

You should get the tourmaline so I can have the spinel.

Ha ha!

Thanks to all that replied....SPINEL it is!

As for the James Meyer bezel, what do you think? 18K white gold shank with yellow gold bezel or vice versa? Or all white gold? All yellow gold?

 

[chrono]

I''m late to the game but I''d pick the spinel out of the 2 choices. As for the metal colour, I''d wait until you have the stone in hand.

 

[Stone Hunter]

I too would wait till I had the stone to decide on the metal color. Some stones look so much better with yellow than white and vice versa. Hope you love the stone when you get it!!

 

[DianaBanana]

Thanks Chrono - the spinel is paid for and on its way! I can''t wait to see that crown popping out of one of the JM bezels.

 

[chrono]

Wohoo! Can''t wait to see it!

 

[DianaBanana]

Thanks to you to Stone Hunter - I''m not a very decisive person so these decisions give me axiety...fun anxiety but anxiety none the less!

I hope the decision will come to me when I have the spinel in my hot little hands.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I love the spinel but the inclusion would bother me.

 

[DianaBanana]

Date: 4/28/2009 10:58:55 PM
Author: CharmyPoo
I love the spinel but the inclusion would bother me.

I know...I''m a little worried about it and Gene assures me that I can return it if the inclusions bother me. Price is a big factor for me - I love the cut and color but if the stone was eye clean, I''d be looking at triple the price...maybe more. Since I''m just looking for a pretty pink stone and not necessarily the finest example of spinel perfection...I *think* I''ll be very happy with it.

 

[arjunajane]

Hrmm..I''m going to go against the grain and say maybe neither...*ducks*

I was also leaning toward the spinel because of the hardness and sparkle factor - but frankly that gem just doesn''t
strike me as some of Gene''e best cutting work - maybe its an optical illusion because of the inclusions? but it doesn''t
seem as....clean, sharp, crisp - kwim?

I know the lower price is a factor for you, and I think seeing it in person is the way to go. But if it were me, I would consider having one custom cut,
especially if you''re going to put it in a JM

just my 0.02c of course

 

[CharmyPoo]

Wait for Barry''s drop .. it''s come in a few days!

 

[DianaBanana]

PS is a dangerous place...there''s always something better coming around the corner!

I''ll watch for Barry''s drop but I''m also going to keep an open mind on this spinel since I really do love the cut and color...I''m assuming no one will object if I post some pictures when I receive it?

I''m one of those people who will "know it when they see it"...custom cutting scares me! Too many decisions...size, cut, color, ARGH!!!!

Although Peter Torraca is cutting me a peridot right now out of the same rough as Lori''s asscher....looking forward to making something for my youngest daughter that will be 12 in August.

 

[marcy]

I vote for the spinel. Yes, PS is a dangerous place. I always find something new I want.

 

[AprilBaby]

I love the cut of the spinel!

 

[mariedtiger]

I love the spinel so much. I really look forward to seeing your pictures. I learned so much from the thread where you showed your sapphire, thankyou for sharing so generously. Following your projects is so nice

 

[chrono]

Absolutely no objection from me for pictures when you receive it. In fact, it is a CS reqiorement.

 

[LD]

Am I too late?

I just wanted to add .......... in my experience some pink tourmaline can have too much brown - especially in incandescent light. Whilst your picture doesn''t suggest it will go brown, you never know until it''s sitting with you at night!

With pink spinel, I''ve found that I see grey modifiers! I do see them a little in Gene''s picture BUT it has a lavender hue which is very pretty. So long as it''s warm (and the inclusion isn''t bothersome) that''d be my favourite.

 

[DianaBanana]

Date: 4/29/2009 2:08:04 PM
Author: mariedtiger
I love the spinel so much. I really look forward to seeing your pictures. I learned so much from the thread where you showed your sapphire, thankyou for sharing so generously. Following your projects is so nice

That''s so nice to say! Sometimes I feel like a pest asking so many questions and posting so many pictures....I thought the sapphire ''lighting'' thread turned out to be pretty informative, I''m glad to hear someone else learned something too!

 

[DianaBanana]

Date: 4/29/2009 7:28:02 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds
Am I too late?

I just wanted to add .......... in my experience some pink tourmaline can have too much brown - especially in incandescent light. Whilst your picture doesn't suggest it will go brown, you never know until it's sitting with you at night!

With pink spinel, I've found that I see grey modifiers! I do see them a little in Gene's picture BUT it has a lavender hue which is very pretty. So long as it's warm (and the inclusion isn't bothersome) that'd be my favourite.

Nope, you're not too late....I appreciate the feedback since I don't know what makes a good tourmaline or spinel - I just know what appeals to my eyeballs!

The only thing that appealed to me about the tourmaline was the size and the peachy tone on the outer edge of the stone....the spinel really sings to me but I wasn't sure how big a deal the inclusions will be.

This is Gene's description of the spinel...."3.93 ct. This pink spinel is another stone from Tajikistan that is a very nice pink color with just a touch of mauve in it. I cut this in a round with a dome crown. The crown is higher than normal with an extra tier of facets. This stone is not clean, there are some veils and bubbles, but they do mask up among all the sparkle, and it's priced accordingly. The stone measures 9.5 mm, and is just $125 per ct."

Stay tuned for pictures....

 

[DianaBanana]

So...I received the spinel and it has proved to be a good learning experience for me. I could never see what people meant by a "grey modifier" - I'm always, like "Grey? I see no grey?!?"

Even looking at Gene's pictures, I can't see much of it but I definitely do IRL.

The color of the stone wasn't as warm as I hoped it would be from the pictures and the inclusions do bug me so the stone is going back. I love the cut though, I think Gene did a great job of masking the inclusions within the extra tier of facets in the domed top.

Without further ado...here are the pictures I snapped today.....

ETA - the pictures on the far right are closest to what my eyes see

 

[chrono]

Unfortunately, I have to agree with your assessment. The saturation is light, hence some gray shows through.

 

[T L]

I agree as well. I think you''re making the right decision by sending it back.

 

[FrekeChild]

Ditto Chrono and TL.

 

[mochi]

I agree with the others.... but the picture you took, lower right, is a pretty one.