Please help me find a purple spinel for engagement!

[purplegirl]

Wowza! I wish they had video or a few more photos. I love the size and the color! Thanks!

 

[purplegirl]

This one has a little more blue than I would like but it's still very pretty. Thanks!

 

[VirginiaZee]

Here are a few more ideas. Both stones are smaller than you initially asked for, but they do give ideas of other purples out there. The photos are tough for me to read, and the loose stone looks like it has a huge tilt window, so maybe ask how the stones look indoors or for photos of the stones indoors? The ring also has a video though, and that stone looks to have some nice dispersion.
[url=https://www.etsy.com/listing/...ef=shop_home_active_15&ga_search_query=spinel[/url]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/167371...ref=shop_home_active_3&ga_search_query=spinel

 

[purplegirl]

All of these purples are lovely. Thanks! So far, these are my favorites.

 

[purplegirl]

And here's one that was already sold that really struck me even though I have no idea what it would look like in person.

 

[T L]

Wowza! I wish they had video or a few more photos. I love the size and the color! Thanks!

You can always ask them, and also ask about the color shift on all these stones. They tend to go more bluish in daylight. This particular stone is from a PS recommended vendor.

 

[purplegirl]

Lol. I actually did contact them. I hope they can accommodate! Thanks TL!

 

[purplegirl]

TL, I didn't see this one on the vendor list. Is Wilds-globalminerals the same as Wildfish Gems? Thanks!

 

[T L]

TL, I didn't see this one on the vendor list. Is Wilds-globalminerals the same as Wildfish Gems? Thanks!

No, they're not the same. Someone told me they were preferred. I have to double check the list.

 

[purplegirl]

Oh, okay. They responded and said that they're preparing for a Hong Kong show for next week and will get back to me afterwards……...

 

[T L]

Oh, okay. They responded and said that they're preparing for a Hong Kong show for next week and will get back to me afterwards……...

I'm really sorry about that. I actually linked to one of their gorgeous sapphires in the "someone's got to buy that stone" thread, and I was told they were preferred. They do have some gorgeous stones and great feedback on ebay, but double check toolhaus.org for their feedback as well.

 

[purplegirl]

No problem! I never even knew about toolhaus.org, but I thank you for putting me onto the site. They have only had positive feedback within the last 12 months, so that's good.

 

[FrekeChild]

If you get serious about a stone I recommend asking the vendor to hold it for you. Sometimes lurkers can come in a snatch stones out from under you.

 

[purplegirl]

Okay……will do. Thanks for the advice! I've contacted 4 different vendors…..now I'm just waiting on responses.

 

[purplegirl]

Thoughts, anyone?

 

[FrekeChild]

Looks like it has a bit of a bowtie. Do you like it? Can we have more details?

 

[LoversKites]

I'm on my phone which tends to over saturate colour so I can't comment on that. If you like the colour that's all that matters.

The stone does have a noticeable bowtie as Freke said. Some are more forgiving of this than others.

Btw, which stone from which vendor is this? It seems like the Wild fish one.

 

[VirginiaZee]

Any other photos? What was your first reaction when you opened the package and saw the stone?

FWIW I think it's a pretty color, but what do you think? And yes, it does have a bowtie as others have said... personally that doesn't bother me too much as long as I love the color of a stone, but it's worth mentioning. Some shapes (particularly the elongated ones, like ovals) tend to have that, it's just part and parcel of the shape.

 

[T L]

Thoughts, anyone?

I would like to see a side view as well, so you can ascertain if it's a deep stone, or shallow. or if it has a high crown, which to me, is always a nice thing with these lighter toned spinels.

 

[purplegirl]

Yes, this is the Wildfire one. This is a hand shot from the vendor. What is a bowtie? I haven't ordered it yet.

 

[purplegirl]

It's this one.

 

[T L]

Yes, this is the Wildfire one. This is a hand shot from the vendor. What is a bowtie? I haven't ordered it yet.

You mean wildfish?

 

[T L]

A bowtie is a dark line of extinction that forms in the center of a stone. It's common on pears, ovals and other elongated shapes. I circled the bowtie in the picture below.

I also am posting a side view of your stone. It doesn't have a high crown, but a deep pavilion.

 

[derbygal]

This would be at the top of your budget ($726). I like the shade of purple. http://www.africagems.com/purple-spinel-cushion-g2k-92436089.html

 

[T L]

This is much smaller, but the color is much better

http://www.africagems.com/purple-spinel-square-g2k-92443889.html

 

[Niel]

All of these purples are lovely. Thanks! So far, these are my favorites.

Wow I love the first one!

 

[purplegirl]

Sorry....lol. I meant Wildfish. Phones! Of the two ovals, I think I like this one better. Now, I understand the bowtie. I think that would bother me.There are only a couple of photos for this one. I like the Africagem ones, but they're too small.I also like cushion cut alot.I actually think I'm starting to prefer it over oval.

 

[purplegirl]

I love that one too, but I've had no word from Brad on whether or not he has anything similar.

 

[purplegirl]

What do you guys think a decent budget would be for a spinel such as the one I'm looking for?

 

[VirginiaZee]

Spinel prices are really all over. The ones with a bit of grey used to be less expensive (okay, almost all gems used to be less expensive...) but right now it really depends on the vendor. For instance, the one from GemRite is under $500 for just under 2 carats. It seems that spinel prices jump at the 2 and 3 carat marks, so keeping a gem under that will help with the budget. Jeff Davies' are also very very reasonably priced. Budget's are personal things, but my preference is to pick a budget and then get the best stone I can within that.

Origen also plays a role - Sri Lanka and Tanzania will be cheaper than Burma or Vietnam.

You've found half a dozen stones in your budget... what do you like (and don't like) about them?