Purple stone?

[MazelTov2]

Hi All,

Hopefully, as the saying goes, the third time will be the charm. I've tried to post this twice...the first time the editing process destroyed it and the second time, the page went blank as I was adding photos! One more time...deep breath.

Attached are three photos of a 4.65 carat pear shaped purple stone in a 14-carat gold mounting. Granted, the cutter didn't do the best job on it, leaving a rather large window. It was also advertised and sold as one specie of stone and turned out to be something entirely different. Regardless of these little flaws, however, I liked the color of the stone, which unfortunately doesn't photograph well with our current equipment and lighting, so we kept it and had it mounted. Just for fun...what do you think it is?

Shanti to everyone,
Leslie

 

[ChrisA222]

Its impossible to tell what it is...it could be many things. It looks to be fairly dark toned, almost moderately-saturated, brownish-purple. I dont think Spinel, I usually see grey in Spinel and this stone seems more brown. I would guess a Tourmaline, but its just a guess really.

Can some of the experts critique my critique of the stone's color? I am trying to get better at this stuff...

 

[MazelTov2]

Congrats...your first "guess" is correct. It was purchased as a tourmaline, but tested to be a purple spinel!

Leslie

 

[ChrisA222]

I dont know if that means I guessed right or guessed wrong, lol...I first thought Spinel but ruled that out because I saw more brown in that stone instead of grey...thats why I went with Tourmaline (what it really looks like, to me). oh well!

 

[chrono]

Gray versus brown
When a stone is desaturated, whether it looks grayish or brownish depends on the hue. Warm coloured stones like red will have a brown undertone. Cool coloured stones like blue will show a gray component.

 

[minousbijoux]

That does not read as purple at all to me, but a brownish brick red. Admittedly, I cannot tolerate windows - and I know others can - but Leslie have you ever considered having some of your larger stones recut so that they are well cut and really shine?

 

[txgreeneyes]

Is that a piece of hair or a white line in the first picture?

I don't see it in the 2nd picture. Could be a flash?

 

[chrono]

The "line" runs along the edge of the facets, so it's probably just glare of a slightly roughened / not well polished / or slightly worn facet edge.

 

[RedSpinel]

Its impossible to tell what it is...it could be many things. It looks to be fairly dark toned, almost moderately-saturated, brownish-purple. I dont think Spinel, I usually see grey in Spinel and this stone seems more brown. I would guess a Tourmaline, but its just a guess really.

Can some of the experts critique my critique of the stone's color? I am trying to get better at this stuff...

+Thats what I was going to guess, either a Spinel or tourmaline, but I wasnt 100% sure. It looks a little pink around the edges. I was about 99% sure it wasnt an amethyst. But someone already gave the answer before I read the thread.....

 

[Lee Little]

I agree with minous, a re-cut is in order. That window takes the fire away and a stone that size can stand a little weight loss. Best regards, Lee

 

[johnfish]

In regard to the color. What was the background color behind the stone? I am neither a stone expert or a photography expert but wouldnt the color of the stone be better represented with a white backgruond. If the background is white it seems like there might be a color balance issue with the camera. I like the general shape of the stone and the color isnt horrible although redish brown isnt to my taste.

John

 

[Richard M.]

In regard to the color. What was the background color behind the stone? I am neither a stone expert or a photography expert but wouldnt the color of the stone be better represented with a white backgruond. If the background is white it seems like there might be a color balance issue with the camera. I like the general shape of the stone and the color isnt horrible although redish brown isnt to my taste.

John

My gemstone photography experience tells me the white balance setting on the camera was incorrect. I don't believe there's any way to judge the color of this stone from these images for that reason. I tried to download one of them to make corrections in Photoshop but they're in a format my program doesn't recognize. Maybe PriceScope no longer permits image downloading.

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

 

[T L]

In regard to the color. What was the background color behind the stone? I am neither a stone expert or a photography expert but wouldnt the color of the stone be better represented with a white backgruond. If the background is white it seems like there might be a color balance issue with the camera. I like the general shape of the stone and the color isnt horrible although redish brown isnt to my taste.

John

My gemstone photography experience tells me the white balance setting on the camera was incorrect. I don't believe there's any way to judge the color of this stone from these images for that reason. I tried to download one of them to make corrections in Photoshop but they're in a format my program doesn't recognize. Maybe PriceScope no longer permits image downloading.

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

I totally agree. It appears it was taken in low incandescent lighting, which in my experience, really sets off white balance on less expensive cameras, and it's hard to get accurate color. This is why the background looks so yellowish. It's easier, in my experience, to take photos in brighter light situations, like natural diffused light, or in the shade on a sunny day.

 

[Richard M.]

Hi TL,

While neutral diffused light is great, a proper white balance setting should compensate for the difference between incandescent/fluorescent/daylight. My camera can be set for auto white balance, daylight, fluorescent, incandescent, etc. Or I can do a custom white balance for lighting in a specific shot using a white card reading to make certain I have a white background.

Those settings are pretty standard on most cameras these days. I use an older model Nikon Coolpix for most of my shots because of its fantastic lens. I'm pretty sure most of its settings are available on most recent camera models. Just check the user manual. I nearly always choose custom white balance for gem shots.

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

 

[T L]

Hi TL,

While neutral diffused light is great, a proper white balance setting should compensate for the difference between incandescent/fluorescent/daylight. My camera can be set for auto white balance, daylight, fluorescent, incandescent, etc. Or I can do a custom white balance for lighting in a specific shot using a white card reading to make certain I have a white background.

Those settings are pretty standard on most cameras these days. I use an older model Nikon Coolpix for most of my shots because of its fantastic lens. I'm pretty sure most of its settings are available on most recent camera models. Just check the user manual. I nearly always choose custom white balance for gem shots.

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

I do have those white balance settings on my Nikon coolpix, but for some reason, my camera still doesn't get it right in our energy saving fluorescent lights. I hate them as they produce very low level yellow lighting. Also, in those lower lighting situations, my photos come out less focused. I need more lighting to get proper focus on my macro photos. I wish we had better indoor lighting.

Custom white balance is too hard to set properly on my camera because in our super yellow lighting, it makes everything turn out too grey to compensate.

 

[Richard M.]

I do have those white balance settings on my Nikon coolpix, but for some reason, my camera still doesn't get it right in our energy saving fluorescent lights. I hate them as they produce very low level yellow lighting. Also, in those lower lighting situations, my photos come out less focused. I need more lighting to get proper focus on my macro photos. I wish we had better indoor lighting.

I hate those twisty monstrosities too! Have you tried manual focus? Another trick is to use a portable desk lap with a "real" light bulb just long enough to set focus visually.

Custom white balance is too hard to set properly on my camera because in our super yellow lighting, it makes everything turn out too grey to compensate.

Have you tried longer exposures? They might work if white balance is set properly. I use mainly natural light from an east-facing window and I often shoot some of my best images in very low light in late afternoon/evening. I often use exposures up to 8 seconds with my camera's self-timer. I use either a white card in front of the lens to set white balance or an 18% gray card .

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

 

[T L]

I do have those white balance settings on my Nikon coolpix, but for some reason, my camera still doesn't get it right in our energy saving fluorescent lights. I hate them as they produce very low level yellow lighting. Also, in those lower lighting situations, my photos come out less focused. I need more lighting to get proper focus on my macro photos. I wish we had better indoor lighting.

I hate those twisty monstrosities too! Have you tried manual focus? Another trick is to use a portable desk lap with a "real" light bulb just long enough to set focus visually.

Custom white balance is too hard to set properly on my camera because in our super yellow lighting, it makes everything turn out too grey to compensate.

Have you tried longer exposures? They might work if white balance is set properly. I use mainly natural light from an east-facing window and I often shoot some of my best images in very low light in late afternoon/evening. I often use exposures up to 8 seconds with my camera's self-timer. I use either a white card in front of the lens to set white balance or an 18% gray card .

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

I don't think I have a way to do longer exposures, and all the lights in my house are those monstrosities. I keep asking hubby to get new light bulbs. If I use a white card in front of the lens, then it turns everything too yellow, and the yellow lighting makes everything too grey if I do custom white balance. I can take great photos in natural diffused light, so I don't have a problem there.

Thanks for the tips Richard.