Question for blue spinel owners

[innerkitten]

I've seen some blue spinels on the forums here but I don't think I've ever seen one in person. Most of them look a little dark in photos. Is that just the nature of blue spinel? Do they make up for it in sparkle? Do they tend to be shifty?
TIA!

 

[chrono]

Most blue spinels tend to be overly dark in tone. Some are lighter but these are uncommon.
Most blue spinels tend to be desaturated, showing a lot of gray.
Some have a purple modifier and some have a green modifier.
If too dark, you will not get much sparkle out of it. Having a good cut helps it sparkle. Having a medium tone helps it spakle too.
The amount of shift varies from stone to stone, with a finer spinel showing less shift.

HTH.

 

[innerkitten]

Thanks for the info Chrono. You have one right? Or two?

 

[chrono]

I own 4 or 5 but in the process have viewed/handled more than 20 blue spinels.

 

[Agneau]

I assume you are looking for a cobalt blue spinel but I can chime in a little!
I have a moderate/light saturated greenish blue spinel. It's blue with green modifiers.

It exhibits a lot of what Chrono talked about. It has a greyness/silvery color that really shows more in certain lightings. Sometimes certain lightings make it look a lot bluer and some make it look more green. But strictly fluorescent lighting turns it a steely blue.

I don't really like the grey that can come out in some dark spinel colors, but I like it in the lighter colors.

It was an inexpensive stone, but I am lucky in that I was looking for a silvery blue green, so I believe I found what I was looking for.
The cut is nice too.

Sometimes I do wish it stayed in the perfect blue and green combination it exhibits in some lighting, though.

I have a couple pictures I could post if you would like! I don't want to impose.

 

[JewelFreak]

My blue spinel stays blue. It is never grayish & I don't see any modifiers in it -- definitely not purple & I've never seen green either. In sunlight it's like seeing to the very bottom of a blue deep cold pool, but it darkens in low light. "Sparkle" isn't the word I'd use for mine -- it doesn't glitter, but kind of emanates a profound blue -- without the warmth of, say, a sapphire. I can't describe its color & effect -- people always ask me about it when I wear it. I don't think it's a cobalt spinel -- Roger didn't say so & I haven't bothered to have it tested because I don't care & I'll never sell it unless I'm starving by the roadside -- even then, I'd debate. I wish I could photograph what I'm trying to describe; my camera & skills aren't up to it though.

--- Laurie

 

[innerkitten]

I assume you are looking for a cobalt blue spinel but I can chime in a little!
I have a moderate/light saturated greenish blue spinel. It's blue with green modifiers.

It exhibits a lot of what Chrono talked about. It has a greyness/silvery color that really shows more in certain lightings. Sometimes certain lightings make it look a lot bluer and some make it look more green. But strictly fluorescent lighting turns it a steely blue.

I don't really like the grey that can come out in some dark spinel colors, but I like it in the lighter colors.

It was an inexpensive stone, but I am lucky in that I was looking for a silvery blue green, so I believe I found what I was looking for.
The cut is nice too.

Sometimes I do wish it stayed in the perfect blue and green combination it exhibits in some lighting, though.

I have a couple pictures I could post if you would like! I don't want to impose.

Yes please! I love pictures.

 

[innerkitten]

My blue spinel stays blue. It is never grayish & I don't see any modifiers in it -- definitely not purple & I've never seen green either. In sunlight it's like seeing to the very bottom of a blue deep cold pool, but it darkens in low light. "Sparkle" isn't the word I'd use for mine -- it doesn't glitter, but kind of emanates a profound blue -- without the warmth of, say, a sapphire. I can't describe its color & effect -- people always ask me about it when I wear it. I don't think it's a cobalt spinel -- Roger didn't say so & I haven't bothered to have it tested because I don't care & I'll never sell it unless I'm starving by the roadside -- even then, I'd debate. I wish I could photograph what I'm trying to describe; my camera & skills aren't up to it though.

--- Laurie

I have photography issues too

 

[colorluvr]

I posted photos of mine on here before, but I just took a quick one outside next to a madagascar blue sapphire to show the difference in color. Mine is on the dark side and definitely isn't top color, but I love the cut (thanks to a complete recut by Jerry Newman) and the way it sends out flashes of light when the sun or bright lights hit it correctly. Definitely not an award winner for color (too dark and not true blue) but it makes for a great "everyday ring" and I love the size It's 4.74ct approx 10.2 x 8.8 x 6.9mm The sapphire is 8mm as a comparison. This photo makes the sapphire look kind of dull, but it's not at all IRL.

 

[LD]

Really really interesting question.

I agree with Chrono that the majority are overly dark or grey. So for me personally that rules them out.

However, my holy grail of blue spinels is TL's lighter blue/violet ones. Those make my heart race and I don't care if it doesn't sparkle (but I think it does) because the colour just sets me alight. Can I find one? Not for the life of me! I've stopped looking now because if one wants to find me it will - I couldn't handle the stress of continually looking

 

[chrono]

I'll start with stones I own. Some you'll see side by side with others. Note how the colour stays true with some but shifts more with others. Some are darker toned, some are lighter toned. Some are pure blue, some have a touch of green or purple. Some are more saturated than others.

First one
It isn't pure blue. Because it is a strong colour shifter, I rarely see it as pure blue. It'll have all sorts of colours sparkling out. It goes from blue to a purple. Medium toned, medium to strong saturation. I rarely call my stones vivid because I am sure there are better stones than mine out there.

 

[chrono]

This is the type that LD was referring to. It is a slightly grayish blue but mixed with lavender. It shoots fireworks colours out on a dime. It is also colour shifting but less so than the big oval I posted above this one.

 

[chrono]

Here are the medium darks. They have less fireworks but still sparkly, just blue and much less rainbow coloured.

The round is precision cut, the cushion isn't. Both hold their colour reasonably well indoors and outdoors. Because the round is precision cut, it appears "flashier" than the cushion. A touch of gray or steeliness at times but not obvious until.....

 

[chrono]

Okay, so I took this picture ages ago and it's not the best but when the precision cut blue round that looked pretty in the previous picture is put next a well saturated cobalt bearing blue spinel, there is no comparison. It looks positively gray. The room did not have sufficiently strong lighting so both stones appear darker than in person.

 

[chrono]

Here are my cobalt spinels, officially called so by AGL. Not the best pictures (again ) but the two of those can easily pass off as fine quality blue sapphire. Hardly any green or gray and hold their colour extremely well.

My older pictures are really of horrenderous quality, fuzzy and did not capture the colour accurately but I'm too lazy to do a new photoshoot.

 

[pregcurious]

I love that yellow gold set.

 

[chrono]

I had more pictures of blue spinels that I viewed and returned, but deleted most of them. Here are a few and I am sure you can see why they were returned. Either they were too dark, too gray or too green or a combination of all 3.

 

[innerkitten]

Really really interesting question.

I agree with Chrono that the majority are overly dark or grey. So for me personally that rules them out.

However, my holy grail of blue spinels is TL's lighter blue/violet ones. Those make my heart race and I don't care if it doesn't sparkle (but I think it does) because the colour just sets me alight. Can I find one? Not for the life of me! I've stopped looking now because if one wants to find me it will - I couldn't handle the stress of continually looking

I have a small lavender round with a touch of blue. They are around.

 

[katharath]

Okay, so I took this picture ages ago and it's not the best but when the precision cut blue round that looked pretty in the previous picture is put next a well saturated cobalt bearing blue spinel, there is no comparison. It looks positively gray. The room did not have sufficiently strong lighting so both stones appear darker than in person.

I easily see what you mean about the saturation of the round vs the cobalt, but I REALLY like the round as well. I've been looking for a round just like that. If you still own it and are ever looking to sell, I'd be very interested (Hope that's not too forward of me to say).

The pics are very much appreciated as I've recently developed an interest in blue spinel, thanks for sharing!

 

[innerkitten]

I posted photos of mine on here before, but I just took a quick one outside next to a madagascar blue sapphire to show the difference in color. Mine is on the dark side and definitely isn't top color, but I love the cut (thanks to a complete recut by Jerry Newman) and the way it sends out flashes of light when the sun or bright lights hit it correctly. Definitely not an award winner for color (too dark and not true blue) but it makes for a great "everyday ring" and I love the size It's 4.74ct approx 10.2 x 8.8 x 6.9mm The sapphire is 8mm as a comparison. This photo makes the sapphire look kind of dull, but it's not at all IRL.

I love the cut and the size too! I see what you mean about the difference of color.
The color of that sapphire is really lovely.

 

[innerkitten]

Here are my cobalt spinels, officially called so by AGL. Not the best pictures (again ) but the two of those can easily pass off as fine quality blue sapphire. Hardly any green or gray and hold their colour extremely well.

My older pictures are really of horrenderous quality, fuzzy and did not capture the colour accurately but I'm too lazy to do a new photoshoot.

OMG gorgeous set!

 

[innerkitten]

I'll start with stones I own. Some you'll see side by side with others. Note how the colour stays true with some but shifts more with others. Some are darker toned, some are lighter toned. Some are pure blue, some have a touch of green or purple. Some are more saturated than others.

First one
It isn't pure blue. Because it is a strong colour shifter, I rarely see it as pure blue. It'll have all sorts of colours sparkling out. It goes from blue to a purple. Medium toned, medium to strong saturation. I rarely call my stones vivid because I am sure there are better stones than mine out there.

I love the shift on that one. Did you expect it to shift like that before you saw it in person?

 

[chrono]

I easily see what you mean about the saturation of the round vs the cobalt, but I REALLY like the round as well. I've been looking for a round just like that. If you still own it and are ever looking to sell, I'd be very interested (Hope that's not too forward of me to say).

Get a number and hop in line. I have had several requests and although it isn't my best stone, I love it enough to hold on to it...for now.

 

[katharath]

I posted photos of mine on here before, but I just took a quick one outside next to a madagascar blue sapphire to show the difference in color. Mine is on the dark side and definitely isn't top color, but I love the cut (thanks to a complete recut by Jerry Newman) and the way it sends out flashes of light when the sun or bright lights hit it correctly. Definitely not an award winner for color (too dark and not true blue) but it makes for a great "everyday ring" and I love the size It's 4.74ct approx 10.2 x 8.8 x 6.9mm The sapphire is 8mm as a comparison. This photo makes the sapphire look kind of dull, but it's not at all IRL.

Both gems are beauties, I also love the side by side with the sapphire!

 

[chrono]

Pregcurious and IN,
Thanks for the compliment. It is a Van Craeynest setting in 19K yellow gold.

IN,
Yes, I bought the big oval (first picture) well knowing it is a colour changer / shifter. I like strong shifting stones.

 

[katharath]

I easily see what you mean about the saturation of the round vs the cobalt, but I REALLY like the round as well. I've been looking for a round just like that. If you still own it and are ever looking to sell, I'd be very interested (Hope that's not too forward of me to say).

Get a number and hop in line. I have had several requests and although it isn't my best stone, I love it enough to hold on to it...for now.

LOL, I'm not surprised. Thanks for letting me know where I stand, anyway

 

[Agneau]

Nice stones, Chrono.

Here's mine:

 

[innerkitten]

Nice stones, Chrono.

Here's mine:

That one's pretty cool looking. Grey with blue and even some green right? Did it become a pendant?
BTW I really like your ring

 

[colorluvr]

I posted photos of mine on here before, but I just took a quick one outside next to a madagascar blue sapphire to show the difference in color. Mine is on the dark side and definitely isn't top color, but I love the cut (thanks to a complete recut by Jerry Newman) and the way it sends out flashes of light when the sun or bright lights hit it correctly. Definitely not an award winner for color (too dark and not true blue) but it makes for a great "everyday ring" and I love the size It's 4.74ct approx 10.2 x 8.8 x 6.9mm The sapphire is 8mm as a comparison. This photo makes the sapphire look kind of dull, but it's not at all IRL.

I love the cut and the size too! I see what you mean about the difference of color.
The color of that sapphire is really lovely.

Thank you!

 

[colorluvr]

double post (and it wouldn't let me delete the message)