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reality check for spinel prices

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cagey

cagey

Rough_Rock
Joined
Aug 14, 2007
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I''ve been browsing around here for the past few weeks (reading, learning, drooling over lovely things!) in a search for a new e-ring....I initally wanted to go with an asscher, but quickly realized that the size I wanted didn''t stay in my budget and changed my seeking to The Ring rather than The Stone.

Then I saw a few rings designed by Leon Mege, and the rest is history
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. I''ve always liked colored stones (specifically rubies and emeralds), and think his settings show off colored stones like nothing I''ve ever seen before.

I started looking around here and ''discovered'' spinels. I''m partial to square-ish cushion cut, and dark reds, but the cut/shape take preference.

Based on other posts on this forum, I''ve been browsing the following sites:
Cherrypicked.com
palagems.com
faceters.com
acstones.com
creativegem.com
gemwow.com
multicolour.com
ajsgems.com

Also, there''s a big gem and jewelry show that''s held annually in my city - anyone think that this is worth a look, or are these just filled with crap?


My ideal stone is something similar to this, found on cherrypicked.com

SO, my read question:
Am I out of line thinking that i can find a red spinel cushion cut between 1.5 - 2.5 ct for under $1500?

Thanks!
 
I don''t think you''ll find a very fine red spinel of 2 carats for under $1.5K. Spinels tend to be rather small (around 1 caratish) and the larger they get, the harder it is to find a really saturated stop light red stone. If you have the time to wait, then a pretty one might be had in your price range, size and quality requirements. I know top reds of just over 1 carats in a square cushion are selling for close to $1K recently.
 
Welcome to PS
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Sounds like you will be making a lovely ring.
 
Date: 8/14/2007 2:12:33 PM
Author: Chrono
I don''t think you''ll find a very fine red spinel of 2 carats for under $1.5K. Spinels tend to be rather small (around 1 caratish) and the larger they get, the harder it is to find a really saturated stop light red stone. If you have the time to wait, then a pretty one might be had in your price range, size and quality requirements. I know top reds of just over 1 carats in a square cushion are selling for close to $1K recently.
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thanks for your input - I DO have time, but just wanted to make sure I wasn''t on a fruitless quest!
 
Hi Cagey,

I think it is quite possible to get a pretty spinel within that price. Have you seen this:

http://www.gemwow.com/gemdetail/1_3_9891/Cut_Spinel.aspx?backurl=/Product/ProductSearch.aspx%3fkeywords=cut+spinel%26pcs=%26avgweight=%26cat_id=68%26current_page=0%26keyword=cut%20spinel%26weight=0%26shape=0%26price=0

Also, atggems has some pretty red spinels there but less than 1 carat I think, you may wish to take a look. Good luck for your search and please post pictures when you are done. I think you will have a gorgeous ring.
 
Date: 8/14/2007 2:04:36 PM
Author:cagey


Also, there''s a big gem and jewelry show that''s held annually in my city - anyone think that this is worth a look, or are these just filled with crap?

Click to expand...

Gem shows are definitely worth a look, especially if you do some good reading up beforehand and don''t have your heart set on spending money that day. Sometimes there is just the usual assortment of things, or a bunch of dealers that give you the creeps (watch out for the sweet-talkers!), but other times you can really find what you''re looking for or, at the very least, get to see in person some interesting and unusual stones. You can also use the opportunity to get to know how a few dealers operate and initiate a relationship that you can follow up on after the show.

Spinel is not something I have seen at shows in Montreal and Toronto, but it does depend on which show, what year, and where you are. Doesn''t hurt to give it a shot!
 
Date: 8/15/2007 11:25:12 AM
Author: Chrysoz
I don''t really get why it has to be that expensive...I don''t know if this is that ABSOLUTELY BEST red color, but admit, it is very nice, and the price and weight is even nicer... a flawless 2,56ct red cushion spinel for 250$, too good to be true? I am not a true spinel expert, but the color seems fine to me...

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-56CT-CUSHION-CUT-RED-SPINEL_W0QQitemZ220139825234QQihZ012QQcategoryZ110873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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I saw it now, maybe it''s cheap beacuse of the VVS2-clarity (almost perfect, guess there is one little pin-prick or something that you doesn''t see in the pic. I can see a very tiny orange hue, does that make the value fall greatly?
 
For that price I question several things:
1. Is it really a spinel?
2. Has this spinel been treated in anyway? (You never know, although spinels are traditionally not treated)
3. How true to colour is it? Perhaps the picture has been photoshopped and the real stone has brown undertones?
4. I would like to see the side view to make sure the cut is acceptable (no off culet, nice crown height, not too large a belly, etc).

I would never buy from ebay without an independent appraiser checking out the stone first. Then there's the hassle of refunds if the stone does not check out all right.

ETA
That was the "collector" in me writing above where the stone has to be almost perfect in every aspect. Perhaps there may be others here who aren't all that picky about the colour, saturation, hue, tone, cut, etc. and so a 2 carat red spinel can surely be had for MUCH less, but it sure won't look as jaw dropping as the one I would pick that cost a lot more.
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You pay for what you get.
 
Date: 8/15/2007 11:28:22 AM
Author: Chrysoz

Date: 8/15/2007 11:25:12 AM
Author: Chrysoz
I don''t really get why it has to be that expensive...I don''t know if this is that ABSOLUTELY BEST red color, but admit, it is very nice, and the price and weight is even nicer... a flawless 2,56ct red cushion spinel for 250$, too good to be true? I am not a true spinel expert, but the color seems fine to me...

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-56CT-CUSHION-CUT-RED-SPINEL_W0QQitemZ220139825234QQihZ012QQcategoryZ110873QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Click to expand...
I saw it now, maybe it''s cheap beacuse of the VVS2-clarity (almost perfect, guess there is one little pin-prick or something that you doesn''t see in the pic. I can see a very tiny orange hue, does that make the value fall greatly?
Click to expand...
Hi Chrysoz, the stone listed there will probably look more garnet-y in real life. The stones are generally darker in real life than in the pictures, so you have to take that into consideration. I bought a spinel off ebay at a rather low price recently and it was described as cherry red. That was a pretty good description as it is as dark a red as cherries are. It looks more like a garnet but as I like the shape of it and I like garnets too so I find the stone rather pretty and kept it. But for the colour that cagey is looking for, the colour of a fine ruby, I think the vendors are asking for a lot more than ebay. Anyway, I have not seen any fine ruby red spinels on ebays so far..
 
inexpensive spinel has so much extinction going on you might as well buy a dark red garnet as mentioned above. nothing wrong with a dark red garnet, but its not going to have the wow factor of a fine spinel. there is something for every budget....and only you can decide which tradeoffs you're willing to make to stay within that budget. i'd suggest seeing as many stones from as many different cutters as you can. i know that can prove to be difficult, even working with a local jeweler. but if time is not an issue, take your time and read more about what constitutes a great spinel before you decide about those tradeoffs your willing to make. cut is going to be a major factor but there are decent and afordable spinels out there that won't cost an arm and a leg....but perhaps not in red. and if you can put the purchase off until next february [getting educated and seeing as many spinels as you can in the meantime], i'm sure a vendor would be more than happy to shop for you at the tucson gem show.

i'd go to the local gem show and look at everything. you're eye will tell you what is pleasing and what isn't. you'll start to notice differences between cut, saturation, etc. it may be the only way to see lots of gems i one place!

movie zombie

eta: and welcome to the color gemstone e-ring group!
 
Hi Cagey.

The prices on spinel are rising pretty fast due to more people learning about them. there are still deals to be had though if you look in the right places. Gem shows are a good place if you know what to look for. It is very important to edeucate your self so that when a good deal comes along you will see it for what it is.

Color is the most important thing to look for, followed by clarity. IMO


Good luck on you search. For me that is most of the fun.

Doug
 
speaking of color: prices for a color not considered desireable or popular right now will be less than for the most desired and sought after colors. perhaps not a lot less but there should be a difference in price per carat.

i think at one time people thought spinel was a manufactured stone....as more people have become educated re color gem stones that perception has changed and prices have gone up. stop light red spinel is very sought after and very expensive.

what is important is that the color is pleasing to your eye, not what is most popular or considered desireable at this moment in time.

movie zombie
 
This is off topic, but MOVIE ZOMBIE GREAT TO SEE YOU!!!!!!!! I have missed your posts very much!!!!!
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Linda
 
thanks for all of the input - I''m new to all of this, so all of your suggestions are welcomed! I''m still trying to decide on a stone, and am flirting with chrome tourmalines and some of the fancy colored sapphires, too. I''m def going to hit the big gem show and look to see everything firsthand, as I''m sure that no moniter can equal the human eye!
 
Date: 8/17/2007 3:52:55 PM
Author: cagey
thanks for all of the input - I''m new to all of this, so all of your suggestions are welcomed! I''m still trying to decide on a stone, and am flirting with chrome tourmalines and some of the fancy colored sapphires, too. I''m def going to hit the big gem show and look to see everything firsthand, as I''m sure that no moniter can equal the human eye!
Click to expand...
very very true! and have fun at the show!

linda w, thanks!

movie zombie
 
Hi Cagey...Here''s the spinel I''d go for if I were you...it fits all your criteria except the shape, but I bet it''s so beautiful it''s worth the compromise. It''s AGL certed, too.

Read all about it here: http://www.preciousgemstones.com/186buspfs.html

This is a very trustworthy vendor.


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186spinel.jpg
 
Gary at Diamondexpert.com is another top vendor for spinel.
He can get tons more than is on his website and can also get them mine direct and may be able to have one cut in the shape you want.
stay away from ebay there is way too much man made spinel out there.
 
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