Red Stone Alert!

[Liane]

Liane,
How many days left do you have remaining for the inspection period? Is the price and colour (when it is good) sufficient for you to overlook the not so nice parts? The half and half extinction together with the bowtie is a cut issue. If it changes colour on you though, it is the material itself. Most red spinels show either a garnety colour or turns muddy/brownish or orangish when viewed under fluorescent lighting. Also, some red spinels (even with the most amazing ruby red colour) can end up with a significant amount of extinction under poor lighting which I’ve seen myself. I’ve heard that this is partially due to the tone (a bit on the dark side) and over saturation.

Those two things are exactly what I'm seeing: there is both a cut issue (the bowtie and extinction) and a slight color shift to a garnet-y look in office lighting. It looks a bit like a paprika spess in fluorescents -- not quite that much orange/brown, but some, and the sparkle seems to get "harder" somehow. I'm not that familiar with rovals, since I didn't own any prior to this spinel and hadn't inspected any in hand, so I didn't think this one would exhibit the problems that I often see in ovals. Alas, turns out it does.

Still, the color is truly phenomenal and luminous when it's good, so I'll keep the stone. I wish I was better at photography so I could try to show you guys what I'm seeing, but this stone is beautiful when it wants to be. It really is a better, purer red than the vendor photos when the light hits it right. I can live with the other issues for that.

(Slight threadjack -- what camera do you use/recommend? I need a new one anyway, might as well get one that can take non-sucky PS photos.)

 

[iLander]

How is the bubblegum ring going?

Not too well, Treenbean. I keep looking at the beautiful stone, sitting in it's box, and I'm just not ready to set it.

I've been on the quest for so many years (just a small portion of the hunt was on PS), that I kind of hate for it to be over. . .

One of my kids once said to me "It's good to want something". Smart kid. . . .

 

[Treenbean]

I agree! Most of the thrill is in the hunt! After my first project I went through a "what now" phase. But I love jewelry and gemstones and I get a lot of inspiration from antique pieces so I just keep buying what I like. I never thought I would have a gem box full of potentials. Set that baby when you are ready... I can't wait to see it, and I'm sure you can't wait to wear it.

 

[Aoife]

For those of you still on the hunt for a red stone, Gemfix just posted a red spinel that looks like it might be worth considering....

 

[iLander]

Rick Martin at Art Cut has some new stones today, and this one qualifies as red:

http://www.artcutgems.com/item.php?item_id=771&page=2

If you can take a purple modifier this one is ridiculously cheap:

http://www.artcutgems.com/item.php?item_id=591&page=2

 

[radiantquest]

Small thread jack**

Cant wait to see the ring done. I know it will be to die for. What a nice time of year to finish it. It should be a Christmas gift to yourself. Those first links that you posted, did you notice on the bottom left hand corner there is a ring that looks exactly like a ring pop? Red too. Yummy.

 

[iLander]

Hi RQ! You were right, I don't know why I didn't set it before, it's just fun and cheery!

Meanwhile, a new red stone from Litnon for those looking for the elusive red:

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8565

I will hope that someone explains to me why it's called a red sapphire, and not a ruby . . .

 

[minousbijoux]

Wow, it sure doesn't look "brick red" in the photos, does it? The photos show absolutely stunning color

 

[iLander]

More red stones!

http://www.artcutgems.com/item.php?item_id=771&page=2 Loving the color on this one from Rick

Ruby pair near bottom of page, vibrant but tiny, though:

http://www.gemfix.com/newest_gems.html

 

[blithesome71]

Nice thread!

I hope someone would buy this one & upload tons of RL photos hehe...
14.10 ct. Rubellite (Afghanistan)

Here: http://www.coloradogem.com/images/3159_big.jpg

http://www.coloradogem.com/index.php?display=gems

 

[iLander]

Thanks for helping Blithesome!

I am just going to keep doing this until everyone that wants a red stone, has one, and my guilt is assuaged.

Here' s a nice one from Litnon:

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8608

I've found, during my red stone search, a blue modifier is better (to me) than an orange modifier. I think all reds have a slight modifier.

 

[iLander]

Here's another red one, only 99 cents right now. Uli is completely reliable and well-regarded, in case anyone is wondering:

http://cgi.ebay.com/kenyan-RHODOLITE-2-25cts-round-spinning-wheel-/370470140240?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5641bdb950#ht_762wt_1141