shape
carat
color
clarity

Setting ideas for Namya Spinel

Pinkish red slightly over a carat. Not sure of origin, but I suspect Tanzania.

 
Pinkish red slightly over a carat. Not sure of origin, but I suspect Tanzania.


Vlad has a 200% premium price so I would not use this as a benchmark
 
Vlad has a 200% premium price so I would not use this as a benchmark

I posted it because he is so expensive, and still that stone is a better color, over a carat, and the same price as the OP’s.
 
No rounds, but found some emerald cuts, which can have a premium like rounds can:

1) seems to lean a bit orange in hand shots, 0.84ct,$1950. Seller is gennerally pricey.

2) seems to lean reddish, 1.08ct, $1750 before their standard 20-25% discount.

Based on this and @TL's find, 3k seems high.
 
It’s not a top color Mahenge, because those are pinkish reds. The report states pink only. That doesn’t mean it’s not beautiful or glowy, but it’s not top trade ideal color. Typically, smaller Mahenges under three carats have less saturation.

These stones have gone up exponentially over the years, even pinks.

What do you think is a fair price range to pay for these, based on your descriptions, that it isn't trade ideal color?

And this one actually has vivid saturation I believe. It's more intense than another stone that I have, thats graded from Lotus lab as "Vivid Saturation"
 
No rounds, but found some emerald cuts, which can have a premium like rounds can:

1) seems to lean a bit orange in hand shots, 0.84ct,$1950. Seller is gennerally pricey.

2) seems to lean reddish, 1.08ct, $1750 before their standard 20-25% discount.

Based on this and @TL's find, 3k seems high.

I agree, as those two vendors are also on the high side as well.
 
I posted it because he is so expensive, and still that stone is a better color, over a carat, and the same price as the OP’s.

I think the quality is not really comparable, i find OP’s stone has better cut and clarity. Color is comparable, to me.

But agree with you, it’s too expensive, i.e. OP’s stone is as well
 
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What do you think is a fair price range to pay for these, based on your descriptions, that it isn't trade ideal color?

And this one actually has vivid saturation I believe. It's more intense than another stone that I have, thats graded from Lotus lab as "Vivid Saturation"

Based on what was posted, I wouldn’t pay more than $2k. I suppose if I absolutely loved it to pieces, that would be the extreme high that I would pay, especially since it’s also slightly under a carat.
 
No rounds, but found some emerald cuts, which can have a premium like rounds can:

1) seems to lean a bit orange in hand shots, 0.84ct,$1950. Seller is gennerally pricey.

2) seems to lean reddish, 1.08ct, $1750 before their standard 20-25% discount.

Based on this and @TL's find, 3k seems high.

I actually inquired about that same stone from Africa gems, but from Pearlmen's I believe, a long time ago. They had sent me a video of it but I didn't like it too much for some reason. Can't remember why
 
$3k is very expensive imo. Very.
 
My other choice was this one from higems on IG, it's is definitely namya. 1.16ct slightly windowed although the seller says it more of a tilt window. Has some inclusions but aren't really visible at eye distance, and hidden by the color too. No fissures or cracks, relatively clean. This would be the signature jedi color too, a neon reddish pink. Seller asking 5k usd.

I apologize for the low quality images, as they are screenshots from IG videos. It looks way better in the videos but I can't attach it here. What do you think of this one?


$3k is very expensive imo. Very.

$3k is very expensive, but show me a comparable neon spinel that comes with certification? I don't think a regular pink spinel can command that price, but a neon one is hard to come by.

The one from higems is hazier, could have had oil, is more expensive, is less well-cut, and does not come with certification already.

The only comparable one I have is this one from Mahenge, the upper left ring, which I would not describe as neon, but I absolutely love the concave cut. It is not quite eye clean, as there is a small inclusion in the middle, which the concave cut helps hide. The center gem is Mahenge origin, bought by me from Richard Homer, and the smaller stones are Burmese origin, purchased from Yvonne and not Inken. I think they match well. I think $3k is fair for a Mahenge round gem, since not all gems are equal, even with the same origin.

IMG20211212223829.jpg

For what it's worth, I paid $2k for the almost-Jedi center stone, 3 years ago, and would not consider letting it go for less than $4k today.
 

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$3k is very expensive, but show me a comparable neon spinel that comes with certification? I don't think a regular pink spinel can command that price, but a neon one is hard to come by.

The one from higems is hazier, could have had oil, is more expensive, is less well-cut, and does not come with certification already.

The only comparable one I have is this one from Mahenge, the upper left ring, which I would not describe as neon, but I absolutely love the concave cut. It is not quite eye clean, as there is a small inclusion in the middle, which the concave cut helps hide. The center gem is Mahenge origin, bought by me from Richard Homer, and the smaller stones are Burmese origin, purchased from Yvonne and not Inken. I think they match well. I think $3k is fair for a Mahenge round gem, since not all gems are equal, even with the same origin.

IMG20211212223829.jpg

For what it's worth, I paid $2k for the almost-Jedi center stone, 3 years ago, and would not consider letting it go for less than $4k today.

Your rings are beautiful! What size is the mahenge center stone?
 
Your rings are beautiful! What size is the mahenge center stone?

Thank you, cocobianco It is 6.2mm in diameter, on a size 9 ring shank. The side spinels are 3mm.
 
Inken did offer me a slight discount, but I just did some research on mahenges and it now seems like the price for this one is on the very high side. However, many of what I saw aren't fair comps either as most didn't have the same intense color, cut, not eye clean etc.

I am biased but I agree with this -- it is very hard to compare an Inken-vetted (or any experienced broker's) stone with a random assortment of internet stones with kooky amped-up saturation, etc.
 
I am biased but I agree with this -- it is very hard to compare an Inken-vetted (or any experienced broker's) stone with a random assortment of internet stones with kooky amped-up saturation, etc.

That may be true, but OP wanted comparisons and those are the only vendors we can compare to. Ideally OP could compare irl but that's not realistic. I couldn't say that 3k for the 0.99 mahenge is appropriate just because it's not 100% fair to compare a concierge service stone with more traditional selling sites considering their downsides. But I see your point.
 
$3k is very expensive, but show me a comparable neon spinel that comes with certification? I don't think a regular pink spinel can command that price, but a neon one is hard to come by.

OP asked if it was a fair price and so a number of us gave our opinion.

This being an Inken stone, I fully expected others to jump out in her defense but I stand by my words. Imo she is expensive and anyone who buys from her always pays a very substantial premium due to mark up. As to whether that premium is worth it, it’s entirely up to individual tolerance. Not everyone can afford or can stomach the premium. If you say yes to both and is happy to do so, that’s entirely fine.

But ultimately I see PS as being for all budgets and knowing how many read PS, I cannot in good conscience say that $3k is a reasonable price. My opinion and all that, considering that I typically buy closer to source, in person, am in Asia, etc.
 
Since this came up in the last day or two and looks very much like what you're considering; it might be worthwhile enquiring about what else he has in stock


The other thing is tucson is currently going on you could reach out to desertrosegems. Stones bought this way won't have the best returns options, but it will open up a few avenues for you to explore.

I also thought Cecile raley designs had a Burmese spinel at the moment which was a pretty neon colour.
 
@icy_jade and OP

Is there a comparable one you can find available on the market now? If not, it is my opinion that the starting point of asking what a "fair price" is, is entirely the wrong question to ask. This doesn't have anything to do with whether the stone is from Inken or another vendor. There is simply no basis for thinking you could have purchased the same high color quality spinel at a lower price. If you knew what the Instagram spinel @quibitasaurus linked sold for, and it was lower than $3k, then that would definitely provide a basis for thinking so, but the problem is that we have no way of knowing what a gem sold for off Instagram simply from the link.

What is "reasonable" is subjective. Is it reasonable for vendors to charge a 1% broker's fee? A fixed fee? How about a living wage at the place where they reside? Do they have to always offer the lowest price and not have margins on a rarer product? I do not consider the term "reasonable" to involve the proper mindset for something so rare we cannot find a comparable one for sale on the open market right now. The finest and rarest colored gemstones are not a mass product, unless you want to take Gary the Cut Nut's stance and lump quartz along with the five and rare ones.

此时非彼时。此石非彼石。

Market prices fluctuate. In the case of rare fine colored gems, if I found X for price Y, Z years ago, I think it wouldn't be fair to expect to find the same thing at the same price today, especially in a currency that has only experienced inflation since Z years ago.

I don't think any generic Mahenge spinel should cost $3k/ct. But this specific pink spinel, regardless of actual origin, posted here by the OP was imo better than 99% of all Mahenge spinels that I've seen, at least on this side of the world. Considering this one is better than any I can see being sold and not already sold and at a lower price point, it's not what any one buyer considers a "fair" or "reasonable" price, that makes the market. Whatever the gems actually transact at is the market rate, even if that means they are overpriced in many people's eyes. Rare products are for the luxury market. In the luxury market, what place do the concepts of "reason" or "fairness" have to do with the buying decision, when the whole point is that the goods are exclusive and you cannot find a comparable one anywhere else?

In purses, for example, I personally would never buy LV bags. The canvas material doesn't feel the same as supple leather, and the design of LV bags is basic, not as unique or original as most bags I like. What you're paying for is the monogram logos and the prestige of owning a bag that is never discounted. Yet I would never call whatever price they sell the bags for unreasonable. Probably they need to make a certain margin to maintain their supply chain and staff at a certain level.
 
@voce

I’ve said what I wanted to say in my earlier post so I won’t bother repeating. If you are happy with those prices, that’s fine but it’s tough to expect everyone to agree with you. We can certainly agree to disagree.

I don’t have comps as a) I like my stones bigger; b) I’ve not been shopping and am not in a habit of asking vendors unless I’m serious about purchasing.

你开心就好
 
@icy_jade and OP

Is there a comparable one you can find available on the market now? If not, it is my opinion that the starting point of asking what a "fair price" is, is entirely the wrong question to ask. This doesn't have anything to do with whether the stone is from Inken or another vendor. There is simply no basis for thinking you could have purchased the same high color quality spinel at a lower price. If you knew what the Instagram spinel @quibitasaurus linked sold for, and it was lower than $3k, then that would definitely provide a basis for thinking so, but the problem is that we have no way of knowing what a gem sold for off Instagram simply from the link.

What is "reasonable" is subjective. Is it reasonable for vendors to charge a 1% broker's fee? A fixed fee? How about a living wage at the place where they reside? Do they have to always offer the lowest price and not have margins on a rarer product? I do not consider the term "reasonable" to involve the proper mindset for something so rare we cannot find a comparable one for sale on the open market right now. The finest and rarest colored gemstones are not a mass product, unless you want to take Gary the Cut Nut's stance and lump quartz along with the five and rare ones.

此时非彼时。此石非彼石。

Market prices fluctuate. In the case of rare fine colored gems, if I found X for price Y, Z years ago, I think it wouldn't be fair to expect to find the same thing at the same price today, especially in a currency that has only experienced inflation since Z years ago.

I don't think any generic Mahenge spinel should cost $3k/ct. But this specific pink spinel, regardless of actual origin, posted here by the OP was imo better than 99% of all Mahenge spinels that I've seen, at least on this side of the world. Considering this one is better than any I can see being sold and not already sold and at a lower price point, it's not what any one buyer considers a "fair" or "reasonable" price, that makes the market. Whatever the gems actually transact at is the market rate, even if that means they are overpriced in many people's eyes. Rare products are for the luxury market. In the luxury market, what place do the concepts of "reason" or "fairness" have to do with the buying decision, when the whole point is that the goods are exclusive and you cannot find a comparable one anywhere else?

In purses, for example, I personally would never buy LV bags. The canvas material doesn't feel the same as supple leather, and the design of LV bags is basic, not as unique or original as most bags I like. What you're paying for is the monogram logos and the prestige of owning a bag that is never discounted. Yet I would never call whatever price they sell the bags for unreasonable. Probably they need to make a certain margin to maintain their supply chain and staff at a certain level.

All fair points.

Inken will find the stone you could not and will charge a premium for it - it’s just fair. I am trying to find a fine afghan emerald on IG and given the risks and no return policies of local vendors, it’s a real hassle. But at the same time I refuse to pay 5k per carat.
 
I guess it also depends on the buyer. For example, a novice gem consumer might think a certain gem is the most beautiful of its variety/species, and they can’t get another one as good. A more seasoned buyer might look at the same stone, and keep looking. I have no idea how many stones the OP has looked at in person. I just know that I used to overpay for gems, and now that I’m more seasoned a buyer, I love the hunt. If the OP has seen many red or pink spinels in person, and this one is “THE one,” than $3k is probably worth it.

I always tell people to go look at top quality if you can for any germs that they want to buy. They don’t have to purchase top quality, but viewing a top gem gives them a baseline for what is decent quality in their price range.
 
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Here are a few more videos of the stone, at the courtesy of Inken:




She still seems confident about the stone being of Burmese origin, but says that at the end the lab is always "right". Think I just had a slight "shock" and needed some time to accept. I was prepared for a possibility of it getting inconclusive, but getting a completly different location isn't really what I was expecting. But that story aside.

These videos are pretty accurate to IRL and I was very pleasantly surprised when opening the package. I had expected a little less saturation than from the videos, being aware videos and photos can be misleading. Especially when sorting through the IG jungle where every stone looks impossibly good. I don't have the stone with me now, but remember it's even more neon in person and glows like crazy. PS has also desaturated my photos of the stones in the OP for some reason. Also I noticed there is a very slight tilt window from the videos which confirmed my suspicion in person but Inken said its minimal and can be solved with the right setting, plus most colored stones has it to some degree. Plus, the size of the stone is also perfect for my tiny 4.25 ring finger :)

I'm not saying that this is the best stone out there, and maybe the color isn't even trade ideal but for sure it isn't too common (my opinion from what I've seen so far). And at the end of the day, I do love the stone itself. As for the price, I think I'll just have to decide where to draw the line for myself. When I asked what was a "fair price" it was to make sure I'm not getting completely ripped off (ie vendor asking 15k for a 5k stone). I do understand the steps from the mines to the consumers, and all the middlemen involved in which the premium comes with it.

I'm not an expert at this, which is why I ask you all for your opinions. I haven't seen too many stones in person but have seen some, where I think its enough to believe I can see a difference between a pretty one from an ugly one. I'm very happy to be a part of this community, where I have learned so much in such little time.
 
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I always tell people to go look at top quality if you can for any germs that they want to buy. They don’t have to purchase top quality, but viewing a top gem gives them a baseline for what is decent quality in their price range.

Can’t agree more about this.

Been following this thread, I think OP’s stone from Inken is a very high quality one with such combination of colour (even it may not be the trade ideal for Mahenge spinel as some of us suggested), shape, cut, clarity. However I am also reluctant to say what direction is a better one for OP, as Namya origin is the main target when this search was initiated if I understand right.

OP, as you do believe you have looked at enough options during your hunt and are convinced that this one is not commonly or easily found or replaced, I think what you need is really some time to digest and decide whether this price is comfortable to you for a non Namya stone.

Or May be put it another way, what value is a Namya origin holds for you? I know this looks a meaningless question as many collectors, gem lovers look for desired origin, but it could mean more than that IMO and I remember that you mentioned your mind set on Namya “for some reason”. May be share more on this~

And as a side note, I happened to know the price of below spinel. It’s ard $1750 when I saw the IG story when it’s still there.
Since this came up in the last day or two and looks very much like what you're considering; it might be worthwhile enquiring about what else he has in stock


The other thing is tucson is currently going on you could reach out to desertrosegems. Stones bought this way won't have the best returns options, but it will open up a few avenues for you to explore.

I also thought Cecile raley designs had a Burmese spinel at the moment which was a pretty neon colour.

Large difference on price, how do we compare them?
 
Or May be put it another way, what value is a Namya origin holds for you? I know this looks a meaningless question as many collectors, gem lovers look for desired origin, but it could mean more than that IMO and I remember that you mentioned your mind set on Namya “for some reason”. May be share more on this~


I thought Namya is desired for that red/pinkish red/reddish pink “Jedi” neon?



Reddish pinks are definitely more pricey than pink neons. Much more. OP’s spinel doesn’t have that Jedi effect from videos. That unreal color that top of the range mahenge can have as well, like this one:

B35DD031-1EFD-4CFB-A5B5-AEFE7AB7154A.png
 
I'm not an expert at this, which is why I ask you all for your opinions. I haven't seen too many stones in person but have seen some, where I think its enough to believe I can see a difference between a pretty one from an ugly one. I'm very happy to be a part of this community, where I have learned so much in such little time.

It is a pretty stone no doubt, just not what I expect Namya spinels to be (or to pay that much of a premium for). The Jedi ones should be blow your socks off/this cannot be a real color type to justify the price. What color were you looking for originally?
 
Matched trillion and $1995 for a pair 1.93ctw

 
It is a pretty stone no doubt, just not what I expect Namya spinels to be (or to pay that much of a premium for). The Jedi ones should be blow your socks off/this cannot be a real color type to justify the price. What color were you looking for originally?

I was once quote 55k USD by Vlad for a 1.45ct vibrand pinkish red spinel. The Namya premium has no limit :-o
 
I was once quote 55k USD by Vlad for a 1.45ct vibrand pinkish red spinel. The Namya premium has no limit :-o

It’s always if they can find someone to pay that price right?

Is the OP pricing a usual western market thing? I mean I see the prices and I know you guys in US usually pay more anyway so I try not to comment too much but sometimes I just cannot help it.

Maybe I should just move to a corner and suck thumb and just enjoy looking at the pretties.
 
Maybe I should just move to a corner and suck thumb and just enjoy looking at the pretties.

I encourage you to continue posting your experiences and opinions (same with everyone else). I love reading the discussions and perspectives which help posters (and me) see things in a broader light. As long as disagreements don't become something more.

Side note, when I refer or post about Vlad's site its usually to see the high end of what sellers are asking/people are willing to pay, which is why I brought up the site earlier in this thread. To compare the OP's price to a high priced vendor.

I was once quote 55k USD by Vlad for a 1.45ct vibrand pinkish red spinel. The Namya premium has no limit

One poster said this was 10k
I asked once about a spess... 5k/ct. Its not on the site anymore, maybe it sold.
 
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I'm aware this stone isn't the reddish pink jedi that I was looking for, but being round shaped and such high quality and a pure neon pink (which I also love) I felt like I had to take a look in person. This also came under my OG budget but obviously I wouldn't want to overpay for it.

I had several vendors on IG (all highly recommened here) quote me around 10K+ usd for what appears to be similar looking stones, except it has Guild certificates that says Jedi (and guild isn't on the list of reliable labs here on ps). A lot had wonky cuts, dents in the pavilion as naturals, eye visible inclusions, plus I can't decipher the true colors of the stone, as pretty much all are taken with phone cameras (also noticed in some vids their fingers were usually red= pumped up saturation, intentional or not). They for sure also have ridiculous origin premium based on their lab report. And it isn't only the reddish pinks/pinkish reds, it's for pure neon pinks too all asking that price range. Stones with very noticeable flaws are still in the 5K range. Have you seen those "real jedis" or extremely glowy mahenges in person? Do they look same in photos/videos vs IRL? Or is it also slightly exaggerated because of camera? Genuinely asking.

Come to think of it, I would not be comfortable wearing a ring with a single 10k stone in it anyways, as if I lose it or damage it etc. that would a be a blow hard to recover from.

I think my idea was I wanted this one for the shape and color, and being underbudget I can soon save up again for a small jedi (perhaps slightly sub carat) which was what I originally looked for anyway. And reddish pink jedis are rarely in round shape, which is my preferred shape when it comes to setting ideas.

As for the namya origin, there isn't really any rational reason. As dumb as it sounds, I think it's just the rarity and specialty of the stones that come out of there. But I'm more and more now starting to think, is it worth it to have namya origin or it being a "real jedi" 3-4 times the cost? Are those really 3-4 times better looking than this one? I mean, we are talking about 1ct stones here, so this is ridiculous. It could be a different story if bigger stones were involved.
 
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