Setting ideas for Namya Spinel

[CBianco]

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.



One poster said this was 10k

Red Spinel Mansin (Mogok) 1.02 ct

One of the finest samples of Jedi Spinels in Yavorskyy collection, this precision-cut cushion bursts with Vibrant Pinkish-Red color, intense sparkle, great clarity and just the right size one carat. Top choice for a Gem connoisseur of 21st century. Stone type: Spinel Weight: 1.02...

yavorskyy.com

I asked once about a spess... 5k/ct. Its not on the site anymore, maybe it sold.

I actually inquired about that stone too. They sent me one video and then ghosted on me Not sure why, but felt for some reason it wasn't the right one for me either... Or maybe just had bad feeling because they didn't respond.

 

[VividRed]

@cocobianco if you are not 100% happy with Inken’s spinel but still keep it, you run the risk of regretting your purchase and, worse yet, you will look for another one soon enough.

The price is high, but not outlandish - Inken is not ripping you off, rest assured, but you MIGHT find a similar (color, shape, clarity, crystal, etc.) for less. Or maybe you couldn’t, who knows. I paid a steep price for a ruby I bought from Wildfish but I have seen hundreds of rubies since then and no other makes my heart sing as much.

We all have opinions here, but what matters is how you feel about this spinel

Have a nice Sunday evening!
VR

 

[demantoidz]

OP has some thinking to do, not just about the fairness of the price, but also what they want.
A namya spinel that is vivid pink rather than the trade ideal jedi red/pinkish red/reddish pink? If not chasing jedi, is namya origin worth it to them?
Or is a spinel of any origin that is vivid pink acceptable?
Then they can look with less emotions at the Inken stone and determine if the price is fair.
At least those are the steps I would go through in that order.

I actually inquired about that stone too. They sent me one video and then ghosted on me Not sure why, but felt for some reason it wasn't the right one for me either... Or maybe just had bad feeling because they didn't respond.

I've contacted them twice and they were super responsive. Too expensive both times for me, though. Maybe they just missed your email, if you only sent one or two. If you see a future where you might buy from them, I would email again

 

[T L]

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

Hunting for “Jedi” Spinels in Mogok | Gems & Gemology

Documents a series of visits to Myanmar in search of exceptionally bright pinkish red spinels possessing no dark tones.

www.gia.edu

Namya: The Name for the Neon Red

The word 'Burma' has an almost magical effect on the gem world that cannot be underestimated. Even mentioning that it comes from a particular Burmese mine can make a gem far more recognizable… and desirable. This is certainly what happens in the case of a Namya spinel. Unique selection of fine...

ivynewyork.com

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:

Yes, when I mentioned that Yvarskky stone I posted above had “better color,” it was a pinkish red, which is more highly desirable in the trade. The OP might prefer pure pink though. Top quality pinkish reds rival the best rubies imho.

 

[CBianco]

I personally love both pure pinks and reddish pinks. Although I was looking for a reddish pink in the moment, I knew sooner or later I'd be searching for a pure pink stone like this current one. It just came a lot sooner than I expected... This below is the kind of stone I originally was searching for. Photo found online, please remove if not allowed.



That stone is also sub carat, around the same size of what I'm looking for. It's not for an engagement ring or a one and done. I want to have my own little collection of stones and rings that I like, and feel this one from Inken needs to be a part of it. Would I still have preferred for it to have namya origin? Sure, but think I'm coming to terms in accepting it for what it is.

Also just to clarify, my experience with Inken has been nothing but great thus far. She has been extremely patient, understanding and never pushy. I actually started my search as a padparadscha then changed my mind for a spinel. She has been honest about the flaws of each stone she's showed and what I might not like about it. Having a good return policy also helps a lot as there would be no reason to deceive, unlike some overseas vendors on IG who would just try to sell you anything they have in their inventory almost like a car salesperson. Is she possibly on the more expensive side? Of course. But that's up to us to decide if it's worth it or not, in my opinion.

 

[2Neesers]

Are spinels from Myanmar considered Namya Spinels? Here’s a nice looking stone from what I would consider an old school seller, in that he doesn’t take over-saturated glamour shots and I don’t think he refers to stones as Jedi. It might be worth taking a look at in person, as his photos look like they were taken in low lighting.

Special Color! Natural Hot Pink South East Asia Spinel GL - Litnon

 

[VividRed]

Are spinels from Myanmar considered Namya Spinels? Here’s a nice looking stone from what I would consider an old school seller, in that he doesn’t take over-saturated glamour shots and I don’t think he refers to stones as Jedi. It might be worth taking a look at in person, as his photos look like they were taken in low lighting.

Special Color! Natural Hot Pink South East Asia Spinel GL - Litnon

Namya is a region in Myanmar, not a feature of spinels

 

[2Neesers]

Namya is a region in Myanmar, not a feature of spinels

Yes…I was posting on the run and didn’t explain my question well. The stone I linked was from Myanmar. Could that also mean it is possibly from the Namya mine in Myanmar?

 

[T L]

Yes…I was posting on the run and didn’t explain my question well. The stone I linked was from Myanmar. Could that also mean it is possibly from the Namya mine in Myanmar?

I think what you’re asking is if there are other mines, outside of Namya in Myanmar, that produce lesser quality red/pink spinels???

I’m curious myself. I have one pink Burmese spinel and I’m wondering if it’s automatically Namya just by virtue of it being Burmese.

 

[demantoidz]

I think what you’re asking is if there are other mines, outside of Namya in Myanmar, that produce lesser quality red/pink spinels???

I’m curious myself. I have one pink Burmese spinel and I’m wondering if it’s automatically Namya just by virtue of it being Burmese.

On pg 421 the authors of this pdf note 6 mines they got Mogok spinel samples from:
Yadanar Kaday Kadar, Bawlongyi, Kyauksin, Kyauksaung, Pyaungpyin and Mansin

https://gem-a.com/images/JoG/JoG2019_36_5_Phyo.pdf

I knew only of Namya and Mansin so I think those two may be the more prestigious or better marketed ones.

 

[2Neesers]

I think what you’re asking is if there are other mines, outside of Namya in Myanmar, that produce lesser quality red/pink spinels???

I’m curious myself. I have one pink Burmese spinel and I’m wondering if it’s automatically Namya just by virtue of it being Burmese.

The OP mentioned she had her heart set on her stone being from Namya, so I was trying to see what else might be out there at a lower price point as a reference, but it looks like a Myanmar origin doesn’t necessarily mean it’s from the Namya mine.

@cocobianco The round spinel looks gorgeous! I‘m not sure what I would do if I were in your shoes. It would definitely be hard to send her back after seeing her in person!

 

[ShinyPink]

This talks about the various mines, especially at the bottom of the article. And there are pretty pictures, too!

Hunting for “Jedi” Spinels in Mogok | Gems & Gemology

Documents a series of visits to Myanmar in search of exceptionally bright pinkish red spinels possessing no dark tones.

www.gia.edu

 

[ShinyPink]

Also, here's an update about gems at Tucson, including spinels:

 

[demantoidz]

Also, here's an update about gems at Tucson, including spinels:

I'm sure there is some truth to what she is saying. But I have to add in my two cents. She's sold a lot of sub carat Brazilian paraibas and for the few months I've been following her, whatever paraibas she posts are claimed to be all that's left from her sources and she won't be able to get more. Yet a few weeks later there's a bunch more paraibas posted of similar quality and pricing. This is not an attack on her, just a note to keep in mind that vendors have in their interest to induce FOMO and sell quickly.
Generally, I don't think one should buy a gem based on FOMO if they don't love it.

 

[CBianco]

The OP mentioned she had her heart set on her stone being from Namya, so I was trying to see what else might be out there at a lower price point as a reference, but it looks like a Myanmar origin doesn’t necessarily mean it’s from the Namya mine.

@cocobianco The round spinel looks gorgeous! I‘m not sure what I would do if I were in your shoes. It would definitely be hard to send her back after seeing her in person!

I've decided to keep the gem and she gave me a slight additional discount from $3k. Having seen the stone in person definitely helped me with my decision, I was just so delighted with it and again, it's way more neon in person than what the photos/vids suggest.

She will be doing the setting as well, it will be custom made in platinum. So excited!!

 

[T L]

Last gem show I was at, this past Christmas, there was tons of tourmaline, of all different colors and bicolors. There were even pink spinels. I think violet, purple and blue (non grayish) spinels are getting scarce. If you search any dealer for the term "spinel" even, all you see are red and pink family spinels. Vance Gems, a dealer that I know very well at the gem show, said they're really not mining blues or violets any more, and she didn't have any to sell me either. The only blue spinel I saw at the whole show was a very a single very greyish blue stone. I also only found two tiny demantoids that were even the slightest bit noteworthy, as I've been shopping for those. I'm sure there's more at Tuscon, but don't fall prey to FOMO, that's all I'm saying, especially when it comes to tourmaline, and tanzanite (I see a ton of tanzies everywhere!!).

 

[T L]

I've decided to keep the gem and she gave me a slight additional discount from $3k. Having seen the stone in person definitely helped me with my decision, I was just so delighted with it and again, it's way more neon in person than what the photos/vids suggest.

She will be doing the setting as well, it will be custom made in platinum. So excited!!

Well, if you absolutely adore it, then congratulations!!! I think it's a beautiful gem, and I'm seriously looking forward to your design incorporating it. There's nothing better than the beauty of a fine gem!!

 

[VividRed]

I've decided to keep the gem and she gave me a slight additional discount from $3k. Having seen the stone in person definitely helped me with my decision, I was just so delighted with it and again, it's way more neon in person than what the photos/vids suggest.

She will be doing the setting as well, it will be custom made in platinum. So excited!!

Awesome, happy for you!

 

[yssie]

I've decided to keep the gem and she gave me a slight additional discount from $3k. Having seen the stone in person definitely helped me with my decision, I was just so delighted with it and again, it's way more neon in person than what the photos/vids suggest.

She will be doing the setting as well, it will be custom made in platinum. So excited!!

I haven’t commented in this thread because this discussion is SO not anything I can contribute usefully to But I wanted to say congrats on your decision!! And that since you’ve seen the stone and you’ve bought with eyes wide open to the pros and cons of the situation - I don’t believe you’ll regret it in future.

For me - pearls are at the bottom of my rabbit holes. And I’ve definitely paid “over general market for type/origin”. General market pricing provides a generic scaffolding to work with, but it isn’t deterministic because it can’t account for either one specific gemstone’s unique attributes or one specific viewer’s unique tastes. I do have some pearl regrets but they aren’t necessarily the specimens I paid over market value for - they’re the ones I that didn’t do enough homework on before purchasing!

I’m looking forward to seeing how you set this beauty

 

[CaseyLouLou]

@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.

You had me at ‘I would never buy a LV bag’ but I personally think the price is unreasonable for a status symbol.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Are spinels from Myanmar considered Namya Spinels? Here’s a nice looking stone from what I would consider an old school seller, in that he doesn’t take over-saturated glamour shots and I don’t think he refers to stones as Jedi. It might be worth taking a look at in person, as his photos look like they were taken in low lighting.

Special Color! Natural Hot Pink South East Asia Spinel GL - Litnon

Wow! That seems like a much more reasonable price. My Mahenge is almost identical in size, shape and color and I paid around $300.

 

[icy_jade]

Last gem show I was at, this past Christmas, there was tons of tourmaline, of all different colors and bicolors. There were even pink spinels. I think violet, purple and blue (non grayish) spinels are getting scarce. If you search any dealer for the term "spinel" even, all you see are red and pink family spinels. Vance Gems, a dealer that I know very well at the gem show, said they're really not mining blues or violets any more, and she didn't have any to sell me either. The only blue spinel I saw at the whole show was a very a single very greyish blue stone. I also only found two tiny demantoids that were even the slightest bit noteworthy, as I've been shopping for those. I'm sure there's more at Tuscon, but don't fall prey to FOMO, that's all I'm saying, especially when it comes to tourmaline, and tanzanite (I see a ton of tanzies everywhere!!).

There are new blue-grey spinels coming out of Madagascar and I still see beautiful mahenges from a supplier that I know.

Burmese gems yes I’ve heard that given the political situation supplies have become more difficult to source.

Maybe some of the gems are scarcer due to logistics issues but that equally applies to all sort of daily necessities too.

 

[2Neesers]

I've decided to keep the gem and she gave me a slight additional discount from $3k. Having seen the stone in person definitely helped me with my decision, I was just so delighted with it and again, it's way more neon in person than what the photos/vids suggest.

She will be doing the setting as well, it will be custom made in platinum. So excited!!

Congratulations! I can’t wait to see how you set it. I know it’s going to be gorgeous!!

 

[demantoidz]

There are new blue-grey spinels coming out of Madagascar and I still see beautiful mahenges from a supplier that I know.

Blue spinels (not the top Vietnam quality, but not grey-blues either) are coming from Tanzania recently too, which I learned from b.g.stones's posts:

BRIGHT GREEN STONES on Instagram: "A very new and beautiful natural and rare cobalt blue spinel matching pair from Tanzania. In recent months, Tanzania started to produce amazing cobalts like the ones above, it’s a small pocket and like any pocket in

607 likes, 16 comments - b.g.stones on January 11, 2022: "A very new and beautiful natural and rare cobalt blue spinel matching pair from Tanzania. In recent months, Tanzania started to produce amazing cobalts like the ones above, it’s a small pocket and like any pocket in Tanzania, they are...

www.instagram.com

I've decided to keep the gem and she gave me a slight additional discount from $3k. Having seen the stone in person definitely helped me with my decision, I was just so delighted with it and again, it's way more neon in person than what the photos/vids suggest.

She will be doing the setting as well, it will be custom made in platinum. So excited!!

Happy for you!

 

[Atwater]

I've decided to keep the gem and she gave me a slight additional discount from $3k. Having seen the stone in person definitely helped me with my decision, I was just so delighted with it and again, it's way more neon in person than what the photos/vids suggest.

She will be doing the setting as well, it will be custom made in platinum. So excited!!

Congradulations! The spinel is beautiful! Look forward to the finished ring.

Apparently you love the stone, so here is another possible argument supporting your decision. If you return it, you will be back to hunting for a similar spinel at a lower price. The journey may not be smooth, it may takes several buying and returning. For someone who takes pleasure in the process, this would not be a cost, but for someone who is not so keen on the expectation, disappointment, and hassel of returning cycles, the hunting itself has a cost as well.

 

[T L]

@demantoidz,
Tanzania produced some gorgeous blues without much grey. Now all I see are stones that are grey with a hint of blue. That’s perfectly fine, but true blues and violets, the types that can be confused with tanzanite color, is pretty rare from what I’ve seen. In any case, now all I see are tanzanite taking the place of what was once a plethora of blue and violet blue spinels. Tanzanite is a beautiful stone, but unfortunately not anywhere near as durable for regular wear as spinel.

 

[demantoidz]

@demantoidz,
Tanzania produced some gorgeous blues without much grey. Now all I see are stones that are grey with a hint of blue. That’s perfectly fine, but true blues and violets, the types that can be confused with tanzanite color, is pretty rare from what I’ve seen. In any case, now all I see are tanzanite taking the place of what was once a plethora of blue and violet blue spinels. Tanzanite is a beautiful stone, but unfortunately not anywhere near as durable for regular wear as spinel.

Absolutely, the Tanzanian ones on b.g.stones are not tanzanite-like blues, which is what you were referring to before. But they're more blue than the 50/50 grey-blues (or grey with a blue tinge) I've seen for the most part.
Outside of Vietnamese cobalts I haven't seen any blue spinel almost free of grey , so I will try search about those blue Tanzanian spinels! Learn something new every day.

 

[voce]

Blue spinels (not the top Vietnam quality, but not grey-blues either) are coming from Tanzania recently too, which I learned from b.g.stones's posts:

BRIGHT GREEN STONES on Instagram: "A very new and beautiful natural and rare cobalt blue spinel matching pair from Tanzania. In recent months, Tanzania started to produce amazing cobalts like the ones above, it’s a small pocket and like any pocket in

607 likes, 16 comments - b.g.stones on January 11, 2022: "A very new and beautiful natural and rare cobalt blue spinel matching pair from Tanzania. In recent months, Tanzania started to produce amazing cobalts like the ones above, it’s a small pocket and like any pocket in Tanzania, they are...

www.instagram.com

This is a greyish blue. Not that badly gray, but still affects the color.

Absolutely, the Tanzanian ones on b.g.stones are not tanzanite-like blues, which is what you were referring to before. But they're more blue than the 50/50 grey-blues (or grey with a blue tinge) I've seen for the most part.
Outside of Vietnamese cobalts I haven't seen any blue spinel almost free of grey , so I will try search about those blue Tanzanian spinels! Learn something new every day.

I guess it's possible to have a rare bird from any origin be vivid blue without significant gray. The vast majority of what I see coming out of Tanzania and Sri Lanka have some gray, even some that are marketed as "cobalt" spinels...

 

[CaseyLouLou]

This is a greyish blue. Not that badly gray, but still affects the color.


I guess it's possible to have a rare bird from any origin be vivid blue without significant gray. The vast majority of what I see coming out of Tanzania and Sri Lanka have some gray, even some that are marketed as "cobalt" spinels...

I agree and I haven’t been that impressed with any blue spinels I have seen so far. If I want a pretty blue I can buy a sapphire that is a harder stone. If someone wants ‘rare’ then that’s fine but so far most blue spinels are dark and grey.

 

[demantoidz]

@voce

Yes I agree they're greyish blue and didn't mean to imply otherwise, which is why I said they're not grey-blue. You know how with FCDs a modifier can be, for example, greenish yellow or green yellow, with the latter being more green than the former. I suppose not everyone defaults to this, so thats my bad for being unclear.

I bought up those blue Tanzanian spinels since it was mentioned blue and violet spinels are getting harder to source, and this vendor posted that there is a new source.

Clearly, I misunderstood that posters were referring to the really fine blue colors. I tried to google about tanzanite-like blue Tanzanian spinels which were mentioned here but couldn't. @TL if you have more info I'd love to know.

The vast majority of what I see coming out of Tanzania and Sri Lanka have some gray, even some that are marketed as "cobalt" spinels...

Huge pet peeve of mine with every blue spinel being called cobalt blue. There are also those extremely dark stones that are called cobalt blue. They may be colored by cobalt (dunno), but are not that desirable color imo. Maybe some consider it cobalt? GRS certainly does, which isn't surprising
.

Blue spinel 1.08 ct, GRS price $7,298

$7,298 · oval cut · eye-clean · from Sri Lanka. Buy online at ppgems.com - experts #1 of the Cobalt spinel gemstones.

ppgems.com

Sorry @cocobianco for this threadjack