Show us your Mahenge Spinels

[gingercurls]

My first post! Two Mahenge spinels and both are from Gemfix. The round is 1.36 carats and 7.1 mm. The cushion is 2.27 carats and
measures 7.3x7.2mm with a depth of 5.3mm. Both are VVS in clarity. The round is a little lighter and the cushion is more saturated, but not in any way dark. These pics with my iPhone aren't great but they very accurately represent the color of both stones.

 

[makeable]

Great to see a thread devoted to Mahenge Spinels. I'm loving everyones contributions.

Here's mine from JuliaB

 

[lnl001]

Orangey hue deep pink/fuchsia
4.27ct oval in 18kt rose gold

 

[Marlow]

BTW I saw that Chrono posted a warning on another thread about synthetic Mahenges popping up of late. Does anyone know whether those show fluor?

----

A synthetic spinel will show fluorescence course it is colored by chrome too.

Synthetic Verneuil spinel has a little higher RI than natural spinel and a anormal birefringence. They are very cheap.

Synthetic flux spinel has an identical RI like natural spinel. They will become a problem.

This is interesting: http://midtenn-gia-alumni.carrienunes.com/news/08-10_spinel.php

Love your mahenge with a small apatite inclusion or negative crystal - they are natural.

I would send a 1 ct + eyeclean Mahenge to a lab.

 

[lilmosun]

I finally did it. Prima brought the neon pink and magenta stone to the gem show. We decided that since my "interim" stone was pink, I'd go for the magenta. Vance, another recommended to me here at VS, didn't have any stones in my budget that had the same saturation. I hesitated because the Prima stone was still on the small side. They let me take the stone to one of my other vendors to see how it would look in a setting and that sealed the deal.

So here is the stone - 1.09 cts Emerald Cut Mahenge Spinel (old stock). Measures 6.2 x 4.7 mm



Here is the setting, I picked out. In addition to sizing and setting the stone, the vendor suggested going with a basket weave setting.



Here is the ring next to my no-longer "interim" mahenge ring as I still love it and will keep. Also because I exceeded my budget with other purchases, I just put a deposit on the setting and will pick it up at a future gem show. So I won't have it for a couple of months. Gives me something to look forward to.



Thanks for all of your help and input here. Seeing the comments about the synthetics, I'm especially grateful for the advice. While I won't ever have the collection or large stones many have, hopefully I did ok

 

[T L]

Lilmosun, congrats, it's lovely. Glad you finally found "the one."

Enjoying everyone's beautiful stones in this thread.

 

[T L]

TL, I think your 1.53 carat Mahenge posted here is the absolute best. I mean it.

But lilmosun, I also love YOUR choice. I think settling on a magenta Mahenge is wise because there aren't any more of those in that color, as far as I know. If even Prima - the main importer of Tanzanian Mahenges, as I understand it - can't get any more, you will probably never regret buying yours. The setting also looks absolutely beautiful. Congratulations!

Diane

It's not, but thank you for the kind words.

BTW, I wanted to post this video at the Basel Gem show. You will see lots of great gems by one of the best spinel importers in the world, Yvorssky, at around 9:25 in this video. The gems, including the red and pink spinels, are incredible. Fast forward to 9:25 to see the spinels, but I think everyone should watch the whole video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPWu9xqGk3E

Here's a screen shot of a Mahenge spinel suite from the show.

 

[Marlow]

TL - thank you the video!!

I know what I will do next year....

 

[LoversKites]

TL, I think your 1.53 carat Mahenge posted here is the absolute best. I mean it.

But lilmosun, I also love YOUR choice. I think settling on a magenta Mahenge is wise because there aren't any more of those in that color, as far as I know. If even Prima - the main importer of Tanzanian Mahenges, as I understand it - can't get any more, you will probably never regret buying yours. The setting also looks absolutely beautiful. Congratulations!

Diane

It's not, but thank you for the kind words.

BTW, I wanted to post this video at the Basel Gem show. You will see lots of great gems by one of the best spinel importers in the world, Yvorssky, at around 9:25 in this video. The gems, including the red and pink spinels, are incredible. Fast forward to 9:25 to see the spinels, but I think everyone should watch the whole video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPWu9xqGk3E

Here's a screen shot of a Mahenge spinel suite from the show.

Thanks TL for the link! I fell for the padparadscha at 13:38, even with the zoning

 

[T L]

TL, I think your 1.53 carat Mahenge posted here is the absolute best. I mean it.

But lilmosun, I also love YOUR choice. I think settling on a magenta Mahenge is wise because there aren't any more of those in that color, as far as I know. If even Prima - the main importer of Tanzanian Mahenges, as I understand it - can't get any more, you will probably never regret buying yours. The setting also looks absolutely beautiful. Congratulations!

Diane

It's not, but thank you for the kind words.

BTW, I wanted to post this video at the Basel Gem show. You will see lots of great gems by one of the best spinel importers in the world, Yvorssky, at around 9:25 in this video. The gems, including the red and pink spinels, are incredible. Fast forward to 9:25 to see the spinels, but I think everyone should watch the whole video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPWu9xqGk3E

Here's a screen shot of a Mahenge spinel suite from the show.

Thanks TL for the link! I fell for the padparadscha at 13:38, even with the zoning

You're welcome, and yes, THAT was some padparadscha!!

 

[chrono]

I think I died and am in CS heaven (whilst watching the Basel Gem Show video).

 

[chrono]

Diane,
That is a good point about bringing in a camera or whether he is using a special hidden cam. I have no idea! I've always stressed the "spin" rather than the "ell" in spinel. I do not know which is technically correct though.

 

[T L]

He was using a regular digital camera (I could see him filming in his reflection on some of the glass cases). It seems he knows a lot of gemstone dealers, and he makes mini documentaries on gems. Check out his other videos, very interesting. He's visited several other shows, lots of eye candy. Can you imagine if they look that good with an average quality digital video camera, what these gems look like in real life.

I'm glad people are enjoying the video.

 

[Marlow]

The video is posted by Frederico Bärlocher - a swiss or italian highend gem dealer - spec. in ruby, SPInel ( or SpiNEL) and Melo pearls from burma. Think, he has no problem filming there - he is well known.

 

[lilmosun]

I just had a chance to watch the video...stuff dreams are made of...deserves its own thread for all to see. Thanks for posting it!

 

[Marlow]

Basel World - visit it with 50 K and they give you a feeling that your are poor - they smell it - please go away it is bad for my buiness!!!

Yavorsky - o.k. forget they big ones - but the small Mahenge still weight around 2-4 ct!!!

This video is pornographic, a horror movie and a big joy.

 

[wordie89]

Ohhhhhhh. DH put that youtube vid on our tv and it was gorgeous.... colors so intense...I wish I could slow it down. AND there are some pretty stones here. Love seeing the julia b ring! I wondered where it had gone as she mentioned possibility of keeping it. Lilm your ring is lovely. And I like TL's new setting. Beautiful mahenge heart ...I can just imagine it clasped by hands.

 

[pregcurious]

WOW! Thanks, TL.

At 5:05, anyone see the name of the Italian jewelry maker? Busatti?

 

[T L]

Wordie, thanks for the kind words.

At 5:05, anyone see the name of the Italian jewelry maker? Busatti?

I think so.

http://www.baselworld.com/en-US/The-Show/OnlineCatalogue.aspx?me=123768

 

[pregcurious]

Thanks, TL.

Our PS stones may not be the biggest, but I was surprised to see that the color of some of our stones rivals the best at the Basel show. I have never been able to so many spinels that were considered top color all at once (albeit in video).

 

[T L]

Thanks, TL.

Our PS stones may not be the biggest, but I was surprised to see that the color of some of our stones rivals the best at the Basel show. I have never been able to so many spinels that were considered top color all at once (albeit in video).

Well, PS'ers are an educated bunch.

 

[YC]

Hi everyone,
It is my first time posting on the coloured stones forum. I have been a long time admirer of coloured stones but had not bought much (or rather anything decent) in the past due to the lack of knowledge on my part. After lurking at this forum for months, I finally took the plunge and bought myself my first 'proper' coloured stone ring. Centre stone is 0.99ct Mahenge spinel. Stone and ring are both from JuliaB who is wonderful to work with. And I finally understand why the fuss regarding Mahenge spinel is about. I am sure this will not be my last Mahenge spinel

 

[BlingObsession]

And here's mine. The spinel is one of Gene's which my BFF bought for my 50th a couple of years ago. It took me ages to come up with a setting that I liked as I would have preferred a ring (so I could stare at it all the time) but it wasn't "big" enough for me to set as a ring. It's just over a carat - approx. 5mm. The diamonds are 0.5pts each and it's set in a handmade 18ct gold setting. The photos, of course, don't do the stone justice. It really is a super hot pink stone - almost red in some lights but never orange or brown. I love it.

 

[Marlow]

BASEL FEELING!!!!

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/spinel/sn8238aa/&1244716636

8350 pct

 

[Marlow]

Great to see a thread devoted to Mahenge Spinels. I'm loving everyones contributions.

Here's mine from JuliaB

Could anybody tell me where I can get smaller Mahenge ( 0,10 - 0,40 ct) - in Munichshow I have never seen this sizes!?

 

[rwgems]

We sold this one a couple of weeks ago, very nice color...

 

[GregS]

Just picked up this 6mm .83 Spinel from Brad.

 

[Xrisus]

What a vibrant color, only made better by what appears to be excellent cutting!

 

[pregcurious]

Nice fluor.

 

[jarne]

He is
hello

I am a little surpised that many of you dont know F.B. Swiss

Like Marlow says, he is very well known, and a specialist in mogok gems.
Propably a specialist in gems and the gem trade all together.

He has a lot of videos on you tube. very educational.

I attended one of his gatherings last year in bangkok during the gem fair.

Great stuff and he is such a positive good speacher presenting everything with entusiasm.

You should also watch his new movie about ruby land Mogok.