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Sos! Is this spinel a keeper?

rainydaze

rainydaze

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 1, 2007
Messages
3,367
I hought this spinel was a keeper, but then I rested it next to some rings to see what metal color looks best... and ACK! I can see the rings right through it. Not face down, but in the tilt window.... but it seems like an awfully large window now. And now I am also wondering if the extinction is more than it should be, or okay. I rested it into an empty solitaire setting, and face down I think the setting reflects into it, too.

The color is enchanting, I see red, pink, sometimes an orangy-red, and a hint of purple-red. The cut can be a lot of fun at the right angles. It's got a *really* high crown which I love, but now I am wondering if that's actually a problem?

I have not seen very many spinels in person, and this will probably be my one-and-only. So now I am getting a little of that sick feeling. Is this a keeper, or is the tilt window definitely a problem?

Vendor's pics: https://gemfix.com/gems/spinel-31-327

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For the price, way too much. Can you do a sharper closeup of the stone on your hand please? Can't quite see the cut of it from this viewing distance.
 
Some more pics to try and show the color...

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It's the one on the right...
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Burmese, do those help or would you like me to take more? I'd be happy to!
 
I like the colour and you are right, it's probably a tilt window. It may close up if there's a basket holding the stone.

Depends on your tolerance for tilt windows. For me it's not a biggie as I would mostly look at the stone face down. Other people likely wouldn't notice it.

You are paying a premium, colour notwithstanding, so if that really bugs you, you may wish to rethink about keeping it as it doesn't hit the 100% satisfaction spot.
 
A few more...
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Thanks Burmese, I really appreciate your input!

Up til now, I knew I was paying a premium but I was okay with it because I really loved the color and cut, and thought the cut was incredible. I am afraid to give it up and realize it really was the bees-knees, but there are so many spinels for far less and now I can't help but wonder if I would love that as much or more.
 
The color is nice but I am not a fan of the cut. I think it faces up small and appears to lack sparkle. Sorry to sound negative.
 
Don't be sorry Lisa! I am still within the return window, so I am grateful to those of you who have more experience with colored stones lending me your eyes and expertise and opinions!
 
It's a pretty color but it looks a little sleepy, but I'm no expert obviously since I just got my first spinel.

Have you checked out GranGem on Etsy? I know Elle just got a really nice looking spinel from them, I was actually considering one of their stones myself. If you want to check it out:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/GranGem?search_query=spinel
 
The color looks wonderful! I agree with the others - the cut may or may not be everyone's cup of tea. That said, I don't see a window. If you're only worried about the tilt window, keep in mind that all colored gems will have a tilt window.
 
Stephanie, thanks for the link. Wow, they have some really nice stones. And their pricing seems reasonable, too.

Thanks shiny! That's true. I think what took me by surprise was that I could actually *see* the shank through this window. Like, not distorted or anything. At certain angles. I don't know if that's considered normal for this shape, or if it's excessive. For the price I am paying, it kinda has to be killer (I know, that probably means neon to a lot of people, but I'm not sure neon is quite my slice. Vivid, yes.)

I don't want to find out later I could have done much better, or found a spinel of the same color and performance for a lot less.

I feel like I have scoured the net, and I have returned two stones already (so shipping costs are starting to add up). It is so much harder judging colored stones than it is judging diamonds!
 
Are you committed to the shape and size and must it be spinel? Multicolour has a nice vivid ruby that seems to have the color you are looking for- it is less expensive and close to the same face up size at 1.03 carats.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-464323745ruby.jpg
 
Oooo, hello gorgeous. Nice find Lisa, thank you! The 'slightly to moderately included' concerns me, though. Should it? I have an eagle eye (inclusions and cut) and they do tend to bother me.

No, I am not committed to the size, shape or spinel. I am open to sapphires/rubies, I don't want to go over 7mm, and am open to all shapes if the color and cut is gorge.

That said, I would have loved to find a radiant cut, and the size of this one that I have (6.6x5.4) is pretty idea. Big enough to really seep into it and enjoy, but small enough for regular way and won't overpower my ering. And I really like the idea of a spinel, but it comes down to color and how it lights up.

I think I could go down to 5mm if the color was eye-catching enough.
 
The 'slightly to moderately included' concerns me, though. Should it? I have an eagle eye (inclusions and cut) and they do tend to bother me.

If inclusions bother you than this is not the stone for you and I totally understand. I just threw that one out there because for me the color is so stunning. One of the nice things about spinels is that it is not hard to find eye clean ones. I will keep my eye out for you. Have you made a decision on the spinel?
 
FWIW I do find this Spinel appealing ... while there seems to be a bit of sleepiness in some of your pics, in other pics there is a neon/vivid aspect to the color that is very noticeable ... I also like the rectangle cushion shape ... since price is unknown I can't comment on that ... in terms of setting, I'd suggest choosing something with a more-closed-in basket, like this:

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But if the color isn't there for you, or if you think the cut/shape/tilt window will prove a negative distraction, then do return and keep searching.

If you are unsure about whether to return, my own trick is to imagine the stone set and on someone else's hand ... am I kicking myself that it isn't on my finger, or am I glad someone else found a way to enjoy it?
 
I think the spinel is beautiful, but I have to admit that I was in shock at the price. I personally would shop around.
 
I like the pictures next to the yellow gold band -- if it has that colour most of the time then I would keep it.

It isn't cheap -- but you have bought and returned a few now so I feel like you should be able to judge the price relative to what else is currently available (for the record I dont think it is expensive either.). However for that price, I would send it back if I didn't love the colour.

I am struggling to comment on the cut -- I actually like the shape and fascet pattern. But I would be inclined to set it in something with a more enclosed basket than the empty white gold setting. Can you find a local jewler and ask to rest it ontop of a couple of their empty settings?
 
That's a good idea marymm! When my sister can't decide between two things, she has someone assign A and B to them. Then she picks, and if her gut reaction is disappointment she goes with the other one, if it's relief/joy she sticks with her pick. I am going to employ both methods because I am getting nowhere fast over here.

Thanks for chiming in chatoyancy! Yeah, the price is the thing. I wouldn't be second-guessing myself if it didn't cost so much. I have found a few others for a lot less that look promising... but will they be a huge disappointment in comparison or will I be relieved I sent this one back and kept shopping? Aggh!

Qubitasaurus, I'm glad at least one person doesn't find it too expensive. I have found other spinels for sale that appear to have similar color (and size, shape) and are in the same pricing ballpark. Unfortunately it doesn't always appear like the pics with the gold band, it really does a lot of different things depending upon the light source. Which is part of its charm. I don't plan to use that setting, I just had it handy to see how it looks 'set'. I was able to mimick a bezel setting and I think the color closed up more.

I was thinking of going with a basket setting, maybe in yellow or rose gold, with a while metal shank.
 
I sold a red Man Sin Jedi that was a similar size and a brighter stone IMHO for less money than that a while ago, so I think it's overpriced for a Mahenge. Just my 2 cents.
 
At the extreme angles you've photographed the stone, just about anything is going to show a tilt window. In the pictures where the angle is slight, I don't see any cut issues.
 
You know yourself and it sounds like the price is the issue. There seems to be a consensus that the price is high. People here are great at 'hunting' and maybe that's the route to go? OTOH, when I'm not able to commit after a few nights of sleeping on it.............it's my gut telling me to "stop". And things usually turn out better when I 'let go' and follow/trust my gut.............
 
Have you contacted Jaimeen of Prima Gems? They always seem to have great material, particularly spinels, that other vendors just don't offer anymore. They have a much larger stock than what's available on their website or ebay stores and are super nice to work with. For that price, I think you probably could do better.
 
My thoughts; I think you already have doubts on this stone. Send it back because you won't be happy with it.

Spinels generally have some inclusions because of the type of stone it is. Get one with inclusions that you can handle. If you just don't like inclusions, go with a different stone type.

The cut to me is fine. Its not a dog and I've seen way worse. Sounds to me that you should stick with a precision cut stone.
 
Thank you everyone for continuing to weigh in!! I have been reading, and it is helping, even though I still don't know. But today is the last day for a return... dun dun dun.

There is one inclusion (that I can see without a loupe anyway) and it doesn't bother me at all. It's clearish and towards a corner, and it took me five days to even notice it.

It's really the windowing that is the hesitation. The tilt window is pretty large, I think (but I don't know for sure bc just don't have a lot of experience with cs and precision cuts vs. non), and you can see the details of what is behind it pretty clearly.

I don't know what will happen with this stone once I set it. This stone shows pink, purple, red, and orange when light gets to it from all sides, but also shows what is beneath it when the angle is such the window appears (and that seems to be an angle I will view it from on my hand as I move about, it's not an extreme angle or anything). Bezeling doesn't kill the color, it's still very pretty and sometimes even prettier, but it loses those secondary color shows that I am loving. The window is less of an issue with a closed basket, because there's no detail to see through it, it just reads as the color but deeper.

You can kind of see how cool the cut can be in this photo
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And if the photos hold their own a bit, you might be able to see what I am talking about with the see-through in these

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A couple more for color
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Again, just from how you talk about it, you're not in love with it. I will only speak for myself here; I love the color, and that would make me overlook imperfections of the cut. If the window was large and swallowed the stone, then yeah I'd throw it back. The window here as you've shown it would not bother me. I've set worse...lol

If the cut is eye pleasing, and the color is eye pleasing, IMO its a keeper. But if you pick it apart to find flaws, trust me, you will.

You can't compare a colored stone to a diamond. One is cut specifically to highlight the color, the other, is not. Precision cutting of course can highlight both, but even that can only go so far with a colored stone.

So you can do of of 2 things here; send it back, because just from my observation, you're seeing things you don't like in this stone which makes you hesitate/second guess yourself.

Or keep it because regardless of the flaws you see, you really love it.

Don't keep a like, you might never learn to love it. Always keep a love.
 
Well, I sent it back.

I don't know how I feel. Mixed, I guess. But ultimately those of you who said if in doubt, don't were right. I couldn't have kept this stone and 100% enjoyed it because I would have still wondered about other stones, if there really are ones just as beautiful but with a cut that I could be happier with. I guess I just have to keep looking and seeing, and eventually I will either kick myself hard or find a better 'the one'. :loopy:

Thanks again for all of your input! And if anyone sees any spinels (or sapphires) that are knock-your-socks-off in the pinkish-red family or similar, I'd be so grateful for a shout-out! :wavey:
 
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