Spess overtone - is yellow preferable to brown?

[cellentani]

I''m going to the Intergem show on Friday, and the last time I went, I found some yellow/orange spessartites that had an unbelievable glow - they caught my eye from several feet away, on a table covered with gems. I know the top color is a true fanta orange (without yellow or brown), but from what I''ve seen, having a yellow undertone doesn''t seem to diminish the "liveliness" of a spess the way a brown undertone does.

I know there''s already been a lot of discussion, so I hope you''re not "spessed-out", but I''d really be interested in knowing if a yellow/orange spess is preferable to a brown/orange spess, with all other things like cut and clarity being equal. These stones were not expensive at all - well under $40 if I remember correctly - so I''m thinking about trying to find one again. Please be brutally honest.

 

[brandy_z28]

I am no expert by any means but if the gems caught your eye from a distance and you''re still thinking about them, I say forget top color or what most people find desirable and get it! If it''s as cheap as you said, around $40, why not?

That''s definitely cheap enough. Do it!...and post plenty of pictures!!!

 

[chrono]

I would prefer some yellow over some brown but it's because I'm not fond of brown. But overall, it is the intensity and glow that matters, whichever shade you pick.

 

[cellentani]

Thanks Brandy, I was thinking the same thing. Your paraiba pendant is quite a knockout, by the way - I was just enjoying the newest pics you posted.

Chrono - thanks for chiming in - I''m not a big fan of brown either.

Tourmaline Lover - still waiting (and wanting) to hear what you think...

 

[T L]

To me, it's all about the vividness and saturation of color, no matter what color family you're fond of, whether that's brownish orange, reddish orange or yellowish orange, bluish green, purplish pink, etc. . . . If you're looking specifically for a brownish orange stone because you like that, then get the most vivid color in that family you can afford. If you like yellowish orange, then get the most vivid color in that family that you can afford.

 

[cellentani]

Vividness and saturation is what I''ll be looking for - thanks TL!

 

[brandy_z28]

Date: 5/13/2009 12:10:34 PM
Author: cellentani
Thanks Brandy, I was thinking the same thing. Your paraiba pendant is quite a knockout, by the way - I was just enjoying the newest pics you posted.

Chrono - thanks for chiming in - I''m not a big fan of brown either.

Tourmaline Lover - still waiting (and wanting) to hear what you think...

Thank you so much cellentani!

Hope you find some pretties at the show this weekend! I want to see lots of pictures of your purchases.

 

[Stone Hunter]

Have a ton of fun and come back with some pictures!

 

[Kismet]

Have fun at Intergem! And when looking at the spesses make sure you turn away from the bright lights and cup your hand over them to see how they look in more reasonable light.

 

[cellentani]

Thanks Stone Hunter - I promise I''ll post pics if I get anything good.

Kismet - yeah, no kidding about those lights - they''re unbelievably bright! I get a headache every time. Wonder how much the electricity bill is after one of those events!