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peppermintpatty

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 15, 2008
Messages
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I am looking for opinions. I have purchased a few Spinels. As I've kept looking I have found more and more that I love- surprise! What I am wondering is if I am purchasing from people that both are excellent cutters- if that's the right word??? I just was so shocked. Same size, one was a dark black cherry (purple but dark) custom cut. 600 was the quote . The other one was dark gray and was over 1,900, not custom cut. I guess I am looking also for what justifies the price difference. I know color does. To me, neither of these were red or the hot neon pink or cobalt blue- that would warrant a higher price. As I said, both well cut. What am I missing?

As always thanks for the information and guidance. I do want to pay what is fair, but I don't want to over pay. I do realize only I can determine the value of a particular gemstone. This is my first go round into colored gems. So I really appreciate your help. Thank you!
 
If you can post pictures, ct weight and mm size, that will help a lot for us to try to figure out the price difference.
 
I don't know the mm. The ct weight is 3.28 for dark gray and 3.54 for the dark wine one.

I don't want to post pictures. The dark gray one I had to get the price from an outside jeweler, they would not sell it direct. . It is well cut, as is the other one. I just wondered why one would be 600 and one over 1,900. Do you feel that perhaps there is a higher price because both the cutter and the jeweler both get a piece of the pie so to speak?

Would any of you pay 1,900 for a 3.28 dark gray spinel? Or do you feel like that is a lot.
 
peppermintpatty said:
Would any of you pay 1,900 for a 3.28 dark gray spinel? Or do you feel like that is a lot.
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1900USD for a 3.28 dark spinel?
It would have to have something pretty elusive and incredibly uniquely gorgeous about it for me to pull the trigger on that.
Or it’s got motion picture proof of what i did that one summer long ago......I digress.
2FFE9BFA-2502-429C-ADC5-F864BC1FF9C8.jpeg7ED9A0C0-1E21-41C9-86DD-827E56F20662.jpeg
I paid under $400 for this one from Finewater.

It is most certain the jeweler is getting a piece of the pie. That’s what he is there for.

I respect you not wanting to post photos, but I’m intrigued enough to go search for it.
 
Thank you for your response. I did purchase a dark gray spinel with a beautiful teal tint 3.32 carats, 10.4x7.4mm. I paid 270. It sparkles like crazy and I love it. I guess if I am honest, I know the jeweler ... I am shocked by the price this person gave me. I have sat on this for a while, but it does bother me. So I wanted to get some feed back. I have bought numerous pieces from the jeweler. It kind of feels like a slap in the face. Live and learn I guess...
 
Well, you really don’t know what the source is asking for the jeweler to pay though?
I wouldn’t consider it a slap in the face unless I knew for sure the markup from them was outrageous. There’s nothing wrong with them making a living.
 
I am shocked. No amount of excellent cutting is going to make me part with 2K for a 3 ct gray spinel. I am sorry I have no explanation other than someone in the selling line is making a tidy sum.
 
Sorry @Rfisher ! My last post was for you. What I would have said was special about it to me was that it was almost an iridescence to it as it moved in the light. The stone next to it didn't exhibit that so I don't think it was the lighting.

The thread on Top Notch Faceting really intrigued me:) That led me to find several cutters who's work I admire. I am certain of this, I will never purchase with a go between. Either it will be sold directly to me, or I don't care how much I love it. I won't buy it.
 
Rfisher said:
Well, you really don’t know what the source is asking for the jeweler to pay though?
I wouldn’t consider it a slap in the face unless I knew for sure the markup from them was outrageous. There’s nothing wrong with them making a living.
Click to expand...

I agree! Everyone has to make a living. You are right, I don't know what was being asked for the stone. I just thought it was a lot. I guess I like to think when you have had years long relationship with a jeweler that they might say, I know this is a lot or I can see what's out there that might be in your budget. It's ok, I've found other cutters that sell direct. I still was disappointed.
 
chrono said:
I am shocked. No amount of excellent cutting is going to make me part with 2K for a 3 ct gray spinel. I am sorry I have no explanation other than someone in the selling line is making a tidy sum.
Click to expand...

Thank you for confirming that. Both you and @Rfisher. I don't know who is marking it up that much. but I do feel the price was inflated. Just wanted to see if anyone else thought that too, so thanks!
 
Thanks for the blues clues!
I think it’s gorgeous. I actually like the facet pattern and the outline shape of that one better than the one I have.
My gut tells me it’s lighter than mine.
And it may not lean to purple (as mine does) or green as others do.
That in itself isn’t as common, I believe?
I could be 1000 ways wrong on that tho.
Would I pay that much? Ultimately No.
 
Rfisher said:
Thanks for the blues clues!
I think it’s gorgeous. I actually like the facet pattern and the outline shape of that one better than the one I have.
My gut tells me it’s lighter than mine.
And it may not lean to purple (as mine does) or green as others do.
That in itself isn’t as common, I believe?
I could be 1000 ways wrong on that tho.
Would I pay that much? Ultimately No.
Click to expand...

You think you found it?! II don't think I have ever heard this cutters name on Pricescope. Not in the thread I mentioned. Do you still think you know who it is? I am trying not to disclose who it is. That thread brought me to a lot of different cutters. Well the one I am going with did make my custom piece for me and wasn't satisfied so is making me another one. That has been a phenomenal experience!!!
 
Ok- then it’s a total coincidence! It must not be the same stone.
I’m sorry :blush:
 
Rfisher said:
Ok- then it’s a total coincidence! It must not be the same stone.
I’m sorry :blush:
Click to expand...

Oh gosh no! Nothing to be sorry about!! Now I need to go look at what you saw lol
 
I’m not likely to spend that much on a grey spinel. It’s not my cup of tea but they have been jumping up a lot in popularity, which could explain the price difference.
 
@Rfisher I did see both of their names! Darn it!!! I was trying to go under the radar a bit! I didn’t use both of their names though! I wish I would have looked first!
 
It is not Anna. I was happy when she responded that we wouldn’t have to go through a jeweler in the thread I mentioned. I have never even asked about her stones, though I am sure I will at some point! She does beautiful work!!!
 
elle_71125 said:
It really is! I remember them being quite inexpensive just a couple years ago.
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I know!!! I could have gone grey with the person I went with, same carat weight and the price was still the same.
 
I like grey Spinels, however they have to be the right shades of grey, and not too dark to be lifeless.

DK :))
 
dk168 said:
I like grey Spinels, however they have to be the right shades of grey, and not too dark to be lifeless.

DK :))
Click to expand...
dk168 I do too!
 
I'd like to see more of these. Where do I find the list of Pricescope preferred vendors?
 
Ibrakeforpossums said:
I'd like to see more of these. Where do I find the list of Pricescope preferred vendors?
Click to expand...

Its pinned to the top of the CS forum. Scroll all the way to the bottom for the most up to date info
 
I like greys and have paid a lot but only for light/silver ones. I’m not a fan of dark stones in general, but especially dark grey. I know the dispersion is great, but it still doesn’t warrant a high price tag.
 
lovedogs said:
Its pinned to the top of the CS forum. Scroll all the way to the bottom for the most up to date info
Click to expand...

Pinned? What does it look like? I see Forum, Resources, Blog, etc. and smaller headers below, Rocky Talk, Show Me the Bling!
Sugarless gum, gee but I'm dumb.
 
I know you were looking at a larger one, but it seems overpriced. I have two dark grey spinel 1-2 ct in weight, and they were under $100 each. In my gut, I feel you could find a larger one with a cool undertone for a pretty good price.
 
Found it, thank you lovedogs!! You could have another career aiding the cognitively challenged as they shop for things they don't need. Thank you!
 
NKOTB said:
I like greys and have paid a lot but only for light/silver ones. I’m not a fan of dark stones in general, but especially dark grey. I know the dispersion is great, but it still doesn’t warrant a high price tag.
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@NKOTB I feel being new to colored gemstones I didn't want to spend too much as I am a novice. I am very happy with my dark grey with the teal undertones that is over 3 carats and was 270. I think that's why I almost fell over at the 1,900 price tag of the one I inquired about! I loved the iridescence to it, but not that much!!! I do think it makes me feel like there are 2 people trying to make a profit when you have the cutter and the jeweler. I just know I won't even look into buying from someone again unless it's a direct sale.
 
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