Spinel question

[lknvrb4]

I am clueless about colored stones. I am looking for a purple stone to stick into my old e-ring setting. It held a 6.47 x 6.39RB. I found an octagon purple spinel that I like but wondered if they were durable? Do they sparkle a lot? I know, these sound like dumb questions but I really want to find something to fit into this setting. I really like purple sapphire and tanzanite but of course they don''t fit into my budget. Any suggestions would be wonderful.

 

[ma re]

No question is a dumb question, if you''re willing to learn (or as some say, the only dumb question is the one you never ask)

Spinels are very durable and eventhough their hardness is no match to that of diamonds (as is the case with pretty much any gemstone), they can show some traits which make them even more durable than diamonds. For example in terms of toughness (which unlike hardness i.e. resistance to scratching is resistance to breaking/shattering), they are often mentioned as better than even diamonds. They do sparkle a lot, but they need to be decently cut (not perfectly, but a large window or significant extinction won''t help) and not overly dark in tone. Cause no material that is very dark will show significant amount of brilliance - it''s just not phisically (or should I say optically) possible.

So yes, if you get a lightly colored spinel of good cut, you might end up with quite a sparkler. But do not by any means expect something that will match your diamonds, cause that isn''t possible.

 

[T L]

Date: 4/27/2010 9:29:46 AM
Author:lknvrb4
I am clueless about colored stones. I am looking for a purple stone to stick into my old e-ring setting. It held a 6.47 x 6.39RB. I found an octagon purple spinel that I like but wondered if they were durable? Do they sparkle a lot? I know, these sound like dumb questions but I really want to find something to fit into this setting. I really like purple sapphire and tanzanite but of course they don't fit into my budget. Any suggestions would be wonderful.

Not a dumb question at all. Is the octagon you found cut in steps, or in a more brilliant faceting style? Spinels, when well cut, and particularly with lots of facets, do sparkle a great deal. I'm not a fan of step cut faceting on spinels though, hence the reason I asked you about the type of cutting it was. Do you have a photo you can share of the spinel in question? Other factors, besides cutting, like tone, make a big difference as well in the sparkle factor. Spinel is a very durable and tough stone. However, with any stone, even diamond, some care must be taken with the stone. I wouldn't go knocking it around, sleeping with it, or doing chores with it on. To me, this is one of the most beautiful sparkly purple spinels on Pricescope. Notice the tone (medium light) and the color as well. Look at the flashes of other color that come out of this stone. It's really beautiful.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-purple-spinel-and-diamond-ring-with-a-visit-from-my-oec-e-ring.64728/

 

[chrono]

A spinel is generally a durable stone that can be worn everyday with care (gentle wear). When well cut, they exhibit a lot of liveliness and brilliance, hence their attractiveness. It would be helpful if you can attach a picture of the purple spinel you are interested in.

 

[lknvrb4]

Here is the spinel I am looking at.

 

[lknvrb4]

Here is the setting I was going to put it into. Not sure with the shape if it would work or not.

 

[chrono]

While the cutting looks good, I’m not a fan of stones with such a large table which causes the tilt window to be more easily seen. It does look to be dispersive though based on the blue and red flash seen at the edges. If you want a stone to be super sparkly, opt for a more brilliant mix cut, rather than a step cut, although this is a mixed step cut with a brilliant style pavilion and step cut crown.

 

[T L]

The background of the photo is a bit too close to the color of the gem, and that does not allow me to surmise the true color. I would ask if it has significant grey or brown in it, and if it is darker IRL. You don't want a gem that's too dark in spinel IMO.

 

[lknvrb4]

Thanks for the advice, I find it a little overwhelming. Here are the comments about the stone from the website-COMMENTS: A brilliant purple stone with moderate dispersion with indoor lighting. It is color stable with no shift and shows very little if any gray.
Do you recommend anyone who sells good spinel?

 

[LD]

Date: 4/27/2010 12:46:55 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
The background of the photo is a bit too close to the color of the gem, and that does not allow me to surmise the true color. I would ask if it has significant grey or brown in it, and if it is darker IRL. You don''t want a gem that''s too dark in spinel IMO.

Couldn''t agree more. You really need to see a photo of the gem with a white or grey background (or on the hand). At the moment it''s absolutely impossible to tell the true colour.

 

[T L]

Date: 4/27/2010 1:37:11 PM
Author: lknvrb4
Thanks for the advice, I find it a little overwhelming. Here are the comments about the stone from the website-COMMENTS: A brilliant purple stone with moderate dispersion with indoor lighting. It is color stable with no shift and shows very little if any gray.
Do you recommend anyone who sells good spinel?

Well, Dan sells good spinel, but so do these people, and at fair pricing, like Dan.

acstones.com
precisiongem.com
odysseygem.com (he has three ebay stores, odysseygem, gemburionline and vvsgem1)
ajsgems.com

The huge issue I have found with blue, violet or purple spinel is that they are rather common in greyish color, and common in very dark tones, but to find purer hues such as the one I linked too, is very difficult to do, even among the preferred vendors. It can take a while to find the right one, especially in fine cutting. Unfortunately, they often photograph differently than IRL too. I have one violet spinel I wear every day because when they're beautiful, they're really amazing to look at IMO.

 

[Indylady]

I think I would probably prefer a round in that setting, and I second the vendor recommendations that TL made.

 

[lknvrb4]

Dan just emailed me that the spinel was just sold prior to me asking about it. I guess I keep looking.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

For spinels (And for most everything) I really like Barry Bridgestock''s cutting. acstones.com
Many of us have round spinels from him that we adore!

 

[velouriaL]

Did we ever find out where FacetFire got her spinel from?

 

[T L]

Date: 4/27/2010 3:49:29 PM
Author: velouriaL
Did we ever find out where FacetFire got her spinel from?

Not that I know of, and I searched all her posts!!

 

[velouriaL]

It''s soooooo sparklyyyyyyyyy. I want to knowwwwwwwwwww....

 

[T L]

Date: 4/27/2010 5:10:33 PM
Author: velouriaL
It''s soooooo sparklyyyyyyyyy. I want to knowwwwwwwwwww....

Yooooooou and meeeeeeee boooooooooth!!!! LOL!

 

[Stone Hunter]

Date: 4/27/2010 11:26:21 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Not a dumb question at all. Is the octagon you found cut in steps, or in a more brilliant faceting style? Spinels, when well cut, and particularly with lots of facets, do sparkle a great deal. I'm not a fan of step cut faceting on spinels though, hence the reason I asked you about the type of cutting it was. Do you have a photo you can share of the spinel in question? Other factors, besides cutting, like tone, make a big difference as well in the sparkle factor. Spinel is a very durable and tough stone. However, with any stone, even diamond, some care must be taken with the stone. I wouldn't go knocking it around, sleeping with it, or doing chores with it on. To me, this is one of the most beautiful sparkly purple spinels on Pricescope. Notice the tone (medium light) and the color as well. Look at the flashes of other color that come out of this stone. It's really beautiful.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-purple-spinel-and-diamond-ring-with-a-visit-from-my-oec-e-ring.64728/

WOW that is a gorgeous gorgeous stone and the setting is perfect for it. Makes me anxious to set my Spinel.

OP -- Spinel seems like a wonderful stone to me. Hard, durable, sparkly. And many color choices. In many stones a bit of gray shows, so if you don't like that avoid it. And of course look for a well cut stone so that it shows it's best. I love mine but haven't set it yet but would highly recommend you see some in person.

Edited to show this photo of mine outside shaded:

HTH