Synthetic or natural stone?

[Cerulean]

Hello PS friends!

The photos aren't the best and seem edited...but I am trying to figure out if this stone is natural or synthetic. Supposedly spinel. It is set in 14k gold

I am suspicious because from the back - it looks pretty "clean" but hard for me to tell and am not terribly knowledgeable. I have asked for a picture in natural lighting...

 

[stracci2000]

This whole thing looks wrong to me. Especially the back.
Perhaps it was made look old?

 

[Cerulean]

This whole thing looks wrong to me. Especially the back.
Perhaps it was made look old?

I am not interested in the piece itself, just the stone...but interesting...the photos are soooo edited it's hard to "see"

 

[Cerulean]

It seems to come w/ the original box?

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Spinels are tough because they are so clean usually. When I got mine I had to really look to find an inclusion and still wasn’t convinced it was natural until I brought it to a gemologist.

It looks like the synthetic spinels you see in older rings but without having it in front of someone with experience there is no way to know for sure.

 

[Cerulean]

Well - the vendor said it was looked at by a gemologist and "tested it as spinel". I am still not quite convinced and it would be shipped internationally - given shipping problems - I think I am going to pass on this one as returns would be very challenging and cost prohibitive. Thanks all for weighing in!

 

[lovedogs]

My guess is that it's not natural. Tons of vintage jewelry has lovely looking synthetic stones, and this looks like one to my eyes

 

[Cerulean]

My guess is that it's not natural. Tons of vintage jewelry has lovely looking synthetic stones, and this looks like one to my eyes

That was my gut reaction too, not that I had anything to base it on. I didn’t mean to insult the vendor and they said I could return...but returning to the UK after paying to have it tested when my gut says synthetic...may not be worth it. It would be inexpensive for a natural spinel of its size and color, but a very expensive synthetic!

 

[lovedogs]

That was my gut reaction too, not that I had anything to base it on. I didn’t mean to insult the vendor and they said I could return...but returning to the UK after paying to have it tested when my gut says synthetic...may not be worth it. It would be inexpensive for a spinel of its size and color, but a very expensive synthetic!

I personally wouldnt risk it. If the price is too high for synthetic then I would pass on it.

 

[Cerulean]

I personally wouldnt risk it. If the price is too high for synthetic then I would pass on it.

Thanks for your advice. I’m going to heed it!

 

[kgizo]

I have no idea, but the prongs look different so I wonder if the original stone was removed and this was a replacement. Smart to pass. Are you looking for a spinel for a project or did this one in particular speak to you?

 

[Cerulean]

I have no idea, but the prongs look different so I wonder if the original stone was removed and this was a replacement. Smart to pass. Are you looking for a spinel for a project or did this one in particular speak to you?

This one in particular spoke to me - I thought it was a lovely color and a good price (provided its real) - I think I should wait! I have no business starting a new project anyways