Tag You''re IT!! New Gemscoop is posted!

[cellentani]

Date: 5/8/2009 9:43:21 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Cellentani,
That''s great!! I hope you can post pics.

You bet I will!!

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/8/2009 2:05:05 AM
Author: Linda W
I would like it to be just a tad lighter too. I also love the cut and size. I am afraid it would be too dark, upon receiving it.

You needn''t be. Jeff takes about the most accurate and fair pictures around.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/7/2009 11:12:24 PM
Author: Chrono
That spess has amazing colour, but yes, I find the inclusion rather distracting. Well, most PSers know I can''t handle eye visible inclusions in any gemstone.

I know it''s really difficult to find large Loliondo rough with good colour though - I heard the mine has dried up?

Yes, the strike has dried up.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/8/2009 8:39:29 AM
Author: Chrono
To be fair though, I read that there is a 30% premium for round tsavorites because the rough does not lend itself to that shape.

Yes.

 

[Harriet]

At the risk of sounding like an old granny, you get what you pay for. Jeff is extremely particular with his roung, hence his prices.

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 5/8/2009 4:27:57 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 5/8/2009 2:05:05 AM
Author: Linda W
I would like it to be just a tad lighter too. I also love the cut and size. I am afraid it would be too dark, upon receiving it.

You needn't be. Jeff takes about the most accurate and fair pictures around.

Actually, I disagree. Having seen MonkeyPie's "pink" spinel asscher in person, AND Jeff's pics, I would say that in that case they do not mesh at all. I would say that I would describe MP's spinel as being more of a deep raspberry instead of the bright pink Jeff's picture would suggest.

 

[Harriet]

That''s a pity. Did Monkeypie return it? Jeff White and Rick Martin are ethical people, but they''re not infallible. I''d show you sites with touched-up pictures, but rather not do it publicly.

 

[Cind11]

Date: 5/8/2009 4:27:57 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 5/8/2009 2:05:05 AM
Author: Linda W
I would like it to be just a tad lighter too. I also love the cut and size. I am afraid it would be too dark, upon receiving it.

You needn''t be. Jeff takes about the most accurate and fair pictures around.

I like the rhodolite and emailed him because I was going to buy it. He said I am second in line, so if it falls through it''s mine.

 

[Harriet]

Good luck!

 

[T L]

Date: 5/8/2009 4:36:32 PM
Author: Harriet
At the risk of sounding like an old granny, you get what you pay for. Jeff is extremely particular with his roung, hence his prices.

Harriet,
I respectfully disagree. I returned one stone to him, looked nothing like the picture,and kept another which I wanted to return except that I would have lost $$ because he charges a non-refundable cutting fee. The first stone went completely extinct in sunlight even though he told me it was bright an open in all lighting. It was a tourmaline that looked a very nice blue/green in the photo. He also told me my other stone was a "windex" color and it was more teal with a strong grey mask. It also did not live up to the picture. I do not think that the rough, in this particular gemscoop, is up to par for the pricepoint. He charges retail prices, and others like Barry and Gene charge more appropriate closer to wholesale prices. I even told him those tourmalines I purchased were not worth what I paid. You cannot possibly tell me that his material is so much better than Gene or Barry, especially that morganite and grossular. However, Chrono's spessartite lived up to the picture, and I respect that. I also think your danburite is very beautiful and neon, if it's like the photo.

I also think the rhodolite is brown, sorry. I do like the color of the spessartite garnet he has, and the tsavorite is nice.

 

[Cind11]

Date: 5/8/2009 5:03:50 PM
Author: Harriet
Good luck!

Thanks! I think it would make a nice pendant.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/8/2009 5:04:00 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 5/8/2009 4:36:32 PM
Author: Harriet
At the risk of sounding like an old granny, you get what you pay for. Jeff is extremely particular with his roung, hence his prices.

Harriet,
I respectfully disagree. I returned one stone to him, looked nothing like the picture,and kept another which I wanted to return except that I would have lost $$ because he charges a non-refundable cutting fee. The first stone went completely extinct in sunlight even though he told me it was bright an open in all lighting. It was a tourmaline that looked a very nice blue/green in the photo. He also told me my other stone was a ''windex'' color and it was more teal with a strong grey mask. It also did not live up to the picture. I do not think that the rough, in this particular gemscoop, is up to par for the pricepoint. He charges retail prices, and others like Barry and Gene charge more appropriate closer to wholesale prices. I even told him those tourmalines I purchased were not worth what I paid. You cannot possibly tell me that his material is so much better than Gene or Barry, especially that morganite and grossular. However, Chrono''s spessartite lived up to the picture, and I respect that. I also think your danburite is very beautiful and neon, if it''s like the photo.

I also think the rhodolite is brown, sorry. I do like the color of the spessartite garnet he has, and the tsavorite is nice.

Can we agree to disagree? I''d rather not bring other vendors into the conversation.

 

[T L]

We can agree to disagree - fair enough. Just wanting to impart my experience.

 

[Cind11]

Date: 5/8/2009 5:04:00 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 5/8/2009 4:36:32 PM
Author: Harriet
At the risk of sounding like an old granny, you get what you pay for. Jeff is extremely particular with his roung, hence his prices.

Harriet,
I respectfully disagree. I returned one stone to him, looked nothing like the picture,and kept another which I wanted to return except that I would have lost $$ because he charges a non-refundable cutting fee. The first stone went completely extinct in sunlight even though he told me it was bright an open in all lighting. It was a tourmaline that looked a very nice blue/green in the photo. He also told me my other stone was a ''windex'' color and it was more teal with a strong grey mask. It also did not live up to the picture. I do not think that the rough, in this particular gemscoop, is up to par for the pricepoint. He charges retail prices, and others like Barry and Gene charge more appropriate closer to wholesale prices. I even told him those tourmalines I purchased were not worth what I paid. You cannot possibly tell me that his material is so much better than Gene or Barry, especially that morganite and grossular. However, Chrono''s spessartite lived up to the picture, and I respect that. I also think your danburite is very beautiful and neon, if it''s like the photo.

I also think the rhodolite is brown, sorry. I do like the color of the spessartite garnet he has, and the tsavorite is nice.

I can see undertones in certain stones but in others not so much. I can''t see the brown in the rhodolite. Not to say it isn''t there of course.

 

[Harriet]

I honestly don''t see any brown in it.

 

[T L]

Garnets in the red family are typically dark stones, it has a dark body color, as Jeff has stated in his description. If you want a very dark stone, that would be it. I''ve seen rhodolites more pastel and pink in color, and not so dark and burgundy (that is the color I see), which is a shade of red and brown, so it''s up to you what appeals to you. I have such a colored garnet, I got it for $20 and it''s 4 carats and faceted by an American. It''s pretty, and it sparkles, but the overall body color is dark. I have looked at this stone on two monitors, so that is what I see. I prefer the lighter more pastel garnets in the red family, they''re more rare and coveted.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 5/8/2009 5:18:00 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
We can agree to disagree - fair enough. Just wanting to impart my experience.

Fair dinkum. [Insert shake hands emoticon.]

 

[Harriet]

Hey, TL. I may be getting a purplish-pink grossular.

 

[T L]

Date: 5/8/2009 5:41:30 PM
Author: Harriet
Hey, TL. I may be getting a purplish-pink grossular.

Well, I''m sure Mr. Zeolite would be interested in that. I haven''t seen one.

 

[simplysplendid]

Date: 5/8/2009 2:05:05 AM
Author: Linda W

Date: 5/8/2009 12:28:20 AM
Author: Gypsy
I wish the rhodolite was just a little lighter. I love the cut and the size. But for the price.. that color just average. Rick Martin has a pretty decent pink spinel up with nice cutting for 200, kinda puts things in perspective. Gene''s cuts lovely gems.

I would like it to be just a tad lighter too. I also love the cut and size. I am afraid it would be too dark, upon receiving it.

I have been looking for a large pinkish red garnet but I''m afraid that this one may appear too garnety too.

 

[simplysplendid]

Date: 5/8/2009 9:21:30 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 5/8/2009 6:40:09 AM
Author: cellentani
Okay, I''m glad I''m not the only one who thinks the prices are a little high - these are a little out of my league. I''ve been looking for a morganite for awhile, but I''m not loving the color on this one, either.

Vallejo916 has some untreated ones, and although he doesn''t proport to sell the most top gem material in the world, they''re well cut and at prices I can handle. I guess Jeff''s stone is around $111/ct, but it is larger. However Morganite is not rare in larger sizes. The tough thing about Morganite is finding one in a deep pink color, and one that doesn''t fade (many are treated and then fade). I think Barry sometimes gets them in as well.

I like the 2 carat trillion for $80. It appears to be a nice size and a pretty baby pink. It would look great in a rose gold bezel.

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/vallejo916?_nkw=morganite&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3911.m270.l1313&_odkw=&_osacat=0

I thought Kunzite is the one that fades? I didn''t know morganite fades too...

 

[T L]

Both kunzite and morganite can fade.

 

[simplysplendid]

Date: 5/8/2009 6:12:46 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Both kunzite and morganite can fade.

I see.. thank you, I didn''t know that. I have 2 morganite rings (I love them in pink gold) and I hope they won''t turn colourless on me so soon..

 

[T L]

Date: 5/8/2009 6:07:54 PM
Author: simplysplendid

I have been looking for a large pinkish red garnet but I''m afraid that this one may appear too garnety too.

Well, it is rather big. So if you want a large dark stone, this would fit the bill. Some people like that look. I feel it would be more appropriate for a gentleman''s ring though.

 

[T L]

Date: 5/8/2009 6:14:02 PM
Author: simplysplendid

Date: 5/8/2009 6:12:46 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Both kunzite and morganite can fade.

I see.. thank you, I didn''t know that. I have 2 morganite rings (I love them in pink gold) and I hope they won''t turn colourless on me so soon..

It''s best to wear them indoors and not keep them for prolonged periods in the sun.

 

[Cind11]

Date: 5/8/2009 6:14:45 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 5/8/2009 6:07:54 PM
Author: simplysplendid

I have been looking for a large pinkish red garnet but I''m afraid that this one may appear too garnety too.

Well, it is rather big. So if you want a large dark stone, this would fit the bill. Some people like that look. I feel it would be more appropriate for a gentleman''s ring though.

If I end up getting it, and I don''t put it in a pendant. my DH said he would like it for a ring...

 

[T L]

That would be nice in yellow gold. I can picture it in a yellow gold gentleman''s ring.

 

[Cind11]

Date: 5/8/2009 6:36:59 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
That would be nice in yellow gold. I can picture it in a yellow gold gentleman''s ring.

Me too!

 

[chrono]

Date: 5/8/2009 4:32:07 PM
Author: Harriet

Date: 5/7/2009 11:12:24 PM
Author: Chrono
That spess has amazing colour, but yes, I find the inclusion rather distracting. Well, most PSers know I can't handle eye visible inclusions in any gemstone.

I know it's really difficult to find large Loliondo rough with good colour though - I heard the mine has dried up?

Yes, the strike has dried up.

It's a pity. Well, I guess we are back to the Nigerian spessartites then. I have seen some pretty nice ones too but the Loliondo orange gummy bear colour really stands out.

 

[chrono]

Date: 5/8/2009 5:24:04 PM
Author: Cind11
I can see undertones in certain stones but in others not so much. I can''t see the brown in the rhodolite. Not to say it isn''t there of course.

This is another disadvantage of trying to gauge colour via a computer monitor. Depending on the calibration, one could see a pure purple and another see some brown. Unfortunately, it is showing up as a darkish purple stone on mine.