The spinel obsession continues .. thoughts on this stone

[Pennyc]

So even as I have my Jedi in the hands of ivy and rose being set I find myself chasing down more spinels!!

This one caught my eye as it seems to have that neon pink colour I love (with the purplish undertones)

Just wondering what people’s thoughts are I asked for some videos against white paper and inside light. I am concerned it may have a UV light on it in all the videos but the seller has said it is natural light and indoor light only

Should I ask for some still images? Anything I should ask or request? Seller says it is Mahenge it will come with a certificate I need to nail down from what lab

 

[voce]

If it's coming from the US, then AGL. If it's coming from Asia, then Lotus Gemology would probably be best.

I think this is a spinel that looks more like a ruby because it's silky/glowy/sleepy. So you won't get rainbow sparkles. The color is nice, even if a tad purplish.

 

[Pennyc]

Thanks @voce I can see what you are saying that it isn’t as clean as many spinels that it has that slightly opaque velvety look I think that is what I actually like about it.

My only concern is I have asked twice and they have said they will provide certification but haven’t said from where I believe the seller is in Sri Lanka and at the price point not sure if they would ship for certification it’s below 1k USD. Maybe a sign to avoid

 

[voce]

Yes, well, everyone has a different threshold of how much stone value would lead them to cert. I've personally gotten gem briefs on spinels of $300-$500 in value, just to be able to assure myself it's natural spinel, not synthetic. With lavender spinel it's easy to tell between natural (not fluorescent) and synthetic (fluorescent).

However, with reds and links both natural and synthetic can fluoresce a lot, so I'd only trust it's natural, if it's from a reputable vendor or tests as natural with a lab report.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I would probably hold out for a cert verification before buying, it's just a prudent move.
Buuuut, as a spinel fanatic I actually really like borderline colors and a sleepy aspect like this spinel.
I would definitely be feeling the dilemma.
I would ask for some stills just to see how prominent the inclusions are to the eye- if they're pleasing or not, can you live with it, does it matter with that color...

 

[Pennyc]

Thanks @ItsMainelyYou the colour has got a hold on me I must say.

I have gone back saying I need to know which lab certification will
Come from and I need some still
Images in order to proceed. Will see what they say

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I'm living vicariously through you.
Keep us updated.

 

[remetau]

Slightly off topic, but if they certify it with a known lab, do you verify the certificate with the lab?

 

[Pennyc]

Personally for this stone I would if the cost was only 300-400 probably not.

They have offered to have it certified at any lab in Sri Lanka of my choosing. I would need to work our what the most reputable lab would be:

 

[Pennyc]

I am feeling a bit reluctant to go ahead now they seemed to think me asking for additional photos was me accusing them
Of lying I stressed I was not and they need to understand when someone is paying 995USD for a stone they are going to want multiple photos in different lighting.

As much as I love the colour I think given the seller isn’t one I know anything about I am going to pass

There were these two pics outside I asked for indoor ones as well. There does seem
To be a dark section in it.

Plenty more out there

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I'm sorry to hear that.
Yep, best let that one go.
This taking a weird and accusatory turn/tone over an indoor picture is a vendor best left alone. Listen to your gut.
There will be others!

 

[LemonMoonLex]

I am feeling a bit reluctant to go ahead now they seemed to think me asking for additional photos was me accusing them
Of lying I stressed I was not and they need to understand when someone is paying 995USD for a stone they are going to want multiple photos in different lighting.

As much as I love the colour I think given the seller isn’t one I know anything about I am going to pass

There were these two pics outside I asked for indoor ones as well. There does seem
To be a dark section in it.

Plenty more out there

Ew. Move on...
I don't understand sellers that get their panties in a twist over a buyer wanting images of the item in different lighting or angles...such a shock, oh my!
Don't they understand we do that so that we don't waste each others time by having to process a return?
There's so many other spinels in the sea girly! You'll find the one from someplace that makes you feel warm and fuzzy lol

 

[Pennyc]

Thanks guys they did make me feel unreasonable for not believing them which is ludicrous really

 

[Pennyc]

From pink to red. This lovely caught my eye today I am waiting for some daylight images. This is my problem with pink and red spinels I love them ALL

This one is described as being vivid red (pigeon blood was also used in the description)

I said I could see some pink in the video but he said it looks vivid red and will send some more pics when it’s daylight

Completely different to the first stone but I think it’s lovely.

Love to hear what others think

 

[voce]

From pink to red. This lovely caught my eye today I am waiting for some daylight images. This is my problem with pink and red spinels I love them ALL

This one is described as being vivid red (pigeon blood was also used in the description)

I said I could see some pink in the video but he said it looks vivid red and will send some more pics when it’s daylight

Completely different to the first stone but I think it’s lovely.

Love to hear what others think

Oooh, very lovely. I want to ask the mm size of this stone. It happens to be the same cut as your Jedi spinel, so I hope it's a different size!

This is coming from the person who owns four 7x5 oval shaped red spinels, only two of which she has set. I kind of regret buying too many.

 

[remetau]

Does this spot appear to be on or in the surface?

 

[Rfisher]

Yes. It appears that way to me.
Key (I think) being is it attached to a feather/crack or not?
Some vendors that participate here will say it doesn’t matter (other than aesthetically) that’s it’s reached the surface, as in it exists - it’s there - and structural integrity doesn’t change whether it’s reached the surface or not.

Me- I’d be more forgiving of a chip that’s not located on the table.

 

[Polyhex]

I loooove the color. Something I noticed is that it in the videos it appears to have an hourglass shaped extinction pattern when viewed perfectly head-on. Something to think about, whether you like this look when you are admiring the ring head-on.

 

[Pennyc]

Oooh, very lovely. I want to ask the mm size of this stone. It happens to be the same cut as your Jedi spinel, so I hope it's a different size!

This is coming from the person who owns four 7x5 oval shaped red spinels, only two of which she has set. I kind of regret buying too many.

@voce I know it’s a bit crazy for my next stone to be quite similar but it’s much larger at 1.51ct

@remetau and @Rfisher yes I noticed the chip the piece accounts for it but I will ask
About structural integrity I didn’t think of that

@Polyhex I didn’t notice the extinction I am awaiting for images today so will have another look then

Thanks guys I always feel better getting input I am still very new to coloured stones

 

[Pennyc]

Couple more to help decide the one with th out the white background is outside cloudy day

The one on the white background is inside room light

 

[Pennyc]

There are some minor natural cavities on the surface. Given the fair price I can live with those.

@Polyhex I can’t see any darkness when it’s on a white background it’s stunning in light maybe? Not sure it bothers me terribly what do you think?

@voce as you also have a spinel collection would you be comfortable with the surface cavities?

 

[Pennyc]

So after all that and some major thinking I decided to leave it.

I love it but @voce made me think about the fact I have another jedi waiting to be set (which is smaller) and this stone deserves a really kick butt setting which I would be unable to do.

I am going to go on the hunt for a paraiba instead similar in size to my other jedi and have a bypass ring created.

Thanks so much for everyones feedback. Off to stalk the paraiba threads now

 

[voce]

There are some minor natural cavities on the surface. Given the fair price I can live with those.

@Polyhex I can’t see any darkness when it’s on a white background it’s stunning in light maybe? Not sure it bothers me terribly what do you think?

@voce as you also have a spinel collection would you be comfortable with the surface cavities?

Just to chime in, my Jedi spinel I've set has one surface cavity (a "natural") near a corner of the table. I don't even notice it when I wear the ring. Maybe one of you sleuths can pinpoint it on this photo, but I certainly can't. I did see the cavity when the gem was loose, but after it got set I'd have to look for it to see it.



My answer is that it really depends on where the surface cavity is. I don't know if I'd be ok with more than one or two. I don't think I'd be ok with it if it was smack in the center of the table, but if it's in a corner like with my Jedi spinel, that's probably not going to be noticeable. And no, a surface cavity is not structurally problematic.

 

[Polyhex]

@Polyhex I can’t see any darkness when it’s on a white background it’s stunning in light maybe? Not sure it bothers me terribly what do you think?

I think that in a ring setting, head-on it would look the way it does in tweezers. My understanding is that even super well-cut colored stones will have tiny to small windows, and in the white background photo it is not the stone held up against a white background, it's nestled into a soft white stone case where the white parts are touching the stone. In my own stones, when they are held like that the white parts touching the stone lightens the small windows.

I don't think it looks less-than-gorgeous in any of the lightings, and the areas that are darker are still a voluptuous deep mauve/pink. I think most colored stones will have some kind of extinction pattern, I was just pointing it out to be sure you enjoyed it. I love gorgeous bargain stones.

 

[Pennyc]

Thanks @Polyhex I think if it went dark in a setting that would be disappointing. I have passed on it and have decided to set my other pinkish Jedi instead.