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Thoughts on this red spinel?

Rosebloom

Rosebloom

Ideal_Rock
Joined
May 23, 2012
Messages
3,943
I have long been craving a red spinel or ruby but haven't had the budget for one in a size that is large enough for my size 7 fingers. I like a slightly purple red verse orange red. I'm not too fussy about inclusions as long as there's not a big black spot. I've come across this one which is very appealing. It's 9x7, so a great size. The picture looks doctored to me but the other images on the site look more accurate so maybe it's not? Is the window a deal breaker or might it close when set? I know the shape is a bit wonky but that doesn't bother me. Listing states that it is slightly included, from Mahenge, picture taken in incandescent light. Under $2,000. Thoughts? Thank you so much for your counsel!

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I dont think the window will close, but perhaps the saturation will make up for it. At 6 o'clock there appears to be an inclusion like a bitten lifesaver, and I wonder too if it breaks the surface. 2 0'clock crown facet appears to have a pit and polish issue that may affect luster, 1:30 0'clock interior formation needs more info in the form of description and better pic from vendor to characterize.

window.png
 
I think the 1.88 marquise would be great in an east west ring
 
VL - wow, thank you for your detailed thoughts. I may ask for more info on the inclusions. Is the pitted facet something that could be fixed?

I love an EW marquise but that one seems to have too much of a bow tie and the saturation isn't as intense. Hmm. Much to ponder.
 
I would first and foremost, want to see a realistic picture of the stone to decide if it can compensate for its other flaws. The window will not close up in the setting. The inclusions might be less noticeable in real life (or not) and if I cannot feel the pitting with my nail, I'm all right with that. It's probably not visible in person. If not deep, might be polished out.
 
Ok - I can tell you that this Vendor cannot photograph Mahenge Spinels well! I doubt whether it will have this glow. I know he doesn't do this on purpose because he photographs other gems very well but for some reason the pink/red spinels are not accurate.
 
Its colors like that that make me afraid to purchase stones - it just does not look real to me and I would not want to chance it unless he was located in the US.
 
I bought a red Mahenge from that vendor, after he provided two videos for me, in different lighting, so perhaps you could ask for the same.
 
Even with the saturated color in the picture above, I don't think this will pass for a ruby, or a purplish-red spinel. To me, this is hot pink, and if it were corundum, I would consider it an amazing pink sapphire. If you love hot pink, however, I would keep on pursuing it to determine the true color. I think the color above is lovely.
 
Thank you all so much for your feedback! I am truly grateful for your guidance.

I am going to contact the vendor and ask for pictures and/or video in different light and ideally on the back of a hand.

NKOTB - I just read your thread on your spinel from this vendor. I love your in real life pictures! Are you still happy with the purchase?

General question - is it possible to get an intensely saturated, red, slightly purple red, or deep hot pink, Mahenge of 2.5 carats + for under $2k without some kind of major problem? (And yes, I know they were had for a percentage of that a few years ago and I'm trying not to think about it too much! So sad for us new comers to the world of color!).

ETA: added hot pink as a color option since that is how this stone is reading to Pregcurious. Whatever it is - I love it! :)
 
pregcurious said:
Even with the saturated color in the picture above, I don't think this will pass for a ruby, or a purplish-red spinel. To me, this is hot pink, and if it were corundum, I would consider it an amazing pink sapphire. If you love hot pink, however, I would go for it. I think the color above is lovely.
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Thank you for that observation. I do love hot pink and would be thrilled with the color if it is as represented in the picture.
 
Yes, still happy with the stone. :). As you may have seen in the thread, I wondered about saturation, but once I took it out of the white cotton, it looked better. And when I held it next to some high carat yellow gold at my jeweller's I was positively giddy. Now, mine doesn't have a window, so you'll have to see how that looks in the videos/added pics.

Question for you...what would be a deal breaker, for you?
 
Color and size are deal breakers for me. I could go down to 1.5 carats and do a pendant. And a red with a touch of orange like your beauty would be fine although I look much better in cool colors so my vanity keeps me looking for one with pinkish modifiers. But I don't want something with brown overtones or that will black out on me in the wrong light.

I like to set and regularly wear my stones so I don't think I'll have many red stones. So I'd rather be patient than settle.
 
The stone above is hot pink not red. I had missed that you had called it red until just now. When spinels move more to red the more vibrant they go, the more $ you pay. They can however go the other way and start looking brownish and unattractive and I'm pretty sure you don't want that. Red spinels that are good are very very difficult to come by, so I doubt whether you'll get one in your price range for a vibrant stone. Even 1.5ct I doubt you'll get a good one.

I'm afraid that even if you look for hot pink - and as you say, that ship has sailed unfortunately - again, your budget -v- smallest acceptable carat size -v- vibrant it's going to be difficult to achieve. For any hot, vibrant looking stone, the selling price will be much higher than something with the wattage turned down a bit or you accept cut issues (which I think you are willing to do).

With all of the above in mind, the spinel you've pictured may fit the bill because despite the photograph it does look lively. I always assume a few shades "duller" (if that makes sense) from the still photo. Will that still appeal to you? I'm glad you're asking for photos/videos because I'm sure that'll help your decision.
 
As much as color is king I have my reservations about the gem pictured. When the gem is in hand the buyer can judge if the stone is lively and sparkles.
 
LisaRN|1359961995|3371716 said:
As much as color is king I have my reservations about the gem pictured. When the gem is in hand the buyer can judge if the stone is lively and sparkles.
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+1
 
Thank you, thank you for everyone's wisdom. I've decided to pass on this stone. I'm going to wait until I can really do it right and get one glorious stone that I'll be proud to wear forever and someday pass on to my kids.

I'm a very patient and deliberate shopper. I've actually been trying to be more spontaneous. But I shouldn't do that with $1,500 stones! So I bought a $20 strand of freshwater pearls on eBay. How's that for spontaneous? :)

Thanks again everyone!
 
My monitor must be totally off!! I didn't see it. Now that you've said that, I can see it. I love having "external eyes" here on PS.
 
Upgradable|1360085730|3372838 said:
My monitor must be totally off!! I didn't see it. Now that you've said that, I can see it. I love having "external eyes" here on PS.
Click to expand...

:lol: I've been called many things before but not external eyes! :lol: That really made me chuckle!
 
This is the one that I *almost* bought. It was just a little over my budget--but Jeff found me a smaller one that looks really nice. This one here is more toward the purplish/pinkish side, but I'd kill for this one.

The other one that uppy linked to...I don't see brown in, I do see a little orange. We all see what we see. Anyway, this is the one that I'd be all over if I could have afforded. Its 2.50ct.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CERTIFIED-PREMIUM-CUSHION-CUT-2-50ct-RED-SPINEL-MOGOK-WATCH-VIDEO-/370749097620?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56525e4694

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The spinel Uppy linked to shows a strong brownish red with a slight orange modifier than red on my monitor. The video shows a brownish orange spinel where I had trouble trying to see any hints of red.
 
In the hand shot, Jeff's spinel posted by Uppy looks like it has brown and orange. In the gem-only shot, it looks like it might have a decent amount of extinction, but it reads as a nice red to me. If it looks like the latter in real life, I think it could be nice. It's hard to judge.
 
Thank you all for the ideas!

I want something electric for this stone - no hints of brown and not too dark. Which means I'm going to be saving for another few years!
 
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