Thoughts on this Spinel?

[minousbijoux]

You know, I was pretty vocal about it being gray and desaturated in the photo. Based on that, I wouldn't have gone any further. I'm not a big fan of greyish stones so that would've stopped me. But you did and it looks like it paid off! Yes, sometimes, in that yellowish lighting, it looks desaturated and grey, but I LOVE the violetish blue color it turns in some lighting. So in fact, half the time it looks much nicer than I anticipated! I agree - you didn't spend a lot and you ended up with a well cut, very pretty spinel. Now, does it have those sparkles and flashes of different color? That is often a bonus in spinels of lighter tone that aren't super saturated. If that's the case, I can forgive even a grey stone!

 

[minousbijoux]

So the pretty purple is actually from a picture in another building at work that I squat at a lot. I don't have any additional lighting in the yellow ugly lighting but maybe it's time to get some!

But it completely took my breathe away when I took it outdoors the first time. Maybe not saturated blue enough for most but still stunning to my eyes. Then again I'm a total newbie.

The color shift is so fun IRL and completely unexpected. No wonder so many of you love colorshifting babies!

...and that is what its all about! Welcome to the addiction!

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Looks great in your natural light and fluorescent pics (better than the vendor photo, I think, which hinted at a lot of gray). Nice find.

 

[royalstarrynight]

So....they must had changed the lighting or something at my actual desk but it look like this

 

[chrono]

Have you decided if this is a keeper?

 

[royalstarrynight]

Hanging out on the box. Hm...now the question is how to set. What colors would be complementary under all conditions? I'm thinking either something white, pink or purple. I am open to all other recommendations

Minou: Hm...it sparkles tons! More than the photos would imply but the most color sparklies it throws out are different shades of blue and purple even when it's a certain color. (so blueish when it's purple) and sometimes there's a tiny tiny tiny bit of pink but that might be something's reflection. haha Oh well.

Just as a comment, Jeff Davies was so incredibly accommodating of all of my questions even after my stone had shipped. He's available on facebook and often respond real time. Plus having him as a "friend" pulls us some really pretty things every night on my feed. haha I personally really enjoyed working with him on my tiny project and look forward to working with him in the future as well. The only thing that drove me nuts was waiting 2 weeks for it to arrive but shipping was free! Again, that's my own issue. He upgrades shipping for more expensive stones.

 

[chrono]

White, purple or pink? Are you thinking of metal colour or some sort of side stones?

 

[royalstarrynight]

Have you decided if this is a keeper?

I'm not sure...I think so?

btw white, pink or purple refers to side stones and not metal or plastic.

 

[chrono]

Let's decide if it is a keeper yet first before moving on. From your initial assessment, it seems like you love the stone. Why the hesitation now? Is it due to the indoor shift in one particular type of light?

 

[royalstarrynight]

Nothing really... I just generally don't like to lock down things until I wait a little. I usually just wait a day or two. But I'm pretty swayed to keeping it. But am completely open to any input on PS has in case I've missed anything in my swoon like state.

My budget for this project, ring included is $200 so I suspect this is pretty darn awesome. I have quotes for a ring in argentinum for around 125-150 provided that I don't want just a plain setting.

 

[laurakayp]

I actually think it's very pretty. I think for $75 you have a very well cut stone that has personality. it's interesting how it goes from pretty steely blue to platinum I have a couple of stones that aren't the "ideal" color and get more compliments from them than any of the highest quality colors. If you love it and want to invest in setting it then it's worth keeping.

Jeff Davies is definitely great to work with. I just purchased one from him as well and couldn't be more satisfied. Enjoy!

 

[royalstarrynight]

She's a keeper!!

Hm..but not sure what sidestones to set her with since she changes colors. I'm thinking melees in either white, pink or purple. Thoughts?

 

[chrono]

I don't know your budget (or perhaps I've forgotten ) but it isn't easy to get coloured stone melees, if you want them well coloured and well matched. White is easy enough, depending on your budget can be diamonds, sapphire or topaz. Pink and purple will be a challenge unless you only need a matched pair.

 

[royalstarrynight]

I only need a matched pair. They won't be sitting right next to each other either so slight color differences would be ok. I just don't know what would compliment the stone in all it's shades....

 

[1001smiles]

Totally crazy idea: you could get this spinel and do a bypass ring...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370698880144

 

[chrono]

Double post.

 

[chrono]

For coloured stones, I prefer a bypass ring to have contrasting colour so if one is blue, then the other should be red. For side stones, I would pick something almost pastel so that the centre blue stands out. Purple is too matchy but pale pink would look nice.

 

[royalstarrynight]

You know, I was pretty vocal about it being gray and desaturated in the photo. Based on that, I wouldn't have gone any further. I'm not a big fan of greyish stones so that would've stopped me. But you did and it looks like it paid off! Yes, sometimes, in that yellowish lighting, it looks desaturated and grey, but I LOVE the violetish blue color it turns in some lighting. So in fact, half the time it looks much nicer than I anticipated! I agree - you didn't spend a lot and you ended up with a well cut, very pretty spinel. Now, does it have those sparkles and flashes of different color? That is often a bonus in spinels of lighter tone that aren't super saturated. If that's the case, I can forgive even a grey stone!

I saw it under halogen lights today and it went crazy in terms of throwing off different colors and had so much fire. Too bad I don't live under or like living under halogen lights...But then it lost all the purple and turned more grey.

 

[Jereni]

I love your IRL shots! I think the stone looks fantastic in most types of lighting. I don't mind steely stones in general, and yours doesn't even look that way in several kinds of light.

Looking forward to seeing how you set it!

 

[minousbijoux]

You know, I was pretty vocal about it being gray and desaturated in the photo. Based on that, I wouldn't have gone any further. I'm not a big fan of greyish stones so that would've stopped me. But you did and it looks like it paid off! Yes, sometimes, in that yellowish lighting, it looks desaturated and grey, but I LOVE the violetish blue color it turns in some lighting. So in fact, half the time it looks much nicer than I anticipated! I agree - you didn't spend a lot and you ended up with a well cut, very pretty spinel. Now, does it have those sparkles and flashes of different color? That is often a bonus in spinels of lighter tone that aren't super saturated. If that's the case, I can forgive even a grey stone!

I saw it under halogen lights today and it went crazy in terms of throwing off different colors and had so much fire. Too bad I don't live under or like living under halogen lights...But then it lost all the purple and turned more grey.

Kinda addictive, isn't it?

 

[JewelFreak]

I think it's a great find! Love all its colors. Pink would be good with it. Have you thought of going to the other side of the color wheel, say, with yellow?

 

[royalstarrynight]

Update:

Here are the CADs for the ring so far.

pale pink sapphire melees it will be. Probably not totally kosher but sufficient.

Feel free to be honest with comments.

I just wanted to give a shoutout to the lovely Frekechild, who's ring was the inspiration and has provided a lot of insight and guidance.

 

[royalstarrynight]

Here are additional comments

1. The prongs will be filed to a point and the correct length.
2. The sapphires are more covered than they will be - it's easier to shave metal away rather than add it. On that note, the sides and edges will be more rounded and blend with the ring better.
3. The bottom of the prongs will blend more into the ring.
4. The stone is set as low as possible without hitting the sapphire setting. After polishing, it may be set lower just depending on how much room I need for the sapphire.

Ignore those arrows - they were just for the process of making the ring.

 

[LD]

Gorgeous stone and I'm glad it's a keeper because it has a real personality.

May I just make a comment about the setting please? Do you really need double prongs? The stone isn't huge and you don't want the prongs to be the focal point (even if they're pointed or not). How about just having 4 pointed prongs? It's just a thought but it seems a shame to cover up your lovely stone.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I think it's lovely, especially for the price!

 

[royalstarrynight]

Gorgeous stone and I'm glad it's a keeper because it has a real personality.

May I just make a comment about the setting please? Do you really need double prongs? The stone isn't huge and you don't want the prongs to be the focal point (even if they're pointed or not). How about just having 4 pointed prongs? It's just a thought but it seems a shame to cover up your lovely stone.

I thought there were something inelegant about the side view too... I hope the designer doesn't get frustrated with me because I've changed the image a few times....

Thanks for your input.

Anyone else?

 

[velouriaL]

I love this stone and am glad you decided to keep it. It does seem moody, but isn't that part of the fun?

I like the direction you're going with this setting. I agree with LD that perhaps single prongs are the way to go. Are these going to be claw prongs? If not, I think they should be.

I like pink sapphires, but I also think that steely purplish pink spinels would look beautiful, complementing your stone more in terms of character. Dana has some examples of shades of pink spinels here, but no matched pairs:
http://www.mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=view&cat=250
I don't think they'd be difficult to find.

Although I like the "surprise" stones, I think going a little bit bigger and doing more a of a three stone might look nice. BUT, i do like the direction you are going, so that's just a suggestion.