Thoughts on tourmaline?

[TheElms]

I've been looking for a more blue than green tourmaline, ideally teal. Jeff White had an amazing one a few months back but it sold before I got a chance at it.

Now another vendor has posted this one. Thoughts? Its 2.5 ish carats and about 7.8mm square and 6mm deep. Price is just under $500 and might be negotiable.

 

[T L]

As long as it's a trustworthy vendor, I think the price is fair. The cutting is nice, it has a popular shape (cushion), I like the lighter tone (some tourmaline blacks out in certain lighting or is way too dark), and I think it's pretty for an indicolite. It reminds me of a nice aquamarine. It looks a little included, or that's dust on the stone, but the inclusions may not be eye visible.

You just have to be careful it's a trustworthy vendor because it could be synthetic spinel or synthetic aqua or something other than a natural tourmaline.

 

[elle_71125]

I've bought from him a couple times. He has a good return policy. It looks on the lighter side but I find his pics to be hard to interpret. Also, a bit included but the price is fair. Have you seen the video on FB? It may give you a better idea of how it looks.
https://www.facebook.com/JasonBrim/posts/10155965590427230

 

[TheElms]

It looks so much more saturated in the video and the pictures on the dark background, which I had seen and was giving me pause. Maybe I should just buy it and return it if I don't like it.

 

[elle_71125]

It's worth a shot. If you don't like it, back it goes.

 

[TheElms]

Jason has been really wonderful so its headed my way so I can see the color in person. Should be here Tuesday!

 

[elle_71125]

Jason has been really wonderful so its headed my way so I can see the color in person. Should be here Tuesday!

Yay! I can't wait to hear what you think.

 

[junebug17]

This caught my eye on LT and I think it is so pretty! Can’t wait to hear what you think of it.

 

[TheElms]

It arrived!

It’s a bit less saturated than ideal in person which explains the really reasonable price. It’s very well cut and very sparkly. A tad more green than ideal to me but still within the blue green range I was looking for. This will be a hard decision. It’s a lovely tourmaline I’m just not quite sure it’s the one for me. Of course the one for me might be impossible to find and cost 2k or more!

 

[elle_71125]

It arrived!

It’s a bit less saturated than ideal in person which explains the really reasonable price. It’s very well cut and very sparkly. A tad more green than ideal to me but still within the blue green range I was looking for. This will be a hard decision. It’s a lovely tourmaline I’m just not quite sure it’s the one for me. Of course the one for me might be impossible to find and cost 2k or more!

It looks pretty good inside. How about outdoors?

 

[junebug17]

I love it!

 

[tyty333]

Pretty color!

 

[chatoyancy]

It’s a beautiful stone!

 

[TheElms]

p

Outside pictures from this morning. (Sorry they were quick since it’s still below freezing!) It was cloudy and barely light at all. It’s definitely more blue outside ( which is what Jason said). The middle picture is most accurate to my eye. The third pic I think is reflecting my phone case which is black.

 

[kgizo]

It is pretty and a good price. How long do you have to decide if it is right for you?

 

[elle_71125]

Definitely looking more blue outside. I think it was a good price and has a nice size to it. What do you think? Is it right for you?

 

[ringo865]

Wow. I really like the color from your camera, and especially outside. How might you set it (presuming it's a keeper)?

 

[junebug17]

Such a lovely color! What are your thoughts?

 

[TheElms]

I've decided ... its a keeper!

On setting I think I want to set it in a halo in kite orientation. There is a well known PSer who has something similar but I'm blanking on her name (Acinom maybe) and that is what made me want something similar in the first place!

 

[TheElms]

Will challenge myself to make a decent pic of my complete collection in the coming days. For starters I share my Victor collection pic:

Bottom left in this picture.

 

[elle_71125]

It's going to look awesome kite set! I'm excited to see where you go from here.

 

[TheElms]

It's going to look awesome kite set! I'm excited to see where you go from here.

Back to saving up I think or I’ll never set anything. Settings are comparatively so expensive. I still need to email David Klass about my grey spinel because I’m still feeling undecided about the setting design.

 

[elle_71125]

Back to saving up I think or I’ll never set anything. Settings are comparatively so expensive. I still need to email David Klass about my grey spinel because I’m still feeling undecided about the setting design.

I hear you. Unless the inexpensive gems are also in a calibrated size, you're stuck with custom settings. I have yet to fit one of my gems into a stock setting. The cost of a new setting is definitely my least favorite part (though you never see me complaining about my rings once they are complete).

 

[T L]

I think Rose or high karat buttery yellow gold will really bring out the color. Nice stone and cutting.

 

[shinyrocks]

It looks very lovely to me! The inclusions don't look nearly as obvious in your shots as they do in Jason's. Congrats on the good buy!

 

[mtsapphirelovingannie]

Beautiful!