Thoughts?

[movie zombie]

link to the video?

MoZo

 

[T L]

We cannot post the link to Freke's video since that's a violation of PS rules, but I know where Freke's videos are on youtube, as I have watched them in the past with much enjoyment

Freke,
It's way too dark for the price point, based on the video. I think you would be doing yourself a favor to return it and save that money for something better. I have returned dark spinels like that, that show a hint of blue in bright lights, and I really can't enjoy them. I think if you saw some better material, you would really be glad you saved the $$$.

 

[movie zombie]

did a search at youtube.com for Freke....and ended up with some freaks.

can you give another hint?

MoZo

 

[FrekeChild]

Try my full name.

 

[movie zombie]

certainly a lot better "hits"........and i've subscribed to your videos so i won't have to ask next time!

do i think you're crazy to send it back? maybe. that color of blue is striking and having seen it live i would have been tempted to buy it knowing full well it would be the closest i would get to owning a spinel of that particular color on my budget. could i live with all the darkness? i don't know.

again, if that stone were the bright blue over a larger percentage of its face, it would be thousands per carat.

sorry can't be of more help,

MoZo

 

[movie zombie]

Freke, did you see this?

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=5911

certainly not the same color as the one you're agonizing over but still lovely.

MoZo

 

[T L]

Mozo,
Dana describes that gem before cutting as " windowed grey dead gem" so I assume there's a lot of grey in it, although it appears to be lighter in tone than the one that Freke's considering.

Freke,
Are you looking for a very blue gem,or a greyish blue gem? I think you have appeal with the one in this thread because you said it's very blue. Not sure, so that's why I'm asking.

 

[FrekeChild]

certainly a lot better "hits"........and i've subscribed to your videos so i won't have to ask next time!

do i think you're crazy to send it back? maybe. that color of blue is striking and having seen it live i would have been tempted to buy it knowing full well it would be the closest i would get to owning a spinel of that particular color on my budget. could i live with all the darkness? i don't know.

again, if that stone were the bright blue over a larger percentage of its face, it would be thousands per carat.

sorry can't be of more help,

MoZo

Lol! I'm glad you found it!

See, thats what I'm thinking about and debating in my head...

 

[FrekeChild]

Mozo,
Dana describes that gem before cutting as " windowed grey dead gem" so I assume there's a lot of grey in it, although it appears to be lighter in tone than the one that Freke's considering.

Freke,
Are you looking for a very blue gem,or a greyish blue gem? I think you have appeal with the one in this thread because you said it's very blue. Not sure, so that's why I'm asking.

Thats the thing. I'm not looking. I just came across this one unintentionally. I have a similar colored spinel but the cut is horrendous---worse than this by far... but when the sun hits it just right....and I bought it anyway.

 

[movie zombie]

sell the other stone and keep this one?

MoZo

PS when on a budget something always has to give. only you can decide where to draw that line. i do think your photos are better of the stone than the video..........about 4-5 seconds into the video, wow, what blue!

 

[chrono]

Freke,
I didn’t post because I’m confused about what you are looking for. I don’t know if you are looking for something blue or something grayish blue. Yes, the blue spinel you are considering is blue but you’ll need to wear a headlamp to see the blue and constantly move your hand to get it to flash. If you are all right with that, perhaps you can make the owner an offer. The Dana spinel is a lighter gray blue (see the “steely” description and the body colour in the side view). The gray is quite strong but you can still see the blue.

 

[T L]

Mozo,
Dana describes that gem before cutting as " windowed grey dead gem" so I assume there's a lot of grey in it, although it appears to be lighter in tone than the one that Freke's considering.

Freke,
Are you looking for a very blue gem,or a greyish blue gem? I think you have appeal with the one in this thread because you said it's very blue. Not sure, so that's why I'm asking.

Thats the thing. I'm not looking. I just came across this one unintentionally. I have a similar colored spinel but the cut is horrendous---worse than this by far... but when the sun hits it just right....and I bought it anyway.

Just a thought, but it might be worth it to send the badly cut spinel to Jerry Newman for a recut. He's a superb lapidary, and he doesn't charge too much for recuts. It might improve it's tone as well (if it's a dark stone) to have it recut. That way, you can have a precision cut spinel with the blue color you so crave, and not be out spending more money on this new stone.

 

[FrekeChild]

Freke,
I didn’t post because I’m confused about what you are looking for. I don’t know if you are looking for something blue or something grayish blue. Yes, the blue spinel you are considering is blue but you’ll need to wear a headlamp to see the blue and constantly move your hand to get it to flash. If you are all right with that, perhaps you can make the owner an offer. The Dana spinel is a lighter gray blue (see the “steely” description and the body colour in the side view). The gray is quite strong but you can still see the blue.

I'm not looking for anything. Really. I happened to see this stone and I liked it. Believe me, I have enough blue spinels that I wouldn't go out looking for more at the moment. As I said, this one landed in my lap and I was attracted to it.

The stone on Dana's site is sold, so that's not an option regardless. Even if it was, I would not buy it. I have very few ideas for ovals and I still have a supernova from Barry that is unset.

:::shrugs::::

 

[FrekeChild]

Mozo,
Dana describes that gem before cutting as " windowed grey dead gem" so I assume there's a lot of grey in it, although it appears to be lighter in tone than the one that Freke's considering.

Freke,
Are you looking for a very blue gem,or a greyish blue gem? I think you have appeal with the one in this thread because you said it's very blue. Not sure, so that's why I'm asking.

Thats the thing. I'm not looking. I just came across this one unintentionally. I have a similar colored spinel but the cut is horrendous---worse than this by far... but when the sun hits it just right....and I bought it anyway.

Just a thought, but it might be worth it to send the badly cut spinel to Jerry Newman for a recut. He's a superb lapidary, and he doesn't charge too much for recuts. It might improve it's tone as well (if it's a dark stone) to have it recut. That way, you can have a precision cut spinel with the blue color you so crave, and not be out spending more money on this new stone.

The badly cut spinel is in this thread. It is under .75 cts and a badly shaped, fat bellied oval. I originally bought it for $15 and I am not willing to spend more on a shape I do not love to get a much lighter stone that might look better. I am perfectly happy with how it is now for the price I paid.

Which is why I have been asking what anyone thinks is a fair price for this stone and as of yet, no one has really responded with an answer.

The spinel spoken about above is the second from the top in this picture


And the second from the top in this picture as well.


So for the spinel in question, it is not only color, but size and shape that are drawing me in.

 

[T L]

Which is why I have been asking what anyone thinks is a fair price for this stone and as of yet, no one has really responded with an answer.

I responded Freke. Earlier in this thread at the top of this page, I did state, based on the video you posted, I think it is too high a price for such a spinel. I actually returned two like that, and I paid $50/ct for them, and they were both around two carats. If you paid $15 for a similar stone, then it must not be so highly desirable, and I suspect that's because it's so dark in tone. The color must not only be a pleasing base hue, but tone is just as important. You shouldn't need to shine super bright lighting on it to see the flashes of color.

In fact, in your photo above, my eye isn't even drawn to the dark toned spinels, but the lighter ones, because the hue can more easily be seen. I also like your big Barry blue in your e-ring, while it is a darker toned stone, it isn't so dark that it's a "black hole."

ETA: Also please know that if you think it's dark now, it will only darken in a setting.

 

[FrekeChild]

Which is why I have been asking what anyone thinks is a fair price for this stone and as of yet, no one has really responded with an answer.

I responded Freke. Earlier in this thread, I did state, based on the video you posted, I think it is too high a price for such a spinel. I actually returned two like that, and I paid $50/ct for them, and they were both around two carats. If you paid $15 for a similar stone, then it must not be so highly desirable, and I suspect that's because it's so dark in tone. The color must not only be a pleasing base hue, but tone is just as important. You shouldn't need to shine super bright lighting on it to see the flashes of color.

I alluded to a price that I was thinking about offering. I have not stated what that price is. This is because there is no actual price hanging over my head. In reality the price I alluded to is half of what the original owner paid.

The $15 spinel was bought here in a mineral shop (Southwest Gem and Mineral if you are interested) and it was originally priced in the 80s and still had that sticker on it. I believe that it is worth much more than I paid--due to color. Which is why I snatched it up. The other two spinels that flank it are also "native" cut and were priced similarly (as well as being priced in the 80s).

I would place these stones to be similar, but less teal than this stone (pictured below) cut by Barry and purchased for $150. The left picture was taken at night and the two right pictures were taken with a flashlight being shined directly into the stone.

As for this bright light everyone keeps talking about, the pictures I've taken are in normal lighting conditions here in New Mexico. That may translate to bright lighting conditions elsewhere. I couldn't really say. Again, it was diffused daylight through a skylight and the darker pictures were under fluorescents.

As for the rest of your post, I feel like you are talking to me as if I don't know all of this already and am a total newbie to gemstone buying. I've been here for over 3 years, TL. I have spent a lot of money on gemstones and I think that I kind of know what I'm doing. Emphasis on kind of.

And you already know that you and I do not agree on many things concerning stones. I know you think it's too dark. I don't. I know that the cut is not the best. So the question I am trying SO HARD to answer is: What are those blue flashes worth? That is a subjective answer and not one that I think you can answer for me since you very obviously would not pay $1 for this stone.

I really don't like getting defensive, and I'm feeling that way about this stone. Yes I've asked for opinions on it, but I have also maintained liking it for the past three pages. I realize it's not top color/tone/cut etc, but it is in my hands already, I have already chosen a setting and I plan to purchase it. Beating it up continually is not doing anything at this point.

I'm just trying to decide how much I'm willing to pay for it--and how much is a fair price. So far I don't feel as though anyone has helped with that. I've gotten the idea that people feel like in the $450 range is too high. So what isn't too high?

 

[T L]

Freke,
I'm trying to be sensitive to you. I am not trying to be offensive at all, and earlier you did request that you wanted my opinion in this thread. I'm trying to give you my honest opinion, and trying to help you make a decision, but it seems that decision has already been made, regardless of what I say or what anyone says about this gem. I am not "beating up this stone," but sometimes in offering honest opinions, less than desirable comments are made. I also told you earlier that I think you know a lot about spinels, and I'm not sure where this sensitivity to my posts is coming from, but in all honestly, I feel for you since you said it is a lot of money, and I'm trying to help. I'm doing it in the best of intentions, but you think I'm treating you like a fool or something. That is very hurtful to me as I do spend much time trying to help people with decisions. Whether my opinion helps others or not, it is still an opinion, and I thought of some value.

Throwing the towel in now, good luck on your decision.

 

[FrekeChild]

Freke,
I'm trying to be sensitive to you. I am not trying to be offensive at all, and earlier you did request that you wanted my opinion in this thread. I'm trying to give you my honest opinion, and trying to help you make a decision, but it seems that decision has already been made, regardless of what I say or what anyone says about this gem. I am not "beating up this stone," but sometimes in offering honest opinions, less than desirable comments are made. I also told you earlier that I think you know a lot about spinels, and I'm not sure where this sensitivity to my posts is coming from, but in all honestly, I feel for you since you said it is a lot of money, and I'm trying to help. I'm doing it in the best of intentions, but you think I'm treating you like a fool or something. That is very hurtful to me as I do spend much time trying to help people with decisions. Whether my opinion helps others or not, it is still an opinion, and I thought of some value.

Throwing the towel in now, good luck on your decision.

I realize that and I'm sure I'm being too sensitive. I do want your opinion because I know that you're going to give me the truth. What you may not realize is that the owner of this stone is reading this thread and is probably not feeling so great about her purchase reading your words. She paid quite a bit for this stone and I'm sure she's feeling like she was taken advantage of. So this is probably lending to my sensitivity.

It is a lot of money comparatively, as I normally buy $100-200 stones (as I said earlier). Having said that, I'm still willing to put the money out there when its something I really like. I really like blue--which you know. I really like this blue.

I do not think you are treating me like a fool--I know you are just giving your standard warnings about stones, and they are likely (hopefully) helpful for those who are purchasing or planning to purchase stones that are darker. Again, my sensitivity is likely coming from the feelings of the seller.

I do appreciate your opinion. So dangit! Tell me how much you would tell someone who loved this stone, to purchase it for!

 

[T L]

Thank you Freke, that made me feel better, but in a way much worse, because I had no idea that the owner of this stone was reading my comments.

In that case, I apologize (especially to the owner of this gem), and I don't think it's appropriate for me to respond further. I do hope people can help you come to the right decision.

 

[chrono]

Freke,
I am afraid you’ve already answered your own question since you know the answer is subjective. How much are those blue flashes worth to you? It might be worth $10 to one person and it might be worth $400 to another person.

ETA,
If this stone belongs to another active PSer who is currently posting and reading this, I (and probably many others) do not feel comfortable in putting a number out there on what I would pay for such a stone. To put a lower number will insult her(?) or make her feel miserable. To put a higher number will not be truthful to myself.

 

[FrekeChild]

I'm sorry I was being a sensitive wuss btw. I'm thrilled because we got a snow day, but I've been up since 3:15 checking the weather and couldn't going back to sleep.

I wish someone could just give me an answer...

 

[colorluvr]

Freke,

You are still asking for suggestions on value, so I'll chime in with two (that are fairly unpopular on here apparently) but at least you'll have something else to compare:

Colored Gemstones by Antoinette Matlins - second edition 2006

Blue Spinel: Medium gry-blue to deep blue to violet - 1 - 3 cts. $165 - $1500 per carat (really wide range)


Gemval online evaluation site:

Gemstone variety: Spinel
Weight: 2.61 cts.
Color: 153 - medium Blue; slightly greyish
Clarity: VS, Eye clean 2
Cut: Good
Shape: Cushion

Value: USD 566.88

These are NOT my opinions and I know may not reflect real value, but you asked for comments so I thought I'd add these.

I don't remember what you posted about clarity (have to go back and check) so I just chose VS

 

[colorluvr]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/another-ceylon-blue-spinel-or-three.155405/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/another-ceylon-blue-spinel-or-three.155405/[/URL]

As a comparison, I paid just over $300 for this large lump of blue (LOL) because I have hopes that a recut will bring out its pretty blue that I can see in some lighting (even though it's too deep to even photograph well).

It's much larger, but doesn't appear to have quite the deep blue that yours has.


I paid just over $200 for the $2.95ct round in the same thread which is a gorgeous deep blue color and the cut is decent, except it has a couple of scratches that need to be fixed.

I paid just under $200 for the 4.10ct cushion that has a nice cut, but definitely is grayish blue.

I don't normally share what I pay for my stones, but I thought maybe these would help you out. I got them all on ebay from three different vendors - two on auction and one of a best offer.

Just to add, I have three other smaller ones, one is 1.5ct and two are just at 2ct - nice color, ok cut - I paid under $100 (ea) for those three.

 

[FrekeChild]

Thanks so much colorluvr--this helps tremendously. I feel like it's most similar to the round in color, but it gives me an idea of what spinels of this size and blue are going for. I've found out from this thread that larger blues are kind of hard to find...no matter how dark or how gray!

 

[colorluvr]

Thanks so much colorluvr--this helps tremendously. I feel like it's most similar to the round in color, but it gives me an idea of what spinels of this size and blue are going for. I've found out from this thread that larger blues are kind of hard to find...no matter how dark or how gray!

I agree, which is why I took the chance on the biggin', even though I know I'm going to loose size when it's recut. It's on it's way to a "middle man" whom I hope will give me an honest opinion as to whether or not it's worth a recut.

I know where there is a 2.7ct gorgeous (by the photo I've seen) blue cushion that is a good cut and color, but it's almost $800 and so out of my budget beings I already have the others.

 

[FrekeChild]

Do you have a link or could you post a picture?

 

[movie zombie]

i'm glad you're keeping it. i think you'll be hard pressed to find that color of blue in a nice size for $15.00.

i've seen stones of this size and type but not as much flash go for +$500. this was from a wholesaler. actually, they may have been darker.

MoZo

ps i can't quantify what its worth, obviously, and depending on who the owner sourced the stone from, well, it could make a difference to me. i think it should be remembered by all that not only buyers participate here.....and i think sellers need to remember that we are a frank and at times brutal group.

for the record: i see the fascination with the stone and the desire to own it. as noted above, i saw some magic in its blue and while this may be a step up in what you usually purchase stones for, Freke, i like it better than some of the stones you already possess. there, i said it. brutal and frank all in one sentence.

 

[Arcadian]

Yay you're keeping it!

You already know I love the darn thing..lol

Good blues are hard to find. I've already shared by views via email so won't go into them here. I think that we all have to be a bit more sensitive to our fellow pricescopers, even while staying honest and true to ourselves. Dark blue spinels aren't going to be everyone's cup of tea. They're mysterious for some, and loathsome to others, they are truly an acquired taste.

So we should all be cognizant that everyone does have different tastes is all.

I had my stone evaluated by a cutter and they loved it. Its mysterious, moody, and downright sexy! Right there told me to leave it alone and enjoy it, and mine is not NEARLY the blue that yours is Freke. Hell if you wouldn't keep it I know someone who would (right here baby!! )

-A

 

[FrekeChild]

And THIS is why I would not give up on it.

 

[colorluvr]

Wow Freke, is that in the sunshine?