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Tourmaline VS. Spinel

jitterymo

jitterymo

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Apr 9, 2008
Messages
412
Hi I don't know all that much about gem stone (other than they can be the most beautiful pieces of jewelry ever!) I've been trying to find a Pink Spinel to fall in love with and in my search I keep coming across the Tourmaline. Now I don't really know much about either, just that I've always loved the Spinel. So I'd like people's input about both stones (gems?).

Thanks,
-M
 
Well there is a lot to be said! Ill just stick to some basics and let the others chime in...

Tourmaline comes in ANY color...including combinations of colors. What is also different about Tourmaline, is that it can look a different color at different angles, and different lighting. So, the stone could look pink in flourescent, and then be orange-pink in sunlight. On top of that, it could look peachy-pink from one angle, and just pink from another. It is a very interesting stone. Tourmaline can also be a soft color, or a bright vibrant color, with all colors in between. It is pretty durable, too.

Spinel comes in most colors too, but not really any yellows or pure greens. Spinel is harder, and is more brilliant (white sparkles), and more dispersive (more fire). Spinel is harder to find in bright colors though..there are bright Pink Spinel (Mahenge, for example) but most of the inexpensive/moderately priced Spinels all have some grey cast. So there are many slightly greyish pinks/lavenders/blues/ and purples out there. Yes, not all of them have the grey, but you pay for the stones that are vibrant and bright (without any grey).

Those are mainly the facts, but the opinions will vary over things like beauty, wearability, etc. I just thought I'd start the replies with the facts (at least what I have come to find, others may correct me).

I own several examples of both, and enjoy both!
 
I think the most important difference between tourmaline and spinel is the hardness and durability. Spinel is often considered tough enough to wear in an everyday ring, like an engagement ring. Tourmaline is usually not. So if you're setting it in a ring you plan to wear often, consider that.

Price for both varies by color (hot pink vs. baby pink and everything in between), but I think tourmaline tends to be less expensive in general.
 
Between the two (and both are lovely in their own right) I'd personally pick a spinel for its higher refraction index, the variety of colours (if you can afford it, go for the pinks!) and the hardness factor if it will be a ring worn on a daily basis.

Tourmalines are very interesting, for sure, and come in a range of colours, but require more caution.

Would you consider a sapphire/ruby, with the Moh's hardness of 9?

I'm sure whatever you decide on, will be beautiful! post options and PS can help you decide...
 
Yes I would consider a Sapphire! I have some beautiful earrings and a necklace that are pink sapphire. they are more of a hot pink, and I'm wanting a very light pink stone.

I've been looking at so many stones lately I think the decision is getting harder... I'll probably stick with my original first choice of a spinel. Now if I could find one that I'm in love with... looking for a cushion cut, though I've also beeing liking the asher.
 
Good answers, both are great gemstones. I believe you will like either/both. Best regards, Lee
 
Hey, I've been admiring this one for a long time...but, I'm not a 'pink' fan. Its a really well-cut pink spinel...not a hot pink, for sure. Its on the small side, at 5.6mm and a princess cut. This stone is on eBay, a US vendor I've dealt with and he is a great guy, he posts here too. His name is Beau-wy on eBay and also here, I think.

No affilliation! Just showing a nice stone. I just grabbed an Amethyst from him and some really nice Afganistan Tourmalines. Also, this pink stone is on sale, $148.50 for 24 hours. I think thats a bargain with this cutting....

beau-wy5.6mm.jpg
 
I've bought from them before - sometimes they are great.... sometimes not. Not sure if I'd fully trust their photos as some of mine have had windows you could drive a truck thru... Email - ask them for alternate photos. (having said that,I've never done that but based on how *some* of my stones appeared IRL, I'd just throw it out there for consideration!)

The colour is lovely!
 
Well I guess as it is super cheap, I won't be as upset if I win the bid and it's not what I expect when it comes I won't be as disapointing.
 
The spinel is going to have a good sized window. It has a 57% depth thereabouts with a lot of weight in the crown. While I love high crowns, this one leaves very little material in the pavilion so it is too shallow to bounce light back correctly to the eye. Colour-wise, it is very pale.
 
What, no love for the stone I posted? That is really well-cut...Im pretty sure it was cut by a precision-cutter in the US...looks WAY better than that eBay monstrosity....lol
 
i like the one you posted, it's pretty... just too dark for me and very 'princess' cut... I love the softness of the cushion cut corners.
 
is pale color a bad thing? i really like the light color :)
 
I've bought a bunch from thaigemstore. That stone will have a window though, it won't be flattering. Also, expect the price to jump in the last minutes (if not seconds) of bidding. It's not a huge stone, and windowed. I wouldn't spend money on it + shipping. Keep a lookout in thaigemstore for better cut spinels, they have some every now and then. I'd rather wait a bit and spend your money on a better gem!
 
Also I'll say that I have bought two rectangular light pink spinels from them, and they are very pretty. I plan to make earrings out of them someday, even though they are only about 90% matched (I bought them separately). I like the light pink color too. Good luck in your search!
 
ILS - did you win the spinel on the eBay auction??
 
There's pale and then, there's pale. If you don't mind it, the first stone might end up almost colourless with only a hint of blush.
I have heard of Gemcal but never dealt with them. Really nice cut but what is 'Victorian"pink? :confused: I'm just not crazy about that much dark areas in gemstones. You can even see it when upside down.
 
:lol: I had to check out the 'Victorian pink' spinel...I would've called it blush pink but I guess Victorian pink sounds more posh. I bought a couple of stones from Gemcal last month, the colour IRL is pretty close to vendor pics but there were eye visible inclusions when it was advertised as loupe clean. so that was disappointing. i had them set before inspection (coz I was being a tight arse and didn't want to pay shipping fees to get them sent back to the US) so couldn't return them even if I wanted to. Oh well, you live and learn.
 
You should also check out Freke's collection, she has some amazing pieces.
 
I didn't win the ebay stone, I was discouraged to keep bi9dding after being told it wasn't that good of a stone I was very concerned that I was making a rash decision and it might be a bad decison. I want something that just WOW's... although I really liked that stone, there will be a stone someday that will be the perfect one... I just gotta keep looking... it was a good size though. I've got a decent size finger (size 6) so I'm going to want a bigger stone so it doesn't look tiny on my finger.
 
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