Trying to decide between a few different stones

[lovedogs]

Hi All,
I am new to PS, and have loved reading through all the advice/looking at the amazing eye candy you all have! I am planning a 3 stone ring project, and am looking for the center stone. After reading info here, I've decided I should get either a spinel or sapphire for the center stone (for durability). At this point I have a few I like, but am hesitating about pulling the trigger . Just wondered if anyone has any advice or reasons to choose 1 over the rest, or reasons to choose none of them and keep looking

Thanks in advance for your help! I've learned a ton through this site already, so thanks for the informative posts!



This is a Jeff Davies, $375

Another Jeff Davies, $165

Jim McCormick Spinel, 1.39ct, $150

Jim McCormick Spinel (color change, image 1)
same stone as above, image 2. 1.91ct, $230. I feel like this one looks better in the video vs. pictures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2drZrrmLLpk

 

[chrono]

1st stone will be extremely dark in person
2nd stone will be very light, probably very gray and shifty in person.
3rd stone looks promising
4th stone also looks promising from the video.

 

[Acinom]

Welcome to PS!
I have one stone from Jim and his video proved to be very accurate. I like number 4 based on the video. Number 3 has a great color in the photo but is there a video available?

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks Acinom and Chrono for the responses!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smEPA6mbH6Q Here is the video of the 3rd stone (cornflower blue spinel).


He has another (larger) spinel from Jim that I initially dismissed as potentially being too dark, but this video makes it look much lighter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Wp26v-4q0 2.52 ct, $400. He also notes that the cutlet is slightly uneven, hence the lower price than he would ask otherwise. Anyone have any insight into whether that would compromise the durability of the stone, or make it more difficult to set, etc?

Thanks again, all!

 

[chrono]

Can Jim do a video of the 2 spinels together (the round and the oval)?

I would also dismiss the rectangular spinel; I think it will "die" indoors. You can already see large areas of darkness in the video which means it will be worse indoors. A slightly off centered culet is not a deal breaker in my book, but for others, only precision cut will do.

 

[lovedogs]

Just emailed him about doing a video of the two together. I agree that would be very helpful to see them at the same time. Hopefully he can do it!