Tsavorites purchased - opinions appreciated

[JLW05]

Yes, this is the same gem as in the other thread. The photos in this thread are representative of what I see when I look at the stone. Then I took that other photo and shuddered. I don't know what to think about that and was hoping for feedback.
Being that this is my first colored stone purchase, I have very little frame of reference as far as price is concerned. If you don't mind my asking, what would you consider a fair ballpark price for this gem? It is approximately 1.46 carats. I have a 15 day return but I have a party this weekend so I was hoping to have the stone set this week if I decide to keep it.

 

[distracts]

It actually holds its colour quite well, does have areas of extinction but they don't overwhelm the stone (abd I thinkthe extinction is magnified by the angle you're photographing the gem from) has blue and not yellow. This isn't the same gem as in your other thread is it? If so, it photographs completely differently!

I agree - that particular angle (as in the latest pics) is very bad for my cushion stones as it's exactly the angle that maximizes the tilt window. Since it's a pendant stone, it will mostly be viewed from face-on, so I think if the darkness isn't apparent from face-on then it's a good one. And I rather like the color.

 

[ChrisA222]

I think this is the stone that everyone liked when another PSr was looking at it? Not sure if its appropriate or not for me to post the thread...but this may show other PSrs additional pictures of the stone....

If you all say its OK for me to post the thread, or if this is enough of a clue for everyone (else) to figure it out...then great! I knew it looked familiar but when I saw the ct weight, I figured it out...

To the OP, this stone was universally liked a few months ago (if Im correct about this stone) but was declined by another buyer...who went with a smaller stone.

 

[JLW05]

I would greatly appreciate a link to the thread. I am having trouble locating it on my own. I thought I knew the one you were referring to but the mm size of the stone was not the same.

 

[ChrisA222]

Ah....I probably made a mistake then. I thought it was the 1.46ct Tsav that was mentioned in the following thread, the one referred to as "Yvonne's" stone which was sourced from Prima Gems. If I was wrong, sorry-I guess there are more than one 1.46ct Tsavs out there, haha.

Heres the thread:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-tsavorite-on-a-budget.177922/page-3']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-tsavorite-on-a-budget.177922/page-3[/URL]

 

[JLW05]

Thank you for the thread. It is the one I was referring too because I originally thought that the stone in the thread was the one in my possession. While it looks remarkably same, the poster stated that it was a 5.9mm stone and the one I have is 6.5mm.

 

[LD]

Can you post photos that are head on please? Forget about trying to get the colour right but let's see the cut. The photos in THIS thread have a hint at a window but nothing to worry about. I've just gone back to your other thread [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/windowed.183985/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/windowed.183985/[/URL] and there appears to be a fairly large window. It may be that the window is masked by the darkness of the stone but as you're clearly debating whether this stone is right or not, it would help to make sure.

I've gone back through the photos in this thread and can see suggestions of a window (but it's not as obvious in this thread as the other one linked to above).

 

[JLW05]

Here are head on shots as best as I could manage. Previously, most shots were not head on because my iPad not only cast a shadow but I have a cover that hangs down as well, further having a negative impact on the color.
I was actually going to go to Prima and exchange/return the 5mm stones but will hold off awaiting feedback on the pendant stone.

I appreciate all input. Again, your brutal honesty is encouraged.

 

[chrono]

I like the colour but still cannot tell enough about the cut. You are definitely not getting sufficient light for us to see much about the cut. There are 2 things you can do:
1. For pictures you already have - do NOT resize the pictures. Go into MS Paint and crop the original 2 MB or whatever size. Cut out just the area around the stone then re-save it under a different file name. This way, the picture doesn't automatically shrink and we get to see a larger detailed picture.
2. For new pictures - zoom into the stone by enlarging the iPad screen with your fingers. This will allow you to get closer to the tsavorite without being directly overhead and blocking out too much light. The iPad is fairly large though and I am concerned it is casting a huge shadow over the stone. A smart phone will be a better choice if you have one.

 

[JLW05]

More photos. Not sure how helpful these are because positioning the iPad over the stone really casts quite a shadow.

 

[chrono]

I am sorry but those are really useless. Do you have other means of photography? I think the problem here is the size of your iPad being too large and blocking out most of the light.

 

[LD]

Photos 3, 4, 7 and 8 are almost head on and are showing a window - although it's still difficult to see. What I suggest you do is put the stone on its side on a table so the stone is tilted towards you. Then you need to look at the lighting and make sure you/your iPad are then straight on to the stone AND you're not casting a shadow - you'll need to move yourself up and down until you get to the head on position. Don't try to take a photo to one side of the gem as this won't work. Does that make sense?

 

[JLW05]

Hope I understood and complied! Wish my camera would do the trick instead of my bulky iPad but the camera will not take a decent close up. If these are not what you had in mind, Please explain further and I'll take more.

 

[chrono]

Can you try again using the method LD suggested but this time, zoom into the stone by enlarging the iPad screen with your fingers until it fills up at least 1/3 to 1/2 of your screen. To avoid blurriness, touch the tsavorite on the iPad screen to autofocus on it before taking the picture.

ETA
Do you have the full dimension of the tsavorite? It's not a sure fire method but I can calculate the depth and rule out if it is too shallow. Sometimes a deep stone can still be windowed if the angle isn't correct, which is why it isn't fool-proof. Please provide the length x width x depth mm.

 

[LD]

I can't make out how you're positioning the stone. Ignore the stones but here's a couple of photos that show you how I take photos and the angles. Try to do something like this if you can but you must prop the stone up on it's side (so pointy bit going out to the back and table of the gem facing you) and make sure that it's facing square on to you.

ETA have just realised that you are doing what I said it's just that the first photo is upside down You need to get closer in and focus. My iPhone is dreadful for blurry shots. Does your camera have a symbol on it that looks like a flower? That's the macro button and allows you to zoom in and get quite close. I never get closer than about 6".

 

[JLW05]

Hope I did better. If not, with your indulgence, I will try to do better. Don't mind the crumbs and breakfast clutter! I think I didn't quite get the stone head on. I can't figure out the first pix but didn't like it.

 

[JLW05]

Hopefully, these are better. In the last photo (taken in the dark) you can see a beam of light through the stone.

 

[chrono]

The first 3 pictures - stone is angled to the camera, not head on, so it cannot be used to determine if it is windowed.
The last set of pictures - too far away from the camera to make anything out. The further you are from the stone, the less we are able to tell you anything about it.

LD's pictures: the stone takes up a good proportion of the entire picture, with very little of the background captured so that we can see the cutting WAY up close. This is what you need to do. Also, in the pictures, the stone is not angled to the camera but straight on. This is a must in order to determine if a true window is present.

 

[LD]

Okay, well I've copied your photos and blown them up but you'll see they are very blurry.

I am still worried by these photos. They do suggest that there's a window. The thing is that the majority of your photos are not square on, facing you and this is the only way to judge a window.

I think you have to tell us what you see with your eyes. If you hold this gem in front of you but it MUST be straight on and not twisted to the side, what do you see? Can you see in the photo below (the one with it on your hand), I can see the outline of your finger through the stone. Can you see that?

 

[JLW05]

Will take new photos on ipad as per your suggestion Chrono. Will take a few minutes.

 

[JLW05]

LD, will try to take better photos. Unfortunately, I don't have an Iphone

 

[JLW05]

Hope these are better, thanks.

 

[JLW05]

I don't have the full dimensions of the stone, unfortunately. Also, somehow the photos from my daughter's smart phone came through upside down. When I hold the stone straight up, there is a portion of the stone that I can see newspaper print through. Tried it a few minutes ago.

 

[chrono]

Oh yea, much better pictures BUT the stone is angled. Can you move around so that you are seeing the straight down the table (perpendicular to the table)? Upside down pictures aren't an issue. Is the part where you can read the print right at the bottom or was it angled?

The picture below shows a very clear example of a non-windowed and windowed stone. Note that both stones have the table directly perpendicular to the viewer's camera and eye. If the print can be read through the window, it is only from the top down view and only seen at the culet area, not at an angle.

 

[JLW05]

Is this better? Notice in one of the pictures you can see the skewer on which I'm propping the stone.
Thanks.

 

[LD]

Ok, I've turned the photo upside down to put it the right way. This photo clearly shows a tilt window but it also shows that you're not getting head on to the stone. You've GOT to get a photo head on otherwise it's impossible to judge accurately.

What I will say is that's a pretty big tilt window and in a dark stone stands out. I'm not sure if I could tolerate that.

What do you see? Do you see the lighter area all the time?

 

[JLW05]

No, I don't see the lighter area all the time. Depends how the stone is being held. Just posted new photos. My daughter took those. Hopefully, she did a better job. As long as you are willing to look, I will keep on going until I get the photos right. Sorry for my ineptitude. When I am setting the stone up for the photos, it looks straight and I am thinking I am taking the photo straight on but then I obviously am not.

 

[chrono]

I am more than willing to look as long as you don't mind trying repeatedly. Thank you for your continued patience in putting up with us. From the previous pictures, I don't see a window but it shows a good sized tilt window very easily. I'm not sure if this is something I can tolerate. That said, it'll depend on the price. I would not accept this in a ring stone but may forgive this in a pendant. However, there may be one day where you might remove it from the pendant and want to wear this in a ring, so that is another thing to consider.

 

[JLW05]

Chrono, it is I who thankful for the help that I am receiving. Shall I post the price I paid or can I send it to you privately?
As a novice, my eye is not I would like it to be (though I am learning a lot) so if those whose opinions I respect (I have lurked a lot on and off) wouldn't want this stone. that is a big danger sign to me. The fact that I can see the skewer in the photo would be indicative of a tilt window?

 

[chrono]

There is no means of sharing email addresses privately and PS forum rules do not allow for public posting of email addresses as a security and privacy concern. Unless you happen to have my email address, which I don't think so, or know of another regular poster who might know this, I don't see how this is possible. I also understand that posting pricing is a touchy subject and I would not ask for an exact amount. A ballpark figure is sufficient.

Before all that, let's take a look at the newer pictures first and hope it'll show us enough information this time.