What do you think of this included alexandrite?

[Laurainthesky]

I have another thread on here posted to help me find an alexandrite in a 1-2K budget. This is enormous for my budget and quite included. But it seems like the inclusions are mostly on the outside and the beauty of the gem is preserved.
Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

I can't speak to the price, but I strangely like it too. I can see it in a rustic or Georgian setting or something. I think someone posted on PS a few weeks back a really cool design for a heart-shaped CS. Can't seem to find the thread right now so I'll attach a pic I found on Google instead.

 

[Bron357]

It’s a good size and I love the heart shape but It does appear to have some surface reaching fissures. And I think it’s rather dark toned. I don’t know how “pretty” it will look once set (will darken more) and when viewed in ordinary lighting conditions. Worth a look, you can always return it if it’s not as nice in real life.

 

[lovedogs]

It’s a good size and I love the heart shape but It does appear to have some surface reaching fissures. And I think it’s rather dark toned. I don’t know how “pretty” it will look once set (will darken more) and when viewed in ordinary lighting conditions. Worth a look, you can always return it if it’s not as nice in real life.

I'm worried about the darkness and surface inclusions just like bron. But might be worth seeing irl!

 

[peacechick]

The heart wants what it wants (in this case, a heart!). It is hard to resist a big stone for the price. If you are willing to love the visible imperfections, why not? If I see a paraiba like that, I’d take it!

The worrisome part is those fissures on the top there where it curves in. What I would really worry about is that a setter would crack or chip the stone while setting (I hold my breath whenever I send a stone to be set). By the time that happens, you will not be eligible for a refund from either party. So my suggestion if you are really ready to commit, is to have them set it. If they chip it, you get the refund. Mitigate the risk.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

The heart wants what it wants (in this case, a heart!). It is hard to resist a big stone for the price. If you are willing to love the visible imperfections, why not? If I see a paraiba like that, I’d take it!

The worrisome part is those fissures on the top there where it curves in. What I would really worry about is that a setter would crack or chip the stone while setting (I hold my breath whenever I send a stone to be set). By the time that happens, you will not be eligible for a refund from either party. So my suggestion if you are really ready to commit, is to have them set it. If they chip it, you get the refund. Mitigate the risk.

Ooo yeah. If they'll set the stone for you, that'd be the route I'd take. Does MC do Stuller settings? It's been a while since I surfed their website to look for loose stones for myself so I can't remember off the top of my head

 

[lovedogs]

Ooo yeah. If they'll set the stone for you, that'd be the route I'd take. Does MC do Stuller settings? It's been a while since I surfed their website to look for loose stones for myself so I can't remember off the top of my head

Not sure if they do Stuller, but they have a variety of settings (davidwein.com is the website that shows their settings).

 

[Laurainthesky]

I don't know what a stuller setting is. MC will set it. I was originally looking at the DW jewelry site, but there is no love for my size 4 ring finger.

I asked him about the stone. This was the response.


---I had a look at the stone just now. The colors are good and the color change is excellent. About the structural integrity, this stone has survive cutting which is a stressful process. I have know if it would break in the future. If the setter is good and doesn't heat the stone up, it should be ok.---

I have a blue sapphire which he rated a 5/5 for tone and saturation. The color change garnet is 6/2 and too dark for my tastes. The color it photographed as below is inaccurate. The alexandrite is 5/3 so I would expect it to be a little lighter than the sapphire, but maybe the cut and inclusions would affect it.

I realize that a clean stone with nice color change of this size would probably cost 8K, so maybe too good to be true.

Even if it survives setting, maybe a good accidental knock on a household wall would chip it? I could insure it?

Thank you everyone for listening to my rambling!

 

[lovedogs]

I don't know what a stuller setting is. MC will set it. I was originally looking at the DW jewelry site, but there is no love for my size 4 ring finger.

I asked him about the stone. This was the response.


---I had a look at the stone just now. The colors are good and the color change is excellent. About the structural integrity, this stone has survive cutting which is a stressful process. I have know if it would break in the future. If the setter is good and doesn't heat the stone up, it should be ok.---

I have a blue sapphire which he rated a 5/5 for tone and saturation. The color change garnet is 6/2 and too dark for my tastes. The color it photographed as below is inaccurate. The alexandrite is 5/3 so I would expect it to be a little lighter than the sapphire, but maybe the cut and inclusions would affect it.

I realize that a clean stone with nice color change of this size would probably cost 8K, so maybe too good to be true.

Even if it survives setting, maybe a good accidental knock on a household wall would chip it? I could insure it?

Thank you everyone for listening to my rambling!

Having MC set it is a good choice. Stuller is just a company that makes settings which jewelers can buy.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Not sure if they do Stuller, but they have a variety of settings (davidwein.com is the website that shows their settings).

I don't know what a stuller setting is. MC will set it. I was originally looking at the DW jewelry site, but there is no love for my size 4 ring finger.

I asked him about the stone. This was the response.


---I had a look at the stone just now. The colors are good and the color change is excellent. About the structural integrity, this stone has survive cutting which is a stressful process. I have know if it would break in the future. If the setter is good and doesn't heat the stone up, it should be ok.---

I have a blue sapphire which he rated a 5/5 for tone and saturation. The color change garnet is 6/2 and too dark for my tastes. The color it photographed as below is inaccurate. The alexandrite is 5/3 so I would expect it to be a little lighter than the sapphire, but maybe the cut and inclusions would affect it.

I realize that a clean stone with nice color change of this size would probably cost 8K, so maybe too good to be true.

Even if it survives setting, maybe a good accidental knock on a household wall would chip it? I could insure it?

Thank you everyone for listening to my rambling!

I wear a size 4 too so I feel your pain with finding a stock setting to fit. Maybr if you find a setting with a plainer shank that you like, resizing it from the stock size (usually a 6-7) should be relatively easy and inexpensive?

 

[lovedogs]

I wear a size 4 too so I feel your pain with finding a stock setting to fit. Maybr if you find a setting with a plainer shank that you like, resizing it from the stock size (usually a 6-7) should be relatively easy and inexpensive?

I am jealous of both of you for your delicate finger sizes!

 

[Rfisher]

If there’s worry about breakage during setting/finding setter experienced who cares to take care
If MC sets the stone - is OP still owning a damaged stone if it does happen? Or does MC own the stone until it’s set- then OP buys it?

MC is not calling this a dark stone. I’d trust them.

I would enjoy the heck out of this stone - for what it is. Not as it stacks up to what it could be.

Hope you show us many pictures if you do indeed get it OP!

 

[Laurainthesky]

If there’s worry about breakage during setting/finding setter experienced who cares to take care
If MC sets the stone - is OP still owning a damaged stone if it does happen? Or does MC own the stone until it’s set- then OP buys it?

MC is not calling this a dark stone. I’d trust them.

I would enjoy the heck out of this stone - for what it is. Not as it stacks up to what it could be.

Hope you show us many pictures if you do indeed get it OP!

That is an extremely important question which I do not know the answer to! Thank you!

I will! This is fun!

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

IMO, if the cutter is saying outright that the inclusions are safe to set, then I feel they should be able to back that up by agreeing to refund the cost of the stone if something happens to it during the setting process. Because if they said they weren't sure and I, as the buyer, still insisted on having the stone set, then that's on me.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

I am jealous of both of you for your delicate finger sizes!

No need to be jealous! Really the only benefit is that it cost less to size down a ring than up!

 

[Rfisher]

IMO, if the cutter is saying outright that the inclusions are safe to set, then I feel they should be able to back that up by agreeing to refund the cost of the stone if something happens to it during the setting process. Because if they said they weren't sure and I, as the buyer, still insisted on having the stone set, then that's on me.

I think Wildfish does this. I wonder who else does.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

I think Wildfish does this. I wonder who else does.

Prolly why all the cutters I buy from are like "Eh... go ask your bench" lol.

 

[Bron357]

Can you get anymore photos from the vendor? I’d like to see the “other side” and a better shot of the top of the heart.
I think the fissures are the reason a heart shape cut was chosen, it’s not a common cut.
If that’s the case, there could be some structural integrity issues. And prong placement may become an issue. The girdle is the thinnest part and that’s where the pressure has to be applied to close the prong down onto the gem to hold it.

 

[Laurainthesky]

Can you get anymore photos from the vendor? I’d like to see the “other side” and a better shot of the top of the heart.
I think the fissures are the reason a heart shape cut was chosen, it’s not a common cut.
If that’s the case, there could be some structural integrity issues. And prong placement may become an issue. The girdle is the thinnest part and that’s where the pressure has to be applied to close the prong down onto the gem to hold it.

I just sent him an email asking what happens if the stone breaks or chips while his people are setting it. I didn't ask for more photos to keep goodwill as I ask about a refund for stone breakage. But I would have loved more photos!

If he says no refund, then I will not buy the stone. If he will not set it, I will not buy it.

If he says yes to refund, what setting should I get? It should probably be somewhat protective without stealing too much light.

 

[peacechick]

I’m excited for you! If this works out, how nice to have a real alex in a heart shape which is uncommon. For a protective setting, I think a halo might be good? I love this design.



If the cost of that is too much, here are two designs I find pretty and won’t cost too much.

 

[Laurainthesky]

I’m excited for you! If this works out, how nice to have a real alex in a heart shape which is uncommon. For a protective setting, I think a halo might be good? I love this design.



If the cost of that is too much, here are two designs I find pretty and won’t cost too much.

I am not a huge diamond person, but a halo could protect it without stealing light. $1300 is a little under budget for the stone leaving me more money for the setting. If I bang my hand on something, I want the impact on something else. I managed a little surface scuff on my wedding ring sapphire doing something.

 

[Laurainthesky]

These are the heart settings I found on his jewelry site. The white gold halo is my favorite. The first two are the same setting.

 

[Laurainthesky]

He actually has a number of alexandrite hearts -9. This smaller stone reminds me of how much these stones cost! This particular one is too dark for my preference anyway.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

These are the heart settings I found on his jewelry site. The white gold halo is my favorite. The first two are the same setting.

My fav of those options is the halo as well.

 

[LilAlex]

---I had a look at the stone just now. The colors are good and the color change is excellent. About the structural integrity, this stone has survive cutting which is a stressful process. I have know if it would break in the future. If the setter is good and doesn't heat the stone up, it should be ok.---

This would not fill me with confidence and I would not buy.

Also -- I had some email exchanges with David many years ago and this is not his writing. I am not sure who is making -- or not making -- that commitment.

 

[Laurainthesky]

This would not fill me with confidence and I would not buy.

Also -- I had some email exchanges with David many years ago and this is not his writing. I am not sure who is making -- or not making -- that commitment.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Here is the conversation in context for your review. I agree that there is some vague language.

 

[lovedogs]

"I dont think he would break it" is not what you asked. I'm worried that he didnt actually answer your question about being entitled to a refund if the stone breaks / cracks in the setting process

 

[Laurainthesky]

I sent a clarifying email. I am getting the idea that it is kind of a crap shoot whether the stone will fall apart or not.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Now that I've re-read his responses, I'm not confident in this either. See how he says "If the setter is good...it should be ok." Meaning if you had it set by someone else, he could easily just say, "Well they must not have been very good. Not everyone knows how to deal with gems like alexandrite." Then when you try to put the onus on their team to set it, he still kinda sounds wishy-washy.

I'd be nervous to gamble with this price point. Cuz you'd also have to pay for a rather customized setting to fit this stone, right? So if they get to the point where they try to set it and something happens, are you going to be stuck with a heart-shaped (halo) semi-mount as well?

 

[Laurainthesky]

Re-reading everything also, I will not move forward with this stone. I am still a little curious about what is going on over there. I will look forward to getting the color change garnet I ordered from them and move on in my alex hunt. I appreciate everyone here helping me. Buying alexandrite is really challenging. I will return to the other thread I made as I search again. I will update this if he responds again.