What do you think of this pink spinel?

[mimi72]

I am looking for a nice, bright gemstone, emerald shape or very squarish cushion, to fit in the setting below. I am liking this pink spinel from Finewater Gems. Please tell me what you think of the stone and the price - it's more than other spinels I've seen and probably not the most desirable pink tone (though I love it more than the reddish pink colors). 2.66 ct @ $2300.

I am just starting to "get into" colored gemstones so my knowledge is limited. Any other suggestions welcome but the stone that has to be about 10 x 7.4 mm to fit in this setting. This one is slightly shorter and fatter at 9.1 x 7.9 so not 100% sure it will work anyway. If anyone has thoughts on whether or not it would fit please comment.

Not sure why the spinel photo is showing up twice, sorry.

http://www.finewatergems.com/spinel.html

 

[Upgradable]

Beautiful!!!

 

[T L]

I would want to see a photo of it against a lighter surface in natural light and artificial light. Dark backgrounds tend to make stones look brighter than they are IRL. I don't see the neon pop I see in some mahenge spinels. If that's the actual color, I think it's kind of expensive, but perhaps it looks better in other lighting situations. As much as I appreciate a nice lighting setup and artistic photo, they don't always convey the real color.

 

[Mikla]

My opinion of whether the stone will fit in that mounting doesn't really matter. It's your opinion that worries me. For that price, you should absolutely LOVE the color, but your post makes it sound like it is not your dream stone in terms of color or size. Don't be so worried about using your setting; a stone will come along that fits it perfectly. Take some more time to be sure of what you want and to fall in love with a stone. This may be the one you end up with, but you've got to be sure or you will continue to second-guess yourself even after it is set. Keep looking!!

Mikla

 

[mimi72]

I actually do really love the color. But I did just start looking so certainly can wait for the right stone if this one isn't. I will ask for photos in a light background. Some of the photos on this stone almost look photoshopped, though I know this is a reputable vendor. As for the color again though, I really do love it! Quality is so hard to judge from photos though!

 

[VAgemguy]

Unless having a spinel is particularly important, you might want to look in to pink tourmalines or even malaia (malaya) garnets to see if any similar colors can be found to your liking. Could be a lot less expensive.

 

[T L]

Unless having a spinel is particularly important, you might want to look in to pink tourmalines or even malaia (malaya) garnets to see if any similar colors can be found to your liking. Could be a lot less expensive.

Tourmalines don't have the same durability or sparkle that a spinel has, and malayas go more brown in sunlight.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I have liked that stone for a long time. I too would want to see it against a white background.

 

[ColoredStonesLady]

I agree about the light background. I found a great sapphire photographed against a black background, it was glowing! But, on the white background it was very, very extinct and not so great. So it would probably be a good idea to get more photos on a white backdrop...


black background



white background

Not that this vendor is doing anything shady, but never hurts to check!!

 

[Upgradable]

I agree about the light background. I found a great sapphire photographed against a black background, it was glowing! But, on the white background it was very, very extinct and not so great. So it would probably be a good idea to get more photos on a white backdrop...


black background



white background

Not that this vendor is doing anything shady, but never hurts to check!!

Total threadjack,but where did you find that sapphire CSL?

 

[ColoredStonesLady]

Sorry for the threadjack!! I found it at Pala... was one of the few on black background, so I should have known better. But they have many other great gems...

 

[mimi72]

Thanks for the helpful photos, CSL! Will definitely ask for a light background if I go this direction. Of course, in the meantime, I've happened upon a tourmaline that looks promising! That's what I really want...but I've been priced out of the best ones! More to come...

 

[chrono]

It is unlikely for the spinel to fit into the setting unless it sits super low. I'm curious about the setting though; is it a standard calibrated setting? If so, then why the odd measurement of 10 x 7.5 mm?

I know prices of spinels have gone up lately but even so, it seems terribly expensive for the colour and size.

 

[pregcurious]

Seems like you're paying a lot of money for precision cutting. Unless a spinel has an intense color (e.g. neon pink Mahenge, red Burmese, cobalt containing blue with little gray), I would not pay over $1K for one. If you really love it though, that's another matter.

 

[T L]

Seems like you're paying a lot of money for precision cutting.

It's not precision cut. It was kept in it's native cut.

 

[deorwine]

TL, It looks like it had a pavilion recut, so you'd be paying some for the cutting too.

I find finewatergems to be one of the vendors who charges a little more for his stones than some of the other vendors here (though still, I'm sure, substantially less than a B&M store). That being said, I looooove the gem that I have from him; now, I could certainly have found it cheaper per carat at some other vendor... if another vendor had the material and the eye and the interesting cut and didn't sell it out immediately.

 

[T L]

TL, It looks like it had a pavilion recut, so you'd be paying some for the cutting too.

I find finewatergems to be one of the vendors who charges a little more for his stones than some of the other vendors here (though still, I'm sure, substantially less than a B&M store). That being said, I looooove the gem that I have from him; now, I could certainly have found it cheaper per carat at some other vendor... if another vendor had the material and the eye and the interesting cut and didn't sell it out immediately.

I don't think a partial recut should have the same premium as a whole precision cut. I can't say that the cut on this stone is what I would consider pleasing as a precision cut gem. One should just be aware you're not paying for a full precision cut. That being said, if someone loves it, then go for it. Some stones may cost more, but sing to us. However, I do think it should be seen against a white background first.

 

[mimi72]

I appreciate everyone's comments. While I've seen the "precision cut" description being used for gemstones, I didn't realize it's significance until reading your posts. Didn't know about precision vs native cuts. I will do some reading on that.

In the meantime, call me distractible, but this spinel is off the table because I've bought a tourmaline. This is one of those gambles, could be great, could be terrible. Let's just say it was purchased from an estate...but I haven't seen it in person yet so the jury is way, way out. Not from ebay though!! I'm being mysterious...will post more as information becomes available!!