What do you think of this Spess?

[chrono]

A forum rule is a forum rule which nobody is above. I am all for education and opinions of everyone, experts and consumers alike, but possibly per the forum rules, only consumers may comment on a vendor’s stone. If any expert wishes to share their expertise, I’m more than happy for them to start a new thread(s) on coloured gemstones. I believe this has been suggested in the past but no one seems to have taken up on it.

 

[LD]

Richard Wise - apart from the issue of you commenting on another Vendor's gemstones (which I believe is against PS policy), what you're failing to see is that the majority of posters have said to the OP that they don't believe this to be a lovely Fanta Spess - irrespective of whether it's come from the Famous Tan or not. It's a nice gem with a decent price but it's not in the league of some of the other Spess that we've seen. In the same way that we'll say that some of your gems are awful and others are lovely, we will say the same about the Famous Tan's gemstones. He hasn't come out saying we're all wrong. What you can't see is that we're trying to be objective. Many of us see brown in this gemstone. You don't. Many of us saw grey in your cc sapphire. You don't. So of course that makes you right?

The "Famous" Tan is quite simply famous because he treats customers with respect. It doesn't matter if we're "high rollers" or simply spending pocket money. Tan delivers to everybody AND he accepts returns. He doesn't specify that returns can only be if the gem isn't as described (when quite clearly the description might not be agreed upon). Tan accepts returns if you don't like the gem. Full stop.

That's what sets him apart and why his business is quite obviously increasing.

 

[platinumrock]

In the end, it's what the discerning consumer sees in the photos and videos. When making an online purchase, this is all we have most of the time. We make our decision based on our research, comparisons and what we see in the photos/videos.

If I'm planning on spending 3k on a spess and I'm looking for a Fanta color, I'd expect it to look like my avatar. Or similar to Chrono's and TL's. No browns, grays or windows. If it looks anything like what Portia posted, I'd pass. I can detect the brown, window and lack of saturation right away.

If the vendor tries to tell me what I'm supposed to see, I'd have an issue with that. It's rather condescending.

At the end of the day, I'm the one forking over 3k and my expectations better be surpassed!

 

[m76steve]

to richard w wise-rock on w/ur thoughts on grading the spess with a few pics that dont tell the whole story-u r an asset-my 2cnts...

 

[T L]

I thought it was interesting to ponder if brown is a hue as has been claimed. Hues are often given levels of saturation, for example, "vivid red," "moderately strong greenish yellow," etc. . . Brown and grey are only described by tonailty. You cannot have vivid brown for example, but you can have dark brown, or light brown. Brown is the absense of any saturation. It is basically any warm hue that is fully desaturated of color. That's how I see it, but it would be interesting to discuss, perhaps in another thread. I will say that I know for a fact that there are 31 known hues in the GIA gem set, and brown is not one of them. Munsell also does not define brown as a hue, and the GIA color grading system is based on Munsell. Achromatic colors are those that have an absense of saturation.

In any case, I do find that the best way to train one's eye for color is to view fine gems. I would place that stone, if it is indeed true to the video, next to one of Andrew Sarosi's, and then most people would probably see the "brown."

 

[movie zombie]

[quote="colormyworld] As for the OP question. IMO that looks like a very good deal for a mandarin garnet of that size.[/quote]

i agree.....if it is as stated and the video is accurate. with the reputation here at pricescope re ease of getting questions answered and ease of returns, its worth exploring at that price.

MoZo

 

[Arcadian]

Since I was the first who responded, I'll bite.

Yes I said what I said. So what? The reality is this; if you're going to be plunking down that type of money on ebay, you should get some answers. She should engage the person she's planning to purchase from, most definitely.

I think Tan is a fantastic seller who does have a great return policy and all, but yeah, lets get real with this stone;

I can only say what I see from MY screen, which I saw some brown and a window. Those of us around here thats purchased from Tan a few times pretty much know that if you see a window in the image AND the video, 95% chance that its there IRL.

Personally I think its also something to ask the seller. Tan is honest enough to tell her if there is or not.

I also let her know that there are other places to look for stones should she so choose. Again, so what?


Man o man there's some ratchety ratchet stuff in the air.... *checks calendar for the full moon cycles*

-A

 

[Harriet]

I have been aggressively hunting for "Fanta" spessartites of ANY size. I have looked at material from Loliondo, Namibia, and Nigeria. I have even looked at specimens to cut. I still have just the one stone. IF it is as represented, I too think that the stone in question is fairly priced. The apparent clarity is noteworthy.

Portia,
Thanks for the kind words.

 

[movie zombie]

if it disappears, Harriet, we'll know who to suspect as a buyer!

MoZo

 

[CharmyPoo]

No comments on the stone but I will comment on Tan. I bought my first set of stones from him over a year ago (way before he became popular here) and was impressed with his packaging Since then, I have purchased over 20 stones from him including a gorgeous tsavorite. I find him to be responsive, fair and a really great seller .. then again, I don't think he needs more endorsement given his fans here.

 

[portia]

Thanks for the advice everyone. It's been a real eye-opening discussion. LOL!

I really do appreciate the help. I think I'm going to take my time, contact some more vendors and just keep searching for the right stone.

 

[T L]

If anyone does decide to get that stone, I think it would benefit from concave cutting, and I believe that concave faceting would distribute the color more evenly throughout the stone. There is too much color around the edges and too little towards the center of the gem. It is six carats on the nose though, so if one does decide to do a recut, that's something to consider. A lapidary might be able to further comment on this. I also have an affinity for concave cut spessartites. Richard Homer has some lovely examples, and again, I do believe Andrew Sarosi has some as well (I saw some at his booth). Both dealers are pretty expensive though.

http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=6269

Portia, do you know why they call them Fanta color? If you've seen a really fine one, they actually do look the color of Fanta Orange soda. It's amazing, and I love fine spessartites.

 

[portia]

Yes, I'm familiar with Fanta orange soda. I love that color so much I have a modern chair in my living room in that exact color. The chair is called the Pop - and it certainly is a pop of color! Love it!

Where would you go to see a fine fanta orange spessartite? Would any of the high-end stores have them or do you need to go to a dealer that has fine gems? I would just like to actually see one - not in photos.

 

[T L]

Yes, I'm familiar with Fanta orange soda. I love that color so much I have a modern chair in my living room in that exact color. The chair is called the Pop - and it certainly is a pop of color! Love it!

Where would you go to see a fine fanta orange spessartite? Would any of the high-end stores have them or do you need to go to a dealer that has fine gems? I would just like to actually see one - not in photos.

They are very rare. I live in a large metropolitan area with a museum with a hall of gems, and their spessartites were not the best color. I don't know where you live, but if you ever have a large gem show come to town, see if Andrew Sarosi is part of that show. He sometimes has some. I bought my Fanta around 8 years ago at a gem show, but most of them are very included nowadays. Other than that, you just don't see them at jewelry stores. If you can find a jewelry store that specializes in exotic gems, you're pretty lucky, let alone one that has spessartites, let alone one that has Fanta spessartites.

Maybe other people have some suggestions.

By the way, if you're looking for an intense orange gem, neon fire opal is another good option. I just bought one from Osirisgems.com. Here's another he has for sale. You just need to be more careful with it as it is a more fragile stone, but garnets need care as well. These gems are amazing.

http://cgi.ebay.com/neon-orange-FIRE-Opal-3-69-cts-/370405226062?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

 

[portia]

Thanks, TL! I live downtown in a large city and also near a museum with a hall of gems (hmmm... maybe we live in the same area?). After I posted last I thought about the museum. Disappointing to hear that they might now have one. I thought that might have been a good idea. Thanks for the info on Andrew. I think the next gem show is in December so I'll have to check and see if he is attending. I like the idea of fire opal. I have seen those (online) and like the orangy-red.

 

[Harriet]

Yes, I'm familiar with Fanta orange soda. I love that color so much I have a modern chair in my living room in that exact color. The chair is called the Pop - and it certainly is a pop of color! Love it!

Where would you go to see a fine fanta orange spessartite? Would any of the high-end stores have them or do you need to go to a dealer that has fine gems? I would just like to actually see one - not in photos.

Portia,

Is the chair by any chance from Kartell?

I have seen fine examples at VCA in New York and at Graff in Bal Harbour.

 

[digitaldevo]

Since I don;t sell stones, but my Wife does, so I am guessing that makes me save to make a comment in this thread? If not please remove it then.

First off, the dimensions are listed clearly in the auction, these dimensions cut in spessartine garnet material would yield a slightly windowed stone, just do the math. The 11x9mm shape dictates a depth of around 7.5mm for this material if cut at the proper angles, and its depth is 6.2 mm which is around 1.3mm short. Bearing I did all my different maths correctly, it is possible, as I am tired, that I missed something and/or messed something up. Stone not set, definitely a window IMHO, backed by technical data available. Windowed after set? I highly doubt it due to the nice high dispersion and such of this material that you would really badly notice the minute window it should have, the settings should close things up nicely honestly. But, none the less, the cut as is would yield a slightly windowed stone even face up, and made more exaggerated by not shooting perpendicular to the table and the fact that the cut itself has a buldging girlde to my eye, typically done to retain carat weight, which makes the cut out of proportions as well. Meets from what I can see look decent, not perfect, but not horrible, and polish looks very good from the few reflections I can see. Over all not a bad cut, but not the best either since the symmetry is off and the like.

As for the colors, I have to agree there is brown in there. I have perfect color vision, been tested numerous times now. I am also using a laptop that is completely hardware color, gamma, brightness/ & contrast calibrated using a Spyder @ Pro calibration device with setting for ambient light done, it is however due for a recal as it is a few weeks past due, but that shouldn't matter this much. I see more of a yellow secondary then anything though.

The stone is definitely a good price for the size, color, and clarity, but, I do believe you can find something even better, quite possibly far better even, within the same price range else where.

Lastly, If going to buy I would buy soon as the prices on this material should go up rather quickly here shortly. The Loliondo area mines, last ones still really producing top notch mandarin material, are about played out of clean material from what I hear and know of. Mostly what is coming out now is smaller rough in the SI2-I1 clarity grades and the larger stuff coming out is not really facet grade at all, more so specimen and cab grade, with the occasional nice hunk of large rough being found. So I would bet that we are due for a nice price increase in the very near future.

tourmaline_lover, great point as well! The true fire orange Mexican fire opal really can compete with the Mandarin Spess garnet material IMHO. Nice thing is too, it seldom has any color modifiers or unwanted hues either, usually nice even colors.

 

[Lovinggems]

There're some nice bright orange ones on ajsgems, I'm not sure if they really look this good in real life and the prices are on the higher end.
I don't really like Tan's one, it's pretty but it doesn't seem to be orange enough and it's a little bit expensive, the video shows some brown tinges. Looks like you really need to see a few in person then decide.

 

[portia]

Yes, I'm familiar with Fanta orange soda. I love that color so much I have a modern chair in my living room in that exact color. The chair is called the Pop - and it certainly is a pop of color! Love it!

Where would you go to see a fine fanta orange spessartite? Would any of the high-end stores have them or do you need to go to a dealer that has fine gems? I would just like to actually see one - not in photos.

Portia,

Is the chair by any chance from Kartell?

I have seen fine examples at VCA in New York and at Graff in Bal Harbour.

Hi Harriet,

The chair is actually from Ligne Roset.

I don't live in New York, but I do live near a VCA. Maybe I'll take a look over the weekend. Thanks!

 

[portia]

There're some nice bright orange ones on ajsgems, I'm not sure if they really look this good in real life and the prices are on the higher end.
I don't really like Tan's one, it's pretty but it doesn't seem to be orange enough and it's a little bit expensive, the video shows some brown tinges. Looks like you really need to see a few in person then decide.

Lovinggems, I did see those on AJS. They look very nice in the photos, but very expensive. I did send them an email, but haven't heard back. I agree... I need to see some in person.

 

[T L]

Thanks, TL! I live downtown in a large city and also near a museum with a hall of gems (hmmm... maybe we live in the same area?). After I posted last I thought about the museum. Disappointing to hear that they might now have one. I thought that might have been a good idea. Thanks for the info on Andrew. I think the next gem show is in December so I'll have to check and see if he is attending. I like the idea of fire opal. I have seen those (online) and like the orangy-red.

The Field Museum?

The next gem show by me is Sept 3, 4, and 5th though.

 

[portia]

Thanks, TL! I live downtown in a large city and also near a museum with a hall of gems (hmmm... maybe we live in the same area?). After I posted last I thought about the museum. Disappointing to hear that they might now have one. I thought that might have been a good idea. Thanks for the info on Andrew. I think the next gem show is in December so I'll have to check and see if he is attending. I like the idea of fire opal. I have seen those (online) and like the orangy-red.

The Field Museum?

The next gem show by me is Sept 3, 4, and 5th though.

Oooohhh... I didn't realize there is a show in Sept.

 

[portia]

digitaldevo, Thanks for the info. I did not know the prices were going to quickly go up in the near future. I guess I shouldn't take too much time searching then.

 

[Art Nouveau]

Portia:

Andrew probably has some of the best color stones in the gem show. But they are priced accordingly, so not expect bargain prices. You get what you pay for. Good luck to your search.

AN

 

[Ella]

Yes, please remember that forum rules prohibit vendors from commenting on other vendors stones.


Please be nice everyone.

 

[Harriet]

Yes, I'm familiar with Fanta orange soda. I love that color so much I have a modern chair in my living room in that exact color. The chair is called the Pop - and it certainly is a pop of color! Love it!

Where would you go to see a fine fanta orange spessartite? Would any of the high-end stores have them or do you need to go to a dealer that has fine gems? I would just like to actually see one - not in photos.

Portia,

Is the chair by any chance from Kartell?

I have seen fine examples at VCA in New York and at Graff in Bal Harbour.

Hi Harriet,

The chair is actually from Ligne Roset.

I don't live in New York, but I do live near a VCA. Maybe I'll take a look over the weekend. Thanks!

Hi Portia,
Ah. So that's why it sounded familiar! Are you happy with the Ligne Roset quality? I'm awaiting a shipment from them. (Sorry for the aside.)

 

[arjunajane]

A forum rule is a forum rule which nobody is above. I am all for education and opinions of everyone, experts and consumers alike, but possibly per the forum rules, only consumers may comment on a vendor’s stone. If any expert wishes to share their expertise, I’m more than happy for them to start a new thread(s) on coloured gemstones. I believe this has been suggested in the past but no one seems to have taken up on it.

agreed, thanks Chrono for a sensible follow up to my post.

I always believed it was against forum policy for one vendor to comment on another's merchandise? Or does this rule not apply to the famous Mr Wise either?

Agreed, We should be left alone to keep getting the same misinformation from the same "experts". No reason to try and increase our knowledge here. Just move along nothing to see here.


As for the OP question. IMO that looks like a very good deal for a mandarin garnet of that size.

CMW, try to lay off the sarcasm. I have as many suggestions / criticisms for the way parts of PS are run as the next poster,
however I do not believe Mr Wise's intentions in this thread were educational, hence my pointing out the rule that applies.
I'm sure Richard is more than welcome to start a thread about the issues of addressing colour from photos, or any number of related topics.
Perhaps he should contact Gene about his recent suggestions around vendor photography - I am all for education, opinions and contributions by experts and consumers alike.

 

[colormyworld]

A forum rule is a forum rule which nobody is above. I am all for education and opinions of everyone, experts and consumers alike, but possibly per the forum rules, only consumers may comment on a vendor’s stone. If any expert wishes to share their expertise, I’m more than happy for them to start a new thread(s) on coloured gemstones. I believe this has been suggested in the past but no one seems to have taken up on it.

agreed, thanks Chrono for a sensible follow up to my post.

I always believed it was against forum policy for one vendor to comment on another's merchandise? Or does this rule not apply to the famous Mr Wise either?

Agreed, We should be left alone to keep getting the same misinformation from the same "experts". No reason to try and increase our knowledge here. Just move along nothing to see here.


As for the OP question. IMO that looks like a very good deal for a mandarin garnet of that size.

CMW, try to lay off the sarcasm. I have as many suggestions / criticisms for the way parts of PS are run as the next poster,
however I do not believe Mr Wise's intentions in this thread were educational, hence my pointing out the rule that applies.
I'm sure Richard is more than welcome to start a thread about the issues of addressing colour from photos, or any number of related topics.
Perhaps he should contact Gene about his recent suggestions around vendor photography - I am all for education, opinions and contributions by experts and consumers alike.

So you think RW is promoting his stones through Tan?

 

[arjunajane]

CMW - please find something else to do.
I live in Australia, I am used to swatting away buzzing flies, you won't succeed in annoying me.

 

[Sagebrush]

Digitaldevo,

Thanks for the post. I should have done a bit more homework. The dimensions do seem to indicate a tiny window. As for color, your monitor may be well calibrated but grading requires a consistent viewer and light source, which is pretty much impossible when the image is taken by one camera in a unknown light source, then posted on a website then viewed on your monitor. Would your wife buy sight unseen a gem off the internet?

Best,