What is a good price for an 8mm stone like spinel?

[paninigem]

I went on an impulse shopping and got all these stones. Apart from the peridot, I would say all the other stones r pretty small. I got most of them at a cheap price.

I am not sure what to do w them when they r so small and what's a good price for say an 8mm spinel?

 

[paninigem]

I also got a peridot ring and pendant..

 

[dk168]

Prices differ hugely depending on colour, inclusions and cut quality.

Therefore, it is not possible to generalise, sorry!

DK

 

[qubitasaurus]

You could be looking at in excess of 2-5 k per ct for a neon pink or neon red with good clarity. And only 100-300 per ct for a pretty grey spinel. Price will naturally be a lot lower than this if you tolerate (visable) inclusions or silkyness. Look at multicolour gems and then ivy new York to see the disparity in price. An 8 mm round will need to be at least 2.5 ct, or else I'd begin to be suspicious that it'd show artefacts of the shallow cut.

 

[T L]

Are those black spinels at the top of the box? Those shouldn’t run more than $10/ct.

The little red stone in the middle, if natural, is probably the most valuable gem in the box. Would like to see more pics of that.

 

[paninigem]

The two dark ones r very deep green tourmaline. Look bad look like glass

U mean the small little pink one? I'm not sure it's so small and the surface doesn't look great .

what should I do w all these little stones? Goodness. I can make two peridot into dangling earrings. But the rest look super small I'm clueless.
Do people buy stones these small?

Are those black spinels at the top of the box? Those shouldn’t run more than $10/ct.

The little red stone in the middle, if natural, is probably the most valuable gem in the box. Would like to see more pics of that.

 

[T L]

You don’t have to do anything with them if you don’t like them. They’re what I deem “learning stones.” We’ve all made purchases we regret and learn from.

I certainly wouldn’t waste the $$ to set them if you don’t like them.

 

[paninigem]

You don’t have to do anything with them if you don’t like them. They’re what I deem “learning stones.” We’ve all made purchases we regret and learn from.

I certainly wouldn’t waste the $$ to set them if you don’t like them.

Then just leave it there? Lol. What an eyesore.. but thanks for sharing this concept of learning stones. Indeed, now I know what size is comfortable for me. They should at least be a 7mm if it's round.

I just find these current stones too small on their own to look amazing. I guess it's my own fault for going for the quantity and cheap as a first time buyer.

I'm thinking to set the stones in a cluster sort of ring. What do u think?

Unless it was a 5-7mm sapphire then I would definitely set them even on its own

 

[T L]

Then just leave it there? Lol. What an eyesore.. but thanks for sharing this concept of learning stones. Indeed, now I know what size is comfortable for me. They should at least be a 7mm if it's round.

I just find these current stones too small on their own to look amazing. I guess it's my own fault for going for the quantity and cheap as a first time buyer.

I'm thinking to set the stones in a cluster sort of ring. What do u think?

Unless it was a 5-7mm sapphire then I would definitely set them even on its own

You can do a cluster, but that would be a custom mounting, and probably many times more expensive than the combined values of the gems. Also, if you don’t like them, how would having them in a cluster please you? I have many unset gems myself, and that’s okay! They are relegated to my gem jars, and the ones I really detest are relegated to a baggie.

 

[Cerulean]

If you don't like them and it isn't worth reselling, I would chalk it up to making some purchasing mistakes and let it go. No point in spending lots of money on a setting

 

[paninigem]

You can do a cluster, but that would be a custom mounting, and probably many times more expensive than the combined values of the gems. Also, if you don’t like them, how would having them in a cluster please you? I have many unset gems myself, and that’s okay! They are relegated to my gem jars, and the ones I really detest are relegated to a baggie.

If you don't like them and it isn't worth reselling, I would chalk it up to making some purchasing mistakes and let it go. No point in spending lots of money on a setting

Thanks both for sharing.

I was thinking setting in silver might be cheaper and was considering that.

Would people buy 5mm spinel if they saw how small it is ? Lol u can barely see the intricacies of the stone

By the way I just ordered a 1.1 carat unheated pink sapphire from Sri Lanka .. I think its super small too like 5mm.. sigh I paid about 180usd. Is it a fair price?

 

[Cerulean]

You don't seem to love any of the stones and said they were cheap. I wouldn't even bother setting them in silver, to be honest. I've done a custom silver setting and it was still a couple hundred bucks.

We all here have made mistakes buying gems and have bought gems we ended up not loving over time for whatever reason. May of those purchases for me were impulsive and I regretted it (almost) every time.

I would recommend stopping your buying spree, slowing down, and saving up for better quality gems that you are actually excited about setting. You aren't obligated to set gems just because you bought them. It will be much less expensive if you are on a tight budget to buy things that are pre-loved or already made then going custom. Custom is ALWAYS going to cost more and these do not look like they'd all fit in stock sizes.

Reselling inexpensive gems is also highly unlikely because you are a private seller.

I tell myself...each time I impulse buy a cheap gem, it takes me one step further away from something really special.

 

[T L]

Thanks both for sharing.

I was thinking setting in silver might be cheaper and was considering that.

Would people buy 5mm spinel if they saw how small it is ? Lol u can barely see the intricacies of the stone

By the way I just ordered a 1.1 carat unheated pink sapphire from Sri Lanka .. I think its super small too like 5mm.. sigh I paid about 180usd. Is it a fair price?

Sapphire is a very dense gem, so a one carat will face up much smaller than a less dense gem, like an aquamarine for example.

I think if you’re really into looking for something you love, you should slow down and try to take more time to educate yourself on gem quality, color and other aspects. The sticky thread at the top of this sub forum is a good place to start. Otherwise, you might as well take a match and light up your money. It’s not worth throwing away so much on stones you can’t return and don’t like or are potential synthetics/stimulants.

 

[Cinders]

Slowing down and honing in on what you really desire is excellent advice.

They may end up being just learning stones but, in time, you may find ways to incorporate them into a lovely cluster ring, even if it's just in silver. You never know where your gem journey will lead you.

For incredibly interesting designs using smaller stones, check out the amazing rings @voce has designed. Her creations are excellent examples of how to use smaller stones to create a massive impact.

Good luck to you & welcome to the world of colored gemstones!

 

[paninigem]

Thanks all for your advice and sharing the profile of the other user.

That makes a lot of sense to Buy quality gems instead of cheap gems. It's really disappointing to not see the quality and not be wow by the gem irl when it looked so good online. I will educate myself more on gems and see what I should do with these

I love the peridot the most.. the spinels... hmmm..

Anw I finally went out under the sun to take some photos of these gems.. Well the spinel kinda looks better.. haha repeatedly comforting myself for the spinel.. but I find the peridot looks great

 

[dk168]

Set the small stones in a multi-stone Bombé ring like this one?



Or save the setting money and accept they are learner stones?

I have a lot of inexpensive learner stones that I do not intend to set.

DK

 

[qubitasaurus]

I think just put the decision off, let them sit in the box a little longer and see what else you come up with. Afterwards you could think about taking the little neon red stone and setting it in a stacking ring or a toi et moi. As long as you have some other complementary ones to set along side it -- I wouldn't buy to fulfil this objective, but I would leave it open as an option by not setting anything currently.

Gemstones are personal preference , what is valuable to you may be different from others and will likely change over time.

 

[peacechick]

If you are still learning for now and aren’t willing to up your budget for PS quality stones, my suggestion is to buy calibrated stones (e.g. 6mm, 7mm exactly). Then buy some pre-notched silver settings, a couple of jewelry pliers and try setting them yourself! Here is a thread I made some years ago:

Show Me your Self-Set Jewelry!

Hey all, as there’s quite a few of us DIY-setting our own jewelry in silver, thought I’d set up a place to share our pieces, vendors, as well as disasters/triumphs that occured in the process. Am starting this thread in the Fashion Jewelry sub-forum so we can welcome both real and synthetic...

www.pricescope.com

It is a real learning curve, but you can sort of make a hobby out of it.

I also recommend getting quotes for these custom settings you’re thinking of, you will get slammed by the sticker shock! For me, collecting stones is so fun but setting them is like reality bites.
It will really put you off buying bad stones, because you just can’t justify spending $250 to $2000 to set a stone that you aren’t crazy about.

 

[lilmosun]

First, trust your instinct. You shouldn't have to talk yourself into loving a stone -and- you don't want a stone that doesn't look good in most lights.

I don't think that a larger version of the spinels you have is going to make you any happier if you don't love the small versions. While you might wish it was larger, a small stone can still speak to you. I'd take a smaller quality stone over a larger inferior (to my eyes) stone any day.

As others have suggested, I wouldn't bother setting stones you don't love. I hate having stones sitting around so have set a lot of stones I like but don't love -- but in most cases that ends up being more money put into something that sits in a box.

If you aren't used to seeing stones unset, they tend to look smaller unset. That being said, 5 mm stones lean towards the smaller side. But if it's something I really love, I find a way to work them into a setting that gives more coverage. If the color truly pops, it will stand on it's own. Another options someone suggested, is stacking rings. I like collecting jewelry so my budget on any given stone/piece is limited - as such, larger versions of the stones I love are usually out of my price range (and I have large fingers).

I am an impulsive shopper as well and have a box full of learner stones from when I started. While I sometimes regret the money I spent on them, I have to remind myself that they were valuable in me learning what to look for, what I like and what I don't. It was part of the journey for me. Reading and looking at pictures on the internet helped inform but actually seeing stones in person was the best way to learn for me to trust my eye.

Did you read the "new to coloured gemstone buying thread"? There is a ton of information about what to look for and I think if you read the thread and look at your stones, you will better understand what to look for.

New to coloured gemstone buying? Read this first!

First of all welcome to our technicolour world! :wavey: If you've never bought coloured gemstones before, you're in for a real ride and I'm hoping that this thread may help you on your quest for your "special" one! One thing it's important to know .......... this part of PS is frequented by...

www.pricescope.com

 

[SaltedCaramel]

Would people buy 5mm spinel if they saw how small it is ? Lol u can barely see the intricacies of the stone

Hi there, I have a small collection of natural spinels - most of mine are under 1ct because they can get pricey when you go for larger weight and top color. It is hard to give a price estimate because that depends on many factors as others have stated! I have not spent more than $300 per carat for a spinel, but then again I don't have any "top color" or very large stones. Spinels are dense so focus more on the measurements rather than the carat weight when purchasing. If you are not happy with some of them, are you able to return any of the loose stones to the vendor you purchased from?

Personally I think that well-cut spinels, even when small, can really be visually appealing. As an example, here I set a 4mm precision-cut spinel and it gives off such amazing sparkle and dispersion:

Small but mighty spinel by MVMGems, set by CvB!

Hello everyone, After gathering some decent photos I think it's time to share my new band! The center gem is a 0.36ct, 4.1mm round Sri Lankan Spinel cut by Michelle Mai (MVMGems). It is small, but packs a punch! The setting is the "Jessica" by Caysie van Bebber (CvB), 14kt nickel-free white...

www.pricescope.com

I hope the visual is helpful!

 

[Arcadian]

I have a few stones that are small but pack a punch in regards to color. And while they may have been cheap to me, I found them worth setting.



for both of these stones I might have spent about 10 dollars....lol Heck I do remember that garnet being about 5 dollars!! But they are really really nice, bright, well cut, very lively and never black out. The top is a zircon, the bottom is a garnet. Yes, both were set in gold with diamonds. I figured why not.

I really love cheap to me stones that meet that type of criteria.

@lilmosun is correct about relying on your instinct. If you just feel like its not right, don't buy it. Is it the size, the color, both? Also learn about the material, and its quirks. that goes a really long way.

Spinel depending on your criteria, can be expensive these days and if thats what you're looking for, really zero on the criteria for those and be prepared for a bit of sticker shock on the vibrant stuff.

 

[roxta]

I have a sheet of graph paper that I drew different shaped stones (round, square, cushion, oval, emerald, etc) from 1mm to 10mm. This way I can see in real life what a certain size stone might look like before ordering it online. I have never ordered a gem and thought it was smaller than I expected because I check the measurements first and then look at it on my sheet. I can put my hand against it and compare the size to my finger. If it's an unusual/unique shape, I always draw it on graph paper to scale first before ordering. Maybe you can try that next time you buy gems online so you are not surprised. I also bought a set of round and square cubic zirconia stones in 2-10mm sizes on Ebay and I find these also help when I'm shopping for gems.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

OP, did you get your unheated pink sapphire? I would love to see it.