What would you do with this spinel?

[Minibling]

Hello all!
I’m new here at pricescope but a long time lurker. Since discovering these boards I’ve finally decided to dip my toe into purchasing my first gemstone! Was this a good buy? And what would you do with it? I purchased it off eBay on a whim. The seller stated that it’s .88 carats. I’m open to any suggestion you all would have. Thanks!

 

[peacechick]

First of all, do you like it and was it what you were expecting? Does it look like the vendor’s photo?

The spinel has a visible inclusion and significant windowing. Most of the loose stones sold on eBay and Etsy are going to have flaws, which is why they are priced low, and the beautiful precision cut stones you often see here are priced at a premium.

There’s nothing wrong with buying a less than perfect stone as long as you know what you’re getting (based on vendor’s photos and descriptions). If you like it and paid a fair price (I would guess well under $100?) then I would enjoy it as part of my collection. The more time you spend here, the better the stones you buy will be and you can look back on the first stone/ring you bought and appreciate the journey.

 

[passions4purples]

Congratulations on your first colored stone. I hope you like it! While it does have a window, it's also a very pretty color. Did you ask about certification, treatments, etc?

It's a lot nicer than my first colored stone! I bought it in India, on a whim. The seller told me it was a natural emerald, and I believed him because I knew NOTHING. It turned out to be dyed green amethyst! But it set me on a journey of learning about colored stones, so I still have a lot of fondness for it. I even set it!

Regarding your spinel, I've had an idea for a while about a violet spinel ring with black diamond melee. Either three on either side forming a trillion shape or a black diamond halo. Your spinal could look really nice set like that.

 

[peacechick]

I should say also that my first colored gemstone buys were two horribly overpriced blue topaz and garnet rings that I bought in one of those scam-type Bangkok jewelry shops for over $70 each and they were only gold-plated. I had no idea of what I was buying or what anything was worth!

For your first stone buy to be a spinel, that puts you way ahead of the game Just wanted to add that.

 

[LittleRed]

What a pretty color! I can see why you chose it. I’m thinking a white gold setting would look nice with your spinel. Most might say to halo it, which is a good choice, but I’d probably go with a non-halo setting (simply a personal preference). For your stone a premade setting (like Suller) might be a good option.

What are your thoughts on what you’d like to do with it?

 

[Bluegemz]

Congrats! If it were me, I’d make it into a stacking ring, which would be simple enough. And you could add on future gems for additional stacking rings in the future. Picture examples of prong and bezel set stackers.

 

[Deathspi]

Pretty stone! Welcome to the horribly addictive world of CS!
What kind of styles do you like? Find some pictures of your favourite pieces and go from there. Blingy? Halos? Modern and organic? Hopefully you can find some nice inspiration to draw upon, and if you post a few pics here we can hopefully help set your new baby.

 

[Minibling]

Congrats! If it were me, I’d make it into a stacking ring, which would be simple enough. And you could add on future gems for additional stacking rings in the future. Picture examples of prong and bezel set stackers.

Ohhh! I love this idea!

 

[Minibling]

First of all, do you like it and was it what you were expecting? Does it look like the vendor’s photo?

The spinel has a visible inclusion and significant windowing. Most of the loose stones sold on eBay and Etsy are going to have flaws, which is why they are priced low, and the beautiful precision cut stones you often see here are priced at a premium.

There’s nothing wrong with buying a less than perfect stone as long as you know what you’re getting (based on vendor’s photos and descriptions). If you like it and paid a fair price (I would guess well under $100?) then I would enjoy it as part of my collection. The more time you spend here, the better the stones you buy will be and you can look back on the first stone/ring you bought and appreciate the journey.

It definitely wasn’t what I was expecting, but considering my knowledge of colored stones and the price I paid for it (WELL under $100), Iwas thrilled I didn’t get a piece of cut glass!

 

[Bluegemz]

Ohhh! I love this idea!

There is so much variation that can be creative in this option, such as playing with color moods, staying in one color range such as pinks, purples and greys, or having many colors. You can play with size and shape relationships. I love that one can compose them differently, depending on mood and outfit. I personally think it’s a great way to get smaller colored stones, without too much pressure, and just have fun while slowly adding meaning and value to a single project as you collect. Finally, setting costs would be commensurate with price of the stone. ( not that I believe that should always be the case. If you love the stone, get the setting which most pleases you.)

 

[peacechick]

It definitely wasn’t what I was expecting, but considering my knowledge of colored stones and the price I paid for it (WELL under $100), Iwas thrilled I didn’t get a piece of cut glass!

Ah, so it sounds like you got a fair deal and I do think it is a pretty purple with a lovely pink flash. Also, inclusions help us know it’s not synthetic! I forgot to give any setting ideas earlier— so my idea is to get a setting with a more closed-in back, like the picture here. What that does is it helps you reflect light from the bottom of the stone up instead of the light going straight through the middle, if that makes sense?

 

[Minibling]

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What a pretty color! I can see why you chose it. I’m thinking a white gold setting would look nice with your spinel. Most might say to halo it, which is a good choice, but I’d probably go with a non-halo setting (simply a personal preference). For your stone a premade setting (like Suller) might be a good option.

What are your thoughts on what you’d like to do with it?

I like the idea of a bezel setting. Not sure if it will suit this stone. This one seems pretty cute. But in white gold as you mentioned earlier

 

[Minibling]

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I second the stacking ring suggestion! Spinels come in the whole rainbow too! I think I'll steal that idea for some of mine too

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Ohhh! I love this idea!

My first CS purchase was similar (a pink/orange spinel). I love the idea of stackers as well. However, if you're indecisive like me, it make take a while to decide on what other stones will go with yours in terms of color, shape, size, etc. And so, mine is still sitting in its box

Here's one set of stacking rings on Etsy that I've had on my Favorites list for a while now.

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I like the idea of a bezel setting. Not sure if it will suit this stone. This one seems pretty cute. But in white gold as you mentioned earlier

Happy to hear you're liking the bezel idea, too. You can always start with one ring and build a stack from there (if you choose to). That's how the CS addiction begins!

 

[Minibling]

My addiction has begun for sure. I just don’t have the funds to finance it!

 

[Minibling]

Ah, so it sounds like you got a fair deal and I do think it is a pretty purple with a lovely pink flash. Also, inclusions help us know it’s not synthetic! I forgot to give any setting ideas earlier— so my idea is to get a setting with a more closed-in back, like the picture here. What that does is it helps you reflect light from the bottom of the stone up instead of the light going straight through the middle, if that makes sense?

That does make sense and the info about the inclusion is great! I figured it wasn’t cut glass since it felt heavy for its size. I really love that setting. I’m going to scour Stuller’s website for some more ideas!

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

@Minibling: Oh, one thing to consider about bezels if that it'd be harder to reuse the setting if you want to do that later on. My understanding is that you'd usually have to either break the stone to get it out or break the bezel (and then repair the metal). Plus, it's also harder to find a jeweler who will (or can) bezel gemstones well, even moreso when there's inclusions and stuff to deal with. That's one of the reasons I went with pronged settings until I started buying stones that I really love and hope to keep forever.

And I hear ya about funding being such a barrier to our CS addiction. To help keep costs down, are you open to getting a ring in silver? I'm super lazy and don't want to deal with polishing and keeping the silver from tarnishing, so all of my jewelry are either unplated gold or platinum. But a little tarnish/maintenance may not bother you.

 

[Gloria27]

another vote for stacking ring

 

[Minibling]

@Minibling: Oh, one thing to consider about bezels if that it'd be harder to reuse the setting if you want to do that later on. My understanding is that you'd usually have to either break the stone to get it out or break the bezel (and then repair the metal). Plus, it's also harder to find a jeweler who will (or can) bezel gemstones well, even moreso when there's inclusions and stuff to deal with. That's one of the reasons I went with pronged settings until I started buying stones that I really love and hope to keep forever.

And I hear ya about funding being such a barrier to our CS addiction. To help keep costs down, are you open to getting a ring in silver? I'm super lazy and don't want to deal with polishing and keeping the silver from tarnishing, so all of my jewelry are either unplated gold or platinum. But a little tarnish/maintenance may not bother you.

Thanks for this info! I’ll think twice about considering a bezel setting then. As far as metal options I was definitely looking in either sterling silver or the continuum silver option offered by Stuller. There is a jeweler local to me that will price the setting and set the stone as well.

 

[chatoyancy]

I agree with the above posters, a stacking ring would look lovely. That’s a pretty spinel! It looks really nice against your skin.