What's a stone you wanted and could afford, but for some reason didn't buy?

[toomuchB]

I thought this might be an interesting discussion.

There are so many gems we may want and could reasonably buy (i.e., not too expensive)
But there could be a million reasons that prevent us from going through with it. It'd be interesting to hear what those reasons are, and what stones PSers have agonized over the pros and cons of.

For example, this purple tourmaline appears stunning, but I can't see what I'd do with the shape - I am not a fan of skinny stones.

And this emerald-green-like zoisite is a very fine color for the species, but I think its a bit expensive for what it is. Also, I just recently bought a similar, smaller stone. But this one would be a welcome upgrade, if the price felt fairer.

Curious to hear other experiences.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

A large aquamarine! A pear shape. I probably could hunt for one without a window and it would be fairly affordable but I'm ambivalent about blue and it would be costly to set it so I don't go there.

I'm not sure I'd love it enough to warrant setting it. I do go back and forth though as sometimes I feel like I need a blue with an outfit but I've got my robust blue sapphire so I just use that.

Inspiration pic because you added some and I feel like I should too

 

[toomuchB]

I hear you about the setting costs esp for a large stone. Maybe one will blow you socks off and you'll feel a stronger attachment to the material.
Also, no requirement to attach pics, ideas/thoughts are enough.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

It's more fun with pictures so here I go again!

Turquoise! The ring in this picture is amazing!!!

I was told once that turquoise goes yellow over time. Not sure how accurate that is but it's made me wary ever since!

 

[T L]

I really wanted this zircon from Gene, but as always I’m late to the show.

 

[Mooshi]

I've done this with so many paraiba's over the years, faffing about because of how much money would be spent on something so teeny. Only to see the prices keep skyrocketing.. sigh.

 

[toomuchB]

I really wanted this zircon from Gene, but as always I’m late to the show.

Feels like almost every post on the thread dedicated to Gene's stones seems to be 'darn, I missed out on XYZ'.

 

[toomuchB]

I've done this with so many paraiba's over the years, faffing about because of how much money would be spent on something so teeny. Only to see the prices keep skyrocketing.. sigh.

There was an approx 0.7 ct untreated, eye clean, red beryl for more than I wanted to spend, and the deep cut meant it faced a bit small. Now there is simply no way I could find that vivid color, clarity and overall beauty for the same price - if at all. And I also now know that the deeper cut probably helped give it that extra intense red color. I don't have a photo of it saved unfortunately.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

A pearl ring.

I just know I'll whack it and scratch it. Plus I have so many rings.... Do I really want to go there???

But I love love love oogling at them so much!

 

[yssie]

This akoya pearl strand. A rarity given the top grade by the most respected authority in Japan (PEPCA Supearl).

A friend saw it in-person early last year. Said I should buy it. Came out to about 12k USD, so a bit more with shipping and taxes and such.

I thought it was a little steep and decided to wait until next time. But, ugh, there likely won’t be a “next time” Between the akoya oyster disease and global warming, large akoya are even rarer now and seems like recovery is questionable, and the market is a mess (this will change but… By that time sizable akoya in this quality will be hens’ teeth!)… Now you’d be incredibly lucky to get that same strand for 25k, if it could even be found. Which - I know it can’t because I’ve had vendors searching.

Kicking myself black and blue over this one. Sigh.

 

[LilAlex]

For example, this purple tourmaline appears stunning, but I can't see what I'd do with the shape - I am not a fan of skinny stones.
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I love this! I love long step-cuts and would set E/W in a ring. (Maybe this is a mixed cut but no matter.) I think it's a great statement without going full-on "look-at-me" -- and just enough unconventionality. Not sure if it looks like this in person or if it is too "amethyst-y" in person but I bet it has enough red to distinguish it.

 

[toomuchB]

I love this! I love long step-cuts and would set E/W in a ring. (Maybe this is a mixed cut but no matter.) I think it's a great statement without going full-on "look-at-me" -- and just enough unconventionality. Not sure if it looks like this in person or if it is too "amethyst-y" in person but I bet it has enough red to distinguish it.

My concern with the color would indeed be that it is too 'flat' of a purple, or leans more pinkish rather than reddish. While I don't love the cut, I can see your setting idea working really well.
If it sold right now I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, or feel like I missed out. That is part of my thought process for purchases. But I do visit it now and again, and it was the main inspiration for this thread.

In case someone wants a link to the stone:

Tourmaline - 14

the color speaks for itself: this a tourmaline from the most famous of all tourmaline finds: the Jonas mine in 1978 yielded the largest gem tourmalines found so far.

www.csgemstones.com

 

[LilAlex]

While I don't love the cut, I can see your setting idea working really well.

This is the one I have and enjoy:

 

[toomuchB]

This is the one I have and enjoy:

Thank you for sharing. I love the gold details.

 

[ShinyPleeease]

OMG, I totally feel you on this. One of my big regrets is not buying white south sea pearls earlier and now the quality I want is getting out of reach. I wish I had gotten these gem south sea pearls (better luster than the gem akoyas!) when they were posted a year and half ago.

This akoya pearl strand. A rarity given the top grade by the most respected authority in Japan (PEPCA Supearl).

A friend saw it in-person early last year. Said I should buy it. Came out to about 12k USD, so a bit more with shipping and taxes and such.

I thought it was a little steep and decided to wait until next time. But, ugh, there likely won’t be a “next time” Between the akoya oyster disease and global warming, large akoya are even rarer now and seems like recovery is questionable, and the market is a mess (this will change but… By that time sizable akoya in this quality will be hens’ teeth!)… Now you’d be incredibly lucky to get that same strand for 25k, if it could even be found. Which - I know it can’t because I’ve had vendors searching.

Kicking myself black and blue over this one. Sigh.

 

[yssie]

OMG, I totally feel you on this. One of my big regrets is not buying white south sea pearls earlier and now the quality I want is getting out of reach. I wish I had gotten these gem south sea pearls (better luster than the gem akoyas!) when they were posted a year and half ago.

Oh wow! Ugh, those are really nice.

Yeah, WSS are going totally bonkers too I’ve heard the top qualities are becoming rarer, not as dramatic as akoya maybe? But both rarer and insanely expensive

Couple years from now Cortez pearls are going to look like bargains

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Right before Tan's Ebay store changed there was a 3 carat red spinel listed. It was more flame than red, and cut a bit shallow, but a nice medium tone and not too dark. I didn't think it would sparkle. I still think about that stone. Not sure if I actually feel regret, but I think I would have liked to have seen it in person.

 

[Mjay]

I have a hefty wishlist of gemstones but fears of lack of durability always seems to hold me back. I’ve wanted a peridot for quite some time but I fear it’s too soft. I’m obsessed with the Apple green color and obviously it’s on the inexpensive side. I’m even nervous about setting and wearing tourmaline which is probably ridiculous. All of my set gemstones are sapphires.

 

[PastryGirl]

Many, many, many cool colored and milky sapphires. I did not buy them because the cool colored milky sapphire I already have has been sitting in my drawer since 2021.

 

[autumngems]

One of Dolly's huge emeralds