Which spinel would you choose?

[SparkliesLuver]

Hello, fellow PSers. I need your help, please!

I'm completely and utterly torn. I want all three of these spinels, but I can only afford one right now. Instead of making a rash decision, I'd like to know which one you'd buy. You can also say "none" if that's how you feel.

Mahenge spinel (I feel I may have seen this one come up before, so if it has and was returned please let me know why)
1.08 cts
6.2mm
No treatment
VVS

Red Burmese spinel
1.56 cts
6.9mm
No treatment
VVS

Blue Ceylon spinel
1.44 cts
6.5 x 6.9mm
No treatment
VVS

Thank you, thank you.

 

[Marlow]

Wow - a difficult decision.....

A round mahenge - shape/cutting, color and clarity super!!!

The burmese stone is rare too in this shape, clean and the color is very nice - a bit brown but this could be the pic.
The size is very interesting!!!

How much are the both rounds each??? No chance to buy both????

The mahenge is 50,001 - the burmese 49,999 % for me at the moment. So difficult.....

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Thanks for chiming in, Marlow. It is difficult, isn't it?! I really wish I could afford both.

I wondered how the red spinel compared to what others have and love. I really want a red-red spinel, and so far this is the closest I've come to one.

I also just found these demantoid garnets, too. Goodness.

 

[Acinom]

What a fun decision. Have you seen photo's from more angles and a video of these stones? Isn't there one that speaks to you just a tiny bit more? It's a very very personal decision, so it's hard to give an advice.

Based solely on these pics (and I would not decide based on one pic only) I would narrow it down to the Mahenge and the Blue as I think the red could be dark in real life. But... as blue spinels can be a bit greyish in real life, I would pick the Mahenge. Or the Mahenge AND the blue

All the best making your decision

 

[Marlow]

Nice demantoids!!

The pink and the red spinel - which one is more expensive? It is important course burmese spinel was and is very expensive ( a 1,56 ct clean stone is rare ).

But round Mahenge - neon pink - 1 ct +

You will not find many in the market...

 

[LoversKites]

I recognize the pink spinel and demantoid photography. Forevergems. There have been reviews here of misleading photoshopping of their gems.

To answer your question, like Acinom's concern, my concern would be with darkness of the red and blue in addition to shifting. Reds often shift to an overly brown or orange colour. If the colour is consistent in the lighting you'll see it under and it has a nice medium to medium dark tone that doesn't darken up too significantly, it's worth considering. Same for the blue, though those tend to shift to grey or purple, which some like.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I asked for an additional picture or hand shot of each one, especially to address LK's comment.

 

[LoversKites]

I asked for an additional picture or hand shot of each one, especially to address LK's comment.

Ok, but those can also be photoshopped. Maybe they've improved, idk. I guess it's still good to keep your options open.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I asked for an additional picture or hand shot of each one, especially to address LK's comment.

Ok, but those can also be photoshopped. Maybe they've improved, idk. I guess it's still good to keep your options open.

That's true. We'll see. I haven't spent a dime yet. I suppose when things seem too good to be true, they usually are.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

haha Customer service isn't exactly a strong point of theirs. Probably should have asked first before creating a thread! No additional pictures for awhile, so that means no purchase from me.

Sorry, everyone.

 

[LoversKites]

haha Customer service isn't exactly a strong point of theirs. Probably should have asked first before creating a thread! No additional pictures for awhile, so that means no purchase from me.

Sorry, everyone.

There have been times they've refused extra photos when people tell them that they're from PS. Too bad (for them). No need to be sorry.

I hope you find a spinel that you really like soon.

 

[T L]

I probably wouldn't choose any of them. The top one is probably photoshopped, the middle one is too "pyrope garnet" like (nothing wrong with pyrope garnet, but they look identical to some spinels, so might as well get the cheaper garnet), and the bottom one is probably overly grey and dark IRL. If you like grey gems, that's fine, but my experience is that Ceylon spinel tends to be very undersaturated and so if I would go with one, it would be a lighter tone.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Just to satisfy my curiosity I pasted a copy of the red spinel you posted next to a picture of the sold pyrope garnet the vendor had listed on his site. The colors were very close on my monitor. I must say I am surprised that you did not get good customer service. I inquired once on a Mahenge that they had listed and the vendor was very prompt and polite. Maybe things have changed?

 

[NKOTB]

I know of at least two others (myself included) that have inquired about that first stone in the past. It actually looks less saturated in the pics than it used to. Anyway, you'd think it would be easier to take a couple of extra shots of the thing and keep them around, rather than keep turning people down while it sits in your inventory for years. But what do I know?

I like it the best out of the three you posted, though. The colour is still very pretty, and the cut is nice.

 

[pregcurious]

I think if these pictures are indicative of the best the stones look, I would pass.

The Mahenge is not saturated and not red enough (same thing, I guess). Overall I think this stone looks the best, according to the pics.

The Burmese is dark for a picture taken with studio light. If this is the worst it looks, indoors, then maybe it is okay, but it should not look this dark under studio lights or diffuse sunlight.

The blue spinel looks too grey.

 

[dk168]

Based on photo alone, I would opt for the blue, as the red is too dark, and the pink is too orange for my liking.

Good luck with your choice!

DK

 

[SparkliesLuver]

It's funny you say that, LK, because this time I didn't mention PS. Strange.

Thanks for the advice, TL. I don't mind some grey (in my blue), but next time I'll remember your comment of finding one lighter in tone.

He was decently prompt, LisaRN, but it was very clear that he was not going to take additional pictures. He basically said no without saying no.

KNOTB, I thought I had seen it (or one very similar) before! Yeah, you would think it'd be easier, but what do I know either!

Thanks, preg. I have decided to pass on all three. I don't like the idea that the pictures have most likely been enhanced, and I didn't care for their customer service. Plenty of other vendors out there! Plus, I heard from one last night about some new Umba garnet rough he got in AZ. He's cut it before and I've seen one of the finished stones - well, pictures - and to my eyes it looked great. So as much as I want a red spinel, I might take the plunge and have him cut me something.

Thank you, DK. That was the one that really caught my eye because I haven't seen too many blue spinels, but the more I think about their photos I'd rather not even deal with the potential hassle.

 

[GregS]

I thought about buying that round and started a thread on it, it's been bought and returned. It shifts hard orange and I suspect I'd see atleast some orange at all times. The last two I would classify as medium/dark in tone with a little brown in the Burmese Spinel. I think you made a wise decision passing on these.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I may have remembered it from your thread too, GregS. Thanks for stopping by and supporting my decision to pass!

 

[chrono]

Another supporter of passing on all three spinels and for the same reasons (too orange, too dark and too gray).