New to colored stones need some advice

[luvsdmb]

Just found this chunky pear shape but since I have no idea about colored stones I am wondering why the price is so low?
Would love some advice because I was about to buy it then thought I should check with the experts.
I also like the second one listed, but again since I know nothing I sure could use some advice.
Thanks

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221525631958?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/380976919496?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[GregS]

They are both extremely dark and will most likely appear black the majority of the time. That in and of itself is enough to explain the price, but they're small too, and there's no mention of treatment.

 

[luvsdmb]

Thank you. I will pass on them. It goes to show you how little I know. I actually like the really dark color, but I see what you are saying in person I would probably be very unhappy. Thanks again.

 

[chrono]

Good decision to move on from these stones.

 

[luvsdmb]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-80ct-Rare-Grey-Blue-Transparent-Spinel-/261573790163???

What about this one?

 

[chrono]

It is horribly windowed (which is why you can see the cotton underneath) where it will only sparkle a bit at the edges and look dead in the centre. The colour is also so dark as to look black.

There are also dark but you can still see the colour and there are no glaring cut issues.
http://www.gemselect.com/spinel/spinel-350570.php
http://www.gemselect.com/spinel/spinel-350029.php

 

[luvsdmb]

Those are pretty, thank you. I would really love to find a gray stone.

 

[luvsdmb]

http://www.gemselect.com/sapphire/sapphire-263683.php

What do you think of this?

 

[chrono]

I thought you were looking for gray? The last one you linked to is green and also windowed.

 

[luvsdmb]

Yes, I would like gray, but I got to looking on the site and found these and was drawn to them. Do any of these look good?

http://www.gemselect.com/tools/compare-wishlist.php

 

[chrono]

I am sorry but the Wishlist is empty. I would not buy a sapphire from them due to the low cost (not cost effective to verify non-diffusion, synthetic, simulant, etc) and so would stick with a spinel instead.

 

[T L]

If you're looking for a grey gem, I would get one that is light in tone, and well cut.

 

[luvsdmb]

I am sorry but the Wishlist is empty. I would not buy a sapphire from them due to the low cost (not cost effective to verify non-diffusion, synthetic, simulant, etc) and so would stick with a spinel instead.

Thanks for the advice, I will continue the search for a gray spinel.

 

[luvsdmb]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/182398144/blue-gray-spinel-124carats-stunning-vvs?ref=shop_home_active_5&ga_search_query=gray%2Bspinels

How about this one?

 

[chrono]

Almost every stone you posted looks black to my eyes, and almost all of them are windowed. If this one is not truly windowed, then it has a large and very easily seen tilt window.

 

[luvsdmb]

Yeah I stink at this. I like the one you posted it's pretty and unique. However I wanted as gray as I could get. I'm in no hurry, just looking around. I also like seem to like Sapphires and Garnets.

 

[chrono]

The key is to find a light gray; if too dark, it edges on becoming black.

 

[luvsdmb]

Almost every stone you posted looks black to my eyes, and almost all of them are windowed. If this one is not truly windowed, then it has a large and very easily seen tilt window.[/quote

Got it, thanks for the tip. I need to read up on things before I shop.

 

[chrono]

Take your time and don't feel embarrassed to post questions. My delivery isn't always the nicest but is never done with malicious intent.

 

[luvsdmb]

How about this instead? I really love gray.

http://www.leibish.com/gray-diamond/075ct-fancy-light-gray-round-si1-111002-17691

http://www.leibish.com/gray-diamond/087ct-fancy-grey-cushion-si2-50857-11922

 

[LoversKites]

How about this instead? I really love gray.

http://www.leibish.com/gray-diamond/075ct-fancy-light-gray-round-si1-111002-17691

http://www.leibish.com/gray-diamond/087ct-fancy-grey-cushion-si2-50857-11922

Since they are diamonds they are far more expensive. I much prefer the first one though I can't quite pinpoint what I don't like about the second one.

 

[woofmama]

Look at this: https://www.etsy.com/listing/169483398/precision-cut-supernova-oval-ceylon-gray?ref=shop_home_active_23

I bought a gray supernova oval from Julia quite a few months ago. It's really beautiful and very brilliant. I'm still trying to decide how to set it but take it out and play with it all the time. I absolutely love it!

 

[Niel]

This is on the lavender side of grey but its 8x6 and under 300
http://www.mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=view&cat=250

 

[Niel]

Oh and this one is under 200 and also 8x6!

 

[GliderPoss]

Niel has posted some beautiful options! I suggest you look into these ones.

 

[luvsdmb]

I've been checking out everyone's suggestions and I'm all over the place. The two Niel posted are pretty, but still a little to lavender.

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=6821

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=6519

I like these, I seem to like the really dark, maybe even odd colors.

 

[kimpnoth]

I, too, like deeper colors. However, I have learned there can be a thin line between a stone with color depth and a stone that is just dead looking most of the time. The garnet is described as not blacking out in low light. The description for both stones you cited mentions light return.

I, too, am new to colored stones. Right now I know a lot of vocabulary, but am having trouble using it in coherent sentences, so someone else will have to explain what "light return" means. I think it means something to the tune of how much light is reflected back from the stone to your eye. Light return is generally a good thing and helps keep a dark stone from being a dead stone.

Did you take a look at the "New to Colored Gemstone Buying? Read this First" https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/ thread?

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Have you checked out Roger's site? He seems to have a couple that might work for you. Worth a look.

http://www.spectralgems.net/sapphire/sapphireblgrrd1_27ct_7976/

http://www.spectralgems.net/spinel/spinelblpurplerd1_30ct_9013/

 

[chrono]

Oh and this one is under 200 and also 8x6!

I think this one will be less lavender and a bit darker in person; probably worth a look.
http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7649

Why not order your two best contenders, keep one and return one. I think having them in hand and viewing them in different light conditions will help fine tune what you like/dislike.

 

[Niel]

ignore all the "A+++++++++" and "RARE"

and offer a lot less as its overpriced, but it ha video and are very grey

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-36CT-RARE-UNHEATED-GEM-MASTER-CUT-AAA-SILVER-COLOR-NATURAL-TANZANIA-SPINEL-/380983398425?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item58b4615019

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-41CT-RARE-UNHEATED-GEM-MASTER-CUT-AAA-SILVER-COLOR-NATURAL-TANZANIA-SPINEL-/380983398427?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item58b461501b

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-80CT-RARE-UNHEATED-GEM-TOP-LUSTER-100-NATURAL-SILVER-GRAY-TANZANIA-SPINEL-/321501631753?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item4adafd9509