- Joined
- Nov 3, 2009
- Messages
- 7,589
About 3 weeks ago I bought 2.51 ct oval cut Mahenge spinel from Eric Saul (Swala). I asked for high-end piece, and he recommended me the one that I finally bought. At the time, Chrono advised me to post a link because she felt (from my description of the stone) that it may be windowed. I did not follow her advice, got ahead and bought the gem - impulsively, and also because many of the stones on his website were already reserved. I believe I was afraid that this one could be gone, too.
Well Eric was very prompt, fast and pleasant, and I can say nothing but good about his personal style of communication. He assured me that the stone was in no way windowed and was cut by their own professional cutter.
Well, I got the stone. I do not know what to think of it. I really like the color, it is very bright and clean, and should look well in a ring or a pendant. But to me it looks windowed, and there are too many extinction areas, which were not seen on the photograph. Eric tells me that there is no window and that the stone is top-notch. I am going to post my photographs and I am seeking your opinion. If you feel the same way I do, I shall ask Eric to exchange the stone (he said that returns to Tanzania are difficult, but I believe that mail still comes there). I am posting many photographs because I am new to gem photography and want to give you best impression of the stone. If you tell me the stone is fine, so be it. If not...I hope we can exchange it because I would like to continue working with Eric - he has a very nice inventory. I do not like to lose good gem dealers, but I also like to feel good when I am looking at my stone. As it stands now, I simply have no opinion.
Well Eric was very prompt, fast and pleasant, and I can say nothing but good about his personal style of communication. He assured me that the stone was in no way windowed and was cut by their own professional cutter.
Well, I got the stone. I do not know what to think of it. I really like the color, it is very bright and clean, and should look well in a ring or a pendant. But to me it looks windowed, and there are too many extinction areas, which were not seen on the photograph. Eric tells me that there is no window and that the stone is top-notch. I am going to post my photographs and I am seeking your opinion. If you feel the same way I do, I shall ask Eric to exchange the stone (he said that returns to Tanzania are difficult, but I believe that mail still comes there). I am posting many photographs because I am new to gem photography and want to give you best impression of the stone. If you tell me the stone is fine, so be it. If not...I hope we can exchange it because I would like to continue working with Eric - he has a very nice inventory. I do not like to lose good gem dealers, but I also like to feel good when I am looking at my stone. As it stands now, I simply have no opinion.