|
|
|
|
| ||
Diamond Jewelry Forums
 Picture Gallery
 Video Gallery
 Journal
|
|||
|
|  Search
|  Posted Today
|  Most Active
|  Help
|
||
 »
Home
»  » Diamond Prices and Grading »
 » Colored Stones
»  » Spinels
|
|
 |
Spinels |
 |
| P: 1/9/2008 5:56:36 PM | |
oddoneout Ideal Rock Total Posts: 985 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 9/20/2007 |
I've always loved garnets but since spinels seem to be stronger I've been starting to get interested in them. Does anyone out there have any nice pieces they could show? I was also wondering about the cost of a spinel (I'm in Ontario, Canada but U.S. would be fine). How easy are red (my favourite) spinels to find? Thanks
|
| Posted: 1/9/2008 5:56:36 PM | |
|
There are 24 replies to this message. There are 24 replies on this page. |
|
| P: 1/9/2008 6:15:16 PM | |
Jypsie Cut Rock Total Posts: 379 Last Post: 9/30/2009 Member Since: 10/22/2007 |
I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE spinels! No pics to share at the moment, but soon. :-) Take a look at www.ajsgems.com they have a really good assortment of many different types of gems, it may give a good idea of price. www.whitesgems.com has a beautiful spinel available. www.cherrypicked.com also has some absolutely amazing spinels. Yep... I dream about spinels... they are just so delicious!... colors for every and any mood! "The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." - Albert Einstein |
| Posted: 1/9/2008 6:15:16 PM | |
| P: 1/9/2008 11:46:42 PM | |
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006 |
How large a stone do you want? I just finished my hunt for a big red and it wasn't easy. Here's a beauty: http://cgi.ebay.com/Certified-Red-Spinel-4-13-Carats-2500-Per-Carat_W0QQitemZ120207409190QQihZ002QQcategoryZ110873QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem. Rick Martin of www.artcutgems.com has access to lovely reds, as does Jeff White of www.whitesgems.com (as has been suggested).
"The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian) |
| Posted: 1/9/2008 11:46:42 PM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 12:22:30 AM | |
marcyc Ideal Rock Total Posts: 7,831 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 2/27/2007 |
I absolutely love spinels but don't have a single one in a piece of jewelry right now. I hope you find a keeper and can't wait to see what you do with it.
 Sparkle On My Friends! |
| Posted: 1/10/2008 12:22:30 AM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 8:39:24 AM | |
Chrono Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,338 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/22/2004 |
It depends on how picky you are about reds. There are many types of red spinels with prices all over the place. The truer the red, the more astronomical the prices are. Some like those with orange undertones, others prefer the purple undertones. Many have brownish undertones which are cheaper. Also, size comes into play. The larger and truer red they are, it's more rare and expensive. I have 2 sets of red spinels. The first pair is being set as earrings right now. The second set will be as sidestones for my RHR upgrade. Both were purchased from www.acstones.com years ago. I did get one more red spinel from ACS for a pendant but can't find a picture of it. 
|
| Posted: 1/10/2008 8:39:24 AM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 8:40:08 AM | |
|
Chrono Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,338 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/22/2004 |
2nd set of spinels for my ring sidestones:
|
| Posted: 1/10/2008 8:40:08 AM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 8:43:00 AM | |
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,270 Last Post: 11/25/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005 |
Chrono, those spinels are fabulous!!!! YUM YUM!!
 Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be... - Stephanie M Thorn |
| Posted: 1/10/2008 8:43:00 AM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 9:40:30 AM | |
|
Chrono Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,338 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/22/2004 |
Thank you, but Miss Harriet has a much prettier one. I hope she'll share it with us here.
|
| Posted: 1/10/2008 9:40:30 AM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 9:44:20 AM | |
|
Lorelei Ideal Rock Total Posts: 34,270 Last Post: 11/25/2009 Member Since: 4/30/2005 |
Date: 1/10/2008 9:40:30 AM Author: Chrono Thank you, but Miss Harriet has a much prettier one. I hope she'll share it with us here. * ears perked* 
Nothing is more sacred as the bond between horse and rider...no other creature can ever become so emotionally close to a human as a horse. When a horse dies, the memory lives on because an enormous part of his owner's heart, soul, very existence dies also...but that can never be laid to rest, it is not meant to be... - Stephanie M Thorn |
| Posted: 1/10/2008 9:44:20 AM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 11:12:23 AM | |
movie zombie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,222 Last Post: 11/25/2009 Member Since: 1/20/2005 |
good spinels are quite pricey. cut as always is extremely important. as always, there is something for every budget......but with spinels, i find extinction to ruin many of them. i absolutely cannot abide seeing black where there should be color.....and that seems to happen with spinels more often than not. but then i've not looked at anything that was more than $1800 per carat. i also think stop light red spinel is the hot item for spinels and has been for a few years now and as such is going to command grand prices which is fair if it is a grand stone. i can see the attraction for such a stone!!!!
movie zombie "I don't feel enjoyment watching films that evoke passivity. If you need that kind of comfort, I don't understand why you wouldn't go to a spa." Chan-wook Park |
| Posted: 1/10/2008 11:12:23 AM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 11:28:31 AM | |
|
oddoneout Ideal Rock Total Posts: 985 Last Post: 11/23/2009 Member Since: 9/20/2007 |
What sort of things should I look for in the spinel (cut wise etc.)? Also all the sites that you all were nice enough to post for me have beautiful examples. I'm not looking for a large stone. I like ones that aren't that big (less than a carat) and I prefer round cuts (call me old fashioned). Thanks everyone for your help. Right now I'm mostly dreaming but that could change....
|
| Posted: 1/10/2008 11:28:31 AM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 12:09:58 PM | |
Linda W Ideal Rock Total Posts: 10,443 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 2/15/2006 |
Chrono, Your spinels are delicious looking!!!!!  Linda ******************************** |
| Posted: 1/10/2008 12:09:58 PM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 12:25:18 PM | |
|
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006 |
Thank you, Chrono. I can't upload the picture for some reason, but here's my thread: http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=75197
"The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian) |
| Posted: 1/10/2008 12:25:18 PM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 12:26:56 PM | |
|
Chrono Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,338 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/22/2004 |
Thank you, Linda. I've just okayed the CAD design of the earrings today so my spinel earrings should be completed by the end of January. I'll post pictures of them when the vendor is done. Oddoneout, As with all gemstones, I am very particular about cut. I don't like windowing and extinction. The culet has to be centered, all the facet points must meet, the symmetry and polish must be very good. It must also have a decent crown height. In the rough material itself, I don't like colour zoning and the stone must be at least eye clean. I don't like brown undertones and actually prefer a touch of orange undertone rather than purple. A true stop light red is a sight to behold but you'll have to pay a king's ransom for that when (and if) you do find it. Rounds are uncommon in spinels. Most tend to be ovals and cushions.
|
| Posted: 1/10/2008 12:26:56 PM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 12:37:50 PM | |
|
Chrono Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,338 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/22/2004 |
I don't know how nice these are in person but here's a pair of concave rounds: http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/dbs.cgi?sf=detg.setup.cgi&active=active&stock=SP00147&submit_search=1 
|
| Posted: 1/10/2008 12:37:50 PM | |
| P: 1/10/2008 4:44:04 PM | |
colormyworld Ideal Rock Total Posts: 954 Last Post: 10/27/2009 Member Since: 8/30/2005 |
Could you please show us some your pictures of those spinels you have Chrono. Pleeeeeease!!
|
| Posted: 1/10/2008 4:44:04 PM | |
| P: 1/11/2008 12:06:27 PM | |
|
Chrono Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,338 Last Post: 11/24/2009 Member Since: 4/22/2004 |
Colormyworld,
|
| Posted: 1/11/2008 12:06:27 PM | |
| P: 1/16/2008 9:38:25 AM | |
Swala Rough Rock Total Posts: 27 Last Post: 10/27/2009 Member Since: 9/15/2005 |
Hi Oddoneout, Garnets and spinels do not play in the same league. So it makes it a little bit tricky to compare them. If you're looking at red, you are probably looking at red garnet, which, in terms of pricing/quality is very far away from red spinels. You can literally buy tons of red garnets, including big pieces. You'll however have a relatively hard time finding a beautiful 5 cts pink/red or spinel. FYI, the [most likely] nicest spinel find ever was made in August of last year in Tanzania. Until then, spinel - although expensive - was considered as one of the most undervalued gemstones. Although IMHO it is still undervalued, prices have gone up considerably (up to $5,000/$10,000 per carat for top gems above 10 cts...) since the discovery. Unsurpringly, no one here has given you information about red garnet. People have however posted spinel pictures instead... If you do have the budget, my recommendation is that you should go for a spinel. ps: Spinel is one of my favourite gems and I had a hard time not answering to your post ;-) Good luck. Eric - ICA Ambassador to Tanzania |
| Posted: 1/16/2008 9:38:25 AM | |
| P: 1/16/2008 10:55:44 AM | |
|
Swala Rough Rock Total Posts: 27 Last Post: 10/27/2009 Member Since: 9/15/2005 |
Perhaps a picture will help illustrate what I was writting about: A 2.72cts piece which is slightly on a the pink side (generally speaking, the Tanzanian material tends to become redder above 7 or 8 cts). Enjoy   Eric - ICA Ambassador to Tanzania |
| Posted: 1/16/2008 10:55:44 AM | |
| P: 1/16/2008 12:04:17 PM | |
|
movie zombie Ideal Rock Total Posts: 5,222 Last Post: 11/25/2009 Member Since: 1/20/2005 |
wow! what a spinel! no extinction! movie zombie "I don't feel enjoyment watching films that evoke passivity. If you need that kind of comfort, I don't understand why you wouldn't go to a spa." Chan-wook Park |
| Posted: 1/16/2008 12:04:17 PM | |
| P: 1/16/2008 12:04:50 PM | |
Richard M. Ideal Rock Total Posts: 929 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 2/17/2004 |
Date: 1/16/2008 9:38:25 AM Author: Swala Gem Traders Hi Oddoneout, Garnets and spinels do not play in the same league. So it makes it a little bit tricky to compare them. If you're looking at red, you are probably looking at red garnet, which, in terms of pricing/quality is very far away from red spinels. Hi Swala. You're quite right that red garnets and red spinels don't play in the same league. That's true in terms of color, physical characteristics and price. There should never be a direct comparison between them. When you say garnets are far away from red spinel in "quality" however, I believe more explanation is needed. They occupy a valid niche in the colored gem market and there's no need to demean them. You say that "Unsurprisingly, no one here has given you information about red garnet." Well, here it is. Most red garnets actually do a very poor job posing as rubies or red spinels. They are garnets and they do a wonderful job of being what they are! The only red garnets that bear direct comparison to their "red relatives" are chromium-bearing pyropes which usually end up being too dark in sizes over 1 ct. When properly cut they blaze fiery red, but such stones are not readily available. The intermediate pyrope-almandine and pyrope-spessartine garnets offer a rich color palette with subtle differences. And they do it for much lower cost than any other gems in their color class. High quality garnet of any kind does not come "by the ton." Yes, there are tons of garnets mined and I could probably order a ton of rough with a few keystrokes. But only a very tiny portion of that ton would be high gem quality. The rest would be sandpaper-grade. The fact that some sellers cut sandpaper grade and attempt to sell it as "gem grade" is beyond my control. This is not an attack on you or your lovely red spinels. Spinel is one of my favorite gems too, for several reasons beyond its natural beauty (no treatment, its great hardness, single refraction so no secondary color, etc.) It all boils down to budget. Fine red spinels are already 4 to low 5-figure expensive and are headed upward. Red to purple garnets, on the other hand, usually sell in the 2 to 3-figure range and can offer great beauty, color choice, naturalness without treatment and wider options in cutting styles. That distinction needs to be made. Richard M. |
| Posted: 1/16/2008 12:04:50 PM | |
| P: 1/18/2008 11:53:28 AM | |
|
Swala Rough Rock Total Posts: 27 Last Post: 10/27/2009 Member Since: 9/15/2005 |
No worries Richard, I was not taking it as an attack. Red garnets and spinels both occupy a slot. This slot is just very different. Red garnet is a gem we export a lot (surprising quantities of clean material come out of East Africa…). So I certainly have no problems with red garnet. Furthermore, price and beauty can be totally disconnected. One can prefer a $1 gem over a $10,000. Eric In any case, for spinel lovers, a more saturated 12 cts piece:  Eric - ICA Ambassador to Tanzania |
| Posted: 1/18/2008 11:53:28 AM | |
| P: 1/18/2008 12:36:35 PM | |
|
Richard M. Ideal Rock Total Posts: 929 Last Post: 11/22/2009 Member Since: 2/17/2004 |
Date: 1/18/2008 11:53:28 AM Author: Swala Furthermore, price and beauty can be totally disconnected. One can prefer a $1 gem over a $10,000. That's one of the points I was trying to make (and one I think should be made much more often!), along with the fact that red garnets simply can't be compared with high-end red spinels. They're just not the same "creature" even though some red spinels are described as "garnety color," which I think does a disservice to both gems. Your spinels are beautiful, by the way. I presume they are Mahenge material. Care to give us a price range for 12 ct. stones? Richard M. |
| Posted: 1/18/2008 12:36:35 PM | |
| P: 1/19/2008 1:13:56 PM | |
|
Swala Rough Rock Total Posts: 27 Last Post: 10/27/2009 Member Since: 9/15/2005 |
Hi Richard, Thanks for your post. Yes, Mahenge material, absolutely. Eric - ICA Ambassador to Tanzania |
| Posted: 1/19/2008 1:13:56 PM | |
| P: 1/19/2008 11:46:03 PM | |
|
Harriet Ideal Rock Total Posts: 11,800 Last Post: 11/19/2009 Member Since: 7/7/2006 |
Eric/Swala, I can only dream of your red Mahenges. Sigh. "The greatest experts are only as good as the sum total of what they have seen." (Souren Melikian) |
| Posted: 1/19/2008 11:46:03 PM | |
 Previous Page
|
Next Page 
|
| « What should I ask for? « | » I need help... » |
Contact Us | Back Home | Privacy Statement | Forum Agreement | Forum Policies | |
| Ideal BB Version: 0.1.5.4.beta1 | Message forum software powered by the Ideal BB |
| |
Pricescope -
Knowledge -
Diamond Prices -
Tools -
Resources -
About
© 2000-2009 Pricescope. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Disclaimer
forum archives
