3ct Gray Spinel OEC

[FrekeChild]

I've been trying desperately to set everything I have instead of continuing to buy more stones to be set, like I've spent the last 5+ years doing.

So a few weeks ago I was screwing around and looking at the usual preloved sites for settings, and I landed on a listing of JuliaB's at DiamondBistro. I went to her etsy site to see what else she had and there it was...a giant gray spinel in an OEC cut. You guys know how bad I am at resisting grays...

So I messaged her about it, asking about the inclusions, asked for more pictures, asked her about the cut, and she was SO FREAKING NICE and obliged me with pictures, and detailed answers to my questions. Finally, she sent me a message telling me that she thinks I'd really like the stone, I should just buy it, and then she can set it for me later, once I make sure I like it and figure out how I'd like it set.

So I got it in the mail. Since my little one was running around like a crazy person I didn't really get to play with it as much as I'd like for a few days.

I wanted to make sure and take a lot of pictures of it because there haven't been a ton of pics or testimonials from this vendor yet on PS.

So, my thoughts:
1. The OEC cut is awesome. I love the big flashy facets it has, and how the cut is perfect for the color stone, because it has a TON of big fire.
2. Julia is great to work with. Super nice and she really loves jewelry.
3. I really love gray spinels. There is a huge difference in every single one I've had, and they are all awesome in their own ways.

3.05 carat
spinel
light-medium warm grey
Sri Lanka
9.4mm
OEC

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JuliaBJewelry

Pictures don't really capture it accurately, but since we can't post vids, they will have to do for now...

 

[FrekeChild]

Playing with my kiddo's Pantone book. I'd say it's around metal gray, shark gray and can look as light as dolphin and grandma grays.

It's not quite eyeclean, but the inclusions blend in with the stone, so I don't really notice them. If it wasn't included, I wouldn't have been able to afford it!

 

[FrekeChild]

It has a nice big culet (not really that big, but the stone is huge, so the culet looks big too. The crown isn't as high as diamond OEC lovers would want, but I'm not that picky. It still has a tiny table!

I love playing with it in various lighting and trying to capture all of it's looks.

 

[FrekeChild]

With my Barry 1.6ct 7mm round.

Edit: this is where you can see the warmer gray. The Barry is just a little bit cooler.

 

[FrekeChild]

Vendor photos

 

[FrekeChild]

Some other shots for perspective.

 

[FrekeChild]

My husband keeps laughing at me because I'm so obsessed with it. I think I just want a pretty simple platinum solitaire for it, since it already affords a ton of finger coverage!

Thanks for looking!

 

[minousbijoux]

Freke, you do PS/CS proud with your consistently excellent photos and descriptions. I am not as much of a grey lover as you, but all your greys are stunning and this one from JuliabJeweler is no exception. And you will rock the size, I'm sure!

 

[Xrisus]

I'm glad to hear good things about JuliaB; I have posted some of her items a couple times on pricescope, but have not yet acquired anything from her. That is a huge beautiful spinel!

 

[Xrisus]

Are you going to have Julia set it?

 

[FrekeChild]

Are you going to have Julia set it?

That's the plan! But it may take me forever to figure out how to set it! Lol!

 

[minousbijoux]

Its a fair practice she has to offer excellent stones at good prices in exchange for working with her on the jewelry piece. And I'm sure that as she progresses in her business, her jewelry will become even more refined and well-crafted. I don't know her prices, but I imagine they are quite good since she is new to the business.

 

[armywife13]

Absolutely stunning! It is the best of both worlds, an antique cut and a gorgeous spinel. I can't wait to see it set!

 

[Xrisus]

I like her tulip ring!

 

[Jereni]

Very pretty, Freke! Can't wait to see it set.

 

[FrekeChild]

Freke, you do PS/CS proud with your consistently excellent photos and descriptions. I am not as much of a grey lover as you, but all your greys are stunning and this one from JuliabJeweler is no exception. And you will rock the size, I'm sure!

Thank you Minou! I try really hard, although I keep shooting myself in my foot when I post about the grays because it seems to stir up interest in them, and then there's less for me! But I love OEC cut stones, and a SPINEL in GRAY AND such a huge SIZE?!

It's basically my holy grail. (an affordable one at least!)

 

[FrekeChild]

Absolutely stunning! It is the best of both worlds, an antique cut and a gorgeous spinel. I can't wait to see it set!

Me either, but I have to be patient, as this one was an unexpected purchase, and I've completely blown my budget for the year, so it'll have to wait for a while!!!!

 

[FrekeChild]

I like her tulip ring!

Me too! But I really want 6 prongs because I'm neurotic. I'll have to see what happens when I'm ready!

 

[FrekeChild]

Very pretty, Freke! Can't wait to see it set.

Thanks Jereni! I'm excited!

 

[RissaLou]

Congratulations! I love Julia's shop. She has another purplish OEC Spinel that I desperately wanted for a matching pendant to my Spinel tulip ring from her shop, but sadly some things came up in my life where I couldn't afford it right now. Any who I love to hear that she's gaining some more recognition. Great purchase freke it's gorgeous

 

[gemandjewelrylover]

I love it, it's gorgeous! And love your pictures too.

 

[sonyachancs]

omg, it is so beautiful! and the size

 

[pandabee]

It's a lovely gray! Who would have realized grays could have so many personalities (love the pantone book btw).

 

[FrekeChild]

Congratulations! I love Julia's shop. She has another purplish OEC Spinel that I desperately wanted for a matching pendant to my Spinel tulip ring from her shop, but sadly some things came up in my life where I couldn't afford it right now. Any who I love to hear that she's gaining some more recognition. Great purchase freke it's gorgeous

Thanks RissaLou!!! You have a lovely HUGE spinel ring! I'm loving her OEC cuts, that's for sure!

 

[FrekeChild]

I love it, it's gorgeous! And love your pictures too.

Thank you!!!!!

 

[FrekeChild]

omg, it is so beautiful! and the size

Yeah, I think if it was smaller...well I'd still have been tempted, but probably not QUITE as tempted...I told Julia though, when I was asking her for pictures, etc that I was worried it would be too big. LOL. No such thing, I guess!

 

[FrekeChild]

It's a lovely gray! Who would have realized grays could have so many personalities (love the pantone book btw).

Hahaha!!! I read it to her all of the time ("read" - it's just colors and things for each color - lion for yellow, train engine for blue, but we talk about them and the colors for a while) but I totally get more use out of it, with all of my picture taking!

My favorite thing about the grays is the crazy dispersion that comes off of it. It makes me giddy!!!!

 

[Aerix]

Beautiful stone, and I love the size! I think it would look great set in a white metal. I saw this setting on eBay and thought of you. Unfortunately, it's about a millimeter too small though...Not sure if a good bench might be able to figure something out to make it fit, but the seller does seem to have a decent return policy. The marquise sides have little culets:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

 

[armywife13]

Absolutely stunning! It is the best of both worlds, an antique cut and a gorgeous spinel. I can't wait to see it set!

Me either, but I have to be patient, as this one was an unexpected purchase, and I've completely blown my budget for the year, so it'll have to wait for a while!!!!

Well, TECHNICALLY the year is almost over, so it shouldn't be too long before you can set it. Right?!?!

 

[FrekeChild]

Beautiful stone, and I love the size! I think it would look great set in a white metal. I saw this setting on eBay and thought of you. Unfortunately, it's about a millimeter too small though...Not sure if a good bench might be able to figure something out to make it fit, but the seller does seem to have a decent return policy. The marquise sides have little culets:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

That's really pretty Xiriah! I wish I could snap it up, but I'm afraid it's just not in the cards financially yet. I doubt it'll be available when I can afford it though!