Dark purple spinel

[IcePhoenix]

Hello, I have recently won an eBay auction for a cushion cut purple spinel
Here it is:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VS-2-91ct-9x7-8mm-Cushion-Natural-Purple-Spinel-MGOK/372649662245

What do you guys think? Not clear enough? Too dark? Anything? I'm a bit worried about the colour (definitely not top) even though I quite like it.
Also is the estimated value (500$+) any close to reality?

I'm clueless when it comes to gemstone price guides so if anyone could enlighten me I would be extremely grateful

 

[T L]

It looks like it will be very dark and gray, but for $17, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. There was a time on eBay when you could get high quality spinels for great prices. I’m afraid that’s unfortunately no longer the case.

 

[lovedogs]

It looks like it will be very dark and gray, but for $17, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it. There was a time on eBay when you could get high quality spinels for great prices. I’m afraid that’s unfortunately no longer the case.

Exactly. I think it will look very dark in real life, perhaps almost brown/black. But for $18 I wouldn't worry about it. It's definitely not worth close to $500, but if it's pretty then it's a win, and if it's not then you only spwnt $18.

 

[IcePhoenix]

I requested a shot on a white surface to see what it would look like. Fingers crossed

 

[IcePhoenix]

https://photoserver.ddns.net/files/sample/SN232-307-189-W.mp4

https://photoserver.ddns.net/files/sample/SN232-307-189-W-1.jpg
https://photoserver.ddns.net/files/sample/SN232-307-189-W-3.jpg
https://photoserver.ddns.net/files/sample/SN232-307-189-W-5.jpg

What do you think? @T L @lovedogs

 

[lovedogs]

https://photoserver.ddns.net/files/sample/SN232-307-189-W.mp4

https://photoserver.ddns.net/files/sample/SN232-307-189-W-1.jpg
https://photoserver.ddns.net/files/sample/SN232-307-189-W-3.jpg
https://photoserver.ddns.net/files/sample/SN232-307-189-W-5.jpg

What do you think? @T L @lovedogs

For $18 it's fine, but it will have a large window in the middle and likely will look grey.

 

[T L]

The important thing is that YOU have to love it. There are some people that like dark grey spinels and I think for $17, you can’t go wrong. I hope you enjoy it when you receive it.

 

[IcePhoenix]

Thanks, any tips on how to recognize windows in gemstones?

 

[T L]

If your line of sight is perpendicular to the table of the gem, and you can clearly see through it, that is a window. They can make the gem look dull in the middle, while there’s sparkle in the perimeter. For example here’s a very famous gem with an enormous window which is quite obvious. They usually occur when a gem is cut too shallow. Some settings can minimize their appearance.

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks, any tips on how to recognize windows in gemstones?

If the middle looks see through or clear, or if a picture on someone's hand shows the hand through the pic = window.
I have used this pic before and like it.

 

[IcePhoenix]

Thanks

 

[chroman]

Speaking of windows, here’s another good example from the same seller
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-VVS-4-...ight-Blue-Aquamarine-/401753046774?nav=SEARCH

 

[IcePhoenix]

Speaking of windows, here’s another good example from the same seller
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Top-VVS-4-...ight-Blue-Aquamarine-/401753046774?nav=SEARCH

Any thoughts about the spinel?

 

[KLC]

Can you post a picture of the stone after you received it? I just bought a sapphire on eBay dirt cheap and curious how your stone looks in person.

 

[IcePhoenix]

 

[IcePhoenix]

The stone is not very different from the seller pictures, and also I'm not really great with cameras (sorry) again for the price I paid it seems ok, I definitely didn't expect top colour or anything extraordinary, but the mysterious and particular allure of the dark purple is there in my opinion

 

[IcePhoenix]

Can you post a picture of the stone after you received it? I just bought a sapphire on eBay dirt cheap and curious how your stone looks in person.

Did you receive your stone? If yes what do you think?

 

[chroman]

Did you receive your stone? If yes what do you think?

There’s some photos of it over in this thread:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/ebay-thaigems.250063/