AGBF''s Spinel is Set

[AGBF]

My love of rubies is lifelong, but I learned of spinels here on the diamond fora. I am going to post a picture (or so) of my set spinel (after I take them!). I want everyone who loves spinels to read this quotation from Richard W. Hughes, however, because it is germane to my current concern!

Dick wrote here:

"Clarity. In terms of clarity, spinel is often cleaner than ruby. However, the very finest reds are so rare that some clarity defect is almost always present (usually fractures). Included crystals are quite common in spinel. Many stones display natural iron-oxide stains in their fractures."

Note that it is the FINEST reds that usually have fractures!!!

Deb

 

[JCJD]

Date: 3/29/2005 4:40:31 PM
Author:AGBF
I am going to post a picture (or so) of my set spinel (after I take them!).

Ooooh, you tease!! Can't wait to see this! This is another ring with a pair of pairs, yes?

 

[diamondlil]

Still waiting, and foot is tapping . . .

DiamondLil

 

[AGBF]

JCJD wrote:

"Ooooh, you tease!! Can't wait to see this! This is another ring with a pair of pairs, yes?"

No...this is the same spinel which previously dated a pair of pears, but settled down with a pair of rounds. The tanzanite I acquired more recently is paired with the pears I bought for the spinel.

Deb

 

[JCJD]

Date: 3/29/2005 5:10:28 PM
Author: AGBF


JCJD wrote:


''Ooooh, you tease!! Can''t wait to see this! This is another ring with a pair of pairs, yes?''


No...this is the same spinel which previously dated a pair of pears, but settled down with a pair of rounds. The tanzanite I acquired more recently is paired with the pears I bought for the spinel.


Deb

Ah, I see. I couldn''t remember if you were trying for another pear pair with the spinel once you decided they were too big for it.

 

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The suspense! The suspense!!

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[AGBF]

I have seven photos of my ring which I hope to post. Here is the first.

 

[AGBF]

Here is the second photo.

 

[AGBF]

...and the third.

 

[AGBF]

The fourth.

 

[AGBF]

The fifth.

 

[AGBF]

The sixth.

 

[AGBF]

..and the seventh!

 

[AGBF]

Now back to the quotation from Richard W. Hughes with which I started this thread...my spinel has inclusions. I chose it for the color and never looked at it under a loupe. The owner of the jewelry store where I had it set asked me if I knew it had inclusions. I did not. Mona, my friend at Grunberger's, said I am very gentle on my jewelry and that I shouldn't worry about it fracturing...but that it could fracture if I hit it. That spoiled some of my pleasure in the ring. After all, I had everything done as well as I could because I really wanted a great red spinel ring!

I feel I am in good hands. Jan of DBOF is going to look at it. If she feels it is in danger of breaking I will see what PalaGems can do. Maybe replace it? The reality may be, however, that the best colored spinels are ALL going to have serious inclusions! And, yes, my spinel has some orange...just as Richard Wise and Richard Hughes have both said most spinels do!

I have to say I think it makes a gorgeous ring. (I almost said, "smashing"...but that would definitely not be the mot juste!!)

Deb

 

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It''s just gorgeous, AGBF, just gorgeous!!!

I hope hope hope that Jan''s report comes back favorably. (Where''s a "fingers crossed" icon when you need one?)

I love the way the sides of the shank come up to meet the outside edges of the side stones! You may have posted these stats elsewhere, but could you remind me of the size/weight of the three stones?

Again...BEAUTIFUL!

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[pearcrazy]

Wow, that is absolutely gorgeous! I hope my spinel is half as pretty as yours!! You have exactly what I''ve been looking for!!

Enjoy that gorgeous ring, that red is absolutely lucious!

 

[rms]

your ring is really beautiful. I am falling in love with colored stones!!

 

[AGBF]

Thanks for asking about the statistics on the stones, widget. I just found that I had posted this about the center stone in another Pricescope thread ages ago:

"1.78 ct. oval red spinel in a medium dark, vivid red color in VVS clarity.

The stone has medium dark tone, a vivid saturation and red hue.

The stone is a type II gemstone.

In the VVS clarity grade for a type II gemstone it has minor inclusions: somewhat easy to see under 10X and usually invisible to the unaided eye."

This was obviously in the description I received when I bought it. I am looking for the official measurements on the spinel and then I will post all the stats on the ring.

Deborah

 

[AGBF]

The ring is a "handmade, 18K yellow gold and platinum, diamond and spinel ring. The center is an oval, untreated spinel, gem quality, exhibiting an intense red, similar to that of a red traffic light. The stone measure 7.5 x 6mm, with a carat weight of 178/100, and it is set in a platinum four-double prong basket. Set on the sides are two round diamonds and they are as follows: carat weight of 34/100, ideal cut, D in color, VVS-1, AGS cert (cert numbers omitted), and they are perfectly matched.... The diamonds are set in platinum four prong crowns. The band is 18K yellow gold with a soft square edge."

So: the spinel is 1.78 carats and measures 7.5 x 6 mm.
each diamond is a .34 carat rb, D color, VVS-1 clarity, AGS ideal cut.

Deborah

 

[diamondlil]

Deb, your ring is absolutely perfect. This is exactly what I have in mind for a 3-stone sometime in the near future. Wear it in good health.

DiamondLil

 

[bar01]

Wow! That’s a great ring! The contrast of the icy white diamonds next to a fine colored gem is simply amazing. Of course I am partial to that style and arrangement (as some of you have seen). It takes some work to find that quality of an untreated colored gem - And - to find perfectly matched certified ideal cut side diamonds in that size. Very rare and beautiful.

 

[belle]

your ring is just beautiful deb!! i hope you get some reassurance on the durability of it. it is a fine piece of jewelry.

 

[JCJD]

Absolutely spectacular Deb! The color is amazing, and you''ve gotta love double claw prongs! I hope you get good news from Jan soon!

 

[Hest88]

Oh finally! It''s just perfectly gorgeous! Wear it in good health!

 

[Gale]

Your ring is really beautiful. The workmanship looks very, very nice.

 

[luvmysparklies]

Oh wow!!! This ring''s gorgeous! I''ve been checking periodically on the progress of this project back when you were still deciding on pear size. I did see the tanzanite with the pears and that is gorgeous too! I hope that Jan comes back with good news for you, but if push comes to shove, I wonder if you could just have the stones set in bezels. Anyway, it turned out beautifully.

Luv

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Sublime. Truely.

cheers--Sharon

 

[AGBF]

Date: 3/30/2005 1

2:53 PM
Author: luvmysparklies
I hope that Jan comes back with good news for you, but if push comes to shove, I wonder if you could just have the stones set in bezels. Anyway, it turned out beautifully.

You know a bezel setting *DID* occur to me (although I really like to see a stone...my solitaire has nearly INVISIBLE prongs!). I think that yours is a very intelligent idea...as a last resort! I thank everyone who has wished me well!

Deb

 

[Matata]

Oh, I am scum for missing this thread. It's B E A U T I F U L, simply B E A U T I F U L. I sure hope you get good news from Jan.

P.S. love the split prongs.

 

[sevens one]

Wow, the color, the diamonds, the setting.................
It''s all wonderful. I love it. Nice prongs too!