Blue Compared: 2.35ct Sapphire vs. 2.74ct Spinel

[FrekeChild]

Stone 1:
2.35ct
7.846 mm
Round
Included, but looks sleepy at arms length (If this was eyeclean, I never would be able to afford it)
Gene Flanigan with Precision Gem
Untreated/heated Umba Sapphire


Stone 2:
2.74ct
8.3mm
Round
Eyeclean
Barry Bridgestock with Artistic Colored Stones
Blue Spinel


Both of these stones are color shifters to purple under fluorescent lighting. Funnily enough, they almost look the same color under fluorescent lights. I have not added any pictures of them under fluorescent lights, as my phone just makes them look gray and I don't know where the cords are for my cameras.

Lots and lots of pics...This first chunk was taken yesterday with diffused (read, gray skies and no sunshine) natural lighting

 

[FrekeChild]

More yucky lighting, and some watery sunlight.

 

[FrekeChild]

More sapphire

 

[FrekeChild]

Better pictures finally

 

[FrekeChild]

More, still watery sunlight.

 

[FrekeChild]

More in a bit. Baby issues.

 

[FrekeChild]

A few from today, with sunlight this time.

 

[FrekeChild]

A few more.

These were all taken with the iPhone 4s, the macro shots with the OlloClip

 

[FrekeChild]

Vendor pics

I hope you enjoyed. I adore these two big beauties, and I wish I knew where my camera cords were, so I could do these justice.

 

[royalstarrynight]

Gorgeous choices Freke! The spinel is my favorite for some bizarre reason that I can't pinpoint but both are beautiful!

 

[FrekeChild]

7.7ctw of blue. Think I should make a three stone?

Third is a 2.61ct blue spinel cushion. Non-precision cut. Exhibits some half and half extinction, makes up for it with color (not under these lighting conditions).

Reveal lighting, at night.

 

[FrekeChild]

I'm not going to lie, the sapphire does a glorious violet/cobalt thing under the Reveal lighting.

 

[FrekeChild]

These were all taken with my iPhone, some with the addition of the OlloClip.

 

[FrekeChild]

So, I may have gone overboard...

 

[FrekeChild]

Last ones.

The cushion will eventually be a somewhat simple necklace.

Big Blue will also be a ring, once again. I'm probably going to accent it with diamonds this time. I already have some initial ideas, mostly sprouting from my last thread, but no plans for it to be in the immediate future.

The sapphire a ring. I'm thinking I will go a completely different direction from Big Blue with the sapphire...No reason to have two big blue rings that look identical!

Hope I didn't go overboard with the pics!

 

[FrekeChild]

Oh! I forgot to mention the clarity issue. Many of these pictures were taken under extreme magnification, and I used lighting to enhance the inclusions. I intentionally took pictures of them because I think they are way cool. Especially in a couple of the pictures with the sunlight hitting them just so to make them sparkle.

So, while these inclusions looks terribly scary in a few of the pictures, as you can kind of tell from the more realistic "arms distance", they really only make the facets look a little fuzzy. Gene's cutting is superb, as usual, just a little bit fuzzified by the inclusions. Yes, that is the technical term.

I'm way pumped about said inclusions, because without them, there is no way I could ever afford an unheated sapphire that is this size or this color. Many kudos to Gene for daring to cut the rough, and even more Kudos for not trying to cut a smaller, cleaner stone!

 

[FrekeChild]

P.S. Almost 5 years from my start here on PS, and I finally FINALLY have a stone that is the same color as my avatar shoe.

IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME.

 

[JewelFreak]

Gorgeous, Freke. Enormous fun to see them all together. I LOVE the sapphire's purpley duds; the inclusions make it more interesting & earthy. Super spinel too -- Barry's usual wonderful cutting. It's really neat to see how differently they disperse light. Can't wait to see them set, but they're so pretty naked!

--- Laurie

 

[chrono]

The sapphire is so pretty; such a true hue of blue, lovely violet indoor shift and is so dispersive. Seeing it next to the spinel, I can pick up the green in the spinel and also that it is less saturated. The inclusion photos did look scary, especially one in particular, but it looks clean in the faraway shots (realistic ones ). You definitely got a good buy from Gene.

 

[Jereni]

That was really interesting, thanks for sharing Freke! I also love the spinel, the cut on it looks fantastic!!!!

 

[stargurl78]

Very cool pics! I love the sapphire

 

[Aerix]

I love the that the sapphire matches your avatar! Lol. I adore Big Blue, but the color change on the sapphire is very interesting. I think it would look great set in a halo pendant.

 

[royalstarrynight]

Gosh how remarkably gorgeous!!

 

[Kim Bruun]

You know, it's really interesting to see those bubbles and needles in the sapphire up close, and they leave no doubt that this is indeed a natural stone. The colour is lovely, btw. - in any lighting. Obviously, the spinel is less saturate, but it is a nicely cut stone. Enjoy them both!

 

[justginger]

What a great comparison - I love the sapphire, inclusions and all. The color is awesome!

 

[FrekeChild]

Thanks for your kind words everyone. I had a few baby-free moments and decided to take advantage and photograph some of my blues. Even more fun to photograph them together, although much harder. I'm way excited about this stone, ok, these stones in general, and I had to share!

 

[Rosebloom]

Gosh they're gorgeous!

 

[distracts]

Ooooooh, so much blue! Love it!

 

[minousbijoux]

Once again you've rocked it, Freke!

Love the color shift aspect of the sapphire and love that it has equal saturation in each lighting situation. Amazed at the photography. The closeups are unbelievable; you really take great gemstone photos. We need to call Kenny over for him to enjoy these. You have chosen well and the sapphire and the spinel play off each other very well. Congrats!

 

[FrekeChild]

Lol Minou! I have to admit, these must be around 10 times as large as any of the stones Kenny usually photographs!