Buying from eBay?

[Loves Vintage]

So, I know many of you are top quality colored stone fans, but what about ebay?

And, more specifically, what about this stone:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/112014923437?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

It's very appealing to me, but perhaps I don't know what to look for still?

 

[chrono]

I've purchased CS from eBay, but I am also very selective about both the type of gem and vendor. I stick to "safe" stones that aren't typically highly treated.

What is it about this stone that is appealing to you? As you can see, the still picture shows a bright stone but not so in the video, where there seem to be a lot of darkness and gray to it.

 

[lovedogs]

I think for Ebay purchases I'd recommend sticking to vendors from the recommended list, local vendors (so for me I look for US or CAN), and vendors with a liberal return policy. My concern about the stone you posted is that I think there's LOTS of light on that pic, so IRL the stone will be fairly dark/have a brown tone.

But if you are looking for a pink/purple spinel I'd look at Mastercut gems. They have a good amount of spinels in that color family that are relatively inexpensive (not as inexpensive as the one you posted, but of higher quality and with the ability to return easily).

 

[Loves Vintage]

Thanks, guys, so much for helping me think more critically about what I'm seeing.

Chrono - to answer your question, it's the brightness and the symmetry of the cut and the color that I like about this one. I completely did not notice the darkness in the video, so I thank you both for pointing that out.

LovesDog - Yes, I will check out mastercut, thank you so much.

Oh, and there's another stone that I've liked for awhile. Maybe I'll post a link here and see what you guys think?

 

[Loves Vintage]

Ok, so here's the other one.

http://jefferydavies.com/gemstones/clearance/mj4447-spinel-1-13ct/

Oh, and Chrono, I forgot to mention the other aspect I liked about the prior stone - the price!!

 

[chrono]

http://jefferydavies.com/gemstones/clearance/mj4447-spinel-1-13ct/

Only if you love a gray spinel with visible inclusions. I know it is described as eye clean but I am rather eagle eyed and such things will bother me in the long run.

Small window
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-11ct-Stunning-Cushion-Cut-Natural-Pink-Spinel-/371668992310?hash=item568932c136

I like this but I'm concerned that the inclusions might be eye visible.
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?1381724887

Cute fat pear
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-714438635

Oh boy, more pears
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1249748269

Uhhhh, more pears?
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?1602520871

 

[chrono]

Oh look, something other than a pear shaped spinel. Can you swing $180? I know it's double of what you are looking at but the colour seriously trumps them.
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products-250-Spinel/8841-SE_Asia_Natural_Pink_Spinel_1_14_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

 

[Loves Vintage]

Oh, it's pretty!

I have to say, I'm not a huge pear fan, but maybe that will change with time?

I do really like the last one you posted. It's funny because I remember reading in the intro to CS thread to forget everything we know about cut, but I have to say, I still gravitate toward big chunky facets, because those remind me of old stones . . . hmm, let me think on the one you just posted!

 

[lovedogs]

What about this one? It's a kind of grey/pink/purple color and the price is good.

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products-250-Spinel/8938-South_East_Asia_Natural_Spinel_1_27_carat-GemMedia.php?FromPage=1&ProductMediaID=36070


I like this one as well with it's pink/purple tones, seems lighter than the one I posted above.
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products-250-Spinel/8446-Spinel_Natural_1_19_ct_-Gem.php?FromPage=1

Ohhh and here's a really reasonably priced one because Dana had to improvise with cut due to a crack. So the pavilion is unusual, but I think it's really pretty in pics
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products-250-Spinel/8428-DANA_-_SPINEL_Natural_1_23_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I think you would be disappointed with the first spinel you posted. I believe it will be a darker grayish purple without much pink in normal viewing conditions.

The Jeff Davies spinel I think may be nice. I don't think the inclusion will be very noticeable when viewing it. My tip is to copy a picture of an on-line stone then shrink that image to the stone's actual size. It's not foolproof- but will give you an idea of how noticeable inclusions may be before you pull the trigger.

Also- an interesting thing I have noticed is that more than minimal grey tones seem to look the worst in pink and red spinels. These spinels can appear very dull. However- in lighter toned blues, violets or teals the grey can help lighten the stone in bright light and sunlight- giving the spinel a metallic look.

Good luck in your search!

 

[lovedogs]

What about this one? From Jason Brim and has purple/silver/grey in it. Potentially not "pink" enough, but really pretty! $244 though, so maybe more than you want to pay.



And I can't stop myself from posting this one. I love it, but it's $344

 

[Loves Vintage]

And, then there are these:

http://www.precisiongem.com/gemstackpage/gems.php?product/page/337/Gem+1737-+Pink+Sapphire

http://www.precisiongem.com/gemstackpage/gems.php?product/page/293/Gem+1725-+Pink+Spinel

Oh my goodness, I think I really love the pink spinel, but again, loving the cut and then color second.

And, then just basically in love with everything on the Finewater Gems site:

http://www.finewatergems.com/store/p140/0.80_ct_Pink_Spinel.html Is this too small for a ring? Anyone remember the Sally ring with the roping around the edge, MTG had one listed on LT not too long ago? Wonder if that would work here.

Is there a particular size that is thought of as a good minimum width for a ring setting?

 

[Loves Vintage]

LisaRN - Good point about shrinking the photos down! I never would have thought of that!

LovesDogs - That first stone you posted from JB is definitely appealing to me!

Another question - how often are folks buying stones, checking them out in person, and then sending them back?

And, even I can see how directionless I am at this point. How to bring it all back in and figure out what to do, or is it just part of this process to buy a bunch of stuff and then figure things out as you go? I don't even really have a specific budget, just that I am cheap, and so like to keep things on the lower end. I definitely couldn't see myself ever spending more than say $500-600 range for a stone! And, yet, I seem to want a lot of them!

 

[Loves Vintage]

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...atural_Pink_Spinel_1_14_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

And, still very much a fan of this one that Chrono posted. Could be a deeper pink to be perfect for me at the moment since I seem to be liking the darker (deeper?) pinks more.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...atural_Pink_Spinel_1_14_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

And, still very much a fan of this one that Chrono posted. Could be a deeper pink to be perfect for me at the moment since I seem to be liking the darker (deeper?) pinks more.

Here is a deeper pink from Tan that I think will be eye clean but will show a feather under the loupe. IMHO (I like these rhodolite garnet color spinels) it is a steal for the price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252429233561?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[Loves Vintage]

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...atural_Pink_Spinel_1_14_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

And, still very much a fan of this one that Chrono posted. Could be a deeper pink to be perfect for me at the moment since I seem to be liking the darker (deeper?) pinks more.

Here is a deeper pink from Tan that I think will be eye clean but will show a feather under the loupe. IMHO (I like these rhodolite garnet color spinels) it is a steal for the price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252429233561?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It's very pretty! It must have been still available when you posted it? It's listed as sold now!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...atural_Pink_Spinel_1_14_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

And, still very much a fan of this one that Chrono posted. Could be a deeper pink to be perfect for me at the moment since I seem to be liking the darker (deeper?) pinks more.

Here is a deeper pink from Tan that I think will be eye clean but will show a feather under the loupe. IMHO (I like these rhodolite garnet color spinels) it is a steal for the price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252429233561?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It's very pretty! It must have been still available when you posted it? It's listed as sold now!

It was active when I posted it. I will keep looking for you.