Differences between topaz and spinel?

[SouthernGent]

I can't decide which blue stone I want...still. I had to return a couple of synthetic spinels that I recently purchased because they were too tall. Now I'm back to looking for a suitable stone for a men's ring for myself. I like the Swiss blue topaz color, but I can also get a synthetic spinel cut in almost the identical color.
Am I likely to notice any difference between the two stones or will it depend entirely on the cut?

 

[PrecisionGem]

SG, you should most likely consider either a rose cut stone, or cab. Any faceted stone in the diameters you are looking for is going to be deep for what you want, unless the cutting is very shallow which would be a very windowed stone.