Does this stone have a large window?

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm seriously considering getting a red spinal instead - with my budget I don't think I'm going to be able to find a nice ruby.

This stone is outside of my budget, but is this what I should be looking for in terms of clarity and transparency? I'm not sure about the colour - does it have a hint of pink?

storage.googleapis.com/vskstorage/i/v/2MZUH01501.mp4

that link doesn't work

 

[Avondale]

that link doesn't work

That should make it easier for everyone:

https://storage.googleapis.com/vskstorage/i/v/2MZUH01501.mp4

(I believe new accounts have their posts held for approval if they contain links now.)

 

[Avondale]

This stone is outside of my budget, but is this what I should be looking for in terms of clarity and transparency? I'm not sure about the colour - does it have a hint of pink?

Look, if you try to abide by what everyone here says, you won't be able to find a reasonably priced stone anytime soon. PSers can have very exacting standards and express their opinions very decisively but that doesn't mean a stone which is silky (for example) is necessarily a bad purchase.

When you're shopping on a budget, you'll need to make certain compromises. You'll have to decide which attributes of the stone matter most to you and where you can afford to be more lenient. Just because a certain gem has flaws doesn't mean it's not a good purchase for you.

In that sense, don't think of critical feedback as meaning not to buy a stone. Take it as people pointing out the flaws that your eye may not be experienced enough to spot by photo alone, so that you know of their existence and can make an informed decision.

For example, the stone in the video appears to have very crystalline body (good) but a very shallow cut, hence a window (bad). The crystalline body makes the gem more lively as light can freely bounce around inside it unobstructed. But on the other hand the window hinders that process because it means the light is passing straight through without being reflected, thus you lose out on a lot of sparkle.

Does that mean that this is a bad stone? No. It's just balance of merits and flaws.

For the record, on my screen it seems to lean just a bit orange. Colour perception is one more thing you have to take with a grain of salt. Different screens, different eyes.

 

[toomuchB]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'm seriously considering getting a red spinal instead - with my budget I don't think I'm going to be able to find a nice ruby.

This stone is outside of my budget, but is this what I should be looking for in terms of clarity and transparency? I'm not sure about the colour - does it have a hint of pink?

storage.googleapis.com/vskstorage/i/v/2MZUH01501.mp4

Looks windowed to me. The color is nice imo if it usually looks like that and doesn't darken up (I'd want an image in less flattering light) and I don't see pink on my monitor.


This one has potential, 11k and they do 15-20% off sales sometimes. But I'd ask what that inclusion is at the bottom, might be a crack.

Special 2.06 Cart Hot Red Spinel Gem, Mahenge Material, Cushion Cut, 8.59 x 6.75 x 4.31 mm with GIA Report

Seller of high quality loose gemstones, diamonds, jewelry, findings and mountings

www.africagems.com

 

[lucyc]

What sort of pictures should I be requesting? The stones look completely different depending on the lighting and whether it is between tweezers or on the hand. If I want to see how dark a stone gets would it need to be photographed in low lighting?

I’m considering a stone that’s already set but for the life of me I cannot make out anything regarding the clarity of the stone. I’ve requested clearer pictures but to determine the real colour of a stone are outdoor or indoor photos more accurate?

 

[Avondale]

The stones look completely different depending on the lighting and whether it is between tweezers or on the hand.

Exactly.

If I want to see how dark a stone gets would it need to be photographed in low lighting?

Yep.

to determine the real colour of a stone are outdoor or indoor photos more accurate?

You need both.

What sort of pictures should I be requesting?

All of them.


Are you properly confused yet?


The simple, factual reality is that most stones will look different depending on the light they're viewed in. They'll look one way under the sun, a different way in the shade, and might even become unrecognisable under soft incandescent light in the evening.

When buying online, getting multiple images that show how the stone looks under different conditions is going to be very helpful and will allow you to build a more complete mental image of the actual stone you'll expect to receive. And even with all that, it's always going to be a little bit different because cameras and screens cannot compensate for what only the eyes can see in person.

I’m considering a stone that’s already set but for the life of me I cannot make out anything regarding the clarity of the stone.

That comes with experience. Browse around PS, look at the different stones here. Also browse IG, Etsy, try to look at as many stones as you can. When you're not certain what you're seeing - ask here, people will gladly assist. In time you'll learn to spot the signs and interpret the images.