First time buyer in need of advice

[jennilynn]

I''ve been searching around for a nice spinel or tourmaline stone. I really like their soft colors and ideal saturation. I stumbled across this stone on gemselect. I love the golden orange color, but am confused about the price. Why so low? Is this a good buy or a dud?

http://www.gemselect.com/photo-view.php?id=201480&t=1.66ct IF Tourmaline

 

[T L]

It might be more of a brownish orange in person, and stones with brown in them tend to sell for less. It is difficult to find an orange stone in any species without any brownish cast, and often when you do, the price is higher. I don''t know what your price range is, but mandarin spessartite garnet offers a nice orange and high sparkle effect. I have one, and I get comments on it all the time (it looks like fanta orange soda color).

 

[jennilynn]

Thanks. I''ll keep that in mind.