Gift celebrating birth of our daughter

[Double E]

Hi everyone,

Need help here fellow PSers! Had previously thought about making a casual pendant for my wife, but couldn’t really get the ball rolling due to uncertain ideas.

However, I now have found myself in a more focused direction! What I am looking for now is a rare stone pendant for my wife, after knowing what she’s gonna gift me, our first child and daughter!

I can’t hide my happiness and excitement~Our little girl is arriving at late July which is summer here. She’s named Elena, symbolising Bright, Shining Light. I wish to get a high quality gem that’s vivid, neon, glowy, even under low light for this piece. I guess I have narrowed options down to well, spessartite!

Please do let me know where I should go for it^^

Edit: I shall continue in the next post for more detaily what I am trying to get, budget, spec etc.

 

[thirdrock]

I just wanted to say congratulations!

 

[Ellipses]

That is exciting! Wishing you, your wife, and unborn daughter the best of health and luck!

 

[Double E]

I just wanted to say congratulations!

That is exciting! Wishing you, your wife, and unborn daughter the best of health and luck!

Thank you!

 

[Double E]

We’ve often talked about spessartite, and people tend to categorise them into Fanta and mandarin garnet for high quality stone of different hues. Fanta being more yellowish orange while mandarin for more reddish orange with both having no dark tone, that can still stay lit or glowy under low light. Is my concept right? And are these terms fine and accurate to communicate with trade persons, jewellers?

 

[Double E]

I am looking for spec below:

Dimension: 8mm up

Shape: Prefer round / modified round (eg decagon / 9 sided / 12 sided etc) / squarish cushion. If it has to be oval, which I normally don’t prefer, a barion oval will be better

Cut: Precision cut, and no step cut pavilion, I think brilliant pavilion helps bring out the brightness more, or “scissor cut” (Am I calling it right?) pavilion if it’s a squarish stone

Budget: Let me out it at $800 first as I am not that familiar with spess pricing

 

[Ellipses]

I am looking for spec below:

Dimension: 8mm up
Shape: Prefer round / modified round (eg decagon / 9 sided / 12 sided etc) / squarish cushion. If it has to be oval, which I normally don’t prefer, a barion oval will be better
Cut: Precusion cut, and no step cut pavilion, I think brilliant pavilion helps bring out the brightness more, or “scissor cut” (Am I call it right?) pavilion if it’s a squarish stone

You might want to look at precision gem. Gene dropped a Malay Garnet and it seems like 1 is on sale (and meets the budget, without extra taxes and what not).

 

[Double E]

You might want to look at precision gem. Gene dropped a Mandarin Garnet and it seems like 1 is on sale (and meets the budget, without extra taxes and what not).

I guess you mean the 5.6 ct Malaya garnet? I love that size! But not exactly the hue I am after. I’ve been keeping an eye on his drops!

 

[Ellipses]

I guess you mean the 5.6 ct Malaya garnet? I love that size! But not exactly the hue I am after. I’ve been keeping an eye on his drops!

Yah, my mind like to jump to whatever word it can think of based of the first letter . But yah, looking at the other specifications, it sadly doesn’t match criteria. I just did the math based on another garnet I found more similar to the color your looking for, and budget wise, it’s not looking to great, but then again, I’m inexperienced so this is as far as I can help (which was none). Sorry about that.

 

[demantoidz]

Regarding terms, I haven't noticed a consistency with fanta/mandarin terms.

2ct 8mm Portuguese cut $900
Not sure if the color is quite the caliber you want, on my phone its nicer in the video.
https://gemfix.com/gems/spessartite-22-249

Eyecandy...

Brilliant! Top Cutting & Fine Color! Spessartite Garnet 5.81 ct GL - Litnon

Finewater has a darker/reddish round one over 3ct under 800, but maybe he has more material like this? Too bad it's only 6mm

1.45ct Spessartite Garnet from Finewater Gems | Loupe Troop

loupetroop.com

If you are open to IG, a few have used @premiergemstones and they have stocked various garnets including spessartite. Excellent cuts.

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Here's a sold example with details and price still in the listing.

Alex Weber - in NC, USA on Instagram: "(Edit: Sold Out) Stunning Fanta orange spessartite garnet from Tanzania! 2.32 carats 8.52 x 7.31 x 4.90 mm $490 shipped worldwide"

309 likes, 3 comments - premiergemstones on September 15, 2021: "(Edit: Sold Out) Stunning Fanta orange spessartite garnet from Tanzania! 2.32 carats 8.52 x 7.31 x 4.90 mm $490 shipped worldwide".

www.instagram.com

 

[Double E]

Yah, my mind like to jump to whatever word it can think of based of the first letter . But yah, looking at the other specifications, it sadly doesn’t match criteria. I just did the math based on another garnet I found more similar to the color your looking for, and budget wise, it’s not looking to great, but then again, I’m inexperienced so this is as far as I can help (which was none). Sorry about that.

Thanks posting and giving me your suggestions really^^

I may still be fine with price slightly off my budget, quality comes first~

 

[Double E]

Regarding terms, I haven't noticed a consistency with fanta/mandarin terms.

2ct 8mm Portuguese cut $900
Not sure if the color is quite the caliber you want, on my phone its nicer in the video.
https://gemfix.com/gems/spessartite-22-249

Eyecandy...

Brilliant! Top Cutting & Fine Color! Spessartite Garnet 5.81 ct GL - Litnon

Finewater has a darker/reddish round one over 3ct under 800, but maybe he has more material like this? Too bad it's only 6mm

1.45ct Spessartite Garnet from Finewater Gems | Loupe Troop

loupetroop.com

If you are open to IG, a few have used @premiergemstones and they have stocked various garnets including spessartite. Excellent cuts.

Login • Instagram

Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.

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Here's a sold example with details and price still in the listing.

Alex Weber - in NC, USA on Instagram: "(Edit: Sold Out) Stunning Fanta orange spessartite garnet from Tanzania! 2.32 carats 8.52 x 7.31 x 4.90 mm $490 shipped worldwide"

309 likes, 3 comments - premiergemstones on September 15, 2021: "(Edit: Sold Out) Stunning Fanta orange spessartite garnet from Tanzania! 2.32 carats 8.52 x 7.31 x 4.90 mm $490 shipped worldwide".

www.instagram.com

I am aware of the 8mm one from Gemfix, just explored their website earlier today! It looks a bit washed out in the video, my feeling and perception…could it be classified as Fanta, little doubt as you mentioned.

Price and size wise, perfect fit though.

Let me go for that 5.81ct then!!

 

[demantoidz]

A couple more quick finds.
I know nothing about this seller. 2ct 7.8mm round, $465

1.99ct Nigerian Spessartite Garnet

GEMSTONE: Natural Spessartite GarnetCARAT WEIGHT: 1.99ctDIMENSIONS: 7.77 x 4.42mmCOLOUR: OrangeCLARITY: Flawless / Loupe CleanCUT: Precision Custom Barion RoundTREATMENTS: NoneORIGIN: Nigeria, AfricaPRODUCT No: GESG199

www.gemearth.com

Not sure what you'd think about the cut but the color seems great. 2ct $990 but no dimensions.

Spessartite Garnet Gemstone 2.12 Carats

Garnet Spessartite 1.62 Carat from Tanzania. The crystaline inclusions visible in these close-ups are difficult to see in person. This material is never totally clean and this is a beautiful gem.

www.moregems.com

More eyecandy & useful to compare with the above one. 2.9ct, sold but it was listed for about 1k/ct

Hold Adam Orange Oval Spessartite Garnet 2.87 Carats

One 2.87 carats oval spessartite garnet from Tanzania, orange color, VS clarity, cut grade excellent, measuring 7.2 mm wide, 8.5 mm long, 5.6 mm deep; with excellent polish and excellent symmetry. The proportions of the spessartite garnet are as follows: total depth 84.7%, table width 48.6%...

www.moregems.com

By the way rubellite can be very saturated and glowy, in case you haven't considered it. But detection of potential irradiation is impossible.

4.085ct Neon Vivid Pinkish Red Rubellite Tourmaline Precision Cut - Etsy

This is from my personal collection. Ive had this tourmaline for 10 years. It has a saturated vivid purplish red color that shooting neon pink light reflection. Precision cut and eye clean. It will make one of a kind statement ring. None of the photos and videos do the stone justice.......My DSLR

www.etsy.com

 

[Autumn in New England]

This is such a sweet post... congratulations to you and your wife!! And welcome to the world (almost), little Elena!!

What a lovely way to commemorate this joyous event. And spessartite/spessartine is one of my very favorite stones, so I just adore your choice. There's nothing that quite compares in terms of a vibrant, true orange in the gem world. Fire opal comes to mind, but it doesn't have the sparkle (or durability). I bought my 3ct. precision cut spess from Antony (he's awesome, BTW) at the Rare Gemstone Company. I will drop a pic below, just so you can see the quality they carry. It's even better in person, if that's possible.



His material is fanta and then some. It's top, top, top grade color and clarity, and nearly all of his stones are precision/custom cut. I did check his stock, and don't see anything within your exact criteria, but perhaps he has something tucked away that might meet your needs or some rough they can cut. They go right to the mines in Tanzania (they're based in Kenya). Just keep in mind that you want to avoid anything leaning too yellow or red, and especially brown, and you want a medium tone (nothing too dark). A pure orange hue and vivid saturation is obviously key. But it sounds like you know what you're doing. Good luck!!

 

[Double E]

A couple more quick finds.
I know nothing about this seller. 2ct 7.8mm round, $465

1.99ct Nigerian Spessartite Garnet

GEMSTONE: Natural Spessartite GarnetCARAT WEIGHT: 1.99ctDIMENSIONS: 7.77 x 4.42mmCOLOUR: OrangeCLARITY: Flawless / Loupe CleanCUT: Precision Custom Barion RoundTREATMENTS: NoneORIGIN: Nigeria, AfricaPRODUCT No: GESG199

www.gemearth.com

Not sure what you'd think about the cut but the color seems great. 2ct $990 but no dimensions.

Spessartite Garnet Gemstone 2.12 Carats

Garnet Spessartite 1.62 Carat from Tanzania. The crystaline inclusions visible in these close-ups are difficult to see in person. This material is never totally clean and this is a beautiful gem.

www.moregems.com

More eyecandy & useful to compare with the above one. 2.9ct, sold but it was listed for about 1k/ct

Hold Adam Orange Oval Spessartite Garnet 2.87 Carats

One 2.87 carats oval spessartite garnet from Tanzania, orange color, VS clarity, cut grade excellent, measuring 7.2 mm wide, 8.5 mm long, 5.6 mm deep; with excellent polish and excellent symmetry. The proportions of the spessartite garnet are as follows: total depth 84.7%, table width 48.6%...

www.moregems.com

By the way rubellite can be very saturated and glowy, in case you haven't considered it. But detection of potential irradiation is impossible.

4.085ct Neon Vivid Pinkish Red Rubellite Tourmaline Precision Cut - Etsy

This is from my personal collection. Ive had this tourmaline for 10 years. It has a saturated vivid purplish red color that shooting neon pink light reflection. Precision cut and eye clean. It will make one of a kind statement ring. None of the photos and videos do the stone justice.......My DSLR

www.etsy.com

The last one is insane~

I however am a little concerned about the lighting when vendors shoot their photos or video, it’s often heard that the stone doesn’t meet expectations based on the pics or videos, once they saw them in person. Problem of buying sight unseen or online…

 

[Double E]

This is such a sweet post... congratulations to you and your wife!! And welcome to the world (almost), little Elena!!

What a lovely way to commemorate this joyous event. And spessartite/spessartine is one of my very favorite stones, so I just adore your choice. There's nothing that quite compares in terms of a vibrant, true orange in the gem world. Fire opal comes to mind, but it doesn't have the sparkle (or durability). I bought my 3ct. precision cut spess from Antony (he's awesome, BTW) at the Rare Gemstone Company. I will drop a pic below, just so you can see the quality they carry. It's even better in person, if that's possible.



His material is fanta and then some. It's top, top, top grade color and clarity, and nearly all of his stones are precision/custom cut. I did check his stock, and don't see anything within your exact criteria, but perhaps he has something tucked away that might meet your needs or some rough they can cut. They go right to the mines in Tanzania (they're based in Kenya). Just keep in mind that you want to avoid anything leaning too yellow or red, and especially brown, and you want a medium tone (nothing too dark). A pure orange hue and vivid saturation is obviously key. But it sounds like you know what you're doing. Good luck!!

Thanks a lot! Let me take a look there!

 

[Double E]

This is such a sweet post... congratulations to you and your wife!! And welcome to the world (almost), little Elena!!

What a lovely way to commemorate this joyous event. And spessartite/spessartine is one of my very favorite stones, so I just adore your choice. There's nothing that quite compares in terms of a vibrant, true orange in the gem world. Fire opal comes to mind, but it doesn't have the sparkle (or durability). I bought my 3ct. precision cut spess from Antony (he's awesome, BTW) at the Rare Gemstone Company. I will drop a pic below, just so you can see the quality they carry. It's even better in person, if that's possible.



His material is fanta and then some. It's top, top, top grade color and clarity, and nearly all of his stones are precision/custom cut. I did check his stock, and don't see anything within your exact criteria, but perhaps he has something tucked away that might meet your needs or some rough they can cut. They go right to the mines in Tanzania (they're based in Kenya). Just keep in mind that you want to avoid anything leaning too yellow or red, and especially brown, and you want a medium tone (nothing too dark). A pure orange hue and vivid saturation is obviously key. But it sounds like you know what you're doing. Good luck!!

I've browsed their inventory, pricing is higher than my budget but does look consistent. May I have more understanding on yours that does it black out or how does it perform under lower lightings?

 

[Double E]

By the way rubellite can be very saturated and glowy, in case you haven't considered it. But detection of potential irradiation is impossible.

4.085ct Neon Vivid Pinkish Red Rubellite Tourmaline Precision Cut - Etsy

This is from my personal collection. Ive had this tourmaline for 10 years. It has a saturated vivid purplish red color that shooting neon pink light reflection. Precision cut and eye clean. It will make one of a kind statement ring. None of the photos and videos do the stone justice.......My DSLR

www.etsy.com

Sorry that I missed your suggestion on rubellite, I actually considered it when I was looking for more casual pendant previously, however my concern is tourmalines may be a bit more brittle despite a good hardness. Still prefer a more durable and carefree stone even for pendant, although spess may not be much better than it...

But anyway, colour, fanta colour aligns more with meaning of the piece now~

 

[Autumn in New England]

I've browsed their inventory, pricing is higher than my budget but does look consistent. May I have more understanding on yours that does it black out or how does it perform under lower lightings?

It never, ever blacks out... zero extinction and super clean. Typically the ultra vivid fanta material can also be included due to the high degree of manganese present (Namibian), but the Tanzanian material has much better clarity. Since you'd be open to a round (which requires much less weight), perhaps Antony may have something within your budget in an 8mm round (or some rough he can cut). Would you like me to ask him?

 

[Double E]

Hey all,

I have a feeling that my Spess hunt is almost done, stay tuned~

And let’s move to the setting, generally what’s the cost of a 18k or 14k pendant? Never bought pendant previously.

And colour of gold, orange looks a bit tricky for choice of gold.

Also design, do you guys or ladies think a interchangeable “basket” is a good idea? I don’t really know the exact term here…What I mean is the part mounting the centre stone, like the head in a ring, it could either be prongs or other structure. If such part is able to be separated from the chain, we can simply change the centre stone for different occasions when we have more stones in future.

Or the head of pendant is generally interchangeable?

 

[Autumn in New England]

I am no help in the setting department, unfortunately. But I'm sure some of our more creative members will be along to help. I'm excited to see what you've chosen!!

 

[Dandi]

I just wanted to pop in and congratulate you and your wife on the impending arrival of your bubba girl! I am so happy and excited for you both!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Hey all,

I have a feeling that my Spess hunt is almost done, stay tuned~

And let’s move to the setting, generally what’s the cost of a 18k or 14k pendant? Never bought pendant previously.

And colour of gold, orange looks a bit tricky for choice of gold.

Also design, do you guys or ladies think a interchangeable “basket” is a good idea? I don’t really know the exact term here…What I mean is the part mounting the centre stone, like the head in a ring, it could either be prongs or other structure. If such part is able to be separated from the chain, we can simply change the centre stone for different occasions when we have more stones in future.

Or the head of pendant is generally interchangeable?

I think you literally just need a sliding pendant, you can slide it off the chain and then reuse the chain for other pendants. Each stone will require its own basket pendant setting (with the chain running through the back or with a bale).

The orange will look glorious in either WG or YG imo!

Congratulations on your baby girl

 

[Double E]

I think you literally just need a sliding pendant, you can slide it off the chain and then reuse the chain for other pendants. Each stone will require its own basket pendant setting (with the chain running through the back or with a bale).

The orange will look glorious in either WG or YG imo!

Congratulations on your baby girl

Oh right, sliding pendant, I recalled such term now that I had come across in PS!

A silly question, do anyone of you with experience of this type of pendant find that the centre stone is more prone to hitting something or even damage? Or just I over worry?

And Thank You!

 

[Double E]

I just wanted to pop in and congratulate you and your wife on the impending arrival of your bubba girl! I am so happy and excited for you both!

Thank You Very Much^^

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Oh right, sliding pendant, I recalled such term now that I had come across in PS!

A silly question, do anyone of you with experience of this type of pendant find that the centre stone is more prone to hitting something or even damage? Or just I over worry?

And Thank You!

No, a sliding pendant is not inherently more prone to damage, unless you have butterfingers and drop it every time you put it on. Though that way no stone is safe if you want a more protective style you can go for a bezel/milgrain bezel or a halo.

Here’s a thread I made about pros and cons of sliding vs fixed pendants, if helpful: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fixed-versus-sliding-pendant-what’s-better.271515/

 

[Avondale]

A silly question, do anyone of you with experience of this type of pendant find that the centre stone is more prone to hitting something or even damage? Or just I over worry?

You definitely over worry. It doesn't matter, in the slightest. It's a pendant. It sits on your chest. It doesn't really have anywhere else to go. It's not a ring, it's not moving with your hand so unless you're intentionally walking chest out into poles there's very little that could happen to it.

Definitely go with sliding. Imagine what happens if it's fixed and the chain breaks - you gotta send the whole thing for repair and hope it comes out alright. Replacing a chain is much easier.

 

[Double E]

No, a sliding pendant is not inherently more prone to damage, unless you have butterfingers and drop it every time you put it on. Though that way no stone is safe if you want a more protective style you can go for a bezel/milgrain bezel or a halo.

Here’s a thread I made about pros and cons of sliding vs fixed pendants, if helpful: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/fixed-versus-sliding-pendant-what’s-better.271515/

Your thread provided me much insight! Thx!

 

[Double E]

You definitely over worry. It doesn't matter, in the slightest. It's a pendant. It sits on your chest. It doesn't really have anywhere else to go. It's not a ring, it's not moving with your hand so unless you're intentionally walking chest out into poles there's very little that could happen to it.

Definitely go with sliding. Imagine what happens if it's fixed and the chain breaks - you gotta send the whole thing for repair and hope it comes out alright. Replacing a chain is much easier.

Thank you. You are right on the hassle of repairing~

 

[Autumn in New England]

...unless you're intentionally walking chest out into poles there's very little that could happen to it.

This guy's spessartite sliding pendant is doomed.