Grey Gems

[Indylady]

I really love the color gray (everything from silvery grey to gunmetal and everything in between)...but I really never seem to see any! Why is this? I think there must be natural grey sapphires or diamonds, but I don''t often see any. Is it a case similar to that of lower color diamonds, that are plentiful in nature but not easily found in retail, because cutters avoid them since they are generally unfavored.

What do you guys think?
Have you seen any pretty greys out there?

I would love to see a light silvery grey cushion or oval with a halo of bright diamonds in a white metal setting...I think I originally got the idea after seeing a light blue cushion diamond with a halo on Diamonds by Lauren years ago that was just gorgeous.

 

[marcy]

Good question. I honestly can't think of a grey stone. Some iolite or spinels seem to have a steely gray in them but that is the best I can think of.

I have to tell you the first thing I thought when I saw your title was some of the promotional diamonds I've seen in the mall - they are as gray as can be but obviously not very pretty.

I will interested to see if someone can think of a grey stone. I think I will go look through my gems book to see if I can find something.

ETA: I just looked at the pictures in my gem book and did not find one that was grey.

 

[movie zombie]

topaz or zircon?

mz

 

[T L]

You can readily find grey spinel of an almost pure grey color, especially on ebay. Grey stones are actually plentiful, but not sold often because it's not technically a color, and therefore, not something in demand for a colored gem. As for diamonds, there are some that are graded fancy grey. You can see them at fancydiamonds.net. If they have any hint of blue though, expect the price to skyrocket.

 

[ma re]

According to THIS, grey diamonds really exist and are not too expensive (more so than blacks, but not as much as whites). Of course, be careful about the cause of color - a wealth of inclusions shouldn''t be one of them

Other than that, there are grey star sapphires (lighter shades of black actually), grey spinels (even some PS-ers have them) and many "blue" tourmalines are really more grey than anything else. There are grey moonstones, grey pearls, many aquamarines actually have very little blue and quite a bit of grey, and color-change garnets often have some shade of grey for one of their colors. Those are all I could think of.

 

[VRBeauty]

I have a "green" tourmaline that looks gray to me -- it's not very saturate though, and I have a feeling it won't photograph well, but I'll give it a try one of these days. I also have a small opal that's basically gray with colored flashes.

How about taaffeite?

I think some zoisite (tanzanite) is pretty much gray.

And... I have an andalusite that I consider to be poor quality because it has a lot of gray in it, while I was hoping for more brown/gold/greens. But that makes me think that there might be gray andalusite out there somewhere!

 

[chrono]

Gray stones are not really advertised because there isn’t a strong market for them. Grey spinels are plentiful and as are some sapphire cabochons. I have also seen gray moonstones and topazes. I have only seen one very light blue tourmaline that looks silvery gray. Basically, anytime the saturation and tone is extremely light, the gray component increases.

 

[QueenB29]

Here''s a link to some gray diamonds (although many of them don''t actually look gray). My engagement stone is from this company and they provided us with great service.

http://www.fancydiamonds.net/grey_diamonds

 

[Indylady]

Date: 8/4/2009 11:08:36 PM
Author: marcyc
Good question. I honestly can''t think of a grey stone. Some iolite or spinels seem to have a steely gray in them but that is the best I can think of.


I have to tell you the first thing I thought when I saw your title was some of the promotional diamonds I''ve seen in the mall - they are as gray as can be but obviously not very pretty.


I will interested to see if someone can think of a grey stone. I think I will go look through my gems book to see if I can find something.


ETA: I just looked at the pictures in my gem book and did not find one that was grey.

Wow! I guess they just aren''t that popular. Thank you so much for looking. Are there any gem books you recommend? I really need to get myself one!

 

[Indylady]

Date: 8/5/2009 2:50:54 AM
Author: ma re
According to THIS, grey diamonds really exist and are not too expensive (more so than blacks, but not as much as whites). Of course, be careful about the cause of color - a wealth of inclusions shouldn''t be one of them

Other than that, there are grey star sapphires (lighter shades of black actually), grey spinels (even some PS-ers have them) and many ''blue'' tourmalines are really more grey than anything else. There are grey moonstones, grey pearls, many aquamarines actually have very little blue and quite a bit of grey, and color-change garnets often have some shade of grey for one of their colors. Those are all I could think of.

Thanks for the link! I had read that somewhere else too, that grey diamonds are relatively less expensive, but haven''t seen too many sources from which to source them, except some of the vendors that sell fancy diamonds, and their prices seem kind of high.

 

[Indylady]

Date: 8/5/2009 8:58:49 AM
Author: QueenB29
Here''s a link to some gray diamonds (although many of them don''t actually look gray). My engagement stone is from this company and they provided us with great service.


http://www.fancydiamonds.net/grey_diamonds

Thank you so much for the link! What kind of diamond is your centerstone?

 

[Indylady]

Date: 8/4/2009 11:16:30 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
You can readily find grey spinel of an almost pure grey color, especially on ebay. Grey stones are actually plentiful, but not sold often because it''s not technically a color, and therefore, not something in demand for a colored gem. As for diamonds, there are some that are graded fancy grey. You can see them at fancydiamonds.net. If they have any hint of blue though, expect the price to skyrocket.

TL- Do you have any grey gems?

 

[MonkeyPie]

Star sapphires can come in grey!

 

[Indylady]

I found myself on a site called Gemselect from an old thread on grey''s by Freke. Their prices are really low! Has anyone purchased from them before?

 

[QueenB29]

Date: 8/5/2009 1:35:41 PM
Author: szh07

Date: 8/5/2009 8:58:49 AM

Author: QueenB29

Here''s a link to some gray diamonds (although many of them don''t actually look gray). My engagement stone is from this company and they provided us with great service.



http://www.fancydiamonds.net/grey_diamonds

Thank you so much for the link! What kind of diamond is your centerstone?

No problem! I hope you find what you''re looking for! My stone is a .31 VS2 fancy brownish-pink diamond, but I don''t see any brown in it at all. I really love it.

Here''s the only pic I have at work:

 

[Indylady]

Date: 8/5/2009 2:21:19 PM
Author: QueenB29

Date: 8/5/2009 1:35:41 PM

Author: szh07

Date: 8/5/2009 8:58:49 AM


Author: QueenB29


Here''s a link to some gray diamonds (although many of them don''t actually look gray). My engagement stone is from this company and they provided us with great service.




http://www.fancydiamonds.net/grey_diamonds

Thank you so much for the link! What kind of diamond is your centerstone?

No problem! I hope you find what you''re looking for! My stone is a .31 VS2 fancy brownish-pink diamond, but I don''t see any brown in it at all. I really love it.


Here''s the only pic I have at work:

Very very pretty!! Does it have its own thread? Because I would love to see more pictures of your beautiful ring!

 

[glitterata]

There have been threads on gray stones over the years. They''re not popular, but a few of us are fans. Search on both spellings of gray/grey.

I bought several gray spinels a few years ago. They were quite cheap--cheaper back then than they are now. But hard to find; I don''t know whether that''s because they''re rare or (more likely) because they''re unpopular so nobody bothers to cut them. I like my gray spinels, but they''re not quite gray enough for me--slightly blue or slightly purple. I want a purer gray. Still, I think they''re attractive. Nice and sparkly.

Perhaps you can talk to a cutter about getting some gray spinel rough and cutting it for you?

Other gray stones are sapphires, especially star sapphires, and smoky quartz.

Here are two of my gray spinels sitting in a setting that I eventually used for my J I1 Infinity diamond:

 

[T L]

Date: 8/5/2009 1:44:44 PM
Author: szh07

Date: 8/4/2009 11:16:30 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
You can readily find grey spinel of an almost pure grey color, especially on ebay. Grey stones are actually plentiful, but not sold often because it's not technically a color, and therefore, not something in demand for a colored gem. As for diamonds, there are some that are graded fancy grey. You can see them at fancydiamonds.net. If they have any hint of blue though, expect the price to skyrocket.

TL- Do you have any grey gems?

I have stones with grey modifiers, but no pure grey gems. I personally avoid grey as much as possible in gems since I'm not a fan. I do put up with grey in colored diamonds though, as I have a greenish grey stone that I love. However, if I had the $$$, that would be a pure fancy vivid green instead!! LOL!!

The gem I have with the most grey in it is a Tahitian pearl which is blue-grey in a ring. I don't mind grey in Tahitian pearls as much as faceted crystals. As long as a pearl isn't pure grey though, I'm happy.

If you go to the store srilankamall on ebay, you will find a great deal of grey or almost grey spinels for very good prices, and good native cuts.

 

[Indylady]

Date: 8/5/2009 4:50:57 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover

Date: 8/5/2009 1:44:44 PM

Author: szh07

Date: 8/4/2009 11:16:30 PM

Author: tourmaline_lover

You can readily find grey spinel of an almost pure grey color, especially on ebay. Grey stones are actually plentiful, but not sold often because it''s not technically a color, and therefore, not something in demand for a colored gem. As for diamonds, there are some that are graded fancy grey. You can see them at fancydiamonds.net. If they have any hint of blue though, expect the price to skyrocket.

TL- Do you have any grey gems?

I have stones with grey modifiers, but no pure grey gems. I personally avoid grey as much as possible in gems since I''m not a fan. I do put up with grey in colored diamonds though, as I have a greenish grey stone that I love. However, if I had the $$$, that would be a pure fancy vivid green instead!! LOL!!


The gem I have with the most grey in it is a Tahitian pearl which is blue-grey in a ring. I don''t mind grey in Tahitian pearls as much as faceted crystals. As long as a pearl isn''t pure grey though, I''m happy.


If you go to the store srilankamall on ebay, you will find a great deal of grey or almost grey spinels for very good prices, and good native cuts.

Wow, they have a gorgeous spinel for $24!

 

[Indylady]

Date: 8/5/2009 4:37:10 PM
Author: glitterata
There have been threads on gray stones over the years. They''re not popular, but a few of us are fans. Search on both spellings of gray/grey.


I bought several gray spinels a few years ago. They were quite cheap--cheaper back then than they are now. But hard to find; I don''t know whether that''s because they''re rare or (more likely) because they''re unpopular so nobody bothers to cut them. I like my gray spinels, but they''re not quite gray enough for me--slightly blue or slightly purple. I want a purer gray. Still, I think they''re attractive. Nice and sparkly.


Perhaps you can talk to a cutter about getting some gray spinel rough and cutting it for you?


Other gray stones are sapphires, especially star sapphires, and smoky quartz.


Here are two of my gray spinels sitting in a setting that I eventually used for my J I1 Infinity diamond:

I love those grays! They are gorgeous; I especially love the second one. I think it has a slightly violet tint to it. Did you end up setting them into other settings?

 

[glitterata]

No, I haven''t yet set them.

In real life, I think I like the lighter one better. The darker one looks a little too much like it''s trying in vain to be blue. The lighter one is closer to a true gray.

 

[VRBeauty]

OK, so I had to check out srilankamall.... they certainly have some interesting gemstones! And I say that without any sarcasm whatsoever... it''s just that they have a lot of gemstones in subtle shades and neutral colors that wouldn''t necessarily appeal to the consumer who is looking for "bling!"

Anyhow, I found a few stones that would certainly qualify as "gray."

They call it yellow, I call it gray:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-65CT-Super-Glow-100-Natural-Rare-Sinhalite-08081411_W0QQitemZ330318279492QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce880f344&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

They call it clear, I call it gray:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-90CT-Gorgeous-Perfect-Cut-Natural-Scapolite-08052605_W0QQitemZ370231523086QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563384b70e&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
Ahh! Listed as blue-gray!
http://cgi.ebay.com/LONG-CUSHION-BLUE-GRAY-SPINEL-1-10CT-07073182_W0QQitemZ330290553967QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce6d9e46f&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-30CT-Ceylon-Blue-Gray-Spinel-100-Natural-08022686_W0QQitemZ330295482561QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce72518c1&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

Sorry I can''t post working links

but there are gray stones out there....

 

[T L]

Date: 8/6/2009 12:37:40 AM
Author: VRBeauty
OK, so I had to check out srilankamall.... they certainly have some interesting gemstones! And I say that without any sarcasm whatsoever... it''s just that they have a lot of gemstones in subtle shades and neutral colors that wouldn''t necessarily appeal to the consumer who is looking for ''bling!''

Anyhow, I found a few stones that would certainly qualify as ''gray.''

They call it yellow, I call it gray:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-65CT-Super-Glow-100-Natural-Rare-Sinhalite-08081411_W0QQitemZ330318279492QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce880f344&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

They call it clear, I call it gray:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-90CT-Gorgeous-Perfect-Cut-Natural-Scapolite-08052605_W0QQitemZ370231523086QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563384b70e&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
Ahh! Listed as blue-gray!
http://cgi.ebay.com/LONG-CUSHION-BLUE-GRAY-SPINEL-1-10CT-07073182_W0QQitemZ330290553967QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce6d9e46f&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-30CT-Ceylon-Blue-Gray-Spinel-100-Natural-08022686_W0QQitemZ330295482561QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce72518c1&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

Sorry I can''t post working links

but there are gray stones out there....

They are very good with returns, and they ship out very fast. Their stones aren''t the most awesome in the world, but at least what you see is what you get. I got my one bright lavender spinel from them. It has no grey.

 

[Deia]

I found one here! http://litnon.com/preview.php?cat=119&id=7371

It''s a bit more than $24, but it looks nice to me

 

[SparkleSparkle]

I think I found your stone - I''ve been lusting after this one but I wasn''t sure what to do with it. Platinum Spinel

 

[chrono]

Date: 8/6/2009 12:37:40 AM
Author: VRBeauty
OK, so I had to check out srilankamall.... they certainly have some interesting gemstones! And I say that without any sarcasm whatsoever... it''s just that they have a lot of gemstones in subtle shades and neutral colors that wouldn''t necessarily appeal to the consumer who is looking for ''bling!''

Anyhow, I found a few stones that would certainly qualify as ''gray.''

They call it yellow, I call it gray:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-65CT-Super-Glow-100-Natural-Rare-Sinhalite-08081411_W0QQitemZ330318279492QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce880f344&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

They call it clear, I call it gray:
http://cgi.ebay.com/3-90CT-Gorgeous-Perfect-Cut-Natural-Scapolite-08052605_W0QQitemZ370231523086QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item563384b70e&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
Ahh! Listed as blue-gray!
http://cgi.ebay.com/LONG-CUSHION-BLUE-GRAY-SPINEL-1-10CT-07073182_W0QQitemZ330290553967QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce6d9e46f&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com/1-30CT-Ceylon-Blue-Gray-Spinel-100-Natural-08022686_W0QQitemZ330295482561QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item4ce72518c1&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14

Sorry I can''t post working links

but there are gray stones out there....

The links should work now.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 8/6/2009 7:26:03 AM
Author: SparkleSparkle
I think I found your stone - I''ve been lusting after this one but I wasn''t sure what to do with it. Platinum Spinel

That is GORGEOUS!

 

[karee888]

didn''t someone get silver topaz from barry? i haven''t seen any pics posted....

 

[D&T]

Date: 8/6/2009 12:12:22 PM
Author: karee888
didn't someone get silver topaz from barry? i haven't seen any pics posted....

Loriken Did- one of the silver topaz. I'll have to dig for it,

ETA: here it is:

 

[D&T]

Date: 8/6/2009 7:26:03 AM
Author: SparkleSparkle
I think I found your stone - I''ve been lusting after this one but I wasn''t sure what to do with it. Platinum Spinel

that one is beautiful!