Icy’s CS adventures

[Burmesedaze]

Iirc a few hundred usd$ each? I got the bottom right blue grey in the first pic with them on the box as it looked most 3D with a high dome and no fracture within when we shone the torch on it. Paid around us$200 so the deeper and more purple ones would be more I think.

 

[icy_jade]

Ok Sat morning family outing to Daiso (I olove haha cos I can buy lots and still don’t feel broke after) and thought these magnifying stuff are interesting



Unfortunately only 3x magnification but maybe helps in photo taking? Will try and see.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Dang! I didn't see that! 5yo would have loved that!

 

[icy_jade]

Iirc a few hundred usd$ each? I got the bottom right blue grey in the first pic with them on the box as it looked most 3D with a high dome and no fracture within when we shone the torch on it. Paid around us$200 so the deeper and more purple ones would be more I think.

Omg sooooo affordable. I so want one now

 

[icy_jade]

I looked quickly through the list and don't recognise most of them. Cannot recommend anyone, sorry. DeGem has amazing HUGE bling to look at but not to buy from (extraordinarily high prices, most certainly at a premium to the more well known PS vendors).

I saw the ad and haha at the prices... Usually price on request isn’t a good sign.

Special buys are much more up my alley.

 

[icy_jade]

Measurements: 8 x 6.7 mm
1.44 carat

Is this “rainbow moonstone” (Labradorite) good specimen? I know it’s not moonstone moonstone but it’s so pretty... anyone knows where to get bigger ones? Or for the matter nice real moonstones (Orthoclase)? I would like a ring of decent size (@Burmesedaze goals)...

If I see some at the fair, how much should I expect to pay per carat?

 

[Burmesedaze]

Don't know about labradorite but the moonstones (orthoclase) set in the pendants from this seller are about that. Could go 10 - 20% cheaper since the silver setting and semi precious stones they are set with are, will, rather negligible in cost.

Uniform blue sheen or even better, gold sheen with minimal white, is preferred. White ones or those that only flash blue at the top or at angles are less valuable.

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/shop/Notreatgems?ref=l2-shopheader-name&search_query=moonstone

 

[lovedogs]

Don't know about labradorite but the moonstones (orthoclase) set in the pendants from this seller are about that. Could go 10 - 20% cheaper since the silver setting and semi precious stones they are set with are, will, rather negligible in cost.

Uniform blue sheen or even better, gold sheen with minimal white, is preferred. White ones or those that only flash blue at the top or at angles are less valuable.

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/shop/Notreatgems?ref=l2-shopheader-name&search_query=moonstone

That vendor sent me videos of the 3ct and 3?3/3.5ct one a few weeks ago as I was considering them. I contacted him via Etsy and then used WhatsApp. Those are both nice stones (at least from what I saw).

 

[icy_jade]

Dang! I didn't see that! 5yo would have loved that!

I think you are right about kids having fun with those stuff though I bought them for myself. My kids had so much fun playing with my new electronic scope and taking gross pics of their nose hair this afternoon...

 

[icy_jade]

Don't know about labradorite but the moonstones (orthoclase) set in the pendants from this seller are about that. Could go 10 - 20% cheaper since the silver setting and semi precious stones they are set with are, will, rather negligible in cost.

Uniform blue sheen or even better, gold sheen with minimal white, is preferred. White ones or those that only flash blue at the top or at angles are less valuable.

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/shop/Notreatgems?ref=l2-shopheader-name&search_query=moonstone

That vendor sent me videos of the 3ct and 3?3/3.5ct one a few weeks ago as I was considering them. I contacted him via Etsy and then used WhatsApp. Those are both nice stones (at least from what I saw).

Thank you! What do you think about the biggest one? Pics above. Do inclusions like the ones shown bother you? Are moonstones without inclusions hard to find and much $$$?

I also found this and it looks stunning but very pricey and luster is only described as medium?

 

[lovedogs]

@icy_jade the biggest one from that vendor (your first pics) looks like it might only have the blue sheen from certain angles, which would bother me (just IMHO, of course). I'm not as bothered by the inclusions as I am by the fact that I suspect it will look transparent/clear in most lighting. The one in the video looks gorgeous! Would be hard to figure out what to do with 20+ carats though!!

 

[Burmesedaze]

I would go for evenness of coloured sheen and clarity over size. My moonstone mounted in the ring is slightly over 6cts. Not that big a monster. Well under us$1k.

They are soft. So earrings or a pendant are preferable over a ring. Must handle with care!

I'm fine with a closed back to intensify colour play as well. Leon Mege does variations of it for his moonstone pieces too.

 

[Burmesedaze]

Preferably without inclusions or else very minor or a spot or 2 rather than some long or fibrous line.

Eta stone was under us1k.

 

[lovedogs]

@Burmesedaze if the entire ring were under 1K I would have died of shock! The fact that the stone was under 1K is very impressive!!!

 

[Burmesedaze]

@Burmesedaze if the entire ring were under 1K I would have died of shock! The fact that the stone was under 1K is very impressive!!!

Haha the ring setting alone was over US$700 excl stone.

 

[Burmesedaze]

@icy_jade the inclusions in the first would bother me.

The 2nd one I'd ask to see it in natural daylight. It looks a tad grey/predominantly white on the bottom with the blue sheen just floating on top.

 

[marionberry]

Love this thread! Especially the prospect of seeing sugerloaf cuts on here ... and this first rainbow labradorite you posted: just WOW!

 

[icy_jade]

@icy_jade the biggest one from that vendor (your first pics) looks like it might only have the blue sheen from certain angles, which would bother me (just IMHO, of course). I'm not as bothered by the inclusions as I am by the fact that I suspect it will look transparent/clear in most lighting. The one in the video looks gorgeous! Would be hard to figure out what to do with 20+ carats though!!

It will have to be either a pendant or a convertible ring/pendant I think...

Gosh I still can’t read gem pics... am just starting to get windows and extinction you know? I feel like I’m taking tiny baby steps. Just earlier today I saw some native cuts on IG and I was like “oh window” before I realized I identified windows without thinking and I’m like... oh progress!

I would go for evenness of coloured sheen and clarity over size. My moonstone mounted in the ring is slightly over 6cts. Not that big a monster. Well under us$1k.

They are soft. So earrings or a pendant are preferable over a ring. Must handle with care!

I'm fine with a closed back to intensify colour play as well. Leon Mege does variations of it for his moonstone pieces too.

@icy_jade the inclusions in the first would bother me.

The 2nd one I'd ask to see it in natural daylight. It looks a tad grey/predominantly white on the bottom with the blue sheen just floating on top.

Unsure about second one as such a big stone is kinda hard to wear. I LOVE the Leon Mege pieces, like the bigass moonstone ring that is available. Honestly think that’s how my sugarloaf obsession started... with his sapphires and paraiba rings.

Anyway posting some LM eye candy and the lovely closed back

 

[icy_jade]

Love this thread! Especially the prospect of seeing sugerloaf cuts on here ... and this first rainbow labradorite you posted: just WOW!

Thanks! I looked for sugarloaves and they are so rare... so I’m thinking an oval is fine too. I found one sugarloaf but it looks a bit darker than what I like and looking at the price I’m probably better off getting the LM rings that are so lovely...





And a bonus paraiba pic!

 

[icy_jade]

Love this thread! Especially the prospect of seeing sugerloaf cuts on here ... and this first rainbow labradorite you posted: just WOW!

Oh ya are u interested in the rainbow moonstone? If yes I can try to recall where I found it. It’s a bit too small for me, heh. :roll

 

[marionberry]

I can try to recall where I found it. It’s a bit too small for me, heh. :roll

I'd definitely be interested!
I liked these ones too: http://www.thegemtrader.com/Apr17RMoonPage.htm http://thegemtrader.com/Mar12RMoonstonePage.htm

 

[icy_jade]

I'd definitely be interested!
I liked these ones too: http://www.thegemtrader.com/Apr17RMoonPage.htm http://thegemtrader.com/Mar12RMoonstonePage.htm

Lol it’s the same source!

https://www.thegemtrader.com/144-ct-zambian-rainbow-moonstone-the-gem-trader-rare-gems

 

[lovedogs]

Oh ya are u interested in the rainbow moonstone? If yes I can try to recall where I found it. It’s a bit too small for me, heh. :roll

I asked about this one too! Must have been too late. How do you like it in person?

 

[icy_jade]

I asked about this one too! Must have been too late. How do you like it in person?

I didn’t get it. Hoping that a Ps-er will get it as it’s really pretty.

Alas I have fat finger issues. My ring finger is size 8 and I think my other fingers are 8.5-9.5

So I find I need bigger stones for better finger coverage.

 

[icy_jade]

Ok so while still trying to figure out what sort of blue I like I bought a synthetic sapphire from Precision Gem. It’s a 3.5 carat 8.8 mm stone and I really hope I will love it.

What sort of blue is this? I still can’t figure out sapphire blue names. Every chart I’ve found gives different names...

 

[Bron357]

Here are my moonstones, some blue sheen others white. One or two white “cats eye” I think. Most clean, some have tiny bits of dark inclusions. Some even would make pairs. Biggest (1st one) 6 carats, most other 2 to 3 carat.

 

[Bron357]

Ok so while still trying to figure out what sort of blue I like I bought a synthetic sapphire from Precision Gem. It’s a 3.5 carat 8.8 mm stone and I really hope I will love it.

What sort of blue is this? I still can’t figure out sapphire blue names. Every chart I’ve found gives different names...

I would call that “corn flower” blue.

 

[voce]

@icy_jade I agree with Bron; I also think it's "cornflower blue".

 

[Burmesedaze]

Ok so while still trying to figure out what sort of blue I like I bought a synthetic sapphire from Precision Gem. It’s a 3.5 carat 8.8 mm stone and I really hope I will love it.

What sort of blue is this? I still can’t figure out sapphire blue names. Every chart I’ve found gives different names...

Let's see it on your hand and against a natural light source when you get it

 

[Burmesedaze]

I didn’t get it. Hoping that a Ps-er will get it as it’s really pretty.

Alas I have fat finger issues. My ring finger is size 8 and I think my other fingers are 8.5-9.5

So I find I need bigger stones for better finger coverage.

We could be finger size twins!