shape
carat
color
clarity

Mastercut gems rocktober sale!

chatoyancy

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
1,384
Thoughts on this spinel? Would it be too dark when set?

spinel1.jpg
spinel2.jpg
I think it’s lovely. I have have heard that putting a halo around a stone will make it look darker, so I wouldn’t do that.
 

chatoyancy

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
1,384
So, new items have been added to the sale... I have now officially spent the bling budget for the year in the past two weeks! (I have a bigger purchase in the works too :oops2:)

Picked up the following as well, now I have to stop :doh:. 1.83ct unheated tanzanite, 1.23ct mahenge garnet. 36625.jpg 38005.jpg
I have been eyeing that tanzanite for a while. It looks so pretty! What do you want to do with it?
 

chatoyancy

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
1,384
I picked up a few stones, waiting for them to be shipped to me still! My cousin is having her first baby in January so in particular I've been hunting for red garnets for her. Then of course I saw some other stones that caught my eyes :lol: I was really tempted to buy one of the star sapphires but had to contain myself. Now to figure out how I'm going to use these!

3.26ct Nigerian Red Spessartite
Nigeria Spessartite.jpg
3.62 Rhodesian Rhodolite
Rhodesia Rhodolite-1.jpg
1.74ct Afghanistan Tourmaline
Afghanistan Tourmaline-1.jpg
4.77ct Pakistan Peridot Pair
Pakistan Peridots-1.jpg
.875 and .625 Ruby pairs
Burma Rubies-1.jpg Burma Rubies-3.jpg
You picked up a lot of lovelies! That’s sweet of you to buy stones for your sister. That Afghan tourmaline looks almost identical to the one I bought from Mastercut gems a little over a year ago.
 

Stone Hunter

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 12, 2006
Messages
6,487
I hope the tanzanite is close to the pictures, I know it's not the industry favoured colour, but I prefer the "peacock" sort of colouring of the unheated stones.

Dana's description of the garnet is that the colour is "vivid pink", so I'm curious what colour it is IRL. There was a hand shot in the original listing that looked more pink. Screenshot_20181021-163350_Firefox.jpg

As for finding the new listings, I've been doing the same as you! They seem to be in reverse order of the Gem ID number, so unless they are completely new to the site they show up in random order. I haven't found any other way to sort the listings, unfortunately!

I think the “hand shots” look closer to the color I see when I look at Dana’s stones in person. Just my opinion. HTH
 

clumberlove

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
279
I have been eyeing that tanzanite for a while. It looks so pretty! What do you want to do with it?

I'm thinking a ring for the tanzanite, it's so pretty I want to look at it! I know they're a bit soft for regular wear so I might do a halo to give it some protection. Need to save up for a while though, so I'll have time to think about it.
 

Chasiu

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jun 23, 2010
Messages
287
I almost bought that tourmaline, but I had to restrain myself! It was in my cart for a while. It is a dangerous sale they are having :whistle:. I'm sure your friend will love that garnet, fingers crossed the baby arrives in January! Otherwise I guess you'll just have to keep it and do some more gem shopping :P2

Oh no, I'll just have to shop some more :whistle:

You picked up a lot of lovelies! That’s sweet of you to buy stones for your sister. That Afghan tourmaline looks almost identical to the one I bought from Mastercut gems a little over a year ago.

I have a couple other tiny tourmalines from Mastercut, I'm hoping that one of them is close in color to this larger one so I can maybe make a necklace or ring out of them!

Can't wait until they arrive tomorrow :)
 

strawrose

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 24, 2014
Messages
1,102
9CACA2D0-1114-417D-8C93-8FDB82E30FD5.jpeg I need to stop browsing pricescope. I recently bought blue zircon earrings... argh

Of course, I don’t mind the inclusions. The real question is if it’s safe enough to set into a pendant?

Oh well, it’s mine. :mrgreen2:
 
Last edited:

chatoyancy

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
1,384
I'm thinking a ring for the tanzanite, it's so pretty I want to look at it! I know they're a bit soft for regular wear so I might do a halo to give it some protection. Need to save up for a while though, so I'll have time to think about it.
I have a heated tanzanite in a ring. I’m just careful about when and where I wear it. I love it. My mom gave it to me. My husband gave me a pendant with a diamond and tanzanite as a push present. I love it, but I can’t see it when I’m wearing it. I think a ring is a great idea. Your lovely garnet looks a lot like a red zircon.
 

chatoyancy

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
1,384
Oh no, I'll just have to shop some more :whistle:



I have a couple other tiny tourmalines from Mastercut, I'm hoping that one of them is close in color to this larger one so I can maybe make a necklace or ring out of them!

Can't wait until they arrive tomorrow :)
That will be pretty. Show and tell when you get them!
 

PreRaphaelite

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Feb 2, 2015
Messages
3,564
Ack! I've never bought colored stones before but these are so pretty. What do you all think? $89 for Pinky Orangy sapphires, 3mm
37806.jpg
 

Hivona

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 10, 2014
Messages
541
292DCB0D-74F7-4D8D-853B-57AAFE18FF6D.jpeg E252FAE6-5BD0-40F5-B2ED-1C008D60835F.jpeg 73F0CA53-1250-4892-8D53-5BACFB8E5660.jpeg 379F97B7-8C9C-4CB8-AB0C-ED7D365B2A39.jpeg 71CD2B9C-81E4-4D06-9A91-07A3AA513474.jpeg

These are the 3 gems I purchased shown in different crummy light through out my apartment. Orange garnet, purple spinel, silvery/mint tourmaline. The garnet & tourmaline I had been watching since spring time! The spinel was an impulse purchase but I really like it. It has a traditional faceted pavilion but a smooth buff top! Overall, I’m really happy with these gems! I find Dana’s photos some of the best for showing what a gem looks like in real life as opposed to perfect glamour shots. These gems look pretty much exactly as the website photos.
 

MidModMin

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 7, 2017
Messages
138
@Hivona I like the garnet! The cut looks really nice. I eyed a few for a long time but didn't end up pulling the trigger and bought a gray spinel instead.

Is it straight orange or the garnet that was described as the "unusual color" garnet from Umba Valley?
 

Hivona

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 10, 2014
Messages
541
5BFB31CA-393A-491F-8DE9-34654073ED41.jpeg 33A6CEBC-0270-4293-9325-FB97D734ACC5.jpeg
@Hivona I like the garnet! The cut looks really nice. I eyed a few for a long time but didn't end up pulling the trigger and bought a gray spinel instead.

Is it straight orange or the garnet that was described as the "unusual color" garnet from Umba Valley?


It was the one described as unusual color. It is quite orange but maybe a brown modifier. I’m still not very good at modifiers. It is really sparkly and bright. For comparison here is another garnet I recently purchased from another vendor that is orangy but darker tone I think. The smaller one is the master cut gem. I might like it better because it’s brighter.
 

chatoyancy

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
1,384
292DCB0D-74F7-4D8D-853B-57AAFE18FF6D.jpeg E252FAE6-5BD0-40F5-B2ED-1C008D60835F.jpeg 73F0CA53-1250-4892-8D53-5BACFB8E5660.jpeg 379F97B7-8C9C-4CB8-AB0C-ED7D365B2A39.jpeg 71CD2B9C-81E4-4D06-9A91-07A3AA513474.jpeg

These are the 3 gems I purchased shown in different crummy light through out my apartment. Orange garnet, purple spinel, silvery/mint tourmaline. The garnet & tourmaline I had been watching since spring time! The spinel was an impulse purchase but I really like it. It has a traditional faceted pavilion but a smooth buff top! Overall, I’m really happy with these gems! I find Dana’s photos some of the best for showing what a gem looks like in real life as opposed to perfect glamour shots. These gems look pretty much exactly as the website photos.
These are pretty. I love the colors. I find Dana’s photos accurate as well.
 

Stone Hunter

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 12, 2006
Messages
6,487
5BFB31CA-393A-491F-8DE9-34654073ED41.jpeg 33A6CEBC-0270-4293-9325-FB97D734ACC5.jpeg


It was the one described as unusual color. It is quite orange but maybe a brown modifier. I’m still not very good at modifiers. It is really sparkly and bright. For comparison here is another garnet I recently purchased from another vendor that is orangy but darker tone I think. The smaller one is the master cut gem. I might like it better because it’s brighter.

Those would be nice in a pendant with diamonds....:twisted2:
 

Arcadian

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 17, 2008
Messages
9,086
9CACA2D0-1114-417D-8C93-8FDB82E30FD5.jpeg I need to stop browsing pricescope. I recently bought blue zircon earrings... argh

Of course, I don’t mind the inclusions. The real question is if it’s safe enough to set into a pendant?

Oh well, it’s mine. :mrgreen2:

As a pendant? Absolutely! I think it would be really lovely as a pendant!
 

chatoyancy

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
1,384
9CACA2D0-1114-417D-8C93-8FDB82E30FD5.jpeg I need to stop browsing pricescope. I recently bought blue zircon earrings... argh

Of course, I don’t mind the inclusions. The real question is if it’s safe enough to set into a pendant?

Oh well, it’s mine. :mrgreen2:
I love your jolly rancher!
 

strawrose

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 24, 2014
Messages
1,102
Thanks you two! It’s my first purchase from a stone vendor. :kiss2:
 

chatoyancy

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
1,384
Thanks you two! It’s my first purchase from a stone vendor. :kiss2:
It’s lovely. Rubellites are so difficult to find these days. Dana always has cool gems no one else has.
 

MidModMin

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 7, 2017
Messages
138
@Hivona Very pretty! I like the cut of it a lot. It does look very bright and I agree that those would make for a very pretty pendant.
 

clumberlove

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
279
They have arrived! Along with a gift from Dana :mrgreen2:

Top to bottom :
Mahenge garnet 1.23ct 6.1mm
Unheated tanzanite 1.83ct 7.5mm
Tourmaline (gift!) 1.79ct 9.5 x 7mm
Star sapphire 11.35ct 12 x 11.2mm
Electric Swiss topaz 8.14ct 10 x 14mm
20181101_104737.jpg 20181101_105000.jpg
20181101_105038.jpg
 

lovedogs

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
18,023
They have arrived! Along with a gift from Dana :mrgreen2:

Top to bottom :
Mahenge garnet 1.23ct 6.1mm
Unheated tanzanite 1.83ct 7.5mm
Tourmaline (gift!) 1.79ct 9.5 x 7mm
Star sapphire 11.35ct 12 x 11.2mm
Electric Swiss topaz 8.14ct 10 x 14mm
20181101_104737.jpg 20181101_105000.jpg
20181101_105038.jpg
Beautiful!!! I was totally eyeing the electric blue topaz. Love all of them!
 

strawrose

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 24, 2014
Messages
1,102
They have arrived! Along with a gift from Dana :mrgreen2:

Top to bottom :
Mahenge garnet 1.23ct 6.1mm
Unheated tanzanite 1.83ct 7.5mm
Tourmaline (gift!) 1.79ct 9.5 x 7mm
Star sapphire 11.35ct 12 x 11.2mm
Electric Swiss topaz 8.14ct 10 x 14mm
20181101_104737.jpg 20181101_105000.jpg
20181101_105038.jpg

Now I’m excited! They look just as pretty as in their pictures.
 

clumberlove

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
279
Now I’m excited! They look just as pretty as in their pictures.

Yes, I think Dana's pictures are pretty accurate. I'm officially on a stone buying ban now until I get this lot set! :naughty:
 

chatoyancy

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
1,384
They have arrived! Along with a gift from Dana :mrgreen2:

Top to bottom :
Mahenge garnet 1.23ct 6.1mm
Unheated tanzanite 1.83ct 7.5mm
Tourmaline (gift!) 1.79ct 9.5 x 7mm
Star sapphire 11.35ct 12 x 11.2mm
Electric Swiss topaz 8.14ct 10 x 14mm
20181101_104737.jpg 20181101_105000.jpg
20181101_105038.jpg
Those are all so pretty!! The unheated tanzanite is my favorite.
 

Vogue

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Messages
157
My final haul, followed by a question:

IMG_3213.jpg

Amethyst, tourmaline, and blue zircon. The tourmaline is a lot more red than the photos suggested, and looks pretty dark under incandescent light, so I'll be sending it back. The zircon is perfect and will make a wonderful gift! As for the amethyst...I'm torn.

IMG_3215.jpg

IMG_3217.jpg

As you can (probably?) see, there's a fairly significant inclusion on the bottom. This was fairly represented in both the photos and the gem description, but I felt I needed to see it for myself. Now I've seen it, and I'm wondering, can it be covered by a bezel? The color is everything I wanted and more, I'm a big fan of the shape and cut, and the clarity is lovely. It was also pretty darn cheap ($119 for nearly 6 carats--you get what you pay for!). I've been coveting a dramatic ring set in something like CVB ID's "Isadora" style. If the inclusions can be covered up, this would be perfect. If they can't, I'll never be able to un-see them.

What do PSers think?

Edit: Although I took another look at the tourmaline, and all of a sudden thought, "It looks like a rose!" And my thinking changed completely? Does that ever happen to you??
 
Last edited:

strawrose

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
May 24, 2014
Messages
1,102
My final haul, followed by a question:

IMG_3213.jpg

Amethyst, tourmaline, and blue zircon. The tourmaline is a lot more red than the photos suggested, and looks pretty dark under incandescent light, so I'll be sending it back. The zircon is perfect and will make a wonderful gift! As for the amethyst...I'm torn.

IMG_3215.jpg

IMG_3217.jpg

As you can (probably?) see, there's a fairly significant inclusion on the bottom. This was fairly represented in both the photos and the gem description, but I felt I needed to see it for myself. Now I've seen it, and I'm wondering, can it be covered by a bezel? The color is everything I wanted and more, I'm a big fan of the shape and cut, and the clarity is lovely. It was also pretty darn cheap ($119 for nearly 6 carats--you get what you pay for!). I've been coveting a dramatic ring set in something like CVB ID's "Isadora" style. If the inclusions can be covered up, this would be perfect. If they can't, I'll never be able to un-see them.

What do PSers think?

Edit: Although I took another look at the tourmaline, and all of a sudden thought, "It looks like a rose!" And my thinking changed completely? Does that ever happen to you??

They are very pretty. Haha... I get that feeling after cleaning dirty jewelry. “Was this always this ugly? ... never mind.”

I’m currently dealing with USPS misplacing packages... :cry2:
 

MissyBeaucoup

Brilliant_Rock
Premium
Joined
Mar 10, 2017
Messages
1,124
@Vogue I love your tourmaline. I’m glad the deep rose color spoke to you in a different light. I think tourmalines like sunlight. Enjoy your new finds!
 
Be a part of the community Get 3 HCA Results
Top