My ring with red Tanzanian spinel from Swala

[Arkteia]

I don’t know when I bought that spinel, probably around 2011 or so. The description from Swala said, “it is somewhat magenta in color”. I liked the photo; it was not what I was looking for, but I agreed.

Swala's photo.

 

[Arkteia]

There were many funny stories related to nearly losing it when I got Swala’s package. I liked the red droplet, someone who saw it called it “flame spinel”. I disagree, it has less orange (some), I think it is closer to Ferrari color but it is very strong color-shifter.

I asked Marc Sarosi from Africa Gems to set it. I enjoyed Marc’s professionalism. That year was hard for him, personally, so it took longer to set it but Marc kept me posted, sent me the side traps he chose (of very good quality) for approval, and in general, did a good job.

Marc's photos.

 

[Arkteia]

Here is my old photo.

 

[Arkteia]

Some other photosView attachment 635327

 

[elle_71125]

This spinel ring is truly one of my favorites. The color is a knock your socks off kind of red and the simple yet classic setting is just perfection.

It makes my day every time I see it pop up over here. Now I have to go find some paper towels to clean the drool off my iPad.

 

[Arkteia]

This photo was made in San Francisco. It was some outdoorsy food court, and in San Francisco's sun, the stone started faintly fluorescing. I like that the tail of a friendly dog got into the photo

 

[Arkteia]

Now this is how it looks in nasty energy-saving color

 

[Arkteia]

And in Moscow lights

 

[Arkteia]

This spinel ring is truly one of my favorites. The color is a knock your socks off kind of red and the simple yet classic setting is just perfection.

It makes my day every time I see it pop up over here. Now I have to go find some paper towels to clean the drool off my iPad.

Thank you, @elle_71125.

It was not cheap. And I was looking for something more "classically" Mahenge. (It is Tanzanian per prestige report).

However, I liked it and I think that given the fact that I am wearing it, it paid for itself. I always use this formula, the price divided per days used. There are stones I love, there are some I don't wear that often although I "should" love them. Who knows, why.

 

[peacechick]

When you think of the value of red spinels now, and how yours in particular glows like a traffic light in sunlight, I think it was one of those amazing finds. And maybe it found you even though you were looking for hot pink.

 

[Burmesedaze]

#spinel goals, Arkteia, spinel goals!

They look absolutely fab on you!

 

[suzanne2]

Thank you @Arkteia for finding these pictures. The ring is now in my favorites folder and I can look at it whenever I want. The color is my dream color and one day I'll have one. It's amazing.

 

[Stone Hunter]

BEAUTIFUL!

 

[ShinyPink]

the price divided per days used

That is such a smart thing to do! I've never thought of it that way, but I will now.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Beautiful color!

 

[passions4purples]

I love the setting! It really lets the stone shine.

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Absolutely gorgeous setting! I love the gold prongs. What a beautiful rich Ferrari red spinel you found! I am just amazed by fluorescence. It adds a lot to a stone’s personality. Enjoy!

 

[lambskin]

I love the three stone setting. Classic and timeless and really makes the center stone be the stqar. What cuts are the side stones?

 

[Catmom]

The color is amazing!

 

[voce]

One of the best spinel rings I've seen. I'm glad you found the gem and wear it often. Thanks for sharing all the pictures under different lights. I liked the picture under Moscow light. I visited Russia during summer with White Nights in St. Petersburg...fond memories of the scenery.

 

[leslie1956]

I'm generally more of a cool color kind of person, but damn that is one incredible red spinel! I think that I like red spinels more than rubies, now that I've seen various examples of both gems.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Super awesome stone and gorgeous setting!

 

[chatoyancy]

Do they even have them that color anymore? You were so fortunate to grab that beauty!

 

[Shiny_pretty_things]

Absolutely beautiful, what a lovely colour. Spinel is my birth stone (yay!) so one day I'd like to get one.

 

[Arkteia]

Thank you @peacechick
Thank you, @Burmesedaze
Thank you @suzanne2

 

[Arkteia]

Thank you, @Stone Hunter
Thank you, @MrsKMB
Thank you, @LisaRN

 

[Arkteia]

Thank you, @passions4purples - you are right about the setting, and I enjoyed working with Marc Sarosi, a true professional!
Thank you, @MissyBeaucoup
Thank you, @lambskin - the side stones are traps, I would not remember the ct weight although it might be somewhere in my emails, I remember they are H color and very clean
Thank you, @Catmom

 

[Arkteia]

One of the best spinel rings I've seen. I'm glad you found the gem and wear it often. Thanks for sharing all the pictures under different lights. I liked the picture under Moscow light. I visited Russia during summer with White Nights in St. Petersburg...fond memories of the scenery.

Thank you!
Indeed, the summers in Moscow and in St. Petersburg (especially the latter) are amazing.

Winters, on the other hand...St. Petersburg feels like arctic night. When I spent some time in Moscow in winter (having lived in Seattle already), it felt like your brain was tricked. You wake up at 3 am, 5 am, 7 am, 9 am - still dark. No idea when to get up unless you look at the clock. (The mechanism of seasonal affective disorder became quite obvious).

But now, it is summertime, the Soccer World Cup, everyone is friendly and having fun

 

[Arkteia]

I'm generally more of a cool color kind of person, but damn that is one incredible red spinel! I think that I like red spinels more than rubies, now that I've seen various examples of both gems.

Thank you, @leslie1956

Spinels vs rubies? Case-by-case, I think.

I never understood what was sitting in the Black Prince spinel of the British crown. Apparently, it is a ruby set to fill in a hole from the drilling - at one point, the 170-ct spinel was worn as a pendant!

 

[Arkteia]

Thank you, @the_mother_thing
Thank you, @chatoyancy
Thank you, @Shiny_pretty_things - I wish that the best spinel comes your way!