New project: shopping help

[Lady_Disdain]

I finally got my act together, set a budget and started searching for one of my favourite gems: a sleepy stone that glows. My inspiration stone is a glowing pink tourmaline that my dealer once had. Unfortunately, a kashmir sapphire or Paraiba is out of my budget...

I have asked my local dealers and all of them looked at me like I had grown an extra head when I inquired about this. I haven''t hit on the right keywords to search on the net. So I wondered if PSers might be able to help (I am amazed at what you guys can find!)

Budget: $300 (but I can be flexible for the perfect stone)
Gem type: irrelevant, as long as it is a sleepy glow
Colour: preferably blue or pink, but anything goes
Preferably a cabochon
Eye clean
Size: at least 1ct, but less than 3cts

Bottom line: as long as it glows, I am happy.

Am I even remotely realistic with my budget? The inspiration stone was only around $60, since it had a lot of silk (obviously, exactly what I am looking for).

 

[T L]

A little smaller than what you're looking for, but a very interesting stone.

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=9&idproduct=2609

 

[Kismet]

How about a moonstone? This one for example.

 

[Kelli]

I was thinking moonstone too! I love them

 

[vanessa_b]

When I read your description I immediately thought of my moonstone. It is usually sleepy but when the light hits it the right way it lights up and glows, it''s so cool.

My ring came from Heart of Water Jewels on etsy.

 

[chrono]

www.thegemtrader.com used to have 2 sleepy pink spinels for very reasonable prices. I like sleepy stones because they just don''t have any extinction. They just glow and have a soft velvety look.

 

[chrono]

Date: 2/9/2009 9:55:57 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
A little smaller than what you''re looking for, but a very interesting stone.

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=9&idproduct=2609

TL, that''s a good find at a good price.

 

[packrat]

Vanessa, I never stop sighing over your moonstone!

 

[vanessa_b]

Date: 2/9/2009 9:28:54 PM
Author: packrat
Vanessa, I never stop sighing over your moonstone!

Thanks, I love it so much!

And pretty reasonable if you want one of your own.

 

[packrat]

And my list of pretties I *need* just got a little bit longer!

 

[ma re]

Well, besides those mentioned, pink tourmaline comes to mind. They''re not among the cleanest of stones so they''re often cut as cabs and tend to have a nice glow. You could find one within the budget, I''m sure. Milky aquamarine is also an option (for blue), and rose quartz is probably the most obvious and the least expensive.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

I had my eyes on Gemtrader''s spinel for quite a while, but unfortunately someone got them before I did... ACStone''s is also very nice and a strong contender (but I think I may have to act quickly before someone else gets it).

I don''t care much for moonstone. Perhaps because I associate it with bad stones and cheap silver. I know I should get over this!

I was offered this tourmaline today - rather unusual (aka, not at all eyeclean, but interesting) and a nice colour. The dealer tells me the inclusions are much more even than the photo shows, making it rather milky instead of streaky like the photo. Opinions?

 

[arjunajane]

Hi Lady D,
no idea how you feel about the setting, but how about this ring - sky blue topaz cabochon, looks pretty glow-y to me

If your budget for the stone is $300, this entire ring is $450 in 18k gold..

 

[arjunajane]

second pic, and link (same seller as the lovely moonstone ring above)..

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20708720

ETA: the "bubble" in the stone is just an effect of the photos

 

[arjunajane]

also this aqua cabochon, also glow-y

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Problem solved - thank you all for the help!

One of my favourite dealers came through with some lovely pink Mehenge spinel - neon pink and glowy. And, as I type, a 5ct piece of it is on its way to Dan for cutting. And it will end up within budget as well!

How good can life get? Unfortunately, no pics yet.