Please help me pick a Rhodolite Garnet

[bleeblue]

Hi All

I've decided to purchase a Rhodolite Garnet (my first one) and I've narrowed it down to 4 options. I'm hoping that experienced PSers can help me pick one out (or tell me that they are all rubbish).

I have been inspired to aquire a red stone by AGBF's search (and I can't afford a beautiful red ruby or spinel at this point in time).

TIA

Option 1 - 2.15cts VVS

 

[bleeblue]

Option 2 - 2.75cts VVS

 

[bleeblue]

Option 3 - 1.97cts VVS

 

[bleeblue]

Option 4 - 1.97cts VVS

Thanks everyone!

 

[jstarfireb]

I like both the cut and the color of the second one, but I'm afraid it may be a little dark.

 

[chrono]

These all look to be from the same vendor; can he/she take a picture of all 4 stones together? The colour for the second garnet looks the most purple and saturated, and would be my pick, based on the current pictures. The background doesn’t seem to be flooded with light so hopefully it will not end up too dark IRL. The rest are either too orangish, too pink or too brown on my monitor.

 

[kelpie]

If it were me I'd get this one if budget allows
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370463422786

But of the choices posted I like option two.

 

[Pandora II]

No. 2 would be my vote based purely on the photos. Can you get a group shot?

 

[davi_el_mejor]

If it were me I'd get this one if budget allows
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370463422786

But of the choices posted I like option two.

You can't go wrong with Uli.

I'm going against the trend here and would pick #3.

I'd also check out Barry at http://acstones.com/, garnet is this months special and his cutting is amazing.

 

[T L]

These all look to be from the same vendor; can he/she take a picture of all 4 stones together? The colour for the second garnet looks the most purple and saturated, and would be my pick, based on the current pictures. The background doesn’t seem to be flooded with light so hopefully it will not end up too dark IRL. The rest are either too orangish, too pink or too brown on my monitor.

Ditto

 

[LD]

1. Too dark.
2. Lots of yummy purples tones that I personally like to see with a Rhodolite.
3. Has a half half look about it. I suspect this stone might be better than the photos suggest IF the lighting doesn't make it look too orange/brown. I have a Rhodolite that has this half/half and it has a constantly changing personality.
4. Too orange

I agree with all the others - a group shot is needed!

 

[bleeblue]

I asked the vendor to take a side by side picture and she said that she wasn't willing to do it because it would be way too time consuming for her

I've purchased a few of her cheaper gems (peridot, citrine and amethysts) from her which I expect to arrive next week. I should then be able to compare her photogpahy with the real life then.

 

[LD]

That's a shame and it's not what you want to hear from a vendor. It's a good call to see how her photograph compares to the gems you're soon getting. Just wondering whether she has a good returns policy? If you like one of the Rhodolites it may be worth getting if you can easily return?

 

[chrono]

I’m sorry that the vendor chose not to follow up on this prospective sale, especially in light that you made a few other purchases from her, proving that you are a serious buyer and not just looking around for fun.

 

[movie zombie]

true, Chrono, but time is $ and some vendors do not have the extra time to meet special needs....or dare i say it, the talent. perhaps this vendor relies on a certain photographer or equipment and doesn't have unlimited access. who knows. but it is that vendor's business and that vendor's rules. the best we can do is vote with our $ and not support a vendor that doesn't meet our individual or group needs.

MoZo

 

[chrono]

true, Chrono, but time is $ and some vendors do not have the extra time to meet special needs....or dare i say it, the talent. perhaps this vendor relies on a certain photographer or equipment and doesn't have unlimited access. who knows. but it is that vendor's business and that vendor's rules. the best we can do is vote with our $ and not support a vendor that doesn't meet our individual or group needs.

MoZo

Agreed!

 

[stargurl78]

My preference would be 2, 3, 1, 4 with #2 being my top choice.

I like the one Kelpie posted too (although it seems like you are looking for an oval so that might not work).

 

[minousbijoux]

I like the saturation and color of 2 (tho it shows purplish on my screen). Either that or 3 - the others look a bit dissipated.

 

[T L]

#2 reminds me of an umbalite (a purplish pink rhodolite from the umba valley in Tanzania, which is highly prized).

 

[Arcadian]

The picture style I recognize as I've purchased from this vendor before. She's very honest and forthcoming of what she can do. She's also a one person vendor so to that end, I can understand why it would be time consuming for her to do.

As far as the darker garnets, they will likely go darker than they are now after being set. If you don't want to go too dark go with the pinker variety. I purchased a super red garnet from her about a year ago along with another 5mm garnet that I set. The redder of the two did go pretty dark after the set which was disappointing. I unset that one and it just lives in my gem box.

-A