Hi all..
I’m into red and blue stones lately and looking to purchase these two gems.. both are natural spinels.. weight is about 2 carat..
I understand it’s difficult to evaluate from these photos alone but your opinions would be much appreciated
If you look for vivid red, I would not consider either of these
They both will look considerably less vivid and red than what you may expect from the pictures. The first one has some grey modifier that will be a lot more noticeable in person. The second one is really dark orangish, almost brick red and will back out in most lights.
For red spinel try higems_ on instagram, he usually has a good inventory at decent prices
The second one reads more red for me. They are both quite pretty though!
With the second one ask if it ever blacks out and also try to get more pictures in office lighting and cloudy day lighting. I like that it's red red but I worry that it has the potential to be dark.
The first is a very pretty muted peony or rose pink, which I personally really respond to.
The second is going to be a dark brick in most lighting, that doesn't mean it's not going to sparkle or be pretty- but it will certainly be moody in different lighting.
You'll have to see both in motion, though, that's a certainty.
Not every spinel has to be industry ideal to be amazing and it comes in so many wonderful shades.
First is going to probably be nice but a soft pink red shade -- a little like a dusky pink to sunset pink. You could ask for a shot on a white paper background as grey will be slightly amplifying the colour, if they're willing to provide more photos then a back of the hand shot will also help you get a read on the colour.
Second has a lot of brown, will black out and go muddy in most lighting.
Neither is vivid red. But price of vivid/neon red is more like 1000-2000 per ct. these days even from an Instagram source.