Question for You, TL

[minousbijoux]

I know that you buy fairly frequently from Srilankamall and its sister store. I too have bought some stones from them and typically end up returning a fairly large proportion due to poor light return. The colors are typically lovely and the cutting doesn't look bad (no glaring windows), its just that often the stones read dark or don't sparkle as I hope. I know it takes practice - and questions to the very nice proporietor - and I think I'm getting better at choosing the right stones. So below is an example I want to ask your opinion on. Don't worry, because I'm stoned out these days, and am really trying not get very good stones, but instead save my money and then buy one or two exceptional collector stones. So, since I'm not going to care if a lurker out there snags the stone if you think its worth it to do so, without further ado, please tell me what you think:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-65Ct-Natural-Round-Purple-Spinel-11032264-/370560462487?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56471fee97#ht_2459wt_907

Thanks so much!

 

[minousbijoux]

Here's another one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-85Ct-Well-Cut-Purple-Spinel-11032252-/330642414261?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cfbd2dab5#ht_2459wt_907

TIA

 

[T L]

The top one might be a little too muddy purple, and the second one might be sleepy IRL, and not have a lot of light return. They both don't seem "bright" enough to me. Hope that helps!

 

[minousbijoux]

Thank you ma'am. I am just not seeing any large size from them these days that has that brightness I want. Have you?

 

[T L]

Did you try her other store? Colorfulgems. I always keep an eye out, but I think I bought all the bright spinels.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

I bought two spinels from them and returned both. They were MUCH darker than I expected. Other than that though, the sale went smoothly, and the stones were great color, just too dark. Shipped the stones back Tuesday so we're just waiting on the postal service.

and just as an FYI here are the two I'm returning

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250919200624?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/260886883361?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

 

[T L]

Well, the good news is that returns are in the U.S. and she's very nice. Most of her spinels are too dark, or just not very saturated, but when you can find a decent one, they can be a good value. I have a lot of her spinels, and I'm planning on making a spinel bracelet with them one of these days. It's a nice place to get a lot of spinels for a multi-gem project for very low prices. I just got this one, and it has lots of sparkle and light return. It's small, but it was cheap.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250919184191?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[T L]

These are two of the latest spinels I just got. The oval is 1.6 carats and greyish, but I love the tone and luster, as well as the cutting. It was only around $13, so i'm not complaining. The trillion is the one in the above link. It's more lavender than she depicted in her photo, but again, not complaining, as it was very inexpensive, and I also love the luster, tone and cutting. It's a little more saturated than the oval.

 

[minousbijoux]

You have the ability to judge from the vendor photos down to a fine art with a few of these vendors. Great stones!

 

[T L]

You have the ability to judge from the vendor photos down to a fine art with a few of these vendors. Great stones!

Thanks!! They're pretty little stones, especially for what I paid. I returned three stones to her so far, so now I know how to read her photos pretty well.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Well, the good news is that returns are in the U.S. and she's very nice. Most of her spinels are too dark, or just not very saturated, but when you can find a decent one, they can be a good value. I have a lot of her spinels, and I'm planning on making a spinel bracelet with them one of these days. It's a nice place to get a lot of spinels for a multi-gem project for very low prices. I just got this one, and it has lots of sparkle and light return. It's small, but it was cheap.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250919184191?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

The returns are very easy and hassle free. I recieved a prompt refund today. Would recommend them if you want to test out their wares.

 

[pregcurious]

I see what you mean, TL. They look very dark. Have you ever bought one of her sapphires? Some of the pink sapphires look promising.

 

[T L]

I see what you mean, TL. They look very dark. Have you ever bought one of her sapphires? Some of the pink sapphires look promising.

The sapphires are relatively inexpensive, so I wouldn't mind trying one, but as I always say, be leary about treatment that is not disclosed. I personally only buy sapphires from one source at this time, and I still send them to the lab I trust (AGL). If you don't care about treatment, I would say, "try them out." Corundum for me is a whole different ball of wax. I did buy a green zircon from her, and it's very pretty, but I think it was one of her more exceptional green zircons. It didn't look cloudy as much of her material is.

I would like to try a kornerupine one of these days too, but I heard it's a really fugly stone, so I haven't bothered yet. Some of her material is pretty, and looks very well cut. You rarely can complain about the cutting on her stones, that's for sure.

 

[pregcurious]

I think Gene had a pretty green (no olive, emerald-like) kornerupine about 6 months ago, but yes, most are olive colored and not pretty in color.

The treatments is what I was wondering about. Maybe someone has bought one and sent it to AGL out there?