shape
carat
color
clarity

Show me your light sabers!!

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
Oh my goodness, forget the gold, there’s an amazing diamond at the end of that rainbow!!
 

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
Oh my goodness, forget the gold, there’s an amazing diamond at the end of that rainbow!!

Gold might yield a better ROI! LOL
 
  • Like
Reactions: T L

CHRISTY-DANIELLE

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Jul 10, 2017
Messages
2,547
Sphene-rainbo s and light sabers!

BTW, the sphene is totally clean, it just photographs fuzzy due to double refraction, which isn’t as evident to the naked eye.
7F8E0732-763A-464D-AD76-D3943F2F4D03.jpeg BDD41EF7-B61A-4180-B634-08EE4459062A.jpeg 130E8739-27A1-453E-9EB8-BAE883E92B6C.jpeg A585F026-C999-4519-B904-0FF0173974B6.jpeg

I love your sphene! An under appreciated gem,but so beautiful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: T L

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
@T L could you please show us what your sphene looks like indoor? Is it similar to the one shown by LD? Love it.
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
Indoor shots-it’s a light apple green. It’s totally crystal clean, but the camera makes it look fuzzy. It’s one of the hardest gems to photograph. You really cannot appreciate the beauty from a photo.

I would say it’s the same color as LD’s.
3B0E8DA6-3F75-44FD-865A-783831C69193.jpeg 1303605A-1B79-475A-90D1-00F9A4BA0D11.jpeg 934B160D-AAE6-4C33-90D9-1DD60DADED70.png
 

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
Indoor shots-it’s a light apple green. It’s totally crystal clean, but the camera makes it look fuzzy. It’s one of the hardest gems to photograph. You really cannot appreciate the beauty from a photo.

I would say it’s the same color as LD’s.
3B0E8DA6-3F75-44FD-865A-783831C69193.jpeg 1303605A-1B79-475A-90D1-00F9A4BA0D11.jpeg 934B160D-AAE6-4C33-90D9-1DD60DADED70.png

Wow, cool color shift indoor and outdoor! How does it compare to your chrysoberyl?
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
Wow, cool color shift indoor and outdoor! How does it compare to your chrysoberyl?

The Chrysobery is more of a neon highlighter marker greenish yellow. The primary color is yellow. The sphene is more of a yellowish green with the primary color as green. Sunlight photos of chrysoberyl below. Obviously, although the chrysoberyl is a higher RI type gem, it doesn’t throw off Christmas tree lights like the sphene, abd it’s also extremely hard, so much better for everyday wear. People have noticed this stone from across the room, it’s very neon, more so than photos suggest. My iPhone 8 Plus can only do so much!!! The sphene, on the other hand, is not neon. It reminds me of a peridot green. A72304CC-602F-4607-94C8-F22DB836D3E4.png 5AE1686D-D099-4C12-8D92-CA7A436145FA.jpeg
 

idola

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Oct 17, 2020
Messages
128
My sapphire is very pink and firey in the sunlight. I adore it!

86538CA9-820B-4E19-8156-A2322502E3A9.jpeg
22D44734-8704-4FB0-96C7-30FCB289AFE3.jpeg Bonus: my firey synthetic rutile, since it doesn't form naturally as a full gem (please don't ban me lol):
746FC29E-0335-4BB9-B2DC-0FE7EFB1FD36.jpeg
 

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
The Chrysobery is more of a neon highlighter marker greenish yellow. The primary color is yellow. The sphene is more of a yellowish green with the primary color as green. Sunlight photos of chrysoberyl below. Obviously, although the chrysoberyl is a higher RI type gem, it doesn’t throw off Christmas tree lights like the sphene, abd it’s also extremely hard, so much better for everyday wear. People have noticed this stone from across the room, it’s very neon, more so than photos suggest. My iPhone 8 Plus can only do so much!!! The sphene, on the other hand, is not neon. It reminds me of a peridot green. A72304CC-602F-4607-94C8-F22DB836D3E4.png 5AE1686D-D099-4C12-8D92-CA7A436145FA.jpeg

Yes to "neon highlighter marker greenish yellow" :kiss2:. I think that I prefer yellow as the primary color personally. I still remember your post of the neon trainers, Christmas tree lights sound too busy for me. lol

Did you get yours from eBay, cannnot remember? Who has a good source of Chrysobery nowadays?
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
Yes to "neon highlighter marker greenish yellow" :kiss2:. I think that I prefer yellow as the primary color personally. I still remember your post of the neon trainers, Christmas tree lights sound too busy for me. lol

Did you get yours from eBay, cannnot remember? Who has a good source of Chrysobery nowadays?
Thank you!

Both stones came from eBay years ago. The sphene sat in my gem box for a long time. I’m now getting around to setting some of my loose stones. I do not remember the eBay seller for the sphene, but it was really nice.

Here’s my other sphene (6 carats), also from eBay eons ago. It shows internal light sabers due to the cut

I also have a 65 point Russian demantoid that is yellowish green shown sitting unset on a semi mount. I am currently setting a Namibian one that is more if a minty green, and two side stone demantoid. Demantoid is much like sphene, but singly refractive.

E2964974-2080-4556-8FC2-D41695C25587.jpeg
7330535D-3E89-4AF2-A45A-932FC8D2D459.jpeg EC330E99-3F7F-4311-885B-0B7ED2C837BE.jpeg
 

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
Thanks TL. If I have that 6cts step cut, I would design something contemporary for it.

I am trying to imagine what it's like to wear your cuprian, sphene, and chrysoberyl all together. It must be a spectacular light show. Your skinny step cut cuprian looks plugged in.

I don't have much experience with cuprian and my Brazilian is a mediocre stone. I do like the that blue shimmer, especially under dim street light and many different types of indoor lighting. I can imaging what a better quality one would steal the show... someday.
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
Thanks TL. If I have that 6cts step cut, I would design something contemporary for it.

I am trying to imagine what it's like to wear your cuprian, sphene, and chrysoberyl all together. It must be a spectacular light show. Your skinny step cut cuprian looks plugged in.

I don't have much experience with cuprian and my Brazilian is a mediocre stone. I do like the that blue shimmer, especially under dim street light and many different types of indoor lighting. I can imaging what a better quality one would steal the show... someday.

Thank you!!! Here’s a photo for you!!
You have gorgeous gems!! Thank you for contributing to this thread.

D0E47D1C-6F74-4E10-98F4-7FC712319FE5.jpeg
 

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
Thank you!!! Here’s a photo for you!!
You have gorgeous gems!! Thank you for contributing to this thread.

D0E47D1C-6F74-4E10-98F4-7FC712319FE5.jpeg

I want!

This is a stupid question and please excuse my ignorance. I don't want to offend you and other sphene lovers but just wanted to learn.

You posted this.


It's indeed very amazing but also reminds me of looking at cubic zirconia used for high end fashion jewelry somehow, no? Educate me, lol
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
I want!

This is a stupid question and please excuse my ignorance. I don't want to offend you and other sphene lovers but just wanted to learn.

You posted this.


It's indeed very amazing but also reminds me of looking at cubic zirconia used for high end fashion jewelry somehow, no? Educate me, lol

Cubic zirconia isn’t as fiery. That sphene’s fire is more like synthetic rutile, if you want to compare it to a synthetic gem. However, rutile is brownish or colorless.

Some gems are so amazing in color, cut or other aspects like fire and brilliance, they do look artificial. That’s not an insult, because gems made in a lab are often made under perfect conditions, rendering them “perfect.” It’s much rarer to get that in nature, which is why the most perfect gems are the most coveted by the trade.

In any case, a gem doesn’t have to be perfect to be adored. Beauty is subjective, and we all love what we love. I think it would be boring if all emeralds were perfect or all sapphires were Kashmir blue. It’s the natural world that also gives us diversity, and that is always a thing of beauty.
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
Some more light sabers. Three stone ring with side 4 mm demantoids and a 9x7mm orangy pink spinel, cushion cut 1.15 carat minty demantoid (Namibian), and an 8mm lavender spinel.

CC738FE5-75CA-4AD8-B42C-18B28F9DCED3.jpeg 212B6767-3849-4916-88A5-A80578C4740D.jpeg 06CEE931-F195-4391-99A6-7B86834E8728.jpeg 046745BC-A5BB-45DD-ACA5-E79B8DC256A8.jpeg 0BC9A6DA-C869-45F7-BD36-A83C18FC9143.jpeg 166F47A0-9B35-4D09-AA76-A06EA717F117.jpeg
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
Pinkish orange colored 9x9 mm cushion spinel and a 8x10 spessartite 49330941-464E-4144-AD8E-6D306DF0D581.jpeg 8x10 spessartite
 

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
Cubic zirconia isn’t as fiery. That sphene’s fire is more like synthetic rutile, if you want to compare it to a synthetic gem. However, rutile is brownish or colorless.

Some gems are so amazing in color, cut or other aspects like fire and brilliance, they do look artificial. That’s not an insult, because gems made in a lab are often made under perfect conditions, rendering them “perfect.” It’s much rarer to get that in nature, which is why the most perfect gems are the most coveted by the trade.

In any case, a gem doesn’t have to be perfect to be adored. Beauty is subjective, and we all love what we love. I think it would be boring if all emeralds were perfect or all sapphires were Kashmir blue. It’s the natural world that also gives us diversity, and that is always a thing of beauty.

Oh, I googled synthetic rutile. Cool. Never heard of it until now. When I saw this cover, I instantly thought of your cuprian! Wall to wall brightness!

1615968279089.png

I’ve been very tempted with a greenish blue apatite. If it has a decent cut, would that help to reduce waxiness and shadowing? Apatite could have a grey undertone too, right?

Do you ever wear your cuprians and apatite together? I remember LD has a blue cushion and you also have a round/cushion set into a halo?
 

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
Pinkish orange colored 9x9 mm cushion spinel and a 8x10 spessartite 49330941-464E-4144-AD8E-6D306DF0D581.jpeg 8x10 spessartite

I like that spessartite.
 
  • Like
Reactions: T L

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
Oh, I googled synthetic rutile. Cool. Never heard of it until now. When I saw this cover, I instantly thought of your cuprian! Wall to wall brightness!

1615968279089.png

I’ve been very tempted with a greenish blue apatite. If it has a decent cut, would that help to reduce waxiness and shadowing? Apatite could have a grey undertone too, right?

Do you ever wear your cuprians and apatite together? I remember LD has a blue cushion and you also have a round/cushion set into a halo?

Apatite is a softer stone, but a blue green tourmaline the same color would be much more expensive. Here’s a greenish blue apatite. My other apatite you mention in a ring, is in the bank. It’s a lighter blue. I also have hauyne colored apatite in two rings. It varies in saturation and tone, but beautiful stones are available. Madagascar has gorgeous gems.

While not for everyday wear, it’s an affordable beautiful stone. The prices have gone up a bit since I purchased mine, but they’re still reasonable, especially next to indicolite or paraiba.

Thank you for the compliment on the spessartite.

17BB5756-CEA0-4FDC-8ADC-589FD858F4B7.jpeg
 

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
Apatite is a softer stone, but a blue green tourmaline the same color would be much more expensive. Here’s a greenish blue apatite. My other apatite you mention in a ring, is in the bank. It’s a lighter blue. I also have hauyne colored apatite in two rings. It varies in saturation and tone, but beautiful stones are available. Madagascar has gorgeous gems.

While not for everyday wear, it’s an affordable beautiful stone. The prices have gone up a bit since I purchased mine, but they’re still reasonable, especially next to indicolite or paraiba.

Thank you for the compliment on the spessartite.

17BB5756-CEA0-4FDC-8ADC-589FD858F4B7.jpeg

The problem is that I haven't found a "must have" indicolite or "affordable" PT...lol

I prefer more blue than green and have returned a better clarity and bigger Mozambique cuprian because of that. It was greener with a slight grey undertone than my current one. It didn't pop against my skintone or next to my emerald, so it had to go.

I still drool over those old pictures of "surreal color Afghanistan tourmaline" on Litnon, remember those? I've not found them anywhere else so far. That's the kind of green I won't mind keeping. ha.

I know apatite is soft but if you all wear them as special rings, maybe? Or I should suck it up, be patient, and wait for the right one to show up. Or maybe a nice blue zircon...?
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
The problem is that I haven't found a "must have" indicolite or "affordable" PT...lol

I prefer more blue than green and have returned a better clarity and bigger Mozambique cuprian because of that. It was greener with a slight grey undertone than my current one. It didn't pop against my skintone or next to my emerald, so it had to go.

I still drool over those old pictures of "surreal color Afghanistan tourmaline" on Litnon, remember those? I've not found them anywhere else so far. That's the kind of green I won't mind keeping. ha.

I know apatite is soft but if you all wear them as special rings, maybe? Or I should suck it up, be patient, and wait for the right one to show up. Or maybe a nice blue zircon...?

I remember those Afghan tourmaline in Linton. They were beautiful.

Apatite needs to be worn with care unless it’s in a pendant or earrings. Zircon is harder, but can be brittle and it’s very prone to facet abrasion.
 

Neptune

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Nov 28, 2019
Messages
2,013
I remember those Afghan tourmaline in Linton. They were beautiful.

Apatite needs to be worn with care unless it’s in a pendant or earrings. Zircon is harder, but can be brittle and it’s very prone to facet abrasion.

Do you own any blue zircon, how does it compare to your cuprian or apatite? Does it go more "on and off" than wall to wall?

I often think that if I like the color from the profile, I would like it face-up. The neonish blue zicrons I've seen from online vendors have the "off" look from the side, even though they are still very pretty face up. I don't know if I'm making any sense...
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
25,159
Do you own any blue zircon, how does it compare to your cuprian or apatite? Does it go more "on and off" than wall to wall?

I often think that if I like the color from the profile, I would like it face-up. The neonish blue zicrons I've seen from online vendors have the "off" look from the side, even though they are still very pretty face up. I don't know if I'm making any sense...

My blue zircon is grayish blue, and cut like a round brilliant. They vary in tone, hue and saturation, like all gems. Some are very gray and/or dark and/or more greenish blue (teal). The high RI is nice though. I enjoy high RI gems.

I am biased towards my favorite paraiba (the rectangle). It’s very neon, and other blue gems in my collection do not compare as far as bright intense saturation of color. However, I adore my blue spinels, despite the grey, because I love the luster and RI. They remind me of blue diamonds.

i don’t think zircon is dichroic, so if you’re seeing another color from the side, maybe the photo is being amped up for the table shot???
 
Be a part of the community Get 3 HCA Results
Top