Stones For Studs Pt. 2. Are These Any Good?

[koolchicken]

Okay, so I had been writing in my last post about wanting 5mm stones to make into studs to wear in my jackets. After much debate and other purchases I decided that I must have a pair of tasvorite studs. However I've been looking everywhere and found nothing in my specified size and shape.

Today I happened upon these, http://www.ebay.com/itm/221303350709?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Are they any good? How would one tell.

They're the size I need, and I like the color.


But I just don't know enough about colored stones to know if these are worth what they're charging. They seem reasonably priced. The one on the right does seem a bit cloudy (or something) but I don't know if it's just because stones are hard to photograph.

Please everyone, let me know what you think. I'm open to listening and learning.

 

[koolchicken]

I contacted the seller and asked for some more photos. He got back to me in less than 15 minutes, I never expected that. These are the photos





Now as I've said I don't know much about gems. But I think I'll be passing on these. I'd rather pay more for better quality. They just seem too cloudy for me. Now I don't need perfect eye clean stones for earrings but this feels like too much. Too bad.

 

[FrekeChild]

Keep in mind these will be on your ears and get dirty almost as soon as you put them on. Also, garnets are a Type II clarity stone, which means that they are usually included.

http://www.gemfix.com/GIA_clarity_system.html

 

[koolchicken]

I guess I didn't think about that. My earrings do get pretty dirty despite the fact my hair is always pulled back. I am okay with stones that aren't completely eye clean. But I'm worried they're so cloudy they'll disappoint me.

They're a bit lighter than I thought they'd be too. They look like a "perfect" green (well, my perfect green) and are much clearer in some of the shots. The hand shots are what make them seem disappointing to me. It just seems like there's a huge discrepancy between the photos. Is this common? They're well under my top budget of $500 so that's nice. But I'm not sure if I want to deal with that hassle right now. It's very frustrating.

I really thought the hand shots would be a bit better than that…

I do have another question. The grading table on Gemfix say Type II VVS stones have "Minor inclusions, somewhat easy to see with 10X. Usually eye clean." Is this just their grading table, or is it universally used? I know that if a diamond is graded an H VVS2 then that's pretty much what it is. Does this hold for gemstones? Or are different vendors allowed to pretty much say what they want?

 

[kgizo]

Based on the shade of green you say you are looking for, I think you will be disappointed. It's likely they would darken up a little when set, but probably not enough to be medium toned (I think you said you were looking for that in your other thread). I'd give the vendors who are searching for you more time before you feel you need to compromise on anything to get the project done.

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

The first photo of the tsavorites shows a beautiful color and shape and are clean. You weren't sure about them which shows me you need more time to look at tsavorite garnets. Go to Pala gems website and start there , for they carry very fine stones in all gems.
Look at pictures in some books if you have some or go to the library .

The new photos they sent you are not the best tsavorites.-- but his photo, probably photshopped is beautiful If you got a pair that color, at that price, you will have succeeded. Gook Luck

Annette

 

[FrekeChild]

I do have another question. The grading table on Gemfix say Type II VVS stones have "Minor inclusions, somewhat easy to see with 10X. Usually eye clean." Is this just their grading table, or is it universally used? I know that if a diamond is graded an H VVS2 then that's pretty much what it is. Does this hold for gemstones? Or are different vendors allowed to pretty much say what they want?

That's the GIA grading system for gemstones. It's not particularly regulated, so people can say pretty much whatever they want (Just take a look at ebay for example! )

Typically the standard for most gems is "eyeclean".

I think you should get in touch with Jeff Davies, if you haven't already. You can find him on Pinterest and Facebook. His pictures are typically a bit lighter than the actual gem, so I imagine you'd be pretty happy with his medium greens.

Something to keep in mind though, is that tsavorite prices are going up up up!

Here's a pic of my stones - the bigger round is set in a ring, I sold the oval and the two smaller rounds will eventually go in studs. They are 5mm too. And windowed. And lighter than ideal. But my husband picked them out himself and so they are very precious to me indeed.

 

[koolchicken]

Yeah, I was really happy with the color but something was nagging me about them. So I messaged the seller. I think I was just so disappointed in them they really won't work out. I'll always be just a little bit sad they don't look like the first picture I saw. There's also my husband to consider. I'm really very lucky. I have the sort of husband that would rather spend even more money so long as I get something quality. He will look at the stones I buy and will be expecting something eye clean, or close to it. If I bought something cloudy he'd make me send it back.

I came across some beautiful 4mm ones on Etsy (seller was recommended in previous thread). I messaged the seller to ask if she had any bigger ones in stock but she didn't. I talked to her and she understands my schedule and is looking for me. She sent an email to one of her contacts and said she should hear back today. Hopefully she can find something, especially as she doesn't mind holding my items. I actually did a bad thing and bought some spessartite garnets from her and she's holding them for more than a week- yes I now have a "problem". I was actually thinking about just adding (what's left of) my allowance to the budget to make better tsavs happen. But they are supposed to be from my husband, and so in some ways I'd rater stick to his budget and have them be 100% from him (if that makes sense). And my max budget is $500, which isn't too bad.

I figured there was probably a bit more wiggle room with gemstones. I guess I just hoped there was more of a standard. It stinks that there isn't one.

FrekeChild, your stones are beautiful. Actually all of your stones/jewelry are beautiful. I totally get what you mean about the stones being special because they're from your husband. I have a loose tanzanite from my husband that's sitting in my safe. He's asked me if I want it set but I've dragged my feet. Weird as it is I just like to sit and look at it. If I set it some of it would be "hidden" or it could get "hurt" and I couldn't bear it.

 

[tara3056]

If you've been in touch with Yvonne (I think that's who you're referring to), you've got one of the best contacts for tsavs because she works with Jaimeen of Prima Gems, and he's well-known as being one of the best dealers for tsavorites. I got my own tsavorite studs from him, and I LOVE them! They get lots of compliments, even from strangers, and are some of my favorite pieces. So I think you're likely in very good hands, and the only issue might be budgetary (mine were over $500 for the stones alone, and they're 5mm). So if I were you, I'd wait and see what Yvonne turns up, and if the stones are too expensive, then start looking elsewhere or delay the purchase.

 

[koolchicken]

Tara3056, Yvonne is indeed who I'm talking to. I'm grateful she understands my situation, she's even holding other stones for me. I hadn't planned to ask around until I got back from this next trip but really, if I don't I might never find any. After I get back I'm (hopefully) staying put for a month, then I'm moving, then I'm probably going away again in February. I just didn't want to say "I want something from you" then drop off the planet for a couple of weeks. I really can't be trusted to check my email or answer my phone regularly while I'm away.

I'm still waiting to hear back about availability and pricing. She seemed hopeful she'd know today, but I told her I understand if it takes longer- it is the weekend. She's having a sale the third week of this month so maybe that will make the difference. I really want tsavs and I love yours. In fact it wasn't until after I bought the tourmalines from you that I realized one of my favorite threads was yours! Please forgive me while I try and clone all of your jewelry.

 

[tara3056]

Ha! Feel free to clone away! My tsavs actually look prettier in real life - not quite as dark as in the pic I posted of one of them in an earring jacket. When I was choosing my pair, Jaimeen let me look at about 10 calibrated tsavs and make my own pair from the ones I liked best. Most of the other places I contacted didn't even have any matched pairs available, much less several.

 

[koolchicken]

Thanks

Darker or lighter, they're beautiful either way. I just wish I didn't have to settle on what's turning out to be the worlds most difficult to find stones. Yours are incredible though, so I know it'll be worth it. Yvonne had 4mm ones that I considered, but I don't want an airline. And I feel like 4mm is too small to wear on it's own, at least for me. 3-4mm is what I wore as a child and I know it would bother me. I'd much rather bump up my budget than compromise. I'm lucky enough I'm able to do so, so I should just do it.

She was confidant she'd hear from her source yesterday but she didn't (we messaged back and fourth all day). I knew it was the weekend and I didn't really expect to know anything till Monday. So hopefully I wake up to a new email tomorrow!