Synthetic spinel

[shrimpsandbananas]

Has anyone had any rings created with synthetic spinel? I was originally looking for an aquamarine ring, but the size I want is out of my budget at the moment. So I got in contact with Provence and they've provided me with a synthetic spinel colour chart to pick a colour from. Has anyone had any experience of buying a gem this way?

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I have zero experience with that but am fascinated with the idea that it works that way! Please post if you decide to move forward with this project.

 

[FlashyFlamingo]

I have purchased a lab spinel, but through Fine Water Gems a year or so ago. I didn’t read closely and thought it was just the deal of the century on a natural spinel. It was really gorgeous, but I sent it back. (Side note: Gary is fantastic to work with and deserves all the hype he gets here.) Silly me! It was before I did any research on lab stones and I was under the impression that they were basically colored CZ. After seeing all of the gorgeous lab stones here, I’m on a bit of a lab buying spree. I should have kept it. It was beautifully cut and big.

 

[MeowMeow]

Not through Provence with a chart no. I got my lab spinels from Scott Laborie. I buy through his Etsy shop but usually chat with him first and we discuss what i am looking for so he can put up a listing. The very first time I bought from him he sent me a picture of the 3 colours of blue spinel he had at the time and i picked what i liked. I find his prices for lab spinel to be quite reasonable. I haven't bought anything from him in a bit but I like him very much and I like his USA location. Ordering from out of the US makes me nervous.

Stag and Finch from Canada sell some spinel as well. I mostly see people buying their lab sapphires but I like them a lot too. They do a very good cutting job. I plan on becoming a repeat buyer from them for lab sapphire projects. Need a matching sapphires to make a full suite of jewellery after all. And I've already got one of theirs

For Provence I couldn't speak to them at all. Maybe take a look at the moissanite Reddit page. People there seem to buy from them more there and might know more?

If you buy from Provence I would love to see the result posted in the fashion jewellery coloured stone thread. More places that do a good job is always nice!

 

[dk168]

Can't remember seeing any lab Spinel listed in Gary's site as in Finewater Gems, however, it is worth contacting him to enquire if he has any roughs available.

And I concur with Gary being a gem to work with.

DK