to keep or not to keep? small purple blue spinel

[blushpeony]

Hi everyone---

I had a quick question on a small purple blue color change spinel that I bought from a PS vendor to set in a simple bezel ring.

The color is surprisingly lovely to me (was not expecting much, given the low price), and while the cutting isn't great, I find it tolerable.



However, the stone was described as "VVS", but I see a small surface reaching inclusion under the table, just barely visible with the naked eye, as well as a little nick on the girdle.

Different angles of the inclusion:

Nick on girdle:


Closeup of stone, that shows how barely visible the inclusion is:

Vendor pic for comparison:


I'm pretty new to buying colored stones, so I'm still getting a feel for how picky I should be, especially with these less expensive stones.


TL;DR Would you keep the stone, or pass on it?

Thank you!

 

[lovedogs]

I think the color is lovely, but if it was advertised as being VVS but has a visible inclusion (Which it looks like that is), then I would definitely speak to the vendor about it. At the very least the advertised clarity is incorrect so the price should have been lower.

But I also wonder if you LOVE this stone--I've learned the hard way not to keep anything I dont LOVE within a day or two, because the times I have the stone ends up sitting in my jewelry box unworn.

Good luck with whatever you decide and keep us posted

 

[blushpeony]

I think the color is lovely, but if it was advertised as being VVS but has a visible inclusion (Which it looks like that is), then I would definitely speak to the vendor about it. At the very least the advertised clarity is incorrect so the price should have been lower.

But I also wonder if you LOVE this stone--I've learned the hard way not to keep anything I dont LOVE within a day or two, because the times I have the stone ends up sitting in my jewelry box unworn.

Good luck with whatever you decide and keep us posted

Thanks for the feedback, lovedogs! I actually really like the stone, and the ring design I have in mind would be very casual, so my initial reaction is that the stone is good enough for this project.

I have emailed the vendor and am awaiting a response regarding the inclusion. Not that I am expecting a price adjustment of any kind, I am unsure how much lower the price could even go, given that it was really affordable to begin with.

I guess I am just curious if the surface reaching inclusion under the table would automatically make the stone a no-go for most buyers here on PS.

 

[chrono]

1. Depends on how much I love it
2. Depends on the mm size
3. Depends on the price

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

The color is extremely lovely IMHO. Since you asked- for what it's worth I would not accept a surface reaching inclusion that is located on the table of a gem.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I looked up the stone (since I recognize the vendor) so I could have more background information. It was a great deal! Would you wear the casual ring often? I'd be concerned about hitting it and making that inclusion a lot larger. For me, it'd boil down to how much I love the stone and if I thought I could find another one (without such an issue).

 

[chrono]

1. Depends on how much I love it
2. Depends on the mm size
3. Depends on the price

2. Nearly 8 x 6 mm, so it's a decent size
3. Price is a steal!

So, it'll depend on how much you love it. I would contact the vendor to ask about the surface reaching inclusion and girdle nick (could be a natural).

 

[Desertrose]

May I ask who the vendor is that has such great prices?

Beautiful stone! I would keep it if you love it and it was a good price. Sometimes I like stones even more when I know I got them for a great deal!

 

[blushpeony]

The color is extremely lovely IMHO. Since you asked- for what it's worth I would not accept a surface reaching inclusion that is located on the table of a gem.

Thanks for the honest response, LisaRN! That inclusion has definitely been the only reason why I've been waffling back and forth so much about keeping the stone...

I looked up the stone (since I recognize the vendor) so I could have more background information. It was a great deal! Would you wear the casual ring often? I'd be concerned about hitting it and making that inclusion a lot larger. For me, it'd boil down to how much I love the stone and if I thought I could find another one (without such an issue).

Great sleuthing skills, SparkliesLuver! It wouldn't be a ring I wear daily but more often than, let's say, my paraiba ring. I guess I'd still have to be pretty careful wearing it. Great point---the low price would make the stone fairly easy to replace if I needed to.

1. Depends on how much I love it
2. Depends on the mm size
3. Depends on the price

2. Nearly 8 x 6 mm, so it's a decent size
3. Price is a steal!

So, it'll depend on how much you love it. I would contact the vendor to ask about the surface reaching inclusion and girdle nick (could be a natural).

Thanks for the input, Chrono! The vendor got back to me and said that he didn't anticipate any issues with setting the stone, and that the girdle nick did indeed look like a natural. He offered a no time limit return should any issues arise with the stone in the future, which I thought was incredibly generous, so I think I'll keep it.

May I ask who the vendor is that has such great prices?

Beautiful stone! I would keep it if you love it and it was a good price. Sometimes I like stones even more when I know I got them for a great deal!

Thank you, Desertrose! Haha yes, the low price does sweeten the deal. It was GLI (Litnon). The vendor has really been such a pleasure to work with.

 

[lovedogs]

Wow, how kind of him to offer unlimited return window! I've never purchased from litnon, but have had great experiences on the few occasions when I inquired about stones. I'm glad you're keeping it, the color is gorgeous!

 

[blushpeony]

Wow, how kind of him to offer unlimited return window! I've never purchased from litnon, but have had great experiences on the few occasions when I inquired about stones. I'm glad you're keeping it, the color is gorgeous!

Thanks, lovedogs! I know, I thought that was so incredibly kind of him!

 

[Arcadian]

I've always liked working with Michael so maybe a bit biased. IMO set it and see because I don't think you can lose really. Is Spinel considered a Type II gem? Anyone know for sure?

 

[blushpeony]

I've always liked working with Michael so maybe a bit biased. IMO set it and see because I don't think you can lose really. Is Spinel considered a Type II gem? Anyone know for sure?

Thanks, Arcadian! Glad to hear you had a positive experience working with him too. I searched online to see if spinel is a Type II gem, and it looks like it is.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Great sleuthing skills, SparkliesLuver! It wouldn't be a ring I wear daily but more often than, let's say, my paraiba ring. I guess I'd still have to be pretty careful wearing it. Great point---the low price would make the stone fairly easy to replace if I needed to.

I only use them to help others! I'd recommend being careful with it regardless, but if you realize you absolutely love the color, then maybe you could start casually looking for a potential replacement/addition. It couldn't hurt! And that was very generous of Michael. Super happy you're keeping it!

 

[blushpeony]

I only use them to help others! I'd recommend being careful with it regardless, but if you realize you absolutely love the color, then maybe you could start casually looking for a potential replacement/addition. It couldn't hurt! And that was very generous of Michael. Super happy you're keeping it!

Thanks, SparkliesLuver!
I will keep you all posted when I move ahead with my setting plans.

 

[T L]

Hi everyone---

I had a quick question on a small purple blue color change spinel that I bought from a PS vendor to set in a simple bezel ring.

The color is surprisingly lovely to me (was not expecting much, given the low price), and while the cutting isn't great, I find it tolerable.



However, the stone was described as "VVS", but I see a small surface reaching inclusion under the table, just barely visible with the naked eye, as well as a little nick on the girdle.

Different angles of the inclusion:

Nick on girdle:


Closeup of stone, that shows how barely visible the inclusion is:

Vendor pic for comparison:


I'm pretty new to buying colored stones, so I'm still getting a feel for how picky I should be, especially with these less expensive stones.


TL;DR Would you keep the stone, or pass on it?

Thank you!

I would most certainly keep it. It's difficult to find blue/violet spinels with such nice color, and I have a similar stone with a needle as well. It doesn't bother me at all.

 

[blushpeony]

Thank you for the reassurance, TL!