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Vendor pictures and owner pictures of PS stones

Big Fat Facets

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Jun 7, 2019
Messages
1,468
@Polyhex
thank you for your informative posts! =)2

do you feel the variances in vendor photos in comparison to your images could be due to the difference in sunlight in terms of the vendor's location versus your location??

or

do you feel that some vendors might be digitally color adjusting images to enhance a stones appearance to increase appeal??
 

Polyhex

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 18, 2003
Messages
550
@Polyhex
thank you for your informative posts! =)2

do you feel the variances in vendor photos in comparison to your images could be due to the difference in sunlight in terms of the vendor's location versus your location??

or

do you feel that some vendors might be digitally color adjusting images to enhance a stones appearance to increase appeal??

I've been very happy with the stones from a number of IG vendors taking photos with cellphone cameras near the equator (including Haris_Gems_93, Finestonespk, Stylogems_Pakistan, and Leenagemslk, and a few more vendors selling melee.) Their photos have been a good match for what the stones really look like, especially when I get indoor bad lighting photos from them. Small differences are likely due to #1 the sun angle, and #2 not photoshop color-correcting the photos. I have been able to replicate most of their photos despite being at an extremely northern latitude.

The vendor I have been very unhappy with is Jeff Davies, who #1 took photos manipulated by the studio setup, and #2 made a very poor cut selection for the material so that its unusable.

There are other vendors I have been "meh" on where the stone I bought is beautiful but looks somewhat different than the photos. These vendors may be manipulating photos, or maybe they are photographing in unrealistic conditions.
 

arms

Rough_Rock
Trade
Joined
Nov 30, 2020
Messages
2
This stone was rather disappointing as well because of the color discrepancy between vendor photo and real life.

Round, Blue spinel, Dan Stair, 1.28cts, 6.4mm

Spinel collage blue dan stair.jpg

These blue spinels are really known to bleed with indoor lighting, which sellers take advantage of. how does it look outside?
 

La2020

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Nov 15, 2020
Messages
802
dear all,

Are the photos from Finewater Gems and EarthsTreasures accurate? I only browsed until the last 10 pages of this thread.
 
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Polyhex

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Sep 18, 2003
Messages
550
More gems as described from great Instagram vendors.

Leenagemslk

Vendor photo:

9626f0a9b9442db6ef23b9cbfe4651c6.jpg

My photos:

IMG_5792.jpeg
20201127_211832118_iOS (2).jpg

Vendor photo:

For some reason this is desaturated when I upload to pricescope, you can see the more saturated video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHNUF-_hyRD/

Screen Shot 2020-12-20 at 4.07.59 PM.png

My photo:
20201127_212040368_iOS (2).jpg

Vendor photo:

Screen Shot 2020-12-20 at 4.10.07 PM.png

My photo, it has purple tones indoors:
20201127_212147153_iOS (2).jpg


From StellarMarisGems2 on Instagram:

Vendor photo with bonus pricing :)
8c96e7da3234bd443a9114777cd40fd9.jpg


My photo:
20201128_215547159_iOS (2).jpg

Vendor photo, orange spinel (again desaturated for some reason here is the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHaE6qfBE24/ )
Screen Shot 2020-12-20 at 4.14.26 PM.png

My photo

20201128_215536651_iOS (2).jpg
 

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Cerulean

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Sep 13, 2019
Messages
5,077
More gems as described from great Instagram vendors.

Leenagemslk

Vendor photo:

9626f0a9b9442db6ef23b9cbfe4651c6.jpg

My photos:

IMG_5792.jpeg
20201127_211832118_iOS (2).jpg

Vendor photo:

For some reason this is desaturated when I upload to pricescope, you can see the more saturated video here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHNUF-_hyRD/

Screen Shot 2020-12-20 at 4.07.59 PM.png

My photo:
20201127_212040368_iOS (2).jpg

Vendor photo:

Screen Shot 2020-12-20 at 4.10.07 PM.png

My photo, it has purple tones indoors:
20201127_212147153_iOS (2).jpg


From StellarMarisGems2 on Instagram:

Vendor photo with bonus pricing :)
8c96e7da3234bd443a9114777cd40fd9.jpg


My photo:
20201128_215547159_iOS (2).jpg

Vendor photo, orange spinel (again desaturated for some reason here is the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CHaE6qfBE24/ )
Screen Shot 2020-12-20 at 4.14.26 PM.png

My photo

20201128_215536651_iOS (2).jpg

Oh wow these are all gorgeous - but that lavender is breathtaking to me!
 

nomnom_a

Rough_Rock
Trade
Joined
Dec 31, 2020
Messages
2
I am so excited that I can finally contribute!! Just received my stones from Dana at Mastercut.

Vendor picture
E3216E72-1144-4A74-8062-CA5F0E29ADE1.png
My picture
5B7B394D-8C2C-4B4D-BBCD-BDAA3F112295.jpeg
Vendor picture
4C4AC75D-FEC7-40D6-9679-B37C91BEE141.png
my picture

19E76687-B0EA-4C26-BC03-A339F932E85C.jpeg
Vendor picture
50E1E739-0B96-45D5-949F-87AE9D0EFF8B.png

My picture

BF99C5F1-774A-4D11-A5C2-80D7224B0870.jpeg
A96DE266-0FC4-4E86-812F-A232D1B54E58.jpeg

not to beat the dead horse but his pictures are very accurate. I am so happy about my purchase!
 

Adam95

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Messages
175
Awful, super photoshopped 6 carat violet cuprian from ebay. I took a chance since it had a GIT memo and I got it for a few hundred. Not bad for a rare color. It does have a lot of blue in it. The vendor photo is definitely more purple.

One of my best ebay experiences.

violetcuprianebay.JPG

I've had the same awful experience with the same seller. Gemorian, right? I guess there are quite a few of the type on ebay though. Picture was vivid pink but I got a dark brown blob. Luckily, I was able to return and it and get my shipping cost back but just awful.
 

Adam95

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Aug 12, 2019
Messages
175
Vendor
_1600(1).jpg My picture
IMG_20210120_013917.jpg


I just don't understand how it was even possible to edit this washed-out brown rock into a decent-looking mandarin spessartite. Just another one of my bad ebay shopping sprees.
 

FL_Sol

Shiny_Rock
Joined
May 30, 2018
Messages
300
Vendor
_1600(1).jpg My picture
IMG_20210120_013917.jpg


I just don't understand how it was even possible to edit this washed-out brown rock into a decent-looking mandarin spessartite. Just another one of my bad ebay shopping sprees.
Wow, I am so sorry.
 

Rfisher

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 19, 2013
Messages
5,485
FCD2BBA7-7334-48D5-B779-DDE0BD98991C.jpeg
Mastercut Gems photo. Theirs are more accurate to what I see with the eye than my photos. 3.62 spessartite.
6D8C0513-FA03-4AEB-8EDC-4B12AB60ABA0.jpeg
my phone depicts more yellow that’s not there. The stone looks much closer in color to the orange on the can, to naked eye.

bonus rainbow inclusion
90082CF1-F27B-49F4-8439-B8CBE0A2227C.jpeg
 
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Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Messages
2,496
FCD2BBA7-7334-48D5-B779-DDE0BD98991C.jpeg
Mastercut Gems photo. Theirs are more accurate to what I see with the eye than my photos. 3.62 spessartite.
6D8C0513-FA03-4AEB-8EDC-4B12AB60ABA0.jpeg
my phone depicts more yellow that’s not there.

bonus rainbow inclusion
90082CF1-F27B-49F4-8439-B8CBE0A2227C.jpeg

Such a cool inclusion. It's like a little lightning bolt of color!

I'm waiting for my own package of Mastercut goodies to arrive. *checks outdoor cam again*
 

Rfisher

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 19, 2013
Messages
5,485
Such a cool inclusion. It's like a little lightning bolt of color!

I'm waiting for my own package of Mastercut goodies to arrive. *checks outdoor cam again*

Ooh! what are you expecting?
 
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Messages
2,496
Ooh! what are you expecting?

They're here! I picked up a pear amethyst and a couple of included rubies.

20210122_151826.jpg
20210122_151927.jpg

Haven't decided which I'll be keeping.

I'm surprisingly pleased with the larger ruby even though it's opaque. The smaller one is a bit too watermelon-colored for me so I'll likely return it. On the fence about the ammy. It's so sparkly, but I didn't realize how big it'd be :lol:

Oh, and vendor pics below:
41098.jpg
41083.jpg
41086.jpg
 
Last edited:
Joined
Sep 11, 2013
Messages
2,496
Lastly, I got the lab blue spinel from Gene two drops back. Not sre if I'm allowed to post pics here cuz it's lab created. But anyways, the color and sparkle are to die for, but IDK what I'm gonna do with it...
 

Kvintage

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 21, 2020
Messages
46
Vendor pic on the left, mine on the right. I think his picture was right on target colorwise but didn''t come close in capturing the sparkle these garnets have.

kiz-garnetvendor.JPG

These are beautiful. May i ask what vendor ?
 

Rfisher

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Oct 19, 2013
Messages
5,485
They're here! I picked up a pear amethyst and a couple of included rubies.

20210122_151826.jpg
20210122_151927.jpg

Haven't decided which I'll be keeping.

I'm surprisingly pleased with the larger ruby even though it's opaque. The smaller one is a bit too watermelon-colored for me so I'll likely return it. On the fence about the ammy. It's so sparkly, but I didn't realize how big it'd be :lol:

Oh, and vendor pics below:
41098.jpg
41083.jpg
41086.jpg


...I also picked up a couple things from CRD's sale
20210122_152348.jpg

Vendor pics:
Screenshot_20210122-155853_Etsy.jpg
Screenshot_20210122-155903_Etsy.jpg

They are all pretty!
Sometimes it IS tough being on the fence. Other times being on the fence makes it easy to choose - lol!
 

hkm25

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 31, 2009
Messages
50
I got a sapphire from Earth's Treasury, and I think the pictures are pretty true to life. They sent me some videos in different lighting, and I think they were accurate. Here is the pic from their website, and my pics. I don't currently have the best lighting.
BCB91BF7-0B13-42A6-9BEA-FDD9CBC823FF.jpeg E9D82B5F-4C17-4255-8B89-472A0F3265CA.jpeg 7C37078E-75D1-4C92-A765-F89456AC31D5.jpeg 84906831-810E-408B-9812-706F7FA5810D.jpeg
 

Lisa Loves Shiny

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Nov 1, 2007
Messages
4,685
I got a sapphire from Earth's Treasury, and I think the pictures are pretty true to life. They sent me some videos in different lighting, and I think they were accurate. Here is the pic from their website, and my pics. I don't currently have the best lighting.
BCB91BF7-0B13-42A6-9BEA-FDD9CBC823FF.jpeg E9D82B5F-4C17-4255-8B89-472A0F3265CA.jpeg 7C37078E-75D1-4C92-A765-F89456AC31D5.jpeg 84906831-810E-408B-9812-706F7FA5810D.jpeg

Gorgeous! Just Wow. I like everything about it- the size, color and cut. Well done! :appl:
 

emeraldhummingbird

Shiny_Rock
Joined
May 25, 2020
Messages
315
Lastly, I got the lab blue spinel from Gene two drops back. Not sre if I'm allowed to post pics here cuz it's lab created. But anyways, the color and sparkle are to die for, but IDK what I'm gonna do with it...

If an equivalent lab stone thread doesn't exist you should totally start one in the other section. I would be super interested in that!
 

shelovesinclusions

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Messages
349
A red/orange brown sapphire from Multicolour. The little peach ones are from somewhere else and I don't have the vendor pic. I saw a "cognac" and "mekong whisky" pictures years ago, and went against my "no more stones before moving" rule to get this one.

It was sort of did a blind-buy. They had no color description, and the picture was just this one with reflection on the complete face of the stone (probably because it is so unavoidably flat & windowed). I haven't pulled the color of their pic from it yet.

Theirs
Screenshot_20210305-204726~2.png

Mine
IMG_20210321_182404_BURST06~3.jpg
IMG_20210321_185653~2.jpg
 

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Rahul Nair

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 29, 2021
Messages
1
This thread is meant as a resource for all of us who buy online. Please post the vendor image(s) of your stone and personal pictures you took so we can all learn how stones bought online look in real life. Please include the vendor's name and any information you have on the stone if possible.

Set of three green tourmalines from ebay seller gemdd, estimated at 1ctw points. Color is very similar to vendor image. Darker stone is brilliant, but windowed. Would consider buying from again. First image is vendor image.

07l443.jpg

merctourm.jpg
merctourm4.jpg

Wow, this is so breathtakingly beautiful.
 

fantapanda

Shiny_Rock
Joined
May 31, 2019
Messages
147
Got a 3.3ct sapphire from a vendor on IG (srilankangems or Zeylan Gems). Vendor described it was a cornflower blue.

Vendor photos:

top row on the far right
Screenshot_20210503-140654.png

top row on the far left
Screenshot_20210503-140715.png

outdoors
Screenshot_20210503-140518.png
Screenshot_20210503-140616.png

I knew the sapphire wouldn't be as vivid or glowing as vendor's. So here are my photos taken indoors and 1 outdoors in partial shade.

Indoors with indirect daylight
IMG_20210503_135533224.jpg

Indoors during the day with only the light from my monitors (my every day view)
IMG_20210503_140150322_HDR.jpg
IMG_20210503_140108249_HDR.jpg

comparison to the photo on the CGL cert
IMG_20210503_135647756.jpg

Outdoors under diffused daylight. It is hot here in TX so not a lot of outdoors photos from me.
IMG_20210503_145259675.jpg

Overall, I'm pleased with the purchase. Vendor was very communicative and kept me up to date. Obviously for the price I paid, i wasn't expecting the amount of saturation and glow as the vendor's pictures. Some zoning issues but that was evident from the vendor's photos. I like that it stays blue indoors and doesn't darken.
 

fantapanda

Shiny_Rock
Joined
May 31, 2019
Messages
147
Got a paraiba from desert_rose on IG. It's a 1ct marquis. Her pictures are very accurate of the paraiba and shipping was incredibly fast.

Desert_Rose's photos:

It's the one in the middle of the row.
Screenshot_20210510-151318.png
Screenshot_20210510-151334.png

My photos, taken indoors. It's an overcast day here in TX.
IMG_20210510_150103389_HDR.jpg IMG_20210510_170800956.jpg IMG_20210510_170902045.jpg

And for the heck of if, a photo of a tourmaline, the paraiba, and a zircon IMG_20210510_150417453_HDR.jpg
 
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