What do you think of this violet spinel?

[LJsapphire]

Since seeing one in person last week I fell in love. It was 4.47? carats and the price was over £495 per carat plus VAT.
This one is a bit smaller and comes at £600 + shipping + import duty etc.

It’s not an emerald cut but I figured if the prices for a custom amethyst ring are over £1000 I may as well go for a better stone.

 

[Bron357]

Very pretty but it has a big window (which I don’t mind but others do) so it will be a bit “see through” to your finger underneath. Has it a the crystal flaw ? (1st pic, 1 o’clock position or 11 o’clock on 2nd upsidedown pic) or just a reflection?

 

[LJsapphire]

Link to video (if it will work)

https://s3-ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/gemthai/auc18/03/21/spi52.mp4

 

[Burmesedaze]

I like that this doesn't have strong grey or brown casts that spinels may have. But I'm not too wowed by the cut considering the price for that size though it does come with a GIA cert.

 

[LJsapphire]

What is a reasonable price per carat? The 4.47carat in a b&m store came in at over £2500

 

[LJsapphire]

 

[Burmesedaze]

Just for reference though his photos are quite crap.

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/shop/CaratZone

 

[LJsapphire]

Just for reference though his photos are quite crap.

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/shop/CaratZone

Thanks, might be worth getting the emerald cut one just for fun I spend more on nail polish!

 

[Burmesedaze]

Lol yes the 20s 30s 40s one are worth a twirl.

I did buy a 1.3ct chryso from him for 45.

I tried a sapphire from him but it was far from eye clean as stated and had a bit of trouble getting/chasing a refund though I did get it in the end.

 

[Burmesedaze]

Dana has a Tanzanian spinel but might be too dark for you. No harm dropping him a note to enquire if he has something else in the vault?

https://mastercutgems.com/Products/250-Spinel-Gems.php

 

[Burmesedaze]

This seller has a few spinels too.

https://www.gemrockauctions.com/auctions/379cts-certified-burma-spinel-100-untreated-vvs1-732085

 

[LJsapphire]

Dana has a Tanzanian spinel but might be too dark for you. No harm dropping him a note to enquire if he has something else in the vault?

https://mastercutgems.com/Products/250-Spinel-Gems.php

Thanks, we are going out for the day but I will certainly ask about others. That one does look a little dark.

 

[Burmesedaze]

This pair would make awesome earrings https://ivynewyork.com/collections/gemstones/products/spinel-3-25-ct-2-pcs

A couple of 3ish ct single spinels on the same website

https://ivynewyork.com/collections/gemstones/products/purple-spinel-3-68-ct

https://ivynewyork.com/collections/gemstones/products/purple-spinel-3-09-ct

 

[LJsapphire]

https://etsy.me/2HRBcFW

https://etsy.me/2HPS8g1

Saw these too

And this one but not sure if it’s purple enough, or big enough?
https://etsy.me/2Jgw4uq

 

[LJsapphire]

This pair would make awesome earrings https://ivynewyork.com/collections/gemstones/products/spinel-3-25-ct-2-pcs

A couple of 3ish ct single spinels on the same website

https://ivynewyork.com/collections/gemstones/products/purple-spinel-3-68-ct

https://ivynewyork.com/collections/gemstones/products/purple-spinel-3-09-ct

I like the pair, the singles are a bit on the pink side

 

[Burmesedaze]

What sort of purple have you in mind? Like the violet with the GIA cert?

I think that violet is probably a Ceylon spinel rather than Burmese. Most of the Burmese purples I've seen here so far have grey or blue tones. Or slightly pink.

 

[Burmesedaze]

If other PSer could recommend sellers with Ceylon or African stock that might help.

I may be wrong on this but I don't think purples/violets are highly sought after so the price should be reasonable. For 600 quid, you ought to be able to find something with a better cut or larger carat size.

 

[LJsapphire]

What sort of purple have you in mind? Like the violet with the GIA cert?

I think that violet is probably a Ceylon spinel rather than Burmese. Most of the Burmese purples I've seen here so far have grey or blue tones. Or slightly pink.

https://store.pantone.com/uk/en/color-of-the-year



This is my favourite shade of purple but it doesn’t have to be exactly the same

 

[pwsg07]

What sort of purple have you in mind? Like the violet with the GIA cert?

I think that violet is probably a Ceylon spinel rather than Burmese. Most of the Burmese purples I've seen here so far have grey or blue tones. Or slightly pink.

Have you ever seen any good blue burmese spinel?

 

[Burmesedaze]

Something like these? I'd ask for more photos in different lights and hand shots, as well as counter offering with a lower price.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/4-34ct-Ravis...593975?hash=item28575fe437:g:M4QAAOSwpw1acR3p
https://m.ebay.com/itm/4-48CTS-SPLE...102574?hash=item1a3a68e4ee:g:j8MAAOSw0y1aEtNl

https://m.ebay.com/itm/3-02CTS-CUST...751663?hash=item1a387b422f:g:UUEAAOSwxzdZ8GuG

https://m.ebay.com/itm/2-25Ct-Ravis...973030?hash=item239d6c41e6:g:5eQAAOSwSB1avesT

 

[Burmesedaze]

Have you ever seen any good blue burmese spinel?

No. I think Ceylon blues are nicer with less grey and green.

 

[LJsapphire]

Something like these? I'd ask for more photos in different lights and hand shots, as well as counter offering with a lower price.

https://m.ebay.com/itm/4-34ct-Ravis...593975?hash=item28575fe437:g:M4QAAOSwpw1acR3p
https://m.ebay.com/itm/4-48CTS-SPLE...102574?hash=item1a3a68e4ee:g:j8MAAOSw0y1aEtNl

https://m.ebay.com/itm/3-02CTS-CUST...751663?hash=item1a387b422f:g:UUEAAOSwxzdZ8GuG

https://m.ebay.com/itm/2-25Ct-Ravis...973030?hash=item239d6c41e6:g:5eQAAOSwSB1avesT

Ooh there are some nice ones there

 

[Burmesedaze]

Ooh there are some nice ones there

Just for a sense of what's out there and the prices that vary a lot dependent on seller, cut, colour, clarity, carat weight etc. But yes it's possible to find something nicer than the GIA, IMHO.

Goodluck and keep us posted!

 

[LJsapphire]

Thank you, I'll keep looking and maybe contact some of the recommended vendors. My DF is very cautious with buying from overseas because he has experience when he was working in computer repairs & the issues they had sending things back. So he is worried that if we bought a stone we might not be able to send it back (or it would be a lot of hassle) if it wasn't what I wanted.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Finding a nice spinel at or over 3 carats has become a challenge and it may take some time. The spinel you posted has lovely color but the window is distracting and I would not purchase it for this reason. Good luck in your search.

 

[LJsapphire]

Thanks, I didn't think I would be looking for 3 carats, I think a little smaller would be ok as well. Dimensions ideally 8mm x6mm ish (judging by some of the stones I looked at in real life last week).

 

[shinyrocks]

I'm late to the conversation, but I agree with what a few of the others have said - looks like a gorgeous color, but I personally would be driven crazy by the window.

 

[leslie1956]

Lol yes the 20s 30s 40s one are worth a twirl.

I did buy a 1.3ct chryso from him for 45.

I tried a sapphire from him but it was far from eye clean as stated and had a bit of trouble getting/chasing a refund though I did get it in the end.

I confess that I bought one of the violet spinels today out of curiosity. For
$20.00 I figured that I couldn't go too wrong!

 

[LJsapphire]

I bought the little emerald/octagonal one

 

[LJsapphire]

I confess that I bought one of the violet spinels today out of curiosity. For
$20.00 I figured that I couldn't go too wrong!

@leslie1956 did yours arrive?