Which of these colored stones would you get?

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

So BF told me yesterday that his mom wants to get me a birthday present and that if I saw any gemstones I liked to let him know, so he could pay and she'd pay him back. I've been looking at some smaller stones under $100 and found a bunch on Gemrite. What do you guys think? Which would you get, if any? Any I should strike from the list, and any that pop out at you? Hardness for a ring would be nice but not a must. And if you guys see anything anywhere else, I'd appreciate it if you could direct me to it.

Also, I have a couple blue spinels on this, since I like them, but for the most part I want to steer away from stones I already have (blue spinel, blue sapphire, dark pink tourmaline, dark green tourmaline, blue-green tourmaline, super light pink morganite, dark reddish-pink garnet).

Thank you all!

Yellow apatite emerald, 1.53 ct. $90

Peachy grossular garnet round, 0.98 ct. $75

Yellow umba sapphire round, 0.86 ct. $85

Purple spinel oval, 0.86 ct. $75

Pink spinel round, 0.42 ct. $65

Blue spinel emerald, 0.85 ct. $90

Yellow zircon round, 2.97 ct. $90

 

[T L]

Date: 1/26/2009 5:39:36 AM
Author:Brown.Eyed.Girl
So BF told me yesterday that his mom wants to get me a birthday present and that if I saw any gemstones I liked to let him know, so he could pay and she'd pay him back. I've been looking at some smaller stones under $100 and found a bunch on Gemrite. What do you guys think? Which would you get, if any? Any I should strike from the list, and any that pop out at you? Hardness for a ring would be nice but not a must. And if you guys see anything anywhere else, I'd appreciate it if you could direct me to it.

Also, I have a couple blue spinels on this, since I like them, but for the most part I want to steer away from stones I already have (blue spinel, blue sapphire, dark pink tourmaline, dark green tourmaline, blue-green tourmaline, super light pink morganite, dark reddish-pink garnet).

Thank you all!

Yellow apatite emerald, 1.53 ct. $90

Peachy grossular garnet round, 0.98 ct. $75

Yellow umba sapphire round, 0.86 ct. $85

Purple spinel oval, 0.86 ct. $75

Pink spinel round, 0.42 ct. $65

Blue spinel emerald, 0.85 ct. $90

Yellow zircon round, 2.97 ct. $90

The yellow apatite has a low RI and if I were going to get an apatite, I would get the neon blue green variety. It's also way too soft, so it would be an ugly bland yellow stone sitting in a box for the most part.

The sapphire is super included and a bland yellow.

You have spinels already, so do you need another one? Besides, the ones you picked out are either too small or too included.

The yellow zircon has too much brown in it and it is treated in case you didn't notice. I don't know if that matters to you, but I thought I would point it out.

Therefore, I would go with the peachy garnet since it's durable, has a higher RI (very sparkley) and it's a color you don't already have, and it would be very suitable for a ring, and it's not too small as some of the other gems you picked out. It would also fit a standard 6mm mount, so it would be easy to set. I doubt the inclusions in that stone would be visible with the high brilliance, but I would ask the vendor just in case.

 

[ma re]

I''d steer away from purple spinel, umba sapphire and grossular garnet, cause they seem quite included to me (besides, I''m still to figure out what the heck is golden about that sapphire). And of the rest, I''d actually go with apatite. Reasons:

a) if you''d like that pink spinel, you can get a much larger and nicer stone in other varieties; take for instance THIS tourmaline - it may not be as sparkly and it sure isn''t perfect in terms of cutting, but it''s 2+ cts of a ring stone, and at a lower price too;

b) blue spinel you already have; unless you''re after earrings it''s better to get something else IMHO;

c) zircon is nice, but if you''re not accustomed to it''s hazy look, better go and see one in person (at some jewelers) before buying it, cause they''re quite different from sparklers like spinels or garnets;

d) you said it didn''t have to be a ring stone i.e. hardness doesen''t have to be right for a ring and apatite is great for a pendant;

e) even if you''d opt for a ring, it might work, cause the stone is a step cut which means it''s got fewer facets and facet junctions; therefore it''s more appropriate for a ring than a brilliant cut stone of the same hardness would be, but I''d still only use it for occasional wear and protect it with a setting; and I''d use yellow gold to enhance it''s color.

 

[T L]

Just a side note about pink tourmaline. Unless you get it from the same person who has faceted it, I would stay away. Even on multicolour.com, it might still be irradiated even though they say "not treated." Unfortunately, from what I've heard, labs are not even able to tell. You have to be very careful of stones coming through Thailand (even if they're souced in Africa) and Brazil.

However, I think you should look at stones on muticolour.com, and I'm glad Mr. Ma Rae brought up that site. It takes a while to sort through their gargantuan selection, but you might be able to find the needle in the haystack so to speak, and that one stone that is very nice for a good price.

 

[chrono]

I''m sorry but I cannot recommend any:
1. Apatite is too soft for a ring.
2. Gossular garnet is too included
3. Umba sapphire is too included
4. Purple spinel is too included
5. Pink spinel is very tiny (are you sure you''d like it?)
6. Blue spinel shows a LOT of gray
7. Yellow zircon shows some brown

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Thanks TL, Mr. Ma re and Chrono!

Unfortunately, I''m with you guys - I''m not too into the stones I''ve posted. Unfortunately the ones i really have my eyes on are way past that $100 budget (for example, TL, I was kind of steering from that garnet because I have my eyes on this or this (the first one).

Mr. Ma re (and thank you for the clarification because for some reason - maybe your expert knowledge on gems?! - I assumed you were a Ms.

), thanks for the pink tourmaline link! That''s a really pretty stone - it might be at the top of my list so far. I like the yellow apatite as well though - I''ve been on the hunt for something on the lighter to medium yellow, emerald cut side so that seemed to fit the bill. If only it was a little harder to set into a ring...but like I said, that wasn''t a must.

Chrono, yeah

But if you find anything in that price range please let me know!

 

[ma re]

Lighter to medium yellow, suitable for a ring and affordable? Golden beryl comes to mind. Check them out cause you just might like them. Zircons tend to have brown in their yellows, just like many citrines, malayas and hessonites, while spessartites of decent size are way out of the budget. You might find a nice light yellow topaz, but they''re really hard to find as most of those materials are heated to produce pinks and reds. Chrysoberyl might also work, if you find one that''s not overly big i.e. too expensive. Yellow fire opals can be nice and affordable, but they''re pendant stones, just like scapolites.

Any chance you''d like an opaque stone? For instance, you could get a really nice loose freshwater pearl (of great size and luster) for much less than 100$ - might even get a pair for earrings. Or how about an amber necklace? That is, assuming you give up on the ring idea.

 

[chrono]

I tried really hard to find some decent stones posted on various vendor''s websites. Here''s 2 from ACS:
http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=82&idproduct=2558 Not sure if it''ll show any brown in person.
http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=68&idproduct=2557 Cute and already set!

 

[chrono]

www.diamondexpert.com is another good place for budget shoppers. There are ametrines, peridots, tourmalines and zircons in your price range. He is honest about his tourmalines being possible heated or treatment unknown.

 

[chrono]

If you are still on a spinel "kick" or want a blue, this one doesn't look too bad for the price:
http://www.customgemstones.com/SPINEL/sp1045.html

Very nice pink but slightly over budget:
http://www.customgemstones.com/SPINEL/sp1081.html

 

[mochi]

BEG!! OH, I love the one you posted from Barry....

 

[Harriet]

The pink spinel is the most promising, albeit small. I''ll keep an eye out for you.

 

[Babyblue033]

Date: 1/26/2009 9:37:34 AM
Author: Chrono
Very nice pink but slightly over budget:
http://www.customgemstones.com/SPINEL/sp1081.html

This one is unfortunately already sold (it''s showing up as sold on the front page but not on the actual page). Something I was looking at myself

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 1/26/2009 8:45:11 AM
Author: Brown.Eyed.Girl


Unfortunately, I''m with you guys - I''m not too into the stones I''ve posted. Unfortunately the ones i really have my eyes on are way past that $100 budget (for example, TL, I was kind of steering from that garnet because I have my eyes on this or this (the first one).

I''m not into the first group you posted either. Can you wait and get what you really want later? haha I totally understand "want-it-now," but I''d wait until I had the budget to get what I really wanted.

 

[chrono]

Date: 1/26/2009 11:08:20 AM
Author: coatimundi

Date: 1/26/2009 8:45:11 AM
Author: Brown.Eyed.Girl


Unfortunately, I''m with you guys - I''m not too into the stones I''ve posted. Unfortunately the ones i really have my eyes on are way past that $100 budget (for example, TL, I was kind of steering from that garnet because I have my eyes on this or this (the first one).

I''m not into the first group you posted either. Can you wait and get what you really want later? haha I totally understand ''want-it-now,'' but I''d wait until I had the budget to get what I really wanted.

I guess it depends on when her birthday is since it is to be a b''day gift to her.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 1/26/2009 11:23:36 AM
Author: Chrono


I guess it depends on when her birthday is since it is to be a b''day gift to her.

ahhh gotcha.

Sorry BEG--missed that important tidbit. I''m so used to adding my own scratch to family gifts--I''m projecting I''m sure.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 1/26/2009 9:20:07 AM
Author: ma re
Lighter to medium yellow, suitable for a ring and affordable? Golden beryl comes to mind. Check them out cause you just might like them. Zircons tend to have brown in their yellows, just like many citrines, malayas and hessonites, while spessartites of decent size are way out of the budget. You might find a nice light yellow topaz, but they''re really hard to find as most of those materials are heated to produce pinks and reds. Chrysoberyl might also work, if you find one that''s not overly big i.e. too expensive. Yellow fire opals can be nice and affordable, but they''re pendant stones, just like scapolites.


Any chance you''d like an opaque stone? For instance, you could get a really nice loose freshwater pearl (of great size and luster) for much less than 100$ - might even get a pair for earrings. Or how about an amber necklace? That is, assuming you give up on the ring idea.

Thanks Mr. Ma re! Golden beryl looks like a good bet to me - I also looked at Barry''s golden topaz (it''s an emerald cut) but it''s out of my current budget.

Unfortunately, while I love pearls, I''m not looking at them right now - I already have studs, a necklace, and a ring, so I tend to steer away from pearls in general.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 1/26/2009 9:33:49 AM
Author: Chrono
www.diamondexpert.com is another good place for budget shoppers. There are ametrines, peridots, tourmalines and zircons in your price range. He is honest about his tourmalines being possible heated or treatment unknown.

Thanks Chrono! I''m going to check out that site in a bit.

I think I''m going to stay away from spinels for the time being, on second thought. I''m kind of the type of wanting to finish out my collection before going back and starting over

so I think I want something a little different

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

BEG!! OH, I love the one you posted from Barry....

The Malaya? Isn't it gorgeous??

If I had a spare $1000 or so lying around, that would be first on my list, followed by that apatite I had posted in another thread, and Barry's golden topaz. Sigh....

EDIT: That was Mochi's post quoted above - I was silly and forgot to quote it when I first replied!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 1/26/2009 10:06:10 AM
Author: Harriet
The pink spinel is the most promising, albeit small. I''ll keep an eye out for you.

Thanks Harriet! You''re a dear!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 1/26/2009 11:08:20 AM
Author: coatimundi

Date: 1/26/2009 8:45:11 AM

Author: Brown.Eyed.Girl



Unfortunately, I''m with you guys - I''m not too into the stones I''ve posted. Unfortunately the ones i really have my eyes on are way past that $100 budget (for example, TL, I was kind of steering from that garnet because I have my eyes on this or this (the first one).

I''m not into the first group you posted either. Can you wait and get what you really want later? haha I totally understand ''want-it-now,'' but I''d wait until I had the budget to get what I really wanted.

Me too on waiting, but unfortunately, my birthday is next week!

I wish I could add the money to my own and get something bigger, but BF and his mom don''t quite go with that line of thinking

 

[cellentani]

Date: 1/26/2009 8:34:11 PM
Author: Brown.Eyed.Girl


Me too on waiting, but unfortunately, my birthday is next week!

I wish I could add the money to my own and get something bigger, but BF and his mom don''t quite go with that line of thinking

Um, Brown.Eyed.Girl? Your birthday is next week, as in the first week of February?? So''s mine!! And I''ve been crazy looking at stones too, but haven''t found anything I loooove within my bday budget. As for you though, maybe they''d let you put the $ towards having one of your gorgeous stones set? I know you''d have to ante up the difference, but that way you wouldn''t be settling on something you weren''t really enthusiastic about.

 

[geckodani]

Beg - did you check precisiongem.com? I found a few lovelies for under $100 - but I''m having a hard time getting the pics up for some reason.

 

[T L]

Multicolour.com has some super inexpensive matching pairs of Mali garnets. They're around a half carat each, but they're like $10 a piece, and decently cut!! Since you were interested in yellow stones, I thought I'd point these out. Here's a very pretty one, and it's nicely cut for a native cut. Can't beat that price!! There are several in around the same size and shape. You could make a pair of earrings, a ring and a pendant.

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-357956179

Here's a similar color in a tourmaline, it's under $100 and it's a nice size and nicely cut (no windows).

http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?123521755