As with commercial grade unheated natural sapphires, commercial grade Spinels are abundant. Below are some examples of regular Spinels most people come across in stores or at their local jeweller.
commercial grade spinel that has heavily dark zones with 80% of gemstone in shadowcommercial grade spinel with inclusions commercial grade spinel with large window
Commercial grade spinels come as cheaply as $200/ct for sizes under 3cts. However, aesthetically beautiful, well-cut and 100% unheated Spinels are difficult to source. Often times, Spinels, like above, that come through our hands do not make through our quality controls. Investment-grade Spinels in shades of pink, blue and red can command a minimum of $4000/ct and upwards. This is assuming the Spinel is eye-clean/loupe-clean, well-cut with no colour zones, no areas of large windows, no areas of dark shadows.
Some examples of fine quality Spinels are as below. Well-cut, aesthetically beautiful & 100% natural Spinels are becoming increasingly difficult to source.
How is the Blue Spinel different to the Blue Sapphire?
How is the Blue Spinel different to the Blue Sapphire? Are they both natural gemstones?
Fine quality blue spinels are unlike any Blue Sapphires the regular consumer typically sees in the shops or online.
Clients often ask us: What is the difference between a Blue Spinel and Blue Sapphire?
Blue sapphires exist usually in the pure blue shade, often without any secondary tones.What varies is whether it is a light blue, medium blue, vivid blue, inky blue or deep blue. On the other hand, blue spinels come in a spectrum of blues, often with a secondary undertone or overtone of grey, green, or lilac/purple. This lends a depth of colour to the gem, quite unlike any other Blue Sapphire.
We share below a quick visual example of the difference between a Blue Spinel and a Blue Sapphire. It is quickly apparent that the colour tones of the Blue Spinel and a Blue Sapphire are quite different, yet both gorgeous in their own ways.
Commercial Quality Spinels VS Fine Quality Spinels:
Unfortunately, commercial quality blue spinels are usually lack-lustre, appearing somewhat dull and in an overly dark shade of colour. Common examples are as below.
Often times, a good portion / area of the stone appears to be nearly black or cast in shadow. As a result, you would find it difficult to see the individual facets of the stone being reflected back to the eye. It is possible to see that the stone is blue, but the actual colour is not seen evenly throughout the gem.
On the other hand, fine quality blue spinels will a nice brilliance and lustre, with good amount of sparkle throughout the stone. It will not appear overly dull or cast in dark shadow. Scroll through to see visual examples of fine quality Blue Spinel set in a beautiful 18K white gold setting.
An example of a commercial quality Blue Spinel that has too much shadow and appears overcast and dull.
Customisation Process:
Recently customised for a client, below features a stunning and mesmerising spinel in Midnight Blue, set in 18K White Gold and diamonds. Look at the depth of colour on this gem! Mysterious midnight blue so mesmerising one could stare at the stone for hours on end. Notice that most of the facets can be seen from the top of the stone.
As with sapphires, Spinels that are well-cut and eye-clean are not common. Beautiful Spinels are not overcast in shadow nor having areas that lack in colour.
There is something very endearing about blue Spinels. The blue is not the usual “pop” of blue, but an enigmatic blue hue that grows on you and looks more beautiful with time. As is said, in every gem connoisseur’s collection, there is always at least one Spinel sitting in that private collection.
This piece is also design to be in a seamless fit with the wedding band.
It was a delight for us to handcraft such a beautiful bespoke spinel engagement ring.
Would you like to customise a similar piece?
Contact us now at: heritagegems@gmail.com or WhatsApp +65 97716923 and we’d be happy to get you started.
Check out the links below for some inspiration on other types of spinel engagement rings
We would like to wish all our clients and partners a happy lunar horse year 2014. May this year usher in a new beginning of good health, wealth, prosperity and luck.
Please note that our office is closed from 29 January 2014 – 9 February 2014.
Heritage Gems is a local boutique jewellery design house specializing in both custom work and ready-made fine jewellery. We take pride in providing our clients with only top quality gems and diamonds, coupled with bespoke craftsmanship. Our team of craftsmen each have over 25 years of experience in hand-crafting luxurious fine jewellery.
Our unique yet wearable designs are tailored for the modern, sophisticated woman.
We will be at the 8th Singapore International Jewellery Show 2012, at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Hall this July 12 – 15. http://www.sijs.com.sg/
On showcase, will be our private collections open to the public for the first time. Also on display at this show will be loose sapphires, rubies, emeralds, tanzanites, diamonds, pearls and sem-precious gems.
Following this show, remaining items will be displayed in-store, also for the first time, at Delfi Orchard Mall.
So be the first to lay your hands on our best pieces. Visit us at our booth: J29, at the Marina Bay Sands Singapore, Halls A – B.
Inspired by a gorgeous purplish blue flower, called the Jacob’s Ladder or the Greek Valerian, usually found in the northern parts of Europe. This special flower is a summer flower that starts blossoming at the beginning of summer in June, lasting through July. Hence, for the month of June’s feature collection, Heritage Gems brings to you an assortment of cocktail rings inspired by the Greek Valerian, that will add glitz to any of your outfits.
Jacob’s Ladder or Greek Valerian. Source: http://www.flowersgallery.net/summer/jacobs-ladder-specs-pictures-informations/
Above from left to right: Pink Spinel, Yellow Chrysoberyl, Magenta Rhodolite, Blue Zircon.
At Heritage Gems, our range of top-quality gemstones and fine craftsmanship of jewellery reflect the discerning tastes of our clientele.
In this Valerian collection, only the finest gemstones are used. We feature top quality in terms of brilliance, lustre, intensity of hues and saturation of colour. All gemstones used in this collection are loupe-clean.
Price range from SGD10,000 – SGD24,500 depending on the gemstone. Weight of the centre gemstone ranges from 7 – 9 carats, depending on gemstone.
**Different types of gemstones have different carat weights even though they measure exactly the same size.
We are featuring a pair of Yellow Sapphire Drop Earrings this week. Stylish and versatile enough for day-wear or that glamorous night out. Perfect for the splash of colour to your outfit. SGD6,500.
A client recently came to us, looking for a birthday gift for her 2 daughters, turning 16 and 21 this May. Her request was simple – “I’m after a pearl pendant. A sweet, young design – ideally the same design, but in different coloured pearls. But I do not want the classic silver pearls. I want a Tahitian pearl and a deep gold pearl. Can you find me a nice deep gold pearl? I’ve heard that nice deep gold colours are hard to find.” Sure we could!
A ribbon pendant – 18k white gold, diamonds and Tahitian pearl, and 18k gold in oxidised finish, black diamonds and Deep Gold Champagne pearl.
Every woman has a love affair with pearls. Woman of all ages can wear pearls. They are Mother Nature’s answer to pure, timeless elegance. Pearls strands can be worn in many ways. As a pearl choker, as seen on Angelina Jolie
or as a luxurious pearl rope, as seen on Katherine Heigl.
Pearls come in a variety of beautiful shades as well. Rose hues, silver, cream, light champagne gold to deep gold, and not forgetting, greyish tones of Tahitian pearls, including green overtones, and beautiful eggplant-coloured Tahitian pearls. As seen here on Michelle Obama and Hilary Swank.
We have recently sold a double-strand pearl choker, 16-inch length with diamond-accented fleur clasps. Just the most stunning and beautiful piece (see our previous post). The lustre of these South Sea Pearls is simply breath-taking. All 82 pearls were individually hand-picked and stranded by hand. These pearls had just the right amount of silver overtone and slight bluish-green undertone – as requested by our client.
