Spinel has traditionally been an underappreciated gemstone, although its durability makes it suitable for all jewelry uses and its beauty rivals almost any gem species. This large, brilliant-cut oval beautifully proves the point. This superb stone is top grade in color, cut and internal clarity. It has totally even color saturation. It has unbelievable visual impact in person. This is an exquisite connoisseur stone of the finest quality. Highly recommended for the sophisticated collector for all three of the reasons folks invest to own a gem: investment, collectibility, and wearability. This stone was brought out in the early 90's and remained in a private collection until now. An old native cut was updated and perfected in a recut by Spectrum-Award winner Mark Kaufman.

Mineral collectors are familiar with red spinel, but richly colored specimens of other hues are in high demand by gem collectors as the species is both wearable and underpriced in the public market relative to their more famous colored brethren, the rubies & sapphires. This is a rare, intense blue spinel of a size (over 5 carats) to be considered investment grade. In fact, fine cut spinels often trade with a higher desirability than similarly-priced colored stones of other species, as you get more for your money with a spinel (according to Wise: Secrets of the Gem Trade - a great book you can buy on Amazon). A small fluid inclusion is useful to prove natural origins, and not eye visible. This jewel is perhaps best described as a "designer stone" for a collector or use in unique jewelry. Cut by Spectrum Award winning faceter Mark Kaufman.  The beautifully oval portuguese cut is both very clean and exceptionally bright, in excellent proportion. Simply put, an impressive gem of superb quality to wear or invest in.

Another unusual spinel of excellent quality that nicely complements the blue specimen above. This oval portuguese cut has a strong lavendar hue - top color for its type, if you want to classify it. There is a slight "window" to the gem, but it's both large and clean with superb clarity. Mineral collectors are familiar with red spinel, but richly colored specimens of other hues are in high demand by gem collectors as the species is both wearable and underpriced in the public market relative to their more famous colored brethren, the rubies & sapphires. In fact, fine cut spinels often trade with a higher desirability than similarly-priced colored stones of other species, as you get more for your money with a spinel (according to Wise: Secrets of the Gem Trade - a great book you can buy on Amazon). Accoprding to his book's recommendations, this is a rare fancy colored spinel of a size (over 5 carats) to be considered investment grade.