Post subject: Stabilizing or fracture filling spinel
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2017 5:40 pm
Platinum Member
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:40 pm Posts: 2667 Location: South Dakota
I was curious as to what treatments can be done to help stabilize some spinel rough I have. Can the same process used to treat hauyne, like Tim's buddy does in the vacuum chamber, be used on spinel as well? What would be a good candidate for a stabilizing agent that has a similar R.I. to spinel? Does anyone have a vacuum chamber, off hand , that they would want to use to try and treat some spinels? Would an epoxy be the best thing...or a resin...or some other speciality stuff? Can I pay someone, or can I send them someplace to be treated? Does anyone have the number for Ted Themelis?
_________________ MrAmethystguy ~ Some jokes just fluorite over my head!
Post subject: Re: Stabilizing or fracture filling spinel
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2017 10:34 pm
Platinum Member
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:40 pm Posts: 2667 Location: South Dakota
When I see those stones selling at $5500 for a .46 carat faceted gem, the dollar signs start to dance around in my head. If they can get that much for an untreated one, that has color no better than many of the ones I have, it makes one wonder what one could get for a fracture filled stone of the same color and size. I would be happy with a takeaway of $300 for a .46ct., top color, but fracture filled, cobalt spinel from Vietnam.
They stabilize emeralds with epoxy's and resins, so why not something much more rare and worthy of treatment. I need a Vacuum chamber. Remind me to ask for one for Christmas, please! If I could stabilize some of the stones properly, then many of my multi carat ones will be candidates for cutting larger stones. I wonder if Tim's guy, who treats and stabilizes Hauyne crystals, could use the same process with the spinels? Would any of the flux healing or lead glass techniques used on corundum, also work with spinel, especially since they are chemically similar?
_________________ MrAmethystguy ~ Some jokes just fluorite over my head!
Post subject: Re: Stabilizing or fracture filling spinel
Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 12:33 am
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 1:10 pm Posts: 850
As a collector I would never buy a stabilized Hauyn. Easy ( here in Germany ) to find smaller untreated stones - I picked two eyeclean ones in St. Marie this year ( 0,13ct and 0,20 ct ) in a light vivid blue and a slightly greenish blue ( bit like a "Paraiba" color ). They are quite small but real gems worth to collect.
Same with Luc Yen cobalt spinel - I have seen stones up to 0,65 ct with some inclusions but still extremely pretty - my own small ones are clean and of course I dream of an eyeclean 0,30 ct. Expensive but fun.
O.K. - my opinion but the glass filled ruby shit - or better glass with some corundum - is a nice synthetic stone for jewellery not more fun.
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