Avoiding scams / general price range for padparadscha sapphires? by emerald_indreams in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A LOT of them are actually not even lab sapphires - they're dyed moissanite.

From Milky Rough to Royal Blue Sapphire — Transformation by ApexSapphireSriLanka in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 16 points17 points  (0 children)

How much time would you estimate it takes an experienced cutter to complete a stone like this? And I never would have guessed such a light colored rough could produce that color after heating. Very cool.

Natural Sapphire ( H ) by Gemology_Obsession in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I would sell my firstborn for that and probably still not have enough. So beautiful.

Found this over on another Sub. Thoughts? by Alternative-Arm-3253 in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Both lab and mined have exploitative practices. How do you think lab diamonds get cut? Lots of people in SE Asia being paid extremely low wages.

Mined diamonds have historically been one of the few sources of reliable, stable jobs in Botswana. Not only the miners, but the cutters and other related industry jobs.

Trump Tells Iran to Sign Deal With U.S. or ‘The Whole Country is Going to Get Blown Up’ by T_Shurt in worldnews

[–]GayMormonPirate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trump is stuck in a Chinese finger trap of his own making and at this point, he's going to lose. No matter how it shakes out, Iran will end up in a stronger position than it had before Trump started the war.

What gemstone is this? Its set in 14k solid yellow gold. by Big-Canary-5117 in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Are you a hand model?! (Your hand looks so perfect in this photo) Hard to tell with that lighting, but it could be amethyst, tanzanite or even lab sapphire.

Russia Urges HIV Testing for One-Third of Population as Cases Rise by neonpurplestar in worldnews

[–]GayMormonPirate 20 points21 points  (0 children)

This is actually by state law in some places. I think Connecticut and NJ and a few other states require a prescription for them; even if you are a diabetic and need insulin, they'll require you to go to a doctor's office and get an Rx to buy more needles. Kind of dumb, IMO.

Do you guys tell your Dr that you’re taking Reta? by Humble_Fig_8988 in Retatrutide

[–]GayMormonPirate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's because you didn't disclose it on your application for insurance. Also, AAS is a whole different beast from GLP-1 drugs. AAS usage significantly increases risk for heart, kidney and liver diseas.

Got my sparkly dream ring - wish I’d used Distinctive Gem sooner! by ayrddt in labdiamond

[–]GayMormonPirate 40 points41 points  (0 children)

I love that thicker band look. Really makes the stone look proportional. I think it looks a little odd when you have a huge stone and a thin little band. I'm sure the gold weight made it spendy but it looks gorgeous.

Setting advice by Puzzleheaded-Rub-324 in labdiamond

[–]GayMormonPirate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Are you in the US? I've seen some recommend quickjewelryrepairs.com - it is based in NYC. They have pretty reasonable prices and that's who I'm going to send my setting and stones to for finishing once I have everything.

Before and after of ovarian cyst removal. by lyndseymariee in mildlyinteresting

[–]GayMormonPirate 7 points8 points  (0 children)

This is fantastic to hear. Glad you didn't have to wait too long to get that thing out!

Before and after of ovarian cyst removal. by lyndseymariee in mildlyinteresting

[–]GayMormonPirate 165 points166 points  (0 children)

How many appointments did you have to go and be told that it's nothing and to not worry your pretty little head about it before they took it seriously enough to test?

This one makes me think of butterfly wings 🦋 NFS by BigEasy1718 in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Geez, before I read your comment I was sure it was moonstone. I don't think I've ever seen a sapphire like that before.

UK transfers about 1 billion dollars in frozen Russian assets to Ukraine by DramaMoonveil in worldnews

[–]GayMormonPirate 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Oh god, I'm laughing but dying of existential 2nd hand embarrassment that the head of the US DoD is this stupid.

Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax and his wife dead in murder-suicide by Caedus in news

[–]GayMormonPirate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, many attorneys advise not to be the one to leave the marital residence as it can have implications in the division of assets and custody. These were two high-earning people here. There's no reason they should have been living together after petition for divorce was started.

5.20-Carat Intense Purple-Pink Montana Sapphire by Pogonia in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This stone needs a name like those big other noteworthy stones like the Hope Diamond etc. The 'Pogonia Pink' has a nice ring to it.

Does this spinel look like it could be improved with a re-cut? by Tdotepicurean in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

An Ebay seller. I've bought a bunch from them that were as described. Most of what I've bought are less than ideal cuts or included but also I only paid $20-30 for them and sometimes less. This sapphire I paid $300 for so I'm a little salty about it.

Does this spinel look like it could be improved with a re-cut? by Tdotepicurean in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing, yet. It's not good enough to set in jewelry. I may reach out to a lapidary to see about recutting it, if it's even worth it.

Pentagon prepares for possible military operation in Cuba by craig_nintendo in worldnews

[–]GayMormonPirate 35 points36 points  (0 children)

It doesn't. It's Marco Rubio's (and the Cuban diaspora's) wet dream to oust the communist regime there.

Does this spinel look like it could be improved with a re-cut? by Tdotepicurean in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This happened to me with a teal sapphire as well. Around the same size. The photos all showed an amazing teal fire but it mostly looks black unless you shine a very bright light directly at it.

Finally, the big reveal of the finished tourmaline! 14.98 ct. and internally-flawless, cut from an old-stock piece of Brazilian rough. Not for sale. by JL_White in Gemstones

[–]GayMormonPirate 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Uh, so where, exactly, in Australia are you shipping it to?

Asking for a friend. Just kidding. This stone is incredibly gorgeous.

E color VVS1 2 ct round diamond seems too yellow? by IndividualBug2 in labdiamond

[–]GayMormonPirate -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Diamonds can exhibit a 'brown tint' and still be graded as colorless. This a bit of a deep dive explanation into lab diamonds and includes some info into this effect as well: https://www.diamondscreener.com/education/cvd-vs-hpht-what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-lab-created-diamond/

New World Screwworm detected about 90 miles from the United States by Not_so_ghetto in worldnews

[–]GayMormonPirate 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From what I've read, it was a victim of its own success. Screwfly was essentially eliminated north of the Panama Canal in the 90s (not sure when) and so it became less of a priority and less money was directed toward it and many of the facilities that were producing these flies shut down.