Sentient spirit and item rank ?

[Normal Paradox]

I'm thinking of creating a sentient spirit out of a soul gem for better specter refinement but does the rank of the item used for illumination matter for the final stats when turned into a sentient spirit ? I have searched in guide but i have seen nothing specified.

[Winterherz]

in the guide there is a formula for the elements you can feed them and how it influence the stats.
part of the formula is tier level. higher tier means higher stat gain

[Normal Paradox]

You are speaking of the tier of item feeded to the illuminate item isn't it ?
Also stat of sentient spirit seems to be determined by the name you give him.
But what i'd like to know is if the rank of the item which is illuminated matter or not :
Does a illuminated spirit soul gem rank 12 have better inate stat than a illuminated spirit soul gem of rank 8 (with same name and elemental feed) ? I haven't found that answer or maybe i missed it but if i could pass on refining to rank 12 a soul gem it'll be so much time saved.

[Normal Paradox]

My bad, i did miss the rank in the formula.

[Nether]

I would say always go with at least tier 12 items, seems to be good rule of thumb for this game.
Crafting? Tier 12 or higher with high qi, Medicine? Tier 12 not higher since it's pointless and not for red ging seng ect unless you're prepping for sun pin pre golden core. Illuminating? To get them to tier 15 is propably why you're doing this so definetly Tier 12.
Food? Hmmm mayby going a bit over board.

[Winterherz]

if you illuminate an item with rank 12 it becomes rank 13.

[Normal Paradox]

For now i'm just in the need of a 100% refiner so i just need a good stat sentient soul gem to fit in the team. I don't intend to kill that one.