Looking for round blue star sapphire.

[MoonMan]

Hello everyone,

Need help finding a round blue star sapphire approx 8mm. Is it less common to find round as opposed to oval? Gemselect has a nice selection of not rounds. Enhanced is acceptable. It will be bezel set so the back doesn't need to be amazing.

Colour wise something like this:

http://www.gemselect.com/star-sapphire/star-sapphire-394148.php

Would it be worth the risk to ebay given it's relative low cost?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NATURAL-4-4...9886?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item3ceedc419e

Thanks!

 

[Lady_Disdain]

The ebay stone is diffusion treated, so it is not a natural star. An unattractive stone is heated until almost its melting point and treated with other elements, to give it colour and, in this case, to create a star. The treatment is stable but the resulting stone is opaque, not translucent, and the star is very sharp but it appears to be on the very surface of the stone, without much depth.

Would you be happy with a heavily treated stone? This isn't a trick question and there isn't a right answer - it is your choice, as a consumer.

 

[pregcurious]

What is your budget?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

What is your budget?

A natural transculent star is gorgeous, I suggest seeing one in person before deciding on what level of treatment or level of opacity is acceptable.

 

[CirrusClouds]

I agree; stars are great to see in person. If you have that option, I would consider it as well.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

What is your budget?

A natural transculent star is gorgeous, I suggest seeing one in person before deciding on what level of treatment or level of opacity is acceptable.

I agree (just when I was trying to be analytical and detached...). I have a diffused star and I had a natural one as well. The natural seems to float and shimmer, the diffused is flat.

 

[MollyMalone]

AfricaGems is having a 20%-off holiday sale through today, Saturday, December 20 (coupon code: holiday2014 ) & they offer round, blue star sapphires -- no treatment -- in calibrated sizes:
http://www.africagems.com/star-sapphire.html

Although my quick Google search didn't indicate that a PS'er has purchased a star sapphire from AfricaGems within recent years, this is a reputable vendor; free, standard shipping; 30-day return-refund policy (no restocking fee)
http://www.africagems.com/information.html