Sapphire help needed asap, please!

[diamondseeker2006]

I am in a time crunch and need some opinions. For our anniversary, I got a great Beaudry setting on sale from Pearlman's and they were looking for a sapphire for me. It has to be between 6.4-6.5mm round. I don't care if it is heated. I have looked at all the recommended vendors and have only found the right size at NSC. Pearlman's has found a nice heated one that is actually more exonesive than the ones a NSC. I did not realize it before today, but NSC is having a sale that ends TOMORROW! So I need your experienced opinions as to whether any are worth considering. And I will try to attach the pictures from Pearlman's but I am out of town visiting family and am borrowing a computer!!!!

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4506/Round/stoneid=B4506

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4505/Round/stoneid=B4505

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4507/Round/stoneid=B4507

Obviously I will wait for the right stone if these aren't good enough but the sale ends tomorrow and I wouldn't buy them not on sale.

 

[LD]

Okay well I would run away from NSC screaming (sorry).

If I'm not mistaken, all 3 of the stones you've linked to have THE SAME VIDEO with a few minor manipulated adjustments. They all have the same window and all have the same play of light on the facets when the video rotates. So how on earth would you know what you are buying????? It's so deceptive. They have openly admitted that taking photos and videos of each gemstone is too time consuming and this is a perfect example of sloppy second rate selling. They regularly photoshop pictures and use all manner of techniques so that it's pretty impossible to acurately judge the gemstone you may want to purchase. I could be wrong but my gut instinct tells me I'm not. If you look at the window on each of the gems you'll see the similarities.

NSC do not have a good reputation on this forum - and that's being kind!

If you can link to the Pearlman's stone that would be helpful but based on the 3 links so far I wouldn't buy from NSC (btw the window may not close in a setting as it's pretty prominent so that should be a consideration). If you do decide to buy from NSC please check that gems sold in the sale are returnable if you're unhappy.

 

[mrssalvo]

Diamondseeker is unable to get to the computer at the moment but asked if I'd post the pictures of the Pearlmans sapphire for her.

 

[mrssalvo]

and here it in in a temp setting:

 

[LD]

The Pearlman's one looks a little dark. How about this one?

http://www.simplysapphires.com/html/imagesblue2006/bluerns122a-sm.html

It's slightly more violet but is unheated and I suspect a fraction of a price of the others - AND it's already got an AGTA lab report.

A few more

http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=5621 6.8mm so probably too big
http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=6156 This is simply gorgeous but is 6.6mm
http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=5975 Another lovely one but again 6.6mm

How exact do you have to be? Even in a bezel setting there is a tiny bit of tolerance and I'd be very surprised if a 6.6mm wouldn't fit (especially if a 6.5 would).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

MrsS, what would I do without you?! Thanks!!!

LD, thank you as well! I will definitely check on the SS sapphire. Yes, it is far less than the others which is great! 6.4mm is ideal and there is a 6.5mm cz set in the ring now and that is the max that would look right unfortunately. It is prong set and not bezel. It is not like the ring in the Pearlman's photos. It has a very small halo and you just couldn't cover any more of it up.

I would even consider buying a larger one and see if someone could recut it, but I really don't want to do that unless I have to. I do like light and medium blue and do not want one that is too dark, so that is my concern when looking at pictures online because it is hard to interpret how the pictures translate to reality. I also want great cut and clarity, so it is really hard! I hate to put a diamond in it, but I might if I can't find a great sapphire at a reasonable price.

 

[minousbijoux]

I have had great luck buying such sapphires from Tan, both heated and unheated (frankly, I louped them to see if I thought they were unheated but took no further action - they were too inexpensive to invest in certs). I know I was taking a risk, but felt that if there was anyone I was willing to trust it would be Tan. So don't rule him out, unless it would take too long.

Oh, and by the way, his little sapphires are some of the prettiest I own...

 

[LD]

With prong set 0.1mm won't even show so if you're happy that 6.5mm would fit, I would definitely look at 6.6 too otherwise you're considerably cutting down on what's available.

BTW I wouldn't bother having a slightly bigger stone recut because it wouldn't be cost effective plus you've got the difficulty of finding somebody who would (a) cut somebody else's stone and (b) undertaking a relatively small job. I may be wrong but it's not something I would do unless it couldn't be avoided.

If you like the SS gem then give John a call. He owns/runs the website and is incredibly honest and will give you his opinion. The only question I would ask is whether the gem shows any grey tones. It appears to have a tiny bit but I suspect that this gem will change colour slightly in lighting and will look more blue and then more violet depending on the time of day etc.

The other gems I linked to are very well cut and the concave faceting will make sure they have a good performance but I don't know if they may be a little costly.

Good luck!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I had actually checked Richard Homer's site recently, but unfortunatey 6.5mm is really stretching it. 6.4mm would be better. I suppose 6.3mm might be okay, too, but I'm going to aim for 6.4 since I think that is the optimum size.

 

[yanaazul]

How about the first sapphire on this page? 6.4mm round, very pretty color, does not appear to be a window.

http://www.atggems.com/Photos_Sapphire.htm

 

[diamondseeker2006]

How about the first sapphire on this page? 6.4mm round, very pretty color, does not appear to be a window.

http://www.atggems.com/Photos_Sapphire.htm

Oh, thanks! That one does look promising! I will check on it!