Need advice on searching a blue sapphire for engagement ring

[fifi2004]

I found a lot useful information here. Hope to get advice on my searching. Thank you so much for any suggestion.

I am looking for a blue round sapphire for engagement ring, around 1.5-2ct, 7mm (for size 5.5 ring). I like medium blue (cornflower). Ok with heat treatment in order to lower the price, budget is $3K (can raise if something I really like). Below are my searches so far:

1. Dana, mastercut, 1.74ct for 2,519, but sold. Is this cornflower blue?
http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7930

2. I contacted Brad at the gem trader, but have not heard back after several days. I found two round ones: one too big, one too small. I am hoping he has something meet my need. Any suggestion on those two? I like the color on the bigger one, but over my budget. The smaller one is nice too. I saw a post with beautiful color shitting sapphire.
http://www.thegemtrader.com/May13BSapphirePage.htm
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Oct14CSSapphirePage.htm

3. I found several round ones at gemfix. I saw one user posted the photo, kind different from vendor’s photo. So I am not sure about the color IRL.

4. Gene at precision cut. Found one round one, 2.2ct for 2,500. I love the cut, but color is denim blue.
http://precisiongem.com/Gemstones/rapidcart/sapphire.html

5. Jeff White. I love his cut. He has a light blue one for recut. the color is nice in the photo. Only concern: How can I judge the color over screen vs IRL for a commissioned work. If it is a finished gem, I will order with an option to return just in case not the color I like.

6. Richard Homer: I love his concave brilliant cut. So far, the ones meet my need are over my budget.

7. Is the color too dark IRL?
http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=10506
http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=10314

Thanks for reading.

 

[LD]

Re: Need advice on searching a blue sapphire for engagement

I found a lot useful information here. Hope to get advice on my searching. Thank you so much for any suggestion.

I am looking for a blue round sapphire for engagement ring, around 1.5-2ct, 7mm (for size 5.5 ring). I like medium blue (cornflower). Ok with heat treatment in order to lower the price, budget is $3K (can raise if something I really like). Below are my searches so far:

1. Dana, mastercut, 1.74ct for 2,519, but sold. Is this cornflower blue?
http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=7930

2. I contacted Brad at the gem trader, but have not heard back after several days. I found two round ones: one too big, one too small. I am hoping he has something meet my need. Any suggestion on those two? I like the color on the bigger one, but over my budget. The smaller one is nice too. I saw a post with beautiful color shitting sapphire.
http://www.thegemtrader.com/May13BSapphirePage.htm
http://www.thegemtrader.com/Oct14CSSapphirePage.htm

3. I found several round ones at gemfix. I saw one user posted the photo, kind different from vendor’s photo. So I am not sure about the color IRL.

4. Gene at precision cut. Found one round one, 2.2ct for 2,500. I love the cut, but color is denim blue.
http://precisiongem.com/Gemstones/rapidcart/sapphire.html

5. Jeff White. I love his cut. He has a light blue one for recut. the color is nice in the photo. Only concern: How can I judge the color over screen vs IRL for a commissioned work. If it is a finished gem, I will order with an option to return just in case not the color I like.

6. Richard Homer: I love his concave brilliant cut. So far, the ones meet my need are over my budget.

7. Is the color too dark IRL?
http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=10506
http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=10314

Thanks for reading.

Sorry but the bold bit made me giggle


Ok - first up - cornflower blue is a descriptor that you usually only find attributed to the very best colour sapphires. None of those above are cornflower blue although #1 is the closest. When a sapphire is "cornflower blue" the price is usually in the stratosphere! Most of the stones you've posted don't come close to cornflower blue and they're either too grey, or too dark.

How can you tell if a sapphire is the right colour for you online? You can't unfortunately. What we advise on this forum is that you should only buy from vendor's with a good returns policy because when you have a specific colour in mind, buying can be very problematic. I wouldn't suggest you go for a custom cut stone but stick to what you can find from trusted vendors.

Take your time in your search as well. The colour you want is the colour that the majority want so (a) there'll be stiff competition for well priced gemstones and (b) they may not ever get to the internet so (c) contact a few vendors and attach a colour sample of what you want - that helps to eliminate problems further down the line.

 

[chrono]

Re: Need advice on searching a blue sapphire for engagement

I doubt you will be able to find a 1.5 ct unheated sapphire in that bright saturated blue hue for $3K but it is doable for heated.

1. One person's cornflower could be lighter/darker than another person's cornflower. If you like that blue, then look for similar blues using that picture as your inspiration picture.

2. Not sure what's going on but it appears that Brad isn't responding promptly like he usually does. Perhaps he is out of town?

3. As with all vendors, the pictures tend to be a bit better than the actual stone so keep that in mind when shopping online so that you know what to expect when you receive the stone.

4. No harm in contacting Gene to see if he has other potential options for you.

5. Same here; pictures are a bit different than the actual stone so shop with that in mind. We all take that risk with commissioned CS and try to minimize it with upfront communication (detailed description and pictures of what you want).

6. Try working through Wink Jones, who might be able to snag a small discount on your behalf.

7. Yes, a bit dark with a good dose of gray (not saturated)

 

[fifi2004]

Re: Need advice on searching a blue sapphire for engagement

Thank you, LD and Chrono. I found one I like at local store, 1.8ct, asking for $4,250. I was told that is cornflower blue and un-heat. I thought that is the name for the pretty blue color. I am new here. You can tell that since this is my first post.
I know the mark up at jewelry store, so I hope I can find something similar with heat at cutter around 3,000. I contacted Gene, and he does not have one I like in stock. I read Jeff White's website, and noticed that he can send the stone before cut if customer pay full first. So I can make sure that is the color I like. If I don't like the color, the cost is shipping. That is a possible solution to reduce risk for commissioned work.

 

[Garnet Gimlet]

Re: Need advice on searching a blue sapphire for engagement

Ok, so I'm new here too, but I had to jump in and say that when I saw the 4th option from Gene, it made my heart flutter. It is just exquisite.

If you are still looking at options, did you check the Gemstone Project on Etsy? I was just poking around on there looking for setting inspirations when I noticed that she had a lovely blue sapphire. It might be worth looking into.

 

[fifi2004]

Re: Need advice on searching a blue sapphire for engagement

Thank you, Eyre. I will check Etsy. I agree that the one from Gene is beautiful. We nearly ordered that one. My boyfriend likes lighter blue color. But after I checked at local store, I realized that I like more intense color.