Sapphire for engagement ring - advice

[R062015]

Hi all,

I've finally decided to propose to my girlfriend during our holiday in France next month. I know she would prefer a pale blue sapphire with a simple platinum setting. She has said she is not that bothered about the quality as long as it's pretty, but I'd rather not buy anything that is poor quality. I've got a budget of around £1500 (I'm in the UK) but will go higher. I stumbled upon PS this weekend and found some really helpful guidance. I still feel a little overwhelmed however and I'm hopeing someone can help!

So far I've found limited choice at high street and UK online vendors. I've found very nice rings on via Etsy particularly from MS Jewellers such as;
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/207302793/solitaire-sapphire-and-platinum?ref=shop_home_active_5&ga_search_query=sapphire

I've found a reasonably priced gem with G.F Jewellers,
http://www.gfwilliams.com/popup.php?stone=Sapphire&stockcode=1171091&vat=yes

The pictures aren't great and there isn't a huge amount of detail. I've enquire about it but yet to here from them. Can anyone give me advice on the quality of the cut and the gem?

Does anyone know of any good UK vendors for sapphires? And/or any good vendors that will mount a separately bought gem?

Thank you!

Richard

 

[Bex]

Jeff Davies ships from Thailand and has a UK address on his invoices, so I'd assume he'd be able to ship to the UK. He often has lovely lighter blue sapphires. I don't see any in his current inventory, but I'd recommend following him on facebook and emailing him to see what he might have coming up.

The GF Williams sapphire has an enormous window in it, so I wouldn't recommend that one.

 

[chrono]

Have you read this yet? It will probably be an information overload but might help you avoid common mistakes.
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/[/URL]

No major issues from the ring in the first ring but the quality doesn't stand out for that price.
The sapphire in the second link is windowed and the colour has a strong dose of gray.

 

[Siameseroo]

I really like this sapphire from Precision Gem!

ETA - might be slightly out of budget but should fit a good quality stock setting.

 

[arkieb1]

How pale do you want it? This is a nicer cut sapphire but it is paler than the colours you have picked above;

http://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/1-dot-20-carat-precision-cut-untreated-blue-sapphire

Value for money you best bet would probably be a pale blue Montana stone;

Jerry has a lot of nicely cut Montanas for sale email him and ask what he has or what he could cut for you;

http://www.gemartservices.com/for-sale.html

Or try;

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MountainMommaGems

http://blazengems.com/retail/shop/

Or are you after a mid colour blue?

 

[R062015]

Thank you Bex. I've been on Jeff's website and facebook page, he does indeed have a good stock. I've emailed him, hopefully he'll be able to help.

 

[R062015]

Thanks for posting the link Chrono. I now feel a little more informed and can see now that the G.F Williams stone is farily low quality.

Thank you ricezo and arkieb1 for the posts. I especially like the loupetroop link. The montana stones seem to be a bit bluer than what I'm looking for. I found an example of a gem that my girlfriend definately did like...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/156884432/art-deco-sapphire-ring-antique-1920s

I noticed the window and the inclusion, which may be why it is pretty cheap for 9 carats. Nethertheless this is the colour I'm aiming for.
Ideally I'd prefer a UK vendor in the UK as I will get charged an extra 25% import tax when getting delivered from abroad. However the US does seem to have much more selection.

I found an example of a gem that my girlfriend definately did like...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/156884432/art-deco-sapphire-ring-antique-1920s

I noticed the window and the inclusion, which may be why it is pretty cheap for 9 carats. Nethertheless this is the colour I'm aiming for.

I've found this sapphires from PrstineGemstones
https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/238058547/lavender-sapphire-oval-shape-fine?ref=shop_home_active_11

What do you guys think of it?

 

[minousbijoux]

I *think* someone had a less than good experience with that seller, so you might see what comes up here if you do a search on google for '"Rogerio" "pristine gems" and PS' as others here have written about them in the past.

What I notice straight away is that the color has been drastically enhanced to make the stone look saturated. I say that because no one's hands are that color. I would therefore imagine that the stone is much lighter and with less hue/coloring agent than the picture implies.

 

[Siameseroo]

I purchased my bicolour sapphire from Pristine Gems - my very first gem purchase! Here are my observations:

1. vendor photo showed a very specific colour mix which I was looking for (distint blue zones and distinct white zones). In reality, the stone only looks like this some of the time - outdoors in very specific lighting conditions and not very often. Most of the time it is predominantly a lavender colour with some blue zones. I really love the colour ways, I'm especially happy that it looks amazing in fluorescent lighting. But I don't think the vendor pic is representative of what I see most of the time (his description was more accurate)

2. Sold as precision cut but I would argue that it's not, especially compared to my Gene and Barry stones! No apparent window face on but a large tilt window.

3. Gem arrived wrapped in a bit of paper, no gem box.

If you are interested in buying from them I recommend asking lots of questions. How does the stone perform in various lighting conditions, are the photos accurate and in what light, does it have a window, ask for additional photos in different lighting etc.

Although I love my sapphire, I haven't purchased from Pristine Gem since (but I do stalk their etsy page!), mostly because returns are annoying from Australia and there are other vendors I prefer to buy from.

 

[arkieb1]

Your link isn't coming up because it says it is sold so I cannot see the colour she likes can you post something else that colour so we can see? I am 99% sure the Loupetroop sapphire I listed above will be a nicer stone that the Pristine gems one - you have to allow for the fact a lot of vendors photoshop their pics.

This Lavender stone is probably a bit dark for you but it's a nice cut;

http://selectgem.com/collections/sapphire/products/1-45ct-lavender-blue-sapphire

I know these guys greatly enhance their images so ask for a natural pic taken with an Iphone or a natural pic on the hand to try and get a better idea of colour;

http://www.simplysapphires.com/jewelry/brilliant-blue-teal-sapphire-diamond-ring-14kwg-1.75-ctw?cPath=135&

Or alternatively email simply sapphires describe what you want and see if they have something else they can show you. Always as for natural light pics with stone either on the back of a hand or worn if in rings.

I don't know if this is way out of the budget but it's a nice stone;

http://gemrite.com/home/170-blue-sapphire-235-cts.html?search_query=sapphire&results=28

You could email these guys too and ask them what they have, they have some lighter sapphires in stock;

http://www.africagems.com/bluesappphire1-1-5.html

 

[R062015]

Thanks minousbijoux and ricezo for the warning on PristineGems. I'll definately ask lots of questions and additional photos from them (or any vendor). It's a bit daunting purchasing online without seeing in person!

Jeff Davies emailed me back saying that he should have some gems in this week that match my preferences. He also said not to worry about import tax so I assume he's got a UK base too. Exicted to see what he comes up with.

Arkiebie, thanks for the links again. The Gem's right and African gems are really nice. I especially like this one.
http://www.africagems.com/radiant-sapphire-g2k-1093.html, but it's a bit out of my price range. I've asked the loupetroop seller for some more photos.

Once I get the perfect sapphire, would a local jeweller be suitable to make the setting or should I seek out someone with more expertise? Unfortunately most of the jewellers in my area are chains (H.S.Samuel etc), so I'm not sure whether 1. they would be any good or 2. would set a pre-bought stone?

Thanks again guys, you've been a great help!

Rich

 

[arkieb1]

That looks nice in their pic but ask if they can make a video for you and or a pic on the back of the hand so you have a more accurate idea of the true colour some of the initial pics are often photo-shopped images that are not as accurate as a back of the hand pic or a video IMHO.

If you want a high quality setting you can design yourself for a good price check out David Klass jewelry on Facebook or twitter.

 

[R062015]

Hi all,

Jeff Davies got back to with some freshly cut sapphires. I particularly like this one, it's the colour and cut that I was looking for.. What do you guys think?

https://youtu.be/DD9clbZnO3M

1.25ct
Origin - Sri Lanka
Treatment - standard heat
Size - 7.08 x 5.13 x 3.78 mm

Cheers

 

[chrono]

Cut and colour look great but there is major shadowing as it turns, which I'm not sure whether it is caused by the camera/person obstruction or it just turned out that way.

 

[dk168]

I am based in UK and can confirm Jeff Davies ships to UK.

DK

 

[sydneyatl]

Hi all,

Jeff Davies got back to with some freshly cut sapphires. I particularly like this one, it's the colour and cut that I was looking for.. What do you guys think?

https://youtu.be/DD9clbZnO3M

1.25ct
Origin - Sri Lanka
Treatment - standard heat
Size - 7.08 x 5.13 x 3.78 mm

Cheers

I don't know very much about stones to be honest (still learning!) but we bought the sapphire for our engagement ring from Jeff Davies a few months ago and are thrilled with it. He was great about sending us extra photos, videos, etc. and kept up with us via email even though a major holiday in Thailand - very important for someone as anxious as me.

That said, that is a beautiful stone. Congratulations on your upcoming engagement!