Help a newbie pick a ering Sapphire!!!

[MyPrachaz]

Here the general criteria:
budget: around 6000(??)
stone size: thinking 2.4-3 carat
ring size: 5.5(for gemstone size reference only)

Please critique the following 2 stone from the perspective of a knowledgeable enthusiast. Also, I'm open to suggestions if someone finds a better stone elsewhere that fits my criteria and is a better deal. Thanks in advance

1.
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1161
large, consistent color
but not quite as vibrant as the one below... appraisal wise, how big of a difference is the color gap? worth the smaller size/$1000 more?

2.
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1221
vibrant colors! but seems drastically different in color split in the middle?! is it just lighting? if not, how big of a deal is this?

 

[lovedogs]

I like the second one a lot. I don't like the first one, because the color is too greyish for the cost (IMHO).

here are 2 other potential options:
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ..._Unheated_Sapphire_2_41_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

Expensive but OMG color!! You could ask Dana if hes willing to go down a bit in cost.

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...GL_Unheated_Fine_Blue_Sapphire_3_80_carat-Gem

 

[Bron357]

To me, the second one is the better colour.
Colour and vibrancy are important determinants of price.
Sapphires often have a degree of colour zoning but I feel it’s more the light source in the video rather than a problem with the gem.
It is always recommended that you view the gem to make sure it meets your expectations in “real life”. That’s why the good vendors offer a no problem return period.

 

[voce]

Here the general criteria:
budget: around 6000(??)
stone size: thinking 2.4-3 carat
ring size: 5.5(for gemstone size reference only)

Please critique the following 2 stone from the perspective of a knowledgeable enthusiast. Also, I'm open to suggestions if someone finds a better stone elsewhere that fits my criteria and is a better deal. Thanks in advance

1.
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1161
large, consistent color
but not quite as vibrant as the one below... appraisal wise, how big of a difference is the color gap? worth the smaller size/$1000 more?

2.
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1221
vibrant colors! but seems drastically different in color split in the middle?! is it just lighting? if not, how big of a deal is this?

I would probably go for whichever makes your heart sing more. I think the pricing often reflects what the jeweler/cutter values more.

 

[MyPrachaz]

Thank you all so much for the replies. seems like 2nd one is a better gem as the price reflect.

Could you all also comment on how good/bad the price is?

I like the second one a lot. I don't like the first one, because the color is too greyish for the cost (IMHO).

here are 2 other potential options:
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ..._Unheated_Sapphire_2_41_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

Expensive but OMG color!! You could ask Dana if hes willing to go down a bit in cost.

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...GL_Unheated_Fine_Blue_Sapphire_3_80_carat-Gem

Thanks for the suggestions! The first stone is a bit too small in area. But I do like the 2nd one. Do you think it's a better value than the 2nd one I listed on gemfix?

correct url:
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ...-GemMedia.php?FromPage=1&ProductMediaID=39098

 

[voce]

I don't like the pricing for the second Gemfix sapphire. It is heated and prices for more than an unheated one that faces up larger. The Mastercut unheated ones are much better in terms of price, in my own opinion.

 

[Bron357]

Both are beautiful. As above said by Voce the Mastercut one is unheated so comparatively the GemFix one is slightly overpriced.
However, do check depth dimensions, the MasterCut one is over 7mm deep, that means that it will be very high set in a ring. If your fiancée to be prefers a lower profile, ie closer to the finger, the Mastercut one probably isn’t suitable choice.

 

[lovedogs]

Yeah, I just realized how deep the mastercut one is. I think it's so deep that it will likely present a problem for setting. I do love the color though!

Here are other stones from mastercut I prefer in terms of color. I'm afraid that both you picked have a kind-of "grayish" undertone.

https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1325
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1328

These have the deep velvet blue without having any of the grey. Obviously that's just my preference, but I think these are more worth the cost in terms of having an ideal color.

 

[alene]

I liked the second one from Gemfix you picked, but love the ones that Lovedogs found, especially, the second one. Also really love the color of this one
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1322

 

[MyPrachaz]

Both are beautiful. As above said by Voce the Mastercut one is unheated so comparatively the GemFix one is slightly overpriced.
However, do check depth dimensions, the MasterCut one is over 7mm deep, that means that it will be very high set in a ring. If your fiancée to be prefers a lower profile, ie closer to the finger, the Mastercut one probably isn’t suitable choice.

Thank you pointing that out! I was also concerned for the same reason. visually it lead me to believe the resulting ring would be quite unwieldy and look strange.

Regarding heated vs unheated, since I dont plan to resell it, does it matter as much?

Also, what do you all think of this one I found last night? very large, and pretty good color too...

https://www.simplysapphires.com/blu....9x9.3x6.5mm?zenid=eg8qb21gogk17egpgq9e40mn10

 

[clumberlove]

Thank you pointing that out! I was also concerned for the same reason. visually it lead me to believe the resulting ring would be quite unwieldy and look strange.

Regarding heated vs unheated, since I dont plan to resell it, does it matter as much?

Also, what do you all think of this one I found last night? very large, and pretty good color too...

https://www.simplysapphires.com/blu....9x9.3x6.5mm?zenid=eg8qb21gogk17egpgq9e40mn10

I'm no expert but I think that one is going to be quite dark in reality. It's not a vendor I know and I've never heard of GGTL as a lab. For such an expensive purchase I would want a report from a better known lab. All 3 photos are actually from the same picture, just cropped.

As for heated vs unheated there are additional treatments that also require heating, which would bring down the value of the stone. If it's unheated then you know it hasn't had other treatments applied too. Unheated therefore carries a premium. Nothing wrong with heating per se, but you want to know you're paying the correct price for the stone you're buying.

 

[lmyracle]

Thank you pointing that out! I was also concerned for the same reason. visually it lead me to believe the resulting ring would be quite unwieldy and look strange.

Regarding heated vs unheated, since I dont plan to resell it, does it matter as much?

Also, what do you all think of this one I found last night? very large, and pretty good color too...

https://www.simplysapphires.com/blu....9x9.3x6.5mm?zenid=eg8qb21gogk17egpgq9e40mn10

I agree w/Cumberlove that this one will be quite dark when set. Keep looking - you'll find the one!

 

[MyPrachaz]

I'm no expert but I think that one is going to be quite dark in reality. It's not a vendor I know and I've never heard of GGTL as a lab. For such an expensive purchase I would want a report from a better known lab. All 3 photos are actually from the same picture, just cropped.

As for heated vs unheated there are additional treatments that also require heating, which would bring down the value of the stone. If it's unheated then you know it hasn't had other treatments applied too. Unheated therefore carries a premium. Nothing wrong with heating per se, but you want to know you're paying the correct price for the stone you're buying.

Good point with pictures and GGTL, However the vendor is actually listed on the "trusted vendor" list. That's why I bothered looking there at all... Dark when set is a bit of a deal breaker though...

Will keep looking as suggested. Thanks guys!

 

[MyPrachaz]

Also I should mention, I live in NYC. Is there a reputable local dealer anyone would recommend so I can check things out in person?

 

[voce]

Enhoerning Jewelry. The contract person is Inken Krause, and you can find her on Etsy.

 

[chroman]

Did you have a shape preference? This one caught my eye, though its on the ligher (and cheaper) end of the range:
https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p468/1.56_ct_Blue_Sapphire.html

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

Did you have a shape preference? This one caught my eye, though its on the ligher (and cheaper) end of the range:
https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p468/1.56_ct_Blue_Sapphire.html

I like the color of this one very much. In my experience, Gary’s hand shot is closer to the color you’ll see, and the lighter studio shots are well lit to show the clarity.

 

[chroman]

Or if a cushion would work;
https://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=G87171
Though it looks horrid in the in-hand thumbnail..