Any opinions on these finalists?

[secondhandnews]

I am considering these 3 sapphires. Any opinions - good or bad. Sorry the pictures aren''t larger. They are the best I have at this time.

 

[T L]

Are they all from the same seller, and are the prices similar per carat? Are they from a reputable sapphire dealer? Sapphires are heavily treated and dyed these days, so it's important to buy from someone reputable.

 

[secondhandnews]

TL - The 2.45 and 1.53 are from the same vendor. Both vendors are reputable. The 2.45 is a little less per carat but the 1.53 and 1.82 are almost the same per carat. I know the one I think is the better stone but I wanted to see if anyone had any opinion about them - be it approval or pointing out problems or asking questions I had not thought of yet. The 1.82 is unheated and the others are gently heated.

I have also been in contact with Jeff White and if I haven''t found anything by the end of January he may try to find something to cut for me at the gem show. He just doesn''t have the color rough I want in stock at this time.

 

[T L]

Date: 12/31/2008 10:25:24 PM
Author: secondhandnews
TL - The 2.45 and 1.53 are from the same vendor. Both vendors are reputable. The 2.45 is a little less per carat but the 1.53 and 1.82 are almost the same per carat. I know the one I think is the better stone but I wanted to see if anyone had any opinion about them - be it approval or pointing out problems or asking questions I had not thought of yet. The 1.82 is unheated and the others are gently heated.

I have also been in contact with Jeff White and if I haven''t found anything by the end of January he may try to find something to cut for me at the gem show. He just doesn''t have the color rough I want in stock at this time.

Well if the 1.53 and the 1.82 are around the same price per carat, and the 1.82 is unheated, and all other things are equal (color, clarity, cut), then I think the 1.82 is the best value because it looks like it''s just as good if not better color than the others. However, it''s so difficult to tell from the pictures since they have different backgrounds, and I''m not sure about clarity issues.

 

[ma re]

Have to agree with TL, 1.82 seems to be the best. To explain my point of view, 2.45 shows some extinction, but also looks to have the best clarity - but still, shows extinction so it''s out. And 1.53 just doesen''t have a nice overall outline (it''s a bit longish), so 1.82 is my winner. Color seems very close in all 3 from what I see.

 

[LD]

1.82 for me also as it has the best colour and cut. If it''s unheated that''s a bonus and if the price is the same as the others per carat then it makes it a good deal.

The 2.45 appears to have a window and also extinction.
The 1.53 has a bow tie that''s causing the extinction.

 

[secondhandnews]

Thanks! I like the 1.82 the best myself but it does have 2 problems that I worry about. I wanted to see if anyone could spot anything but the picture is so small. It is from Pala and that say it has a 15% window but that it is hard to see because of the stone''s rich color. Is there such a thing as a hard to see window? There is also a small veil that is "barely eye visible in strong light". I''m not sure how they define strong light. They say the cut is quite good with minimal extinction and good brilliance. Rick Martin at ArtCut Gems said he could bring it in and look at it under his microscope to help me make up my mind. I am just undecided whether to ask him to go through that trouble if these flaws will bother me. I know it is impossible - unless you pay a lot of money - to get the perfect sapphire and that some sacrifices have to be made.
As I typed this response, I realized it sounds as though I am trying to talk myself into this sapphire which means I need to keep looking and be patient. Not one of my better virtues! Rick and Pala know what I want so it may be worth it to let them look further for me since this sapphire is close but may not be the one. I had started out looking for a cushion but it just seems easier to find a nice oval than a cushion. Plus, Jeff White may find some rough or a stone at the gem show which will work. Sounds like I have made a decision, huh?

 

[ma re]

If the color is really rich it is possible that window is hardly noticable and a veil is not something I''d worry too much if it''s only slight, cause they often bring that velvety quality to the stone. Of course, this is not exactly inexpensive merchandise so I wouldn''t rush the decision, but just don''t expect perfection cause you''ll never decide on anything.

 

[coatimundi_org]

I like the 1.82

Yes, you can have a "hard to see window."

Pala is great.

Wouldn''t worry about the "veil." Unaltered inclusions in sapphire can be your proof of lack of treatment--a good thing imo.

Looking for perfection in colored stones is a tall and costly order.

 

[secondhandnews]

Ma re and Coati - Thanks for the input. The 1.82 is nice and I will think hard about it this weekend. Rick Martin said Pala had some other sapphires that were within my requirements but they have been out on approval and most will be returned to them by the first of next week. Maybe one of them will be The One or it may still be the 1.82.

just don''t expect perfection cause you''ll never decide on anything LOL! You are so in my head. I do tend to over analyze things.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

 

[platinumrock]

Date: 12/31/2008 3:16:00 PM
Author:secondhandnews
I am considering these 3 sapphires. Any opinions - good or bad. Sorry the pictures aren''t larger. They are the best I have at this time.

As an owner of colored stones, keep these things in mind.

1) If your priority is size, look at the stone with the largest dimensions (mm in width x mm in length). Don''t just focus on carat weight. A lot of colored stores are cut very deep to enhance saturation.

2) If your priority is color, look for well cut stones. Well cut stones have the best color saturations and distribution, as well as better spread. No large windows that you can see through.

3) That being said, I would choose the 1.52 oval since it seems to have the best cut and color saturation just based on the picture.

 

[ma re]

Date: 1/1/2009 3:33:54 PM
Author: secondhandnews
LOL! You are so in my head. I do tend to over analyze things.

And how do you think I figured that - welcome to the club