buying sapphire

[Arkteia]

Have been searching for a nice unheated sapphire - in vain! I really liked the Kanchantaburi posted by ladyluck but buying sapphires online is so hard! For some reason I had better lluck with green or red colors. I have looked at many stones, the ones from Ceylon appear too light, and the Burmese ones are either too dark or pricey. Any advice on finding bright blue, +/- 3 ct. unheate sapphire online will be appreciated. I would prefer round, cushion or step cut.

 

[ma re]

I''d contact Richard Wise, as he''s a very knowledgable trader with great reputation in the industry, but also because you''re after a very rare and valuable piece and you need a real expert to find that kind of stone. I just browsed his website yesterday (not for myself), and he has some stones that you might like:

#1

#2

Both are certified (which is important in this price range). You can also read THIS sapphire buying guide (if you haven''t) as it''s fun, as well as informative. And with gemstones, you can never be too informed or too educated.

P. S. Palagems is obviously a great place to ask too.

 

[chrono]

How’s your red spinel search coming along? Your request again is a difficult one that will take time if you are looking on your own. You probably won’t find it in most places. You can find quite a few at The Natural Sapphire Company although I do find them overpriced. Palagems is a good place to start. You might also find something at www.awesomegems.com as well.

 

[Arkteia]

I had previous contacts with Pala. I bought a nice spessartite from them. Jason was very helpful. (I hope to post my spessartite here once the set is ready). Pala''s photographs, however, may not accurately reflect the color so I have to go with Jason''s opinion.

Today I received e-mail from Swala. Eric offered me a nice piece of Mahenge spinel, which looked very bright on the photograph. It was cheaper than Burmese. The weight, however, was 2.57 cts and spinel is a heavy stone. I do not know if it is big enough for a ring.

I have also seen some "flame spinels" from Burma. They are incredibly bright but I don''t want an orange stone.

So...I am still thinking. Budget permitting, would you go with Mahende or Burmese stone?

 

[chrono]

You are correct about Pala’s picture not being accurate although their description is true. I’ve seen where the colour is a lovely medium dark but in reality (and the description), the tone was indeed very dark. What is the mm measurement of the Mahenge? Go by the measurement. A spinel should face up about the same as a sapphire. Budget permitting, I’d go with the super saturated Mahenge that is as red as possible, only because a true Burmese red of intense saturation is incredibly difficult to find.

 

[Arkteia]

Thank you very much for your kind advice. I am new to buying stones online although there are some nice stones in my collection. Sorry for misspelling "Mahenge", I just learned about the place. I am looking forward to obtaining a nice, bright stone.