gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not?

[elsieeee]

Hello everyone!
I've been lurking on the PS boards for a couple months now and have found this community honest and EXTREMELY helpful.
I've been going back and forth on my colored gem options and am in need of some direction.

I am in search of a square cushion sapphire around 6.5-7.5mm (in length and width) for an e-ring. We want to put a diamond halo around it, and I'm particular about the size of the sapphire because I don't want a halo to overwhelm the sapphire.

For the last couple of months, I've been scouring SF for loose sapphires that fits my criteria. This past week, I encountered a 7mm rich, ROUND blue sapphire (pics below, loose and sitting in a prong setting). It is 1.63 carats (it's cut shallow, but there is nothing shallow about that color!). So while I am SO in love with the color - it is not the shape I wanted. After struggling to find an ideal sapphire for a couple months, this is the best color I have found, but it won't work with the setting I wanted.

From your collective experiences, should I take what I can get or sit and wait on a more ideal sapphire? Or will I be waiting around for another year to find a sapphire that meets my criteria? (If it is helpful, our budget is $4500 for a sapphire.)
As I understand it, sapphires are cut to maximize weight, are there are not a lot of square cushions sitting around. And the round IS sitting pretty and brilliant on its own in the solitaire setting in the picture...

Thanks,
Elsie

 

[marymm]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

That *is* a gorgeous blue sapphire! If it were me, I'd consider whether a cushion-shaped halo setting for a round stone might give me the look I'm seeking... and for me, that would totally work. However, if your dream ring really must be a cushion-shaped sapphire and a cushion-shaped halo, then return the round and keep looking. You will find there are plenty of beautiful gemstones out there, but only you know whether you'd look down on your round sapphire with a cushion halo and think "pretty, but I wish it was a cushion stone."

 

[Niel]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Had you considered setting it in a cushion halo?

Marymm beat me to it!

 

[indigoblue]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

I agree with the round center with cushion halo option. I'm seriously considering that with my 1.5 ct RBC diamond. This one is my inspiration:

 

[T L]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Actually many Art Deco pieces are rounds in cushion shaped settings.

 

[lambskin]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Totally agree with Marymm-since it is your ER wait and find the cushion stone. You will not be satisfied with any other cut if a cushion is what you desire. Good look for the search-the hunt may be fun.

 

[syd]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

That sapphire is so gorgeous! I'd keep it if it was a good deal. Not sure if a cushion halo around a sapphire would work the same way as around a diamond because of the contrast in colours. If it's an engagement ring a round halo would also look amazing for that stone.

 

[Niel]

That sapphire is so gorgeous! I'd keep it if it was a good deal. Not sure if a cushion halo around a sapphire would work the same way as around a diamond because of the contrast in colours. If it's an engagement ring a round halo would also look amazing for that stone.

I agree with keeping it. Color is king right? I think if it's the color of your dreams I'd keep it and work with someone who can do an amazing halo to make it look cushiony.

As for the comment about if it would have the same effect as a diamond in a cushion halo I think it would. Because what makes it look cushiony is the fact the outside halo is defining the outline. If you put prongs in the corners of the halo it can actually I think have a nice effect of the overall look. And I mean you wants a cushion with a 1:1 ratio right? A round is half that that's half the battle

But at the en of the day it's not what you want then it's not what you want.

This isn't particularly amazing I regards to quality but a pic I found.

 

[endless_summer]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

I agree with Niel too - it's a gorgeous stone, and if that is "THE" blue for you, you might have trouble replicating it with a cushion cut stone. I think the cushion halo would be a really, really nice compromise and allow you to keep that beautiful blue. That said, if you will regret not having the cut you initially wanted, just have lots of patience, or you can try contacting a lapidary about having a stone cut for you - just save the pics, so you can send the color you're after

 

[GliderPoss]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Agree with the others colour is king and that stone is royalty! I'd keep it and put a cushion halo around it.

 

[pregcurious]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Actually many Art Deco pieces are rounds in cushion shaped settings.

I agree. I love Art Deco and I gravitated towards a cushion halo for my round diamond. I like the angles and contrasting shapes of Art Deco style.

 

[FrekeChild]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

I'd stick with the round stone and put a cushion halo on it too.

 

[VapidLapid]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Finding the exactly right colored stone can be a lifetime project. I would not recommend putting your lifetime on hold for that one stone. You can get something in the now and upgrade, or have it as an alternate IF it ever shows up. The round is a very pretty stone. Does it come with any verifiable information like a reputable third party lab report? Is it heated, heat only, beryliumed, fracture filled, oiled or any other treatments? Is it priced reasonably for it's state? There is nothing wrong with sacrificing preferred shape, especially when the color is so good, and you can square it up in a cushion halo, but it still needs to meet your other criteria.

 

[elsieeee]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Thank you so much for all your feedback, everyone! So honest and constructive!

I originally started off my gem hunt looking for round sapphires (as there are more of them available) with the expectation that it would be set in a square halo, but I didn't really like the options I saw with jewelers. The roundness of the center stone was a little too apparent in a square halo (see attached pic), but a round halo was too soft. I wanted some angles, so a square halo (with a square cushion sapphire) was my compromise. I'm seeing now that a round halo with a square cushion could be a viable option with a good jeweler -- and I would be happy (and excited) pursuing that route!

I'm still working through the details of third party verification with the jeweler (it was a semi rushed appointment), but the gem is 1.63 carat, 7mm round, heat treated, eye clear Ceylon sapphire going for $2990.

indigoblue--your inspiration ring is dreamy! My concern with that look is just that the contrast will make the gap in the corners a little bit too apparent, but I really like the way it looks with the gold and diamond.

I have to sit on it for a day or so to make sure my head it on straight, but I want to thank everyone for their input -- I really appreciate it!
Elsie

 

[GliderPoss]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Yep, looking at the photoshop I can see why you are hesitant - it is a very clear distinction, shows the round shape clearly.

How about getting a sapphire cut to measure? There are some very talented people out there - you can find the links at the top of this thread OR what about keeping an open mind to a different kind of halo - something that works with the existing stone? See pic below - desired angles in the halo...

 

[FrekeChild]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

I have this halo:

http://www.coastdiamond.com/collections/bridal_c8/engagement-ring_p355/page9/

I have an asscher in it, but it was meant for a round. So I think that there are options out there. Not all settings are created equal!

 

[Niel]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

I have this halo:

http://www.coastdiamond.com/collections/bridal_c8/engagement-ring_p355/page9/

I have an asscher in it, but it was meant for a round. So I think that there are options out there. Not all settings are created equal!

Great point. I like the lines in the corners of that halo.

Also your photoshop leaves out the prongs, which I think are key to helping a round look cushiony.

 

[MollyMalone]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Here's another example of how the nature of the halo can soften/mask the discrepancy; different prongs than shown here would do even more to "square off" the round:

 

[elsieeee]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

Thank you MollyMalone and everyone for your input!
The examples give me the angles I wanted with a round gem...I am excited and will start looking around for some jewelers that can work creatively around a round gem, using your pictures as some examples.

Thank you again!

 

[endless_summer]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

So happy for you! When you finish the ring, please come back to post pics - I'm sure it will be beautiful!!!

 

[chrono]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

That's a lovely blue sapphire; I hope you'll be back to share what your jeweller is doing to "square" it up.

 

[Acinom]

Re: gorg sapphire, but not the cut I wanted. to keep or not

The colour is amazing!!! I am so glad you have decided to keep it. It's an amazing stone and I am looking forward seeing it set.