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Help finding a cushion cut sapphire (pink or cornflower)

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Gempassion

Shiny_Rock
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Hi Everyone,

I''ve been searching for a pink sapphire (or a pinkish ruby) for a few months and I was just wondering if any of you seasoned searchers can help me out. This is my first fine gem project so I could use some help finding the best quality at the most reasonable price.

I''m looking for a (preferably untreated) intense-vivid pink to pink red corundum. I seem to be attracted to the ones that have a slight purple tone to them too (nothing too bublegum like and no orange). I''d like something that is about 5x7, 6x6, 6x7 or maximum of 6x8mm in a squarish/rectangular cut (preferably a cushion-like cut).

I''m fairly picky about a good symmetrical cut that will perform well in a platinum bezel setting.

I was originally looking at the NSC, but I find their prices a bit steep and their cuts a little wonky.

I''m willing to pay a maximum of 2 000$ and I need a vendor that ships to Australia.

I originally fell in love with this pink (Hopefully the attachment will work... It''s Nicole Richie''s former pink sapphire e-ring)...

I like Winza pink/red and Lake Baringo pinky-purple (I''ve asked many precision cutters what they''ve got in stock and they only have enough untreated rough for 5x5mm, which I find a tad too small for a solitaire).

If my search for pink fails, I''m open to sugggestions re: an unheated cornflower blue (blue/violet) that will perform well in a bezel.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

PinkEring.jpg
 

LD

Super_Ideal_Rock
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My only comment is that you''re looking for a very very very specific gemstone i.e. untreated/unheated, calibrated size, certain cut, symmetry, definite colour and intense/vivid, best quality, reasonable price within a budget of $2000. This is an incredibly demanding shopping list and anything intense/vivid that is untreated is not necessarily going to be a reasonable price as these tend to be the most sought after (and rare).

So ........ what are you prepared to give on? Is colour the top priority or cut? If it''s colour then you may be able to find a good native cut but it most probably won''t be in a size that you''ve specified. Would you consider heated but not treated?
 

Gempassion

Shiny_Rock
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Yes, I would consider heated at this point because I''m looking for someting too specific, I suppose.

The one gem that fits all of my criteria (except size) is Gene''s cushion-cut winza from Precision Gem.

But, since I think it''s a bit small (for a solitaire) I''d have to consider a halo or someting like that to embellish it.

So, I suppose that I would have to cut down on the size??
 

Gempassion

Shiny_Rock
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Many of the native cuts that I''ve come across (heated or not) have been oval cuts and I guess that if someone comes across a reasonably priced cushion (5x7 to 6x8) in the colors that I''m after. Please let me know.
 

LD

Super_Ideal_Rock
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http://www.simplysapphires.com/html/imagesblue2006/bluecns376b-sm.html Size (whilst not calibrated) is what you want but I suspect the colour is wrong and it''s also heated.

http://www.simplysapphires.com/html/imagesblue2006/bluecns317a-sm.html Same comments as above.

http://www.simplysapphires.com/html/imagespink2005/pinko199-sm.html Not a cushion but a very pretty colour. Again, it''s heated

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Pink/P592/Cushion/stoneid=P592 Within budget, cushion cut, untreated but I don''t think this has the colour you want.

http://www.gemrite.com/cubecart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=274 Not a cushion but this is just within the size range you want and is described as vivid pink.

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=5211 Not a cushion, not vivid but a very pretty stone!

http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=5687 $400 over budget but seems to fit your criteria.
http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/query3.cfm?yVarieties=All&ySpecies=Corundum If the above link doesn''t work, try the second link and look for gem 5687

http://www.webgraphicsengineering.com/Gemstones/detail.cfm?zNum=5520 Heated and probably a tiny bit too small but it''s within budget and the colour is gorgeous.
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
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This store is really good for inexpensive and unheated or gently heated sapphires. You can request an AIGS lab memo for a small additional fee. I would get a lab memo for any sapphire I purchase, no matter where it's from, unless you know the guy who cut the rough.

Although this one isn't vivid, it's large, and nicely cut (for a sapphire) and untreated. I think it's an exceptional buy. I like the high crown and antique style cutting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/3-03ct-UNHEATED-Notable-Cushion-Natural-Blue-Sapphire-/230463346344?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item35a8af96a8#ht_2282wt_917

Smaller

http://cgi.ebay.com/1-03ct-UNHEATED-Cushion-Natural-Intense-Blue-Sapphire_W0QQitemZ330359993705QQihZ014QQcategoryZ4644QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3911.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8996466037152266600#ht_1970wt_917

Like LD said, you might have to think about a less than perfect color since unheated sapphires in fine color are very expensive, and rare. Your requirements for a cushion also cut down the playing field.
 

VapidLapid

Ideal_Rock
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does it have to be corundum or would you consider a spinel?
 

VapidLapid

Ideal_Rock
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This one is slightly smaller and rounder than you wanted but the color is great, and the price is half your budget leaving extra for sidestones or metal!

http://www.gemrite.com/cubecart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=274
 

VapidLapid

Ideal_Rock
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This one satisfies all your wants except that is is a spinel. Still it leaves some dough leftover for those side stones!

http://www.gemcal.com/item--Super-nova-red-Spinel-2-01-cts-1589-143--1589-143.html
 

CharmyPoo

Ideal_Rock
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Date: 4/24/2010 8:45:10 PM
Author: VapidLapid
does it have to be corundum or would you consider a spinel?
That''s what I was thinking .. a spinel will be great.
 

VapidLapid

Ideal_Rock
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Another satisfying spinel

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/10724
 

Gempassion

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 22, 2010
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274
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I''ll check them out.

I''m set on corundum since it''s a ring that I''ll wear everyday so I want the most hardness.

I''ll let you know how I go.
 

VapidLapid

Ideal_Rock
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and if you are willing to tweak you budget slightly and or ask edward to come down on price a little or both this spinel is a truly fantastic choice!

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/11312
 

movie zombie

Super_Ideal_Rock
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11,879
high end spinel goes for thousands per carat.....spinel of lesser quality can have a problem with extinction which would not give you the look of the ring you posted.

mz

ps don''t despair. take your time. perhaps you can work with a cutter to get a piece of sapphire rough that is large enough to meet your needs once cut. you would still need to make tradeoffs but perhaps not as many.
 

Gempassion

Shiny_Rock
Joined
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You guys have already given me a lot to think about (and are helping me think outside my box a bit).

Does concave facetting sparle or glow? It seems to sparkle from the inside? Is that right?

I''m also a bit afraid of buying a gem on Ebay. Has any one else delt with that seller?
 

T L

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Date: 4/24/2010 9:38:51 PM
Author: Gempassion
You guys have already given me a lot to think about (and are helping me think outside my box a bit).

Does concave facetting sparle or glow? It seems to sparkle from the inside? Is that right?

I'm also a bit afraid of buying a gem on Ebay. Has any one else delt with that seller?
I have purchased a myriad of gems from him, including a blue sapphire pear, and he provided AIGS certs with many of them. He's very very trustworthy. I don't trust many sellers on ebay, but he's very good and very communicative. Many people on this site have also purchased from him. There's more sapphires on his website odysseygem.com. You can request an AIGS with any of them. You can request other certificates from other labs, but I like the AIGS because it can be verified online, it has a photo of the gem, and a hologram that prevents forgery, it's also around $30, and very inexpensive. It will provide the treatment level of the gem.

A pink spinel is also a nice and affordable choice, and the nice thing about spinels is that they're untreated. I would still get an AIGS because spinels are synthesized, especially red ones.
 

Indylady

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
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5,717
Would you mind a round? This Winza sapphire from Gemrite is gorgeous and even has a little purple. link And it has a precision cut, is vivid and untreated, and still under $2,0000.

winzagemrite.jpg
 

Gempassion

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 22, 2010
Messages
274
Thanks IndyLady,

I don''t fancy round shapes. I don''t know why... If I did, I probably would have bought the "wild violet" round shape sapphire on wildfish. The color is quite beautiful.
 

VapidLapid

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Feb 18, 2010
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pink Al2O4

http://www.preciousgemstones.com/pinksappfs.html
 

Gempassion

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Mar 22, 2010
Messages
274
Thanks everyone for your suggestions!!

I''m seriously considering a Richard Homer pink sapphire, which is fairly different than what I was after but I''m intrigued by the sparkle of concave facetting (I have to admit that I felt that concave facetting wasn''t very "romantic" the first time I came across it, but it''s growing on me.

I''ll let you know how I go...

If anyone has any other suggestions though I''m open to it!

Thanks again.
 
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