Help finding a Padparadscha for an Engagement Ring

[DancingDelilah]

Hello all,

I'm trying to find a Padparadscha Sapphire for an engagement ring for my girlfriend, the Dancing Delilah that inspired my screenname(:. I'm new to gemstone buying, but I've read the buying guide thread, and most of the other Padparadscha Sapphire threads. I asked my girlfriend her preferences and we decided quality was more important than size. We'd love to find something

1. 1.5 ct +
2. Pinkish-Orange
3. Untreated
4. Up to $12,500
5. AGL Prestige report (preferred)

This was our original first choice for the quality and vivid color, but we've now read some not-so-great reviews about NSC. What do you guys think?

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-61166-round-padparadscha-sapphire-pa2574/

 

[SparkliesLuver]

ATG has a few but this one stands out to me. I'm not sure if you're open to heat treatment but per GIA this one says heated. I'm sure others will chime in with different options (and provide feedback on this one). I'll see if I can find other options!

1.64cts
6.99 x 5.78 x 4.97mm
Heated
$9,635
ETA: I'd make the final sale contingent on an AGL Prestige report confirming heat only and the pad label.

http://www.atggems.com/Photos_New.htm
(Scroll most of the way down the page)

Link to cert: http://www.atggems.com/certs/sapph_PAD_164pt_oval_H_GIA-cert_kjcl-15a-10.pdf

 

[Niel]

I like this unheated pinkish orange over two ct with an agl report. (I bet they could send it for a prestige if you need it )

Under $6k
http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=view&cat=402

 

[chrono]

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-61166-round-padparadscha-sapphire-pa2574
Culet is WAY off center and there is no proof that is falls into the padparadscha category, is untreated, and is from Sri Lanka.

 

[Rfisher]

Sorry OP, I've got no knowledge to help you, and I've never dealt with TNSC, but got to give them credit. If they are willing to put information out there as plain as the nose on a face, the wavy gravy girdle and beyond wonky culet........it's one thing to look at a photo and view these things after you know what to look for. It's totally another to provide schematics and percentages.....
Hope you keep us updated on your journey, it's interesting!

 

[Rfisher]

I just thought of this:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/4-02ct-padparadscha-sapphire-art-deco-ring-gia-no-heat#.Vx9tWpz3aK0
I know it's on hold, but have you thought on where you'd be likely to compromise? This seems to have everything going for it except the windowing. Is GIA origin and treatment cert as good as AGL or Gubelin? (Don't string me up if I got those wrong, going off of old dusty Grey matter) I dunno.....
If you can get the stone at TNSC certed correctly of its genuine-ness, and the cut doesn't bother you, be aware companies that routinely offer "Mother's Day" sales and such......should be open to to bargaining with on price........

 

[lovedogs]

ATG has a few but this one stands out to me. I'm not sure if you're open to heat treatment but per GIA this one says heated. I'm sure others will chime in with different options (and provide feedback on this one). I'll see if I can find other options!

1.64cts
6.99 x 5.78 x 4.97mm
Heated
$9,635
ETA: I'd make the final sale contingent on an AGL Prestige report confirming heat only and the pad label.

http://www.atggems.com/Photos_New.htm
(Scroll most of the way down the page)

Link to cert: http://www.atggems.com/certs/sapph_PAD_164pt_oval_H_GIA-cert_kjcl-15a-10.pdf

I've admired this one for a while, and think it's gorgeous! I definitely prefer the suggestions that other members have provided over the original from TNSC. good luck, I'm excited to see what you choose!

 

[lovedogs]

Was looking around a bit, and LOVE these two from gemfix (the first is my favorite of the two). Also I bet you could request a prestige report, but it's nice that they come with GIA cert. Obviously bigger than you were looking for, but the colors are nice (IMHO).

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-468-padparadscha-sapphire-cushion-portuguese-cut-4-01cts
http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-499-padparadscha-portuguese-cut-2-72cts

EDIT:
Here's one from Africa gems that's unheated (so over budget a bit), but they might be having a sale for mother's day
http://www.africagems.com/oval-padparadscha-sapphire-g2k-92563889.html

 

[Rfisher]

Was looking around a bit, and LOVE these two from gemfix (the first is my favorite of the two). Also I bet you could request a prestige report, but it's nice that they come with GIA cert. Obviously bigger than you were looking for, but the colors are nice (IMHO).

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-468-padparadscha-sapphire-cushion-portuguese-cut-4-01cts

Pretty stone- but I'm surprised color zoning gets a pad cert.

 

[Arcadian]

Was looking around a bit, and LOVE these two from gemfix (the first is my favorite of the two). Also I bet you could request a prestige report, but it's nice that they come with GIA cert. Obviously bigger than you were looking for, but the colors are nice (IMHO).

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-468-padparadscha-sapphire-cushion-portuguese-cut-4-01cts
http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-499-padparadscha-portuguese-cut-2-72cts

EDIT:
Here's one from Africa gems that's unheated (so over budget a bit), but they might be having a sale for mother's day
http://www.africagems.com/oval-padparadscha-sapphire-g2k-92563889.html

Yep, 20% off which could be pretty substantial. If I recall its on until May 6.

 

[DancingDelilah]

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-61166-round-padparadscha-sapphire-pa2574
Culet is WAY off center and there is no proof that is falls into the padparadscha category, is untreated, and is from Sri Lanka.

Thank you for critiquing this for me! I noticed some parts of the cut looked a little wonky, but I'm new to this and still not sure what's "too" off, or really not ideal.

I contacted TNSC and they said they could send the stone to the GIA for a report. I'll definitely look into that!

 

[DancingDelilah]

I just thought of this:
http://www.jewelsbygrace.com/4-02ct-padparadscha-sapphire-art-deco-ring-gia-no-heat#.Vx9tWpz3aK0
I know it's on hold, but have you thought on where you'd be likely to compromise? This seems to have everything going for it except the windowing. Is GIA origin and treatment cert as good as AGL or Gubelin? (Don't string me up if I got those wrong, going off of old dusty Grey matter) I dunno.....
If you can get the stone at TNSC certed correctly of its genuine-ness, and the cut doesn't bother you, be aware companies that routinely offer "Mother's Day" sales and such......should be open to to bargaining with on price........

This is beautiful! Even though this one is on hold it's nice to be able to see the setting and get some idea for that. I think she'd really love something like this.

I think GIA isn't quite on par with an AGL Prestige, but it's still a good cert. After seeing some of these other options I might pass on TNSC. It will take 4-6 weeks for the stone to be sent to GIA and receive a cert. These are very nice options that already have that taken care of.

 

[DancingDelilah]

Was looking around a bit, and LOVE these two from gemfix (the first is my favorite of the two). Also I bet you could request a prestige report, but it's nice that they come with GIA cert. Obviously bigger than you were looking for, but the colors are nice (IMHO).

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-468-padparadscha-sapphire-cushion-portuguese-cut-4-01cts
http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-499-padparadscha-portuguese-cut-2-72cts

EDIT:
Here's one from Africa gems that's unheated (so over budget a bit), but they might be having a sale for mother's day
http://www.africagems.com/oval-padparadscha-sapphire-g2k-92563889.html

Both of the gem fixes are beautiful colors. Normally I like vivid gems, but I think I like the lighter, more subtle colors of the second one. I think the zone of pink in the middle of the first is throwing me a bit. I'm not sure if I love it, or like it haha.

With a discount the Africa gems would be $11,180 so with tax maybe just a bit out of my price range. What do you uys think of the inclusions on this one? I'll request to see the report as well.

I'm going to contact Africa Gems, jewelsbygrace to let them know I'm interested in this ring if the sale should not go through, and gem fix.

 

[lovedogs]

Was looking around a bit, and LOVE these two from gemfix (the first is my favorite of the two). Also I bet you could request a prestige report, but it's nice that they come with GIA cert. Obviously bigger than you were looking for, but the colors are nice (IMHO).

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-468-padparadscha-sapphire-cushion-portuguese-cut-4-01cts
http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-499-padparadscha-portuguese-cut-2-72cts

EDIT:
Here's one from Africa gems that's unheated (so over budget a bit), but they might be having a sale for mother's day
http://www.africagems.com/oval-padparadscha-sapphire-g2k-92563889.html

Both of the gem fixes are beautiful colors. Normally I like vivid gems, but I think I like the lighter, more subtle colors of the second one. I think the zone of pink in the middle of the first is throwing me a bit. I'm not sure if I love it, or like it haha.

With a discount the Africa gems would be $11,180 so with tax maybe just a bit out of my price range. What do you uys think of the inclusions on this one? I'll request to see the report as well.

I'm going to contact Africa Gems, jewelsbygrace to let them know I'm interested in this ring if the sale should not go through, and gem fix.

My guess is that the Africa Gems one will be eye clean in person. Those photos are very blown up so everything looks huge, but it's also worth asking them if they feel like it's eye clean (and what they define as "eye clean" since everyone thinks about it differently). haha yeah, the zoning in the first one is weird, but that might be why I like it. You could also see if gemfix has any additional photos of those two to see them in different lighting. But the nice thing is that I think all of these places have good return policies, so as long as you are in the US you could (potentially) get both to see how they are in person and then choose one.

I also like the Jewels by grace one, so it's worth asking her to be second "in line" in case that sale falls through, and also have her eye out for something like that.

EDIT: for me (totally just my opinion though, feel free to ignore), for the significant price difference between gemfix and africa gems, the africa gems one better be SUBSTANTIALLY better in person than the other two. IMHO evidence of heat vs. not doesn't matter, but I know that of course people differ in this regard. I think it's just a personal preference, but something to consider since the prices are so different.

 

[DancingDelilah]

So I took some time to keep lookin, and contacted Africa Gems. I'm still waiting to hear back from them. In the meantime, I found this stone on star ruby. I like the orange color (she prefers more orange). However, it looks like it might be pretty shallow, and I'm not familiar with an IGI report. What do you all think?

http://www.starruby.in/store/padparadscha/1-61-carat-sparkling-unheated-fiery-orange-padparadscha-sapphire
(Sorry, I'm having trouble posting attachments for some reason).

 

[chrono]

Let's wait on the AG stone. From what I've seen on posts here, Africa Gem's stones tend to be much nicer in person whereas it is the opposite for Gemfix.

There's too many concerns with the Star Ruby sapphire:
1. Yes, the IGI report
2. Stone is listed as near eye clean (not eye clean)
3. Picture is too small to make out any details but based on the lab report, it has a very prominent bowtie.

 

[DancingDelilah]

Ok, thank you for the advice.

I spoke with AG yesterday and they said they would be sending me additional pictures and video by the end of today so I could decide if I'd like to schedule an appointment to visit the showroom. So hopefully I'll have some pictures by the end of the day.

 

[DancingDelilah]

Sill no word from AG. I'm going to wait until tomorrow morning and then give them another call.

Also, NSC has these two pads with a GRS report confirming they are untreated and their origin. Price isn't looking too bad either:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-62023-round-padparadscha-sapphire-pa2739/

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-62012-oval-padparadscha-sapphire-pa2736/

 

[DancingDelilah]

I like this unheated pinkish orange over two ct with an agl report. (I bet they could send it for a prestige if you need it )

Under $6k
http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=view&cat=402

Sorry I missed this one Niel! I like the color, I think she might prefer a little more orange (it's near impossible to tell the IRL color in pics though so nvm on that), but mainly she's not a fan of square or emerald cut. Round, Oval, and Cushion are her preference.

 

[chrono]

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-62023-round-padparadscha-sapphire-pa2739/
The cut is pretty bad.

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-62012-oval-padparadscha-sapphire-pa2736/
Nice colour and the cut is actually quite nice, other than the fact that it has a depth of 93%, which means it will not fit a standard setting and that you are paying for a 1.5 ct sapphire but yet it faces up like a 1 ct stone.

 

[Arcadian]

I have a wee bit of bias with AG as I liked working with them, And like Chrono said, many stones look better in person. The return policy is good however, but always double-check. With the sale Marc may be extra busy. With some vendors I call over sending email, its more personable IMO.