Help me to find nice BLUE SAPPHIRE PEAR or OVAL

[sparkle_zo]

I have a soft spot for pears but nice oval would also make me happy. My budget is 6k but it can be stretched a bit if there is a really nice stone. I am looking for nice cut stone with vivid blue tone and sparking. Bigger is better !

What do you think about these options I found?

1. Oval, 2.5 cts from AJS
http://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/blue-sapphire/blue-sapphire-2.5-carats.html

2. Oval, 3.3 cts from Africagems
http://www.africagems.com/sapph-blue-g2k-3490.html
I am afraid the color is not reach enough, what do you think?

3. Pear, 3.01 cts from Africagems
http://www.africagems.com/pear-blue-sapphire-gemstone-37717827.html

4. Oval, 3.04 cts from JA
http://www.jamesallen.com/gemstones/blue-sapphire/3.04-carat-oval-sku-15869

5. Pear, 3 cts from JA
http://www.jamesallen.com/gemstones/blue-sapphire/3.00-carat-pear-sku-15009

6. Oval, 2.59 cts from Natural Sapphire Company
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-57494-oval-blue-sapphire-b6587/

7. Oval, 2.97 cts from Mastercutgems
http://www.mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=301&id=8203

8. Oval, 4.12 ct ( nice size!) from Mastercutgems
http://www.mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=301&id=7708

 

[lovedogs]

arg! I wrote out a response and then it got deleted because my internet died.

Short version is that I prefer the mastercut options over the others. Primarily because I prefer the look of them, but also because I think Dana is a great vendor who is always reasonable and fair. I've heard mixed things about Africa gems, and have not heard much about AJS, but I'm sure others can speak more directly to that.

I'm not a fan of the JA options, because they appear too dark to me (just IMHO of course).

Another option for a vendor is Gemfix (http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html). They have beautiful stones, but from what I've read some of their stones seem a bit overpriced for the quality (not that they are bad quality by any means, just that some of them are maybe priced higher than ones of similar quality from other vendors).

Hope this helps!

 

[sparkle_zo]

Thanks, Lovedog, for quick feedback!
I agree that JA looks way too dark and lacking sparkle.

I went through Gemfix and found this option:



blue sapphire untreated oval
Natural Blue Sapphire
Weight: 3.11cts
Clarity: VVS
Origin: Sri Lanka
Enhancements: None
Price: $ 5980.00

Description: Huge, unheated oval Ceylon sapphire! Has a glowy sparkle to it. Fantastic color, blue, violet-blue, and a flash of turquoise-blue down the center. Eye clean. Stunning! AGL lab report included. (Cut by Andrew Gulij) Closest Pantone Color Card: 2726 - 2746C

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Looks like nice stone at reasonable price?

 

[sparkle_zo]

Updated list:

1. Oval, 2.5 cts from AJS
http://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/blue-sapphire/blue-sapphire-2.5-carats.html

2. Oval, 3.3 cts from Africagems
http://www.africagems.com/sapph-blue-g2k-3490.html
I am afraid the color is not reach enough, what do you think?

3. Pear, 3.01 cts from Africagems
http://www.africagems.com/pear-blue-sapphire-gemstone-37717827.html

4. Oval, 2.59 cts from Natural Sapphire Company
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-57494-oval-blue-sapphire-b6587/

5. Oval, 2.97 cts from Mastercutgems
http://www.mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=301&id=8203

6. Oval, 4.12 ct ( nice size!) from Mastercutgems
http://www.mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=301&id=7708
this stone seems to have visible inclusion, doesn't it?

7. Oval, 3.11 cts from Gemfix
the stone pic posted above

 

[lovedogs]

haha I'm just going to keep replying if you dont mind--I love seeing these beautiful blues on here

I really dislike the one from the natural sapphire company--just because of what looks like a giant window in the middle (where it looks like you can see through the stone). So that one is overpriced and not as nice as the other options IMHO.

EDIT: Sorry, I realized that the above "really dislike" sounds harsh. I don't mean it that way, sorry! Just trying to give my honest opinion on how to get the best stone for your money, but definitely don't want to offend.

I remembered (hopefully correctly) that people have had good luck asking for videos from Africa Gems, and that those videos tend to give a much better idea of the stone itself vs. the still images from the website, so you might try that.

I really like the one you found from Gemfix, I love looking at their sapphires even though they are out of my price range.

Same opinions as before on the AJS and mastercut options, although now that you mention it, I do see what looks like an inclusion on one of them. I would email Dana if I were you and ask if that is visible to the naked eye, or whether you can only see it via magnified pictures. If it isn't visible with the naked eye it wouldn't bother me (but of course you would need to feel the same).

Also it might help to post prices for the Mastercut stones, since the other links have prices, but I can't see the price for those two. That way people can compare directly

 

[qubitasaurus]

Last time I looked, I thought the mastercut 2.97 ct was already sold. This was a while ago, so you might want to check (maybe it's been returned?). If you're spending 6+ thousand on a stone, then it seems worthwhile to get one with the tone and colour that made you excited enough to use an emoticon (e.g. 3, 6).

 

[katharath]

Ok, if it were me, I would strike 1, 4, and 5 right away. 1 isn't awful or anything, I'm just not crazy over it. 4 is lacking in cut. 5 is unfortunately not available/sold, (as the other posted noted).

#2 - I believe it's too light for what you may be looking for (based on your other choices). It's nice though, I wouldn't strike it just yet. Would like to see more pics/video if possible.

#3 - I'm afraid this one is the opposite - might be a bit darker than you want, but it's very hard to tell based on the one pic. I'd request more.

I will admit from the get go that I love buying from Dana. He will tell give you accurate descriptions, and be very honest about any perceived flaws that he sees , etc. For example, if you chose out three of his sapphires and said to him, which one do you like best? He would look them over and give his honest opinion on which gem he thought you would like best - even if the gem he recommends is the cheapest one of them all. He never tries to "sell" you on anything. He's helpful , kind, respectful, and very knowledgable.

I've bought several (actually 4 now) sapphires from Dana, and while none have been precision cut (he doesn't cut the Anagee section gems as far as I know), those that I own are all decently cut, with some being very good.

So, that said...your #6, 4.12 ct oval - I really like it! He calls it an "intense blue" and I think I know exactly what he means. I bought a round 1.77ish from him a few months back that looks a lot like this oval in color. He also described mine as "intense blue" so I'm wondering if to him, mine and this one perform similarly. I'm just curious, as I think the color of mine is quite beautiful! Anyway - I really like this one! If it performs like mine, I would expect it to look amazing in diffused sunlight. This one has my vote for now.

The gemfix stone - not sure how I feel about this one. There's something about the pic I'm not crazy about, but it might just be my monitor. Plus I'm very tired and starting to fade, I need to go to bed soon, lol. I'll reevaluate on a different monitor tomorrow. I like gemfix but agree that their pricing is generally slightly higher than I prefer to pay, I can usually find what I want elsewhere for a bit less. It's not *ridiculous* pricing or anything, and I do currently own a gem from gemfix

Hope some of this helps, I shouldn't be posting while half asleep! I'll check back tomorrow and see where you're at

 

[sparkle_zo]

It seems I went through every recommended seller
Here is the new list. Please, give me you opinion not only regarding the color and cut, but also the price.


1. http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=10563
4.06 cts, Cusion, Rich royal blue, $7710 
Too expensive, but realy nice size!



2. http://www.mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=301&id=6948
3.24 cts, Cusion, violet-blue intense, $4380
Not sure about the color...



3. http://www.mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=301&id=7710
2.86 cts, Cusion, violet- blue, $3130



4. http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-sapphire-318ct-blue-cushion-cut-sapphire-r6156
3.18 cts, cushion, $7495



5. http://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/blue-sapphire/blue-sapphire-2.97-carats.html
2.97 cts, oval, Médium blue, $6482



6. http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html
2.83 cts, oval, blue, $3950



7. http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html
3.11 cts, oval, violet-blue, $ 5980

 

[chrono]

1. http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=10563
Colour doesn't look rich on my monitor, just very dark, which is why it is priced so low for a 4 ct unheated sapphire.

2. http://www.mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=301&id=6948
Dana's definition of intense and mine doesn't jive from past experience, so I consider this colour nice but not saturated. A small bowties but that's not a deal breaker. If you are willing to sacrifice colour for size, this looks like your best bet.

3. http://www.mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=301&id=7710
Find out whether Dana will photograph Sapphire 2 and 3 together. Colour looks all right but cut could be better. Again, although the cut isn't fantastic, there's no major issues either, so it isn't a deal breaker. Possibly a bit silky or hazy in appearance.

4. http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-sapphire-318ct-blue-cushion-cut-sapphire-r6156
Cut is all right but it looks worse in the videos than his strongly lit backlit photographs, leading me to think that the video is probably the more accurate of the 2.

5. http://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/blue-sapphire/blue-sapphire-2.97-carats.html
All right colour with all right cut. Nice but for $6.5K, it'd better knock my socks off.

6. http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html
Like the AJS sapphire, it's nice but not wow.

7. http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html
Nope, not at all. Dark, gray and doesn't look lively.

None of these are vivid and if you are looking for vivid, you are probably looking at around 2 ct in size only.

 

[PieAreSquared]

I would say, none of these photos appear all that vivid, but, in all fairness, that could have to do with photography skills or lack of. I don't know how I would capture vividness in a photo, or if I even could.

 

[chrono]

If it is vivid, it'll show through easily in photographs. i.e. silksapphire's EC blue sapphire, even though she's not a good photographer. I've also typically found that pictures tend to look nicer than the stone in person.

 

[PieAreSquared]

If it is vivid, it'll show through easily in photographs. i.e. silksapphire's EC blue sapphire, even though she's not a good photographer. I've also typically found that pictures tend to look nicer than the stone in person.

I respectfully disagree that vividness is easily captured in photos, if it were, we would have a lot less posts stating 'I can't really capture what I am seeing'. Yes, occasionally someone gets lucky and the picture turns out just right.
I have found that stones tend to look nicer in person than (honest) pictures. And by 'in person' I mean, in person, not looking at another photo someone posts here.

 

[chrono]

In reading back, I guess I need to clarify then when it comes to a vendor's photography, pictures have a tendency to look nicer than the stone in person (yes, I do mean actually seeing the stone in your hand, not a person's photograph). They use special lighting and expensive cameras. It is the laypeople like us that struggle, so if SilkSapphire's blue sapphire looks amazing even with her amateur photography, I cannot imagine how much more beautiful it is in person . If you go through old posts, AJS's and Gemfix's pictures look better than the actual stone. In my personal experience, Mastercut's pictures look better than the actual stone. I also have ordered stones from AJS and Litnon, so I know what to expect. Some posters have even complained that they cannot get the stone to look anything like the vendor's pictures and the vendor is someone in the Often Used List.

 

[PieAreSquared]

I have gone through old posts and found the results inconclusive.

There have been fairly good to not-so-great pictures posted in varied lighting by a handful of people, followed by the inevitable dogpile of opinions. And yet, other people will say that the same vendors' photos were very accurate, which is probably why they remain on The List.
I wonder if it has to do with the difference between screens.
I use color calibrating software on my work computer and wondered what everyone was talking about "over-saturated", "too bright" and even "fake-looking" vendor photos.
Then I looked at some sites on my phone.
Oh yeah, Technicolor for sure, my phone way over-enhances colors.

If phones are what most people use to shop with now, its easy to see why the vendor pictures don't match what they see in hand.

Certain stones seem harder to photo well, regardless of special lights and expensive cameras. I have an expensive camera and have yet to take a decent picture of an emerald! Lighter stones also seem to photo much better than medium to deep colored ones, since there is less color to capture.

I use my desktop for color reference, though I know most people are not going to go out and buy color calibration software unless it is part of their work. Even with the software, my laptop changes the color saturation at different screen angles (which someone else pointed out in an older post).



Sorry for the threadjack OP, but you can see the difficulty in making judgments based solely on digital photos.
As was already pointed out, you have a healthy budget, and in my experience, ovals are one of the easier shapes to come by in sapphire.
I would contact the vendors directly and tell them what you are looking for, a "nice cut stone with vivid blue tone and sparking. Bigger is better". For $6K or so, no doubt they will be happy to help you!

 

[sparkle_zo]

Here is the picture of three stones from master cut side by side

 

[lovedogs]

Here is the picture of three stones from master cut side by side

I like these stones! I have to say my least favorite is the round--I think maybe because it's the darkest of the three in both pictures, and it's hard to get the true "blue" of the stone because of that. Between the other two it's hard for me to say--in the first hand shot I prefer the 3.24, but in the bottom hand photo I prefer the 2.86. But both are lovely to my eyes

 

[sparkle_zo]

Thanks everybody for sharing your opinions on the stones I found.
I came through this pair of beauties, they could make a wonderful earrings. What do you think of the color? They do look vivid on the video!

http://www.africagems.com/round-pair-blue-sapphire-g2k-855147.html

The price is my major concern... is it fair price? It seems quite expensive.

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks everybody for sharing your opinions on the stones I found.
I came through this pair of beauties, they could make a wonderful earrings. What do you think of the color? They do look vivid on the video!

http://www.africagems.com/round-pair-blue-sapphire-g2k-855147.html

The price is my major concern... is it fair price? It seems quite expensive.

I personally think they seem overpriced, but I generally think that about Africa Gems' stones. They are especially hard to judge with only the stock photo and no video. But I would see if others who are more experienced chime in soon.

 

[sparkle_zo]

there is actually video available, there is a tab "VIDEO"!

 

[Niel]

Anything you can get from Africa Gems you can get from pearlmans and typically cheaper.

Would you consider a trillion or is that not enough like a pear lol

 

[lovedogs]

there is actually video available, there is a tab "VIDEO"!

Wow, can't believe I missed that!

The video is really pretty, so that does help, although IMHO I still do think it's overpriced.

 

[qubitasaurus]

I like Niel's suggestion.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=5147

should be the same as:

http://www.africagems.com/round-pair-blue-sapphire-g2k-855147.html

 

[sparkle_zo]

I like Niel's suggestion.

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=5147

should be the same as:

http://www.africagems.com/round-pair-blue-sapphire-g2k-855147.html

I dropped my jaw

 

[sparkle_zo]

Niel, I've realized that I don't care for a shape, but do care for nice colored vivid stone.

 

[Niel]

Niel, I've realized that I don't care for a shape, but do care for nice colored vivid stone.

If you'd consider the trillion, its linked here. I think the shape is keeping the price down, and 7.5*9 is a a large size. He also has an emerald cut he might consider taking a photo of with the trillion to compare color. I don't think be usually does more photos but these are $$$ and have been for sale for a while. He also is known to take offers. I personally haven't had the best experience reading his photos but others have.... Plus returns were a breeze.

http://www.thegemtrader.com/Gems%20SR%20Page%201.htm