I ran across this Pad listing, what should I be looking for?

[Coralkey]

Hello all! I've been looking for a sapphire/information on sapphires, as my BF and I will be engaged in the next year or so. I was dead set on a pad, I absolutely love the colors they come in, but I kind of gave up on the idea, looking around occasionally just in case there was something affordable out there. I happened across a website I hadn't heard of or seen on here, which has pads in their inventory. Most of them are forgettable and pale, but one caught my eye. I don't plan on buying it, so I'm going to post it. I don't know a great deal about sapphires, but I feel like based on what I've seen, for the color and size this is relatively inexpensive. What about this stone makes it this price? Is it because it's kind of cloudy/included? The pear shape is pretty wonky, so I feel like that might add to it. Also, is this stone cut shallow? Also, is IGI a reputable lab? I haven't seen IGI in any of the listings or sites I've looked at. Like I said, I kind of gave up on pads in favor of yellow sapphires for my e-ring, but I'd still like to know, in case I happen upon a gemological miracle lol. Thank you all for your input

http://www.starruby.in/store/padpar...deep-orangish-pink-padparadscha-sapphire/url]

 

[lovedogs]

Re: I ran across this Pad listing, what should I be looking

Hi there and welcome

I'd say the price is low because of essentially all the reasons you said. It's windowed, badly cut, and the photos are likely "enhanced" to make the color look better than it is. Also it's almost certainly not a "real" pad, as IGI isn't a reputable lab. Most people say to stick with AGIS/GIA to certify pads. In hand, this stone would likely be nearly see through in the middle and either overly dark brown or extremely light.

May I ask what your budget is? We might be able to find you something that's either pad-like (sapphire), or something that looks very similar to a pad (but isn't, like a garnet). We just had a poster who originally wanted a morganite or peachy pad but in the end got a marvelous garnet that is quite pad-like. Here's the thread, and includes pics of the stones she liked and ordered. I know her preferences may be more pink than yours, but just as a reference. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/searching-for-the-stone.222747/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/searching-for-the-stone.222747/[/URL]

 

[Coralkey]

Re: I ran across this Pad listing, what should I be looking

Thank you for your reply lovedogs I actually have a morganite ring that I wear everyday, and under a microscope loupe type thing I have, I can see it chipping on the table. I work in health care, and its very hands on, so I think for longevity I would need a sapphire. Also, I've kind of fallen out of love with that soft peachy pink. I've looked at spinels as an alternative to pads, but they always seem to exhibit such high contrast between lights and darks, if that makes sense. I think I've heard that referred to as color shifting. I wouldn't want anyone to go through the trouble of finding me a stone just yet, my bf and I need to discuss this further. I'm glad to know to avoid IGI certifications from now on, thank you so much

 

[lovedogs]

Re: I ran across this Pad listing, what should I be looking

Thank you for your reply lovedogs I actually have a morganite ring that I wear everyday, and under a microscope loupe type thing I have, I can see it chipping on the table. I work in health care, and its very hands on, so I think for longevity I would need a sapphire. Also, I've kind of fallen out of love with that soft peachy pink. I've looked at spinels as an alternative to pads, but they always seem to exhibit such high contrast between lights and darks, if that makes sense. I think I've heard that referred to as color shifting. I wouldn't want anyone to go through the trouble of finding me a stone just yet, my bf and I need to discuss this further. I'm glad to know to avoid IGI certifications from now on, thank you so much

Totally understand Just wanted you to know that we're here if/when you want help! People here can work miracles with smaller budgets, and know where to look and where to avoid. Just as one potential idea (I can't help it), here's a reputable vendor and a very pretty stone http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-504-padparadscha-cushion-radiant-1-34cts... Or this one, depending on how it performs in natural light http://www.precisiongem.com/gemstackpage/gems.php?product/page/399/Gem+1760+-+Sapphire+Padparadscha..

Ok last one I swear. Smaller than you want probably, but THE COLOR! http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=7773#

 

[Coralkey]

Re: I ran across this Pad listing, what should I be looking

Ugh that last one is killer! I have gemfix and Pearlmans bookmarked on my smartphone lol. Searching those sites in particular is what made me rethink another color sapphire. I saw this yesterday, and made sure to save it as a reference for when the search is officially on http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=7721

 

[lovedogs]

Re: I ran across this Pad listing, what should I be looking

Ugh that last one is killer! I have gemfix and Pearlmans bookmarked on my smartphone lol. Searching those sites in particular is what made me rethink another color sapphire. I saw this yesterday, and made sure to save it as a reference for when the search is officially on http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=7721

good! Also check through our list of "recommended vendors" every once and a while for inspiration. In particular, JuliaB on Etsy has some great rings with sapphires and spinels that are in the pink/orange/yellow family. She has one pad ring, but it's a rose cut (which is kind of a love/hate thing, some love it and some hate it), so just depends on taste. Please come back when you're ready to officially start searching