Jeff White Ceylon Sapphire for engagement ring - advice?

[keane333]

I contacted Jeff White regarding a sapphire for an engagement ring. I am fairly new to this forum/gem stones, so I was hoping to get some of your opinions on the stone.

It is an oval from Sri Lanka, 4.04 carats, unheated, "some light silk (since it is unheated), but no cracks, feathers, or included crystals that are visible to the naked eye at all." The measurements are 9.72 × 7.23 × 6.60 mm.

From a color perspective, does this stone seem like it will be dark normal lighting conditions? Any other thoughts on the stone's quality? Thanks in advance!!

 

[MissyBeaucoup]

It looks perfectly gorgeous to me, and Jeff White is well known here for his excellent work.

 

[ilovegemstones]

I think it is to die for!!!! omg the colour!

 

[Bluegemz]

Super beautiful!

 

[elle_71125]

Jeff is on the recommended vendor list for good reason. I’ve never had one thing from him that wasn’t beautiful. This sapphire looks stunning both indoors and out!

 

[Acinom]

What a colour! This is a beautiful stone

 

[pwsg07]

Too me his studio shot with the printed white background is the most accurate. His photo under sunlight is sometimes misleading.

 

[peacechick]

I think it will look quite reliably like the first video in indoor conditions.

 

[athenaworth]

Holy crap!

 

[voce]

Woah, top quality! Your sapphire is the one to beat! I'm in love with that color.

 

[Acinom]

How will you set this beauty. Any ideas yet?

 

[keane333]

Thanks all. Should I ask to see the certification before actually wiring the money?

Jeff said that "It will be a lab there in Sri Lanka. The labs he uses all employ GIA Graduate Gemologists though, so they know their stuff. We can always send to AGL in the US as well if you'd like after the stone arrives, for a second opinion"

I'm not sure what people typically do for the certification?

 

[chrono]

I prefer AGL for my peace of mind.

 

[keane333]

I prefer AGL for my peace of mind.

And it is typical that I wire the money to Jeff before receiving the AGL report?

 

[lmyracle]

I can't say what's typical, but I wouldn't give money without seeing a report and verifying it. Just me. It's a gorgeous color though!

 

[chatoyancy]

Color!!!! That’s gorgeous!

 

[ChanterelleJ]

Jeff said that "It will be a lab there in Sri Lanka. The labs he uses all employ GIA Graduate Gemologists though, so they know their stuff. We can always send to AGL in the US as well if you'd like after the stone arrives, for a second opinion"

Does that mean he doesn't actually have the sapphire at hand? I wouldn't buy a gemstone that is not in the US but ordered from overseas on demand. I also have never paid for a certified gem without seeing the cert first. But maybe I misunderstand the situation because that doesn't sound like Jeff White to me?

 

[keane333]

Jeff told me that one of his suppliers had this stone and it would be non-refundable:
"With regard to non-refundable nature of this one - stones that are in our inventory currently would be refundable, but for stones that are purchased for specific customers from international suppliers, they are usually non-refundable."

I am supposed to wire the money to him prior to actually receiving the stone. He does not have the sapphire on hand, his supplier in Sri Lanka is shipping it to him.

He hasn't actually sent the certification to me, or told me which lab is certifying.

I have not purchased a gem before (online or otherwise), so I just want to make sure I am not taking out of the ordinary risks prior to wiring the money.

 

[qubitasaurus]

Most people here will want to have a return window, such that they can recieve the stone and examine it in person before finalizing the sale.

There can be many different reasons for this. Sometimes they are worried that the stone will look a little different when it reaches them, because their home city isnt nearly as sunny and bright as the equitorial country where the video was made. Or they may be worried that the stone will change colour or look grey under their office lighting, or they may want to check with their jewler about whether it will be easy to set (i.e. have the jewler check the girdle thickness etc). So a lot of people here will want the sale to be contingent on a AGL report saying it is untreated, and a return window of at least a week or so.

This isnt a neccessity (I have bought plenty of stones knowing there was no practical way for me to return them). But it is often extremely desirable to have this flexability. You may wish to evaluate what your other options are as well.

 

[keane333]

Thanks all for the replies. Has anyone heard of Emteem Gem Lab? That is the lab that Jeff's supplier used in Sri Lanka.

 

[digdeep]

I could not purchase a gem of this expense without having a return policy in place and the opportunity to see the gem before completing the transaction.. I'd also condition verification from AGL that the Emteen lab information is correct. It may all be fine...........but what if the gem just doesn't match your expectation when you see it in person? I want to feel good about my purchases from beginning to end...... even if I have to return something after seeing it in person.

 

[Arcadian]

Here's what I will tell you; I think Jeff is an upstanding cutter, however, there's no way in hell I'd accept a sapphire expecially for the cost your going to probably pay without a return window and at least a 1st tier lab report. Its just not worth it to me.

However, I'm a stickler in certain areas that I have no problem walking away, and as Kenny always says "people vary".

 

[ChanterelleJ]

I agree with digdeep and Arcadian. I would never buy in this price range without a bullet proof return policy. May I ask where you are based? If in the US, there are many sellers offering blue sapphires in that size and quality, with a proper AGL and everything and with a good return policy.

 

[lmyracle]

These exact reasons are part of why I had such a hard time. I even ordered 2 sapphires, on separate occasions, and they weren't the color I thought they would be when I had them in hand. So it was disappointing but thank goodness there was a great return policy. I echo the above sentiments, for as much as a non-heated sapphire costs, of that size, you should definitely have a good return policy if you don't like it. Keep looking -- there are others out there. It may take time and I know as much as anyone - you want the pretty-pretty right now -- but it's worth the wait for the right one, the right transaction, etc.