Looking for a Blue Sapphire 2.0 Carat E-Ring

[Jesusfreak]

Hello All,

I have been a lurker around here since about October of 2011. I finally got around to becoming a member because I have hit a dead end.

Originally I was going to get a perfect diamond but then read more and learned about Conflict Diamonds.

Well when I casually brought it up, she didn't want a part of it nor did I feel comfortable getting a diamond after-all.

Anyhow,

I have decided that E-Ring of choice is going to be a simple banded 2 carat weight Blue Sapphire.

I would prefer that it has the best light return while having a valued color.

I have look everywhere and find GEMSNY to be the only place that has a wide selection with the following:

Reputable Certs
Gem around 2 Carat
Nice Color
Round Stones

However, upon looking on here I have heard mixed reviews of them.

Blue Sapphire:
http://www.gemsny.com/sapphires/1.97-Carat-Round-Sapphire-SU57JRD/

Setting:
http://www.gemsny.com/sapphire-rings/Sapphire-Round-Cut-Ring-With-Prong-Set-Diamonds-R10287BS/

My opinion is that I LOVE the look of the Sapphire and the setting is unique and looks very nice IMO.

I would like to hear everyone's expertise on these and maybe some links to something comparable that I can look at.

Any help would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

Thanks ahead of time!

I have been really excited about this learning experience but these Blue Sapphires are in a whole other league on their own so I am really needing some experienced buyers from online sources.

I live in a small town and don't have access to many jewelry stores considering that I work during the week 8-5pm.

Thanks again!!

Ulysses

 

[TheElms]

Ulysses -

I'm not knowledgeable to really comment on the sapphire except to say that if it looked like the picture I think it would be gorgeous in color. It does look relatively well cut and there is enough depth to the stone. My strong suspicion is that when the experts chime in they might have less than favorable things to say about it.

With regard to the setting is there a reason you're wedded to gemsny? There are lots of other good vendors out there for settings.
In terms of the actual setting, I do think it's pretty but my concern is the width of the band. At 4mm that is a lot wider than a traditional e-ring and so you might want to check your intended wants something that wide. Also remember she will have a wedding ring to wear as well!

Here are some similar settings that have narrower bands:
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/cathedral-18k-white-gold-5439w18

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/bead-set-cathedral-18k-white-gold-5484w18

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/engagement-rings/pave-and-side-stones/peggy-18k-white-gold-5359w18

 

[LD]

Have a look here for alternative blue sapphire vendors. You'll see plenty of reviews and it may help. I can't comment further as it's very late here now but hope this is helpful.

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-blue-sapphire-start-here.185711/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-blue-sapphire-start-here.185711/[/URL]

 

[chrono]

Chiming in very quickly here. Take a look at the GIA report on the GemsNY page and you'll see that the vendor's photo has been amped up. The cut isn't attractive and the colour is far from intense. It looks overly dark and gray.

 

[Jesusfreak]

Thank you for all the links and comments.

I was trying to stick with one place because I have a fear of the liability of buying a stone from one place and then not having any kind of guarantee that the setter is going to take responsibly should something go wrong when they are setting the stone.

Any direct links to stones would be greatly appreciated.

I have read quite a bit of information on stones and what makes a good stone but I haven't been able to come across any other than what I have seen on GEMSNY.COM

Thanks again and please feel free to post away.

Ulysses

 

[VapidLapid]

If you buy a gem from Gemsny.com then it doesnt matter whether the setter takes responsibility or not because you have already been had. Please forgive my bluntness, but if you have been lurking here since october 2011 then you should know better. I do not know what is the cause of the recent, and relentless glut of shills for gemsny.com here but consider this the end. If you really want assistance in finding a stone then come back with criteria about the stone you would like to find, and since you have been lurking here for a year and a half then you have already read more than once the "New to coloured gemstone buying? Read this first!" thread so you know what stats to include. In all my time on Pricescope I have never known gemsny.com to by a respected vendor. Sending shills here to rewrite history will not pass. Shills trying to co-opt a real consumer forum will be similarly exposed. In the end it is just bad advertising, doubly bad for being so conspicuously placed. Shame on gemsny.com .

 

[corundum_conundrum]

I not only find it deplorable than someone would shill like this, but use the name of a religious figure as their user name and the pretense of moral rectitude to gain some kind of credibility. Please avoid the unscrupulous vendor GEMSNY if you prefer not to do business with those who lack conscience.

 

[Jesusfreak]

Thank you for your comments but the personal attacks aren't necessary.

I did not come here for some kind of advertising or something if that's what you think I have done.

I work for a Mechanical Contractor and selling stones is not what I do. haha.

I came here for advice.

If you don't have advice or positive input to steer me in the direction of finding a nice Blue sapphire please don't comment.

To clarify,

I started looking at Diamonds at the end of October and found myself looking on here frequently.

Only about 4 weeks ago have I started to look intensely at Blue Sapphires when I got wind that she wants a Blue Sapphire instead.

I am a very picky and indecisive type of guy so I take my time when I make large purchases which is part of the reason that I came to this website to ask questions.

Moving along,

I am looking for something with a lot of sparkle, brilliance and all the things that are gonna make her go WOW.

I'm looking at something with a good value and rate of return so an untreated stone is what I am looking for.

Any further direction would be greatly appreciated.

With the feedback that I have received thus far, GEMSNY is out of the question so please give me some links to stones.

Thank You

Ulysses

 

[Jesusfreak]

What do you guys think about this one?

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=6806

Thanks

Ulysses

 

[VapidLapid]

That stone has a nice color. Cant tell if it is good color or just nice from the photos. Can tell from the profile pic that is is wonky, the culet is off center. Since you say you want good light performance I mention this because it will be diminished. However if you have been lurking here for over a year then you know that colored gems are not judged by light performance. Still there are those who prefer a better cut when all else is equal. The wonk of this stone impacts not only light performance, but perceived color, that is one of the reasons why it is hard to assess the color of this from photos. That said, it is unheated and already with a lab brief and it is a good size. I wouldn't buy it today but I would keep it on the table. Have you looked through all the recommended vendors in the pinned thread? Also you should bear in mind that with the royal wedding last year and the popularity of the overly regarded ring of Diana, blue sapphires are at a premium of premiums. Have you looked at gemfix? they often have a nice selection with precision cutting. Also have you considered contacting a lapidary directly to see if they have any rough that might cut to your needs. This may be a very opportune time to do just that since all the lapidaries will be coming back from the gem show in Tucson; their pockets may be heavy with material to cut. Specifically I would try Jeff White, Roger Dery, Gene Flanigan, Gary Braun, Barry Bridgestock, Steve Wallner and Jim Renfrow. That should get you started.

 

[Jesusfreak]

That stone has a nice color. Cant tell if it is good color or just nice from the photos. Can tell from the profile pic that is is wonky, the culet is off center. Since you say you want good light performance I mention this because it will be diminished. However if you have been lurking here for over a year then you know that colored gems are not judged by light performance. Still there are those who prefer a better cut when all else is equal. The wonk of this stone impacts not only light performance, but perceived color, that is one of the reasons why it is hard to assess the color of this from photos. That said, it is unheated and already with a lab brief and it is a good size. I wouldn't buy it today but I would keep it on the table. Have you looked through all the recommended vendors in the pinned thread? Also you should bear in mind that with the royal wedding last year and the popularity of the overly regarded ring of Diana, blue sapphires are at a premium of premiums. Have you looked at gemfix? they often have a nice selection with precision cutting. Also have you considered contacting a lapidary directly to see if they have any rough that might cut to your needs. This may be a very opportune time to do just that since all the lapidaries will be coming back from the gem show in Tucson; their pockets may be heavy with material to cut. Specifically I would try Jeff White, Roger Dery, Gene Flanigan, Gary Braun, Barry Bridgestock, Steve Wallner and Jim Renfrow. That should get you started.

Thank you soo much for all the information.

I must have confused you but I have only been looking at colored stones for a few weeks. Didn't know they were judged on light performance but its my understand that cut is important and color is most important.

With that being said, I want a round Blue Sapphire that is going to look really nice while still have that wow factor.

I can't seem to find the link to vendors.

What is a Lapidaries and can you send me a link?

As you can see I am totally new to this but willing to learn whats necessary to make her happy while making a smart buy.

Thank You!!!!

Ulysses

 

[Jesusfreak]

Here is another one I found,

It is the one all the way to the right on the 7th row from the bottom.

Thanks

http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html#thumb

 

[minousbijoux]

OP: If you look at the top of the Colored Stone page, you'll see 4 threads with yellow tabs and virtual pins in them. These are pinned threads and stay there permanently. Two of them will answer many of your questions. The first is "New to Colored Stones? Read This!" and the other is a list of vendors. That list has gem sellers, gem cutters (formal name: lapidaries), ebay vendors, jewelers, and setting sellers, among others. It would be great if you could thoroughly look through those threads first before you ask for opinions on stones. You dont have to, but as you can see, there are about 2-3 new requests for blue sapphires each day, so those who are most informed and have clearly defined parameters, tend to get the most attention and help.

Sorry if we don't seem as friendly as we might; there is a lot of burn out these days from all the requests for sapphires.

 

[pregcurious]

Welcome JF. Please try to be more specific in your criteria. Your request above is similar to asking for a blue dress shirt in a size medium. To continue the analogy, we would need information on the shade of blue, your neck/collar measurements, the overall fit you want, what fabric, and how much you are willing to pay. It would be helpful if you posted information about similar shirts you liked/disliked, and why you liked/disliked them, as well as pictures of example shirts you have seen/tried on and love/dislike

With all the requests for sapphires, we are burned out, but many of us are very familiar with what is available, having recently searched for people. He is what you wrote, and some comments.

Reputable Certs: By reputable, what do you mean? AGL is the gold standard here. Many stones do not come with reports (technically they are called reports, not certifications). Are you willing to pay for and send in a stone yourself? Please look up AGL Gem Brief in the search engine here to read about certifications for colored stones.
Gem around 2 Carat: For colored stones, specifying the "face-up" size is more informative than carat weight because there is no uniform cut for colored stones. Please give us mm measurements (i.e. the diameter, since you want a round stone)
Nice Color This is the biggest issue. What is "nice" color to you? Please read LDs post for newcomers looking for sapphires. If you want top, vivid, medium to medium-dark color, with minimal color shift, please state that. If you are open to other colors, you will save a lot of money. There is nothing wrong with wanting a different color. Do you mind color shift? If you read the thread I posted below, you will be able to be more specific. Otherwise, it's very difficult to help you, and this is why people are reacting negatively. Colored stones do not get graded for color in the same manner as diamonds, so you have to use descriptive terms. As a reference point, Princess Catherine's sapphire is considered too dark for the majority of the frequent posters here.
Round Stones Are you only open to round? Oval is by far the most common shape for sapphires. If you limit yourself to rounds, it will make searching much harder.
What about treatments? I assume you are open to heat-only. If you are open to beryllium infused, you will be able to get an extremely inexpensive stone. Please read about treatments in the other threads.
Price??

Finally, please consider seeing as many sapphires as possible in person. It will help you figure out what you want. If you tell us the general area in which you live (e.g. Washington DC), we may be able to suggest stores that you can visit. The majority of jewelry stores do not carry good quality colored stones.

Here is LD's thread:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-blue-sapphire-start-here.185711/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-blue-sapphire-start-here.185711/[/URL]

 

[minousbijoux]

Once again, PC, well done!

 

[Jesusfreak]

Welcome JF. Please try to be more specific in your criteria. Your request above is similar to asking for a blue dress shirt in a size medium. To continue the analogy, we would need information on the shade of blue, your neck/collar measurements, the overall fit you want, what fabric, and how much you are willing to pay. It would be helpful if you posted information about similar shirts you liked/disliked, and why you liked/disliked them, as well as pictures of example shirts you have seen/tried on and love/dislike

With all the requests for sapphires, we are burned out, but many of us are very familiar with what is available, having recently searched for people. He is what you wrote, and some comments.

Reputable Certs: By reputable, what do you mean? AGL is the gold standard here. Many stones do not come with reports (technically they are called reports, not certifications). Are you willing to pay for and send in a stone yourself? Please look up AGL Gem Brief in the search engine here to read about certifications for colored stones.
Gem around 2 Carat: For colored stones, specifying the "face-up" size is more informative than carat weight because there is no uniform cut for colored stones. Please give us mm measurements (i.e. the diameter, since you want a round stone)
Nice Color This is the biggest issue. What is "nice" color to you? Please read LDs post for newcomers looking for sapphires. If you want top, vivid, medium to medium-dark color, with minimal color shift, please state that. If you are open to other colors, you will save a lot of money. There is nothing wrong with wanting a different color. Do you mind color shift? If you read the thread I posted below, you will be able to be more specific. Otherwise, it's very difficult to help you, and this is why people are reacting negatively. Colored stones do not get graded for color in the same manner as diamonds, so you have to use descriptive terms. As a reference point, Princess Catherine's sapphire is considered too dark for the majority of the frequent posters here.
Round Stones Are you only open to round? Oval is by far the most common shape for sapphires. If you limit yourself to rounds, it will make searching much harder.
What about treatments? I assume you are open to heat-only. If you are open to beryllium infused, you will be able to get an extremely inexpensive stone. Please read about treatments in the other threads.
Price??

Finally, please consider seeing as many sapphires as possible in person. It will help you figure out what you want. If you tell us the general area in which you live (e.g. Washington DC), we may be able to suggest stores that you can visit. The majority of jewelry stores do not carry good quality colored stones.

Here is LD's thread:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-blue-sapphire-start-here.185711/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-blue-sapphire-start-here.185711/[/URL]

I GREATLY appreciate your post and input. You put into great perspective!! I am so use to looking at Diamonds and they almost seem cut and dry at this point after beginning to learn about Blue Sapphires.

I guess I feel like an ever newer newbie. haha,

Well that opens my eyes a little more. I can understand the difficulty in my question.

To clarify a little more:
I would love to keep it as unique as possible but with the highest quality because of my personality and the character that will bring to the stone. The more time and effort I put into the search, the more rewarding that I will find in giving it to her as well as the stories that will follow.

Cheap, easy and plentiful isn't what I had in mind when looking for an E-Ring. Please don't take that the wrong way or in arrogance.

I am very thankful to be able to bounce ideas on here. I have a good idea in what I am looking for but I don't know the lingo if you will.

So I will try again,

Ultimately I want the best Value for my money but would like to keep it right around 5 grand for the ring, stone and setting.
Blue Sapphire is the color I am going for
Round is the shape I am going for (although it might be hard, the uniqueness will add to it like I said before)
Size =7.5MM +
AGL Report (Flexible on this should it come from a reputable vendor/cutter with experience and we make something happen)
Color= Medium, Vivid
Treatment- None (Yes this has proved to be very hard to find considering the criteria already spoken of but its how I want it to be)

I will try to post some pics of Stones that I like the color to give a better understanding of what I am looking for.

Please understand that I am knew to this and don't really know how to explain what I am looking for just yet....if that even makes sense.

Thanks again !!

Ulysses

 

[minousbijoux]

Ulysses, have you taken the time yet to read the threads and pinned threads we recommended? I think once you do, you'll have the language to help guide you...

 

[Jesusfreak]

Here are some stones that catch my eye that I found using a quick search.

Thanks

 

[corundum_conundrum]

Ulysses,

I apologize if I jumped to conclusions about your post. There have been suspicious posts from the site your first referenced in the past, and the way that you kept capitalizing the name of the site and saying that only they had what you were looking for with vague criteria, really matched-up well with what an advertising post looks like.

Go ahead and ask Roger Dery about the stone that you liked. Send him an email.

Is this the gemfix stone that you liked?



If so it looks as though it might be dark blue (which seems to be what you like) but it might be so dark that in indoor lighting you might not see much blue color.

In fact, this will be a drawback that you will have to contend with--stones that are dark outside (and have a lot of extinction) tend to go black inside. So it will be tough to find a dark blue sapphire that doesn't go very very dark inside. But its a problem you should keep on your guard about and ask vendors about if you'd like to see some color inside.

 

[pregcurious]

The 2nd and 3rd stones are not medium or vivid. The first stone looks very vivid, and much lighter than the 2nd and 3rd, but I suspect that the picture is flooded with light, and the stone would look darker in real life. Based on your 2nd, 3rd, and 4th pics, I agree with corundum_corundum that you may actually be looking for a medium-dark or dark stone.

Gemfix has the most round sapphires that I've seen anywhere. Take a look http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html and let us know if anything there catches your eye. I also agree you should contact John Dery.

If you find something you like, post the pic and link, and people will comment on it. I think the comments you receive will help you learn the terms to use for color, and hone your preferences.

For settings, please start looking for settings now so you know how much you can spend on the stone. For settings, you may want to look at the Show Me The Bling! forum, including the different threads at top about rings.

 

[minousbijoux]

I would be very surprised if the first photo had not been significantly enhanced; it looks vivid due to amping up saturation level of the pic. You are smart not to disclose the sellers, as there are many lurkers who wouldn't think twice about stealing it from you. But the flip side is that you have to be careful as many vendors enhance their photos to make sales, particularly the vast majority on ebay. Just be careful.

 

[chrono]

Stone 1: perfect in every way, medium dark and vivid BUT obviously photoshopped and / or flooded with light so it will not look like this in person. Still, the picture is an excellent reference showing what a good quality sapphire looks like.
Stone 2: too dark and too gray. Looks lifeless.
Stone 3: too dark and too gray. Looks lifeless too from the clarity.
Stone 4: a touch dark and a touch gray. Has a lot of dark areas but the picture looks realistic. Very brilliant where it isn't dark.

 

[Jesusfreak]

What do you guys think about this one.

I love the cut and think the color will look great.

I love the sparkle that is had with the Portuguese style cuts.

I will comment and read more thorough when I get back home from work.

Thanks again guys,

I greatly appreciate it!

Its really helpful having people that know what to look for.

So are you saying that extinctions become more profound and make the stone look black indoors where there is much less light?

This makes sense. At first i liked the black in the stones but I guess from a perfect picture it can look good but not in all types of lighting.

Anyways,

Ill be back.

Ulysses

 

[chrono]

Looking at the lone stone picture alone, I would have passed on it but the sapphire on the hand is beautiful! If interested in this one, please contact Andrew and reserve it ASAP before stone snatchers have their way with it.

There are two causes of extinction. One is that the tone is overly dark, so even a recut cannot improve it much. The second is due to poor faceting, but a recut to precise angles best suited for the material will "open up" the colour, showing more body colour instead of blackness.

 

[minousbijoux]

I agree - I think the shot on the hand is definitely worth a trip home to see it in person. I would've passed given the glamor shot, but many say that their stones are significantly darker (like the hand shot) in real life.

 

[corundum_conundrum]

I've noticed this stone before and thought it was absolutely gorgeous--one of the finest I've seen from Gemfix--but so much more even in the hand than in the glamour shot. But in the hand is where you need it to look good! I agree you should reserve it.

 

[pregcurious]

JF, it looks like that stone is at the top of your budget. Do you plan on setting it in a stock solitaire setting? I don't mean to discourage you from ordering it, I just want to make sure you'll have enough money for the setting. Please see the stickied thread for setting vendors.

If I ever buy a sapphire, I would be tempted to fly into San Diego to visit this vendor and the zoo.

 

[Jesusfreak]

JF, it looks like that stone is at the top of your budget. Do you plan on setting it in a stock solitaire setting? I don't mean to discourage you from ordering it, I just want to make sure you'll have enough money for the setting. Please see the stickied thread for setting vendors.

If I ever buy a sapphire, I would be tempted to fly into San Diego to visit this vendor and the zoo.

Well, I haven't found a stone that I like. My budget is based on a stunning stone.

I am more willing to spend more on the stone now and deal with the rest later should she want something other than a simple solitaire.

I thought of putting it in a simple band with round diamonds in the side but I havent decided what I am going to do with the setting. I know the stone I want to get for certain but the setting will be something that I will have to save up for and get someone to set the stone in.

Thanks for all the comments.

It seems like a great stone. I felt the same about the enlarged photo. You see the cut too much and the color and shine is just what I am looking for in a stone.

Again, thanks for the feedback!!

Ulysses

 

[Jesusfreak]

Ulysses,

I apologize if I jumped to conclusions about your post. There have been suspicious posts from the site your first referenced in the past, and the way that you kept capitalizing the name of the site and saying that only they had what you were looking for with vague criteria, really matched-up well with what an advertising post looks like.

Go ahead and ask Roger Dery about the stone that you liked. Send him an email.

Is this the gemfix stone that you liked?



If so it looks as though it might be dark blue (which seems to be what you like) but it might be so dark that in indoor lighting you might not see much blue color.

In fact, this will be a drawback that you will have to contend with--stones that are dark outside (and have a lot of extinction) tend to go black inside. So it will be tough to find a dark blue sapphire that doesn't go very very dark inside. But its a problem you should keep on your guard about and ask vendors about if you'd like to see some color inside.

No hard feelings at all. I am not that kind of guy.

I don't think that's the stone because its actually in the 8th row from the bottom all the way to the right.

I attached the pics below.

I am not looking for that dark in the stone anymore that I once thought pleasing. I want to be able to see the ring in all lighting but don't want to have it dull out in low lighting when the candles are lit.

I have been talking to Roger and he has his eyes peeled but doesnt have anything at the moment.

Thanks again!

Ulysses

 

[minousbijoux]

I'm getting confused...did you decide to get the Gemfix stone that everyone likes or not? The reason I ask is that at the least, if you are considering it at all, you'll want to contact Andrew and get him to hold it for you. Lurkers will snatch it, especially these days with sapphires being in such high demand.