My Weekend Fun

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

I got a 33% voucher from Wildfishgems.com for blue gems. Normally they go first use first come, but Ed gave me the weekend choosing time. (returning customer privilege)

So, here is my dark-winter-weekend color-trip: Help me spend 10.000 euro or 11.000 dollar for a blue sapphire[/http://www.wildfishg...ke a top 10 list, then top 5 or I don't know.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

My Weekend Fun - Long list

The first long-long-list in descending attraction order, almost, more or less . But I can't think too long or I get confused and insecure and then the fun stops. I try to listen to my gut feeling, less analyzing.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_2_06_carat/1086/19708
Totally great color and precision cut and great shape! No 1!

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_28_carat/1086/19056
Perhaps too dark, but as it shows there it is just so rich and deep.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/madagascar_sapphire_2_55_carat/1086/19128
See the hand-shot, not pale but right-on blue

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_38_carat/1086/16734
Love the purple undertone. Very flower-like.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_10_carat/1086/19035
Perfect color, but perhaps a bit boring oval?

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_2_61_carat/1086/19036
Again, love the handshot!

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/unheated_color_shift_sapphire_1_39_carat/1086/19380
Small but an experiment, would love to see that in person.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/burmese_star_sapphire_5_68_carat/1086/17620
Same. Never had a star, love to see one

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/burmese_sapphire_2_05_carat/1086/19721
Probably premium for Burma origin, but precision cut and always blue?

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_69_carat/1086/16196
Look at handshot: Paler there, but something that I like is the sky blue.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/madagascar_sapphire_4_09_carat/1086/19701
Big and over budget, but I like the idea of different type of blue and color zoning.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/montana_sapphire_3_16_carat/1086/10257
Fascinated by spiderweb inclusion, and unusual cut. For montana this is a strong color right? Love the handshot again.


Any of these no-no or others that I missed? Luckily I look only for sapphire. If also spinel, aqua and others, I would be overwhelmed.

 

[chrono]

Re: My Weekend Fun - Long list

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_2_06_carat/1086/19708
Okay with the visible inclusions? Okay with the large culet?

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_28_carat/1086/19056
Nice but doesn't wow in the hand shot.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/madagascar_sapphire_2_55_carat/1086/19128
Super deep (could have a flattish crown), and off centered culet, if cut is an issue for you.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_38_carat/1086/16734
The violet looks quite strong but I like it. Very well cut and no clarity issues, only that it isn't your typical blue BLUE, if that's what you want. It is rather deep at over 80%.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_10_carat/1086/19035
The black inclusions are probably eye visible and I don't like the cutting right under the table.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_2_61_carat/1086/19036
Might have a wee bowtie and off-center culet. Not sure how picky you are about cut.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/unheated_color_shift_sapphire_1_39_carat/1086/19380
Umm, too many issues for me to pay that much for an experimental sapphire.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/burmese_star_sapphire_5_68_carat/1086/17620
Interesting but it is small for a 5 ct cabochon due to all that weight at the bottom.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/burmese_sapphire_2_05_carat/1086/19721
Colour zoned and quite gray.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_69_carat/1086/16196
Warrants consideration. Paler and more subdued on the hand though.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/madagascar_sapphire_4_09_carat/1086/19701
Kind of dark, no?

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/montana_sapphire_3_16_carat/1086/10257
Pretty average colour but totally unique (shape, inclusion and all). Custom setting?

 

[Burmesedaze]

I will only comment on the Burmese ones. Not fantastic and not representative of top notch Burmese sapphires or anywhere close, both the cabochon and the faceted.

To serve as a guide for your reference, I was shown the following 4.+ ct Mogok untreated sapphire a few months ago by my jeweller. The seller was looking at US$15,000 for it. Shiny, good native cut, relatively eye clean. Not trade ideal blue but it's darn stunning enough to me! Relatively eye clean iirc.

 

[chroman]

Its a little over budget, but I think this one is my favorite color wise..
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_13_carat/10880/18558

 

[chrono]

My pick
http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/burmese_sapphire_1_81_carat/1086/11513

 

[chroman]

How about this one? (I dont see it on the list yet) It has some color shift, but looks like a nice blue even in the hand shots

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_color_change_sapphire_2_86_carat/12743/18562

 

[digdeep]

I'll apologize first because this is not a Wildfish gem........ I realize you can't use your coupon.....but WOW! and Gary is reputable. So thought I'd share it:

http://www.finewatergems.com/store/p51/3.28_ct_Blue_Sapphire.html

 

[qubitasaurus]

I'll apologize first because this is not a Wildfish gem........ I realize you can't use your coupon.....but WOW! and Gary is reputable. So thought I'd share it:

http://www.finewatergems.com/store/p51/3.28_ct_Blue_Sapphire.html

Gary's shipping policies read

"International shipments are limited to $1000 USD total value"

And the OP is in Europe. So almost all his blue sapphires are effectively unatainable anyway.

I like the wildfish pear .

 

[digdeep]

Thanks......I didn't realize the OP was out of the country.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Good morning!

I stopped ‘shopping’ at 9 yesterday. After a few hours online I get tired and then it’s no more fun but feels like work and stress (no thanks, especially when I'm spending money). Oh, as I closed my eyes yesterday I had sapphires floating through my inner space. That was nice, kind-off.

Now freshly revived, I have restarted where I finished yesterday, which was with an even longer long-list and considering your appreciated input I will cut down to a few last contenders today.

Again, thanks everybody for offering your opinions and your knowledge. I was surfing one of the auction website, I try to remember which one it was, and they had a sign with ‘we hire gemologist’ or something of the kind and it seemed for their online auctions. Would that not be a great way for some here to use their know-how? Just a thought.

Chrono, I have killed the star (rather postponed stars for later), but I was surprised you said it was too heavy in the back. I read somewhere that this shape is ideal, as small as possible, but enough to leave room for a setting? I
Oh, I and do love that heart shape, too! http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/burmese_sapphire_1_81_carat/1086/11513

I had this one my list http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_2_20_carat/18938 but this morning is was sold.

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_13_carat/10880/18558
Chroman, yes very nice, over budget but, true a great color, perhaps I need to negotiate, but I feel bad since I already got extra time and use full discounts. I will ask Ed, beg perhaps…. LOL

It seems you all like Burmese sapphire? (Burmadaze: no party-pooping please. I know you can buy cheaper in Burma, but I can’t, so …. Also is that an inclusion I see in your 2nd photo and too much light?)

I will short list to five and then call Ed to see if I can negotiate, perhaps if I buy two I will get a bit more off? Asking will do no harm.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Good evening,

My weekend is almost over (here in EU) and I’m still haggling between the final five contenders:

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_28_carat/19056

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_13_carat/10880/18558

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/burmese_sapphire_1_81_carat/1086/11513

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/ceylon_sapphire_3_69_carat/10880/16196

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/burma_sapphire_1_61_carat/10883/16303

I will call now or tomorrow morning and ask for a best-price for two of these. Final pick tomorrow.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Hallo Pricescope,

Sorry for the long wait. I am having one of those weeks under Murphy’s law.

I haggled with Edward on the phone last weekend, and he gave me a bit on price but I ended up taking only one stone, i.p. the one Chroman suggested: http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/unheated_ceylon_sapphire_3_13_carat/10880/18558

Please don’t ask how much, I promised not to say.

I took this 3.13 Ceylon sapphire with a DSEF report. The stone should be here soon, but I won’t get to make my own pics soon. Under this week’s rule I’d drop it into the sink anyways.

 

[chroman]

Congratulations! I hope ypu love it when it arrives!

And I hope the week gets better.. I know the feeling. Its sort of been like that all year here

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Here are my self-made pics. The color was no problem to capture, though it always looks better in person. Next problem is to steady the camera, or hand or both. And, no, it is not the lack of spanish wines that made my hands shake....

 

[Desertrose]

Wow beautiful color! It really glows!

One suggestion if you are using the camera on your phone - use the zoom function to zoom in, then position the camera about 6-8 inches away from the stone. You'll be able to get a closeup and it will stay in focus. If you try to bring the camera close without zooming in, it won't be able to focus for a close-up. I'm using an Iphone and this allowed me to get decent gem photos.

What color sapphire are you going for next???

 

[chroman]

Wow, that looks amazing!!!

I gather its a keeper then?

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Desertrose, thanks for the photo tip. Next, depends what Ed comes up with in January. Now I have 25% plus 5% discount on all his stones. I will buy what ever looks great, except peach and cornflower.
Chroman, thanks, it is even better in person, and under the lens I can get a muscle cramps from studying it. I have never seen anything so blue in nature, well, the stone is nature so, I stand corrected. Best blue in nature.

 

[chroman]

You are acquiring quite the collection

If you end up thinking about something more toward purple and color-changing than the ideal blue, this came up in another thread and made me think of you. Its unheated and from a non-usa vendor, and given the size and cut the price seems pretty reasonable:
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?/details/sapphire/ysa908aa/&930512007

 

[Seaglow]

A bi-colored sapphire would make an interesting hunt!

 

[minousbijoux]

a superb alexandrite, as close to eye clean as possible, with 95-100% color change and two colorways that are super attractive, like teal and purple...

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Thanks to all PS, and a happy new year. I am planning to add one sapphire per month throughout 2017. With that I shall have a nice collection of sapphire come 2018 and and only then will I start other varieties, first probably a few rubies, to really fill up the corundum corner. I have my eye on a few yellows and hot pinks on Ed's site, but I'm waiting for his newsletter discount and all newcomers. I'm also checking the Australian website, which is the only with a half decent inventory, but I just can't get over the one-only photos and the lack of useful description. Perhaps others will come this new year.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

I'm also checking the Australian website, which is the only with a half decent inventory, but I just can't get over the one-only photos and the lack of useful description. Perhaps others will come this new year.

~

I'm sorry, of course I meant 'Austrian website' not Australian, the one that is called "Wiener Edelstein Zentrum" or such, good inventory but sad presentation.

 

[partgypsy]

Looks gorgeous! Good pick.

 

[Acinom]

Beautiful sapphire. Great find!!

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

I'm considering to de-spoil myself with a sapphire NOT from Wildfish. I know Ed will forgive me.

Here is my short-list. There are not many unheated pinks around in over a carat and color. Basically these three are all I found without total no-good-flaws.

http://www.edelsteine.at/saphir-rosa/69d/7870/#g7870
It looks included on photo but perhaps it is only the magnification? And, Is that a window?

http://www.edelsteine.at/saphir-rosa/69d/7497/#g7497
This I think is a window, the gem seems clean and from burma (worth the extra $$$?).

http://www.gemfrance.com/-Units-?&pierreId=7434&page_res=1&typeId=1&nomId=139&isGallery=1&sort=reference
I got a headache from searching this site, but I found one unheated pink, though it looks great it might be purple in person?

What do you good people say? I gave myself the weekend to decide.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Yes, I thought so, it is hard to judge these gems with only one photo and no describtion and no lab report.
I will write to both vendors and ask. See if they do customer-service.

 

[Bex]

If you're looking for European vendors, I'd recommend reaching out the Johannes Orstadius via Facebook. He is active in the Fine Faceted Gems & Cabs group, and he posts beautiful, well cut sapphires fairly often. If you scroll back through the posts, there is a nice light pink one from December that is still available.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/finegemsandcabs/

He also has a website, but it seems like most of his best stuff gets sold before it makes it up there:

http://adelstensgruppen.se/gems?q=K-SA

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Bex,
thanks, yes, i had looked there but fail to understand the pricing. Do you?

 

[Bex]

The pricing on the website is bizarre! But, the prices on the stones posted to Facebook are very up front, so I would recommend looking there. Generally, I find his prices to be very good. There is a light pink sapphire right now that's on the smaller side, but is an absolute steal:

8.14 x 4.54 x 3.23mm, 1.14cts. Traditional heat, eye clean. $275 (marked down from $575)