need advice re: sapphire

[gprichards]

Hi-
I am in search of a sapphire for a "I made it through cancer treatment" ring. I have been working with Sholdt for the setting and like either the full or half bezel from them. But, I'm not sure how to go about finding a sapphire. I am interested in cushion or emerald cut...or oval and like an east/west orientation. I want the stone to be the part of the ring you notice most so lots or sparkle. This ring is going with my plain platinum wedding band.

I don't even know where to start but I have perused this site and read comments off of earlier posts. I'm not sure what size is ideal for this type of ring but probably don't want to spend more than $1800 or $2000 for the stone. I like medium blue- nothing too purple or too light.

Any advice would be helpful! The setting I like is below either with or without the diamonds.

http://sholdtdesign.com/sholdt-ring/r510-1d/
http://sholdtdesign.com/sholdt-ring/r379-1/

Thank you!

Gail

 

[chroman]

Here's a few options from gemfix:

2.03 ct oval, 7.4 x 6, $1950
http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1252-oval-portuguese-cut-2-03cts

2.18 oval, 8x7, also $1950. This one is a bit silky, which may or may not be to your liking:
http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1109-oval-portuguese-style-2-18cts

2.03 cushion, 7.2 x 6.1, $1695
http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1223-sapphire-cushion-mixed-cut-2-03cts

This one is a tad over your budget, but the color...
2.06 cushion, 7.9 x 6.5, $2200
https://www.etsy.com/listing/278890398/2ct-bright-cornflower-blue-sapphire?ref=shop_home_active_15

There are also some very nice rounds out there, if that shape is at all interesting.

Also, there's this from a fellow PSer:
https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/80s-sapphire-diamond-ring-feelers

 

[lilmosun]

Congratulations on making it through your treatment and wishing you a future of health (and that you find the perfect stone to commemorate the occasion).

 

[rockysalamander]

Congratulations! Here's a bunch to look at...

1.98 Ct., OVal, 8.67 x 6.26mm
http://www.customgemstones.com/SAPPHIRE/sa1711.html

1.55, Oval, 8 X 5.9 mm, maybe too purple
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products-251-Ruby_and_Sapphire/8682-Montana_Natural_Unheated_Sapphire_1_55_ct_-GemMedia.php?FromPage=1&ProductMediaID=35253
http://www.ebay.com/itm/252165009326

1.72, Oval, SPINEL, 7.9 X 6.1 mm
https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products-250-Spinel/8750-South_East_Asia_Natural_Steely_Blue_Spinel_1_72_ct-Gem.php?FromPage=1

1.21cts, Cushion 5.66x5.66mm,
https://www.etsy.com/listing/218413460/121ct-medium-blue-sapphire-cushion?ref=shop_home_active_20

1.47 ct, OVAL, size: 7.8 x 5.8 mm oval ( 8 x 6 )
https://www.etsy.com/listing/173447498/natural-blue-sapphire-from-madagascar?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=precision%20sapphire&ref=sr_gallery_2

1.50 cts, Oval, 8 x 6 mm Brilliant Oval - VVS1 Quality (too dark?)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/245381151/sapphire-150-cts-natural-blue-sapphire?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=precision%20sapphire&ref=sr_gallery_11

1.65 ct, OVal, 9.2 x 6.3 mm
https://www.etsy.com/listing/205640319/cornflower-blue-sapphire-165-ct-natural?ref=listing-shop-header-2

1.69 c, Oval, Montana Sapphire, 8.1 x 6.2 x 4.5 mm
https://www.etsy.com/listing/250065975/169ct-heated-montana-missouri-river?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=precision%20sapphire&ref=sr_gallery_37

1.53, 5.64 x 7.36 x 4.32 mm
https://www.etsy.com/listing/250058185/153ct-unheated-montana-missouri-river?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=precision%20sapphire&ref=sr_gallery_47

 

[gprichards]

Thank you! Can you tell me what you mean by silky? I've read that silk can cause a stone to be less durable. Is that true? What is the downfall of purchasing a silky sapphire?

Gail

 

[chrono]

I doubt silk will affect the structural integrity of the stone. Silk can add a soft velvety look but the trade off is brilliance.

 

[gprichards]

Thank you! I like this one from Gemfix.

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1252-oval-portuguese-cut-2-03cts
I am a little trigger shy since I haven't bought a stone online before. I wish I could go look at it in person!

 

[gprichards]

Has anyone had experience with Rogerio? I live in Seattle so a trip to Vancouver isn't too bad.

https://shop.pristinegemstonejewelry.com/collections/blue-sapphires

 

[chroman]

It does sound like that gemfix stone has some color shift to it, so its unlikely to be blue all the time. I know you mentioned wanting to avoid too much purple. Is some color shift (from blue to purple) ok?

 

[digdeep]

If you want to go north of the border-- check out Lisa........very good work and you are local to her!

http://www.lisaelser.com/index.html

 

[gprichards]

I'm not sure I've seen a color change stone. I'm wondering if i should look at stones locally before I order something online...just to make sure I know what I want exactly.

Gail

 

[gprichards]

Okay, here is what I like so far...

1.) 2.30ct x $1175 per carat = $2702.50
Heated, with AGL report - a slightly richer than "cornflower" color, and is bright in every area of the gem. This is a very fine piece, and the nicest of the 5 noted above.
8.3 x 5.8 x 5.45mm - a blend between an oval and a cushion
You can see it on the website if you search by dimensions:
http://www.spectralgems.net/sapphire/

2.) http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1252-oval-portuguese-cut-2-03cts

3.) The top stone from Lisa (attachment). I've asked her to send me more photos of this one. This is what she said re: ct weight. I'm not sure what she means... "My gems tend to be larger dimensions for the carat weight because of the way I cut them, so these all look bigger than a commercial gem of the same weight."



Thoughts on these 3?

Gail

 

[minousbijoux]

Please reserve them all right away if you have not already. Oftentimes there are others reading along and when a stone is recommended by posters, they decide to buy. I have thoughts on the three but will post in a while just to make sure you've had a chance to reserve the stones first!

 

[chroman]

I just typed a comment, and then saw what minous posted.. So I deleted it. I'll repost in a bit if the coast is clear

 

[gprichards]

I emailed all 3 but will let you know when I hear back- thanks for the heads up!

 

[gprichards]

Okay, you were right- placing them on hold was a good idea!

Gail

 

[chroman]

Ready for some comments?

 

[gprichards]

Yes!

 

[chroman]

I'd be curious if the Roger stone has color shifts with light, and if it does, how severe they are. It looks a little gray, but from the discription of his you posted that mght be a photo artifact. More pics, esp in different lighting would be interesting. Or ask how accurate he thinks the photo's color is. The cut looks nice though!

The gemfix one looks decently cut - my concern would be about the color. Its already looking a bit purple in the pics; if thats as far as it shifts, cool. But if its going to shift more? Hmm..

The Lisa stone looks like it had more black in the corners than the others. It also looks more violet in the pics than the gemfix. More pics would be good

I see your delimma! I *want* to like Rogers the best, but only if the saturation holds up..

 

[gprichards]

Here are 3 more photos of the Lisa stone.

 

[gprichards]

and the Roger

 

[chroman]

From those pics, I'm liking the color on Lisa's.. Whats your thinking?

 

[gprichards]

I have both coming so that I can see them in person.

 

[minousbijoux]

Would agree that if those photos are truly representative of color, then I would say that Roger's looks like it appears greyish due to a lack of saturation. Lisa's looks beautifully saturated in the photos. I think the Gemfix stone would probably land right in the middle of those two. If I were you, I'd get that one too to compare.

So exciting - some great choices!

 

[chrono]

I have both coming so that I can see them in person.

The best way to decide because they will be compared under the same conditions.

 

[gprichards]

Here they are side by side. I prefer the size and shape of the cushion and feel the color is very similar.



I know my photography skills are not the best!

 

[chroman]

If anything, it looks like the oval is a tiny bit more saturated, but the cushion is no where near as gray as it showed in earlier pics.

They both look great - i don't think you can go wrong!

 

[gprichards]

I think I am going to keep looking. Neither stone is exactly what I am looking for but now I am closer to understanding all of the terminology and realizing exactly what I want.

rectangular cushion cut or longer oval (around 7mm)
around 2 carat
more deeply saturated than the above stones
sparkle and not silk

Do you have any other recommendations of where to look?

Gail

 

[fishfrenzy]

I think I am going to keep looking. Neither stone is exactly what I am looking for but now I am closer to understanding all of the terminology and realizing exactly what I want.

rectangular cushion cut or longer oval (around 7mm)
around 2 carat
more deeply saturated than the above stones
sparkle and not silk

Do you have any other recommendations of where to look?

Gail

Complete list of vendors recommended by the forum. Scroll to the bottom for an updated list.

I recommend starting with The Natural Sapphire Company or Mastercut Gems.

 

[chroman]

here's a couple that jumped out and might be a touch more saturated:

7.3 x 5.5, 1.22 ct cushion
http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1199-cushion-mixed-cut-1-22cts

This one is consideably over your original budget (but is in the neighborhood of Roger's stone), but oh the color..
6.7 x 8.6 1.72 ct oval
http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=4242

Hang in there! sometimes these searches take some time to turn up the perfect stone. Also.. Black friday is coming up, so maybe there will be some sales at CS vendors?