Pad or Peachy Stone...

dogdoghowl · Nov 19, 2018

Hi everybody,

I've made the decision to propose to my girlfriend and have begun the process of searching for a stone. I live in Australia and am considering ordering something from one of the Pricescope recommended vendors. My girlfriend has previously stated that she wanted a light pink/peach sapphire and loosely described what equated to approximately 1.5-2 carats preferably in an oval or possibly a pear (or even cushion) cut, set in a halo. I'm thinking that seeking out a loose stone is the best route and then having it set locally. I've looked through all the vendors' advertised stock and have found a few that loosely match what she likes. I would really like to find a quality example. I'm budgeting around 4k for the stone itself, and while I have seen some lovely examples from 5-35k I'd really like not to exceed 4k too much if possible. As a novice it is difficult for me to fully comprehend the intricacies of sapphire pricing and quality differentiation, especially in this part of the color wheel as it veers along the border of Padparadscha territory and its inherent price hikes. Any help and direction would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much! What a great community!!

Here are some of the examples I've located:

https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-504 (although heat treated)

https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-533

https://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/gemstones/?sku=G810148#

https://www.africagems.com/oval-pink-sapphire-ja-3799.html

And lastly, something a little bit different, a Montana sapphire:

https://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-86-carat-peachy-pink-montana-sapphire/

Kind regards, Adam.

lovedogs · Nov 19, 2018

Does it 100% have to be sapphire? I only ask bc you can sometimes find spinels in similar colors for less, bc they don't have the connotation of being a "pad-like" color.

Example from a trusted vendor: https://www.etsy.com/listing/635379005/141-carat-pear-shape-pinkish-orange

lovedogs · Nov 19, 2018

Also, if you're open to getting a completed ring (which is often easier than having it set locally), look at juliab on Etsy. She has lots of peach/pink sapphire rings, some of which are GIA certified pads. Search her etsy s store for sapphire, she has a whole section. Plus 20% off right now! What is your total budget including setting?

https://etsy.me/2FwSB9m

Keeliamira · Nov 19, 2018

Here’s a lovely option from JuliaB that fits your specs:

https://etsy.me/2A4iVli

marymm · Nov 19, 2018

I don't know where you are in Australia but perhaps also check in with Aussie vendor Doug Menadue - he is highly regarded - he has two websites, King Stone Gems, and Bepoke Gems. I didn't check either of them but I would suggest emailing him the parameters of what you're looking for as he may have candidates for you that aren't on his websites.

http://www.kingstonegems.com/

https://www.bespoke-gems.com/

AV_ · Nov 19, 2018

Mentioning this page for tthe 1.53cts sapphire - WWW

This WWW is a more typical colour - inasmuch as by some tradition Padparadscha sapphire is a faint pink (unclear to me why, since this is the standad - lotus pink)

I do not know if a light colour is trully preferred - and the pastel orange-pink are very beautiful... The Montana has an interesting cut.

Sidenote: native Australlian Pad sapphire does exist. Possibly just a handful of them, but... for being so unusual, who is even asking!

PinkAndBlueBling · Nov 19, 2018

That Gran Gem spinel is gorgeous!!!! I am a huge fan of spinels. If you get a good cut and color, they are incredible! I wouldn't pay the premium for the Montana sapphire. I have one, and it's beautiful, but so freaking teeny for the price! Use your money for a nice "regular" one.

This site is handy and I use it when comparing different stones: https://www.gemsize.org It gives me an idea of finger coverage, plus you can compare weights of different types of stones.

You've been given a lot of great sites and ideas to look at. I love the colors of the Gemfix stones, but you said peach/pink which really can vary, and you're paying for the Pad name on those. Have you seen any peaches or pinks in person? Sometimes I'll see a gorgeous stone online, but in person it looks "meh" with my skin tone or the beautiful light pinks are just too light. And you might be surprised when you see a 6mm stone that's $3-4000. They always look so big online!

Good luck and have fun!!!!

dogdoghowl · Nov 19, 2018

lovedogs said:
Also, if you're open to getting a completed ring (which is often easier than having it set locally), look at juliab on Etsy. She has lots of peach/pink sapphire rings, some of which are GIA certified pads. Search her etsy s store for sapphire, she has a whole section. Plus 20% off right now! What is your total budget including setting?

https://etsy.me/2FwSB9m

My total budget is around the 6k mark

lovedogs · Nov 19, 2018

dogdoghowl said:
My total budget is around the 6k mark

No clue what her preferred style of setting is, but these are my favorites on JuliaB's site that have a peach/pad color:

$300 over budget, but GIA certified untreated pad and in a gorgeous setting!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/644554...cha-ceylon?ref=shop_home_active_7&pro=1&frs=1

Within budget, and also untreated pad as per GIA. More detailed setting, and of course not sure what she would prefer.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/628892...ngagement?ref=shop_home_active_63&pro=1&frs=1

Next two aren't "pad" as per GIA, but are untreated and a nice peach color.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/617389...-sapphire?ref=shop_home_active_16&pro=1&frs=1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/646481...val-peach?ref=shop_home_active_40&pro=1&frs=1

dogdoghowl · Nov 19, 2018

lovedogs said:
No clue what her preferred style of setting is, but these are my favorites on JuliaB's site that have a peach/pad color:

$300 over budget, but GIA certified untreated pad and in a gorgeous setting!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/644554...cha-ceylon?ref=shop_home_active_7&pro=1&frs=1

Within budget, and also untreated pad as per GIA. More detailed setting, and of course not sure what she would prefer.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/628892...ngagement?ref=shop_home_active_63&pro=1&frs=1

Next two aren't "pad" as per GIA, but are untreated and a nice peach color.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/617389...-sapphire?ref=shop_home_active_16&pro=1&frs=1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/646481...val-peach?ref=shop_home_active_40&pro=1&frs=1

Thank you so much for those recommendations. I definitely prefer something more pinkish than the last two but also in a more modern setting which rules out JuliaB. Her designs seem to have more of a vintage aesthetic.

lovedogs · Nov 19, 2018

dogdoghowl said:
Thank you so much for those recommendations. I definitely prefer something more pinkish than the last two but also in a more modern setting which rules out JuliaB. Her designs seem to have more of a vintage aesthetic.

Totally makes sense. I'll keep looking for stones

have you contacted Alistair Kelsey about the setting? He's modern and incredibly talented.

dogdoghowl · Nov 20, 2018

lovedogs said:
Totally makes sense. I'll keep looking for stones have you contacted Alistair Kelsey about the setting? He's modern and incredibly talented.

Haha, I did contact Alistair. Is sourcing a stone through him reasonable or would it be advisable to find one myself?

Anne111 · Nov 20, 2018

This seems to have become the most popular gems searched for these days, royal blue aside. Good luck! I'd try to get her to reconsider, especially if you have a timeline.

dogdoghowl · Nov 20, 2018

Anne111 said:
This seems to have become the most popular gems searched for these days, royal blue aside. Good luck! I'd try to get her to reconsider, especially if you have a timeline.

Haha, well it could fall outside the 'Padparadscha' color range, and I don't have a timeline. I can be as patient as needs be.

AV_ · Nov 20, 2018

dogdoghowl said:
Haha, well it could fall outside the 'Padparadscha' color range

Orange? WWW

dogdoghowl · Nov 20, 2018

AV_ said:
Orange? WWW

More toward the pink side than the orange...

lovedogs · Nov 20, 2018

dogdoghowl said:
Haha, I did contact Alistair. Is sourcing a stone through him reasonable or would it be advisable to find one myself?

I would ask him! He sometimes gets amazing stones from doug menaude and others. And he's very nice so no harm in reaching out and seeing what he has.

Eady · Nov 20, 2018

This one might be an option? Plus there’s 25% off for Black Friday with the code BK25

https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p225/1.55_ct_Padparadscha_Sapphire.html

dogdoghowl · Nov 20, 2018

Eady said:
This one might be an option? Plus there’s 25% off for Black Friday with the code BK25

https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p225/1.55_ct_Padparadscha_Sapphire.html

That has a lovely coloration. It has been heat treated though which I'm not sure is great. My understanding is also that Sri Lankan heat treatment is more aggressive than Madagascan also.

lovedogs · Nov 20, 2018

dogdoghowl said:
That has a lovely coloration. It has been heat treated though which I'm not sure is great. My understanding is also that Sri Lankan heat treatment is more aggressive than Madagascan also.

Heat treatment is pretty standard, and most people think it's fine. Other "enhancements" are more controversial. But IMHO don't exclude heat treated stones bc it narrows your options significantly.

dogdoghowl · Nov 21, 2018

lovedogs said:
Heat treatment is pretty standard, and most people think it's fine. Other "enhancements" are more controversial. But IMHO don't exclude heat treated stones bc it narrows your options significantly.

Ok, seems fair. What would be your opinion of that particular stone?

lovedogs · Nov 21, 2018

dogdoghowl said:
Ok, seems fair. What would be your opinion of that particular stone?

I adore it! I think it's worth seeing in person, it's a great color!

Kevin Bryant · Nov 21, 2018

sales wise I cant hold on to peachy colored stones, I just had a 32 ct rough cut, when I original bought it and discussed with the cutter I was going to heat it to get the peach out and make it more pink but by the time it got cut i decided to keep the peach because its sells and its whats hot right now

lovedogs · Nov 22, 2018

Oooh check these out:

https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/holiday-padparadschas

On sale and lovely colors!

dogdoghowl · Nov 22, 2018

lovedogs said:
Oooh check these out:

https://loupetroop.com/listings/loose-stones-colored-gemstone/holiday-padparadschas

On sale and lovely colors!

Thanks for being on the llokout. That 2.23ct stone is gorgeous, but a bit more than i want to pay unfortunately...

lovedogs · Nov 22, 2018

dogdoghowl said:
Thanks for being on the llokout. That 2.23ct stone is gorgeous, but a bit more than i want to pay unfortunately...

Yeah, the 2.23 is pricey. But I think the pear is really nice too, and much less expensive.

lovedogs · Nov 22, 2018

Oooh what about this one from Dana's sale?

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Produ..._Peach_Sapphire_2_28_carat-Gem.php?FromPage=1

dogdoghowl · Nov 22, 2018

lovedogs said:
Oooh what about this one from Dana's sale?

https://www.mastercutgems.com/Products-301-
Crescent_Gems_Sapphires_Direct_From_Sri_Lanka/9997-Sri_Lanka_Natural_Peach_Sapphire_2_28_carat-Gem.php?FromPage=1

The size and price of this one are very attractive. It's a little bit darker than I'm looking for though.

I really appreciate the help.

Shijitake · Nov 25, 2018

Just wondering, why did you decide on a pad or peachy sapphire? Was it Princess Eugenie's ring?

GliderPoss · Nov 26, 2018

https://langfordgems.com.au/product-category/faceted-gemstones/sapphire-madagascan-and-other/

A few nice ones on this site!

Pad or Peachy Stone...

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