Peach Sapphire - cost?? HELP Is this a genuine price!!??

[Daisy081]

Hi there,

I’m new to the hunt but I’ve been looking for a Peach Sapphire to use in a new ring I am having made to replace my engagement and wedding bands which were both ruined in an accident recently.

I have always wanted something quite champagne, light and peachy/pink in colour. I’ve struggled to find the ‘perfect’ colour as the stones seem so rare to source here in Australia.

I found this one and fell in love. They are asking AUD$10,160 and it is 4.73 ct. I saw it in the flesh.

Certification states it to be the following;
Natural Sapphire, 4.73 Ct
Colour: Light Apricot
Size: 11.03 x 7.76 x 4.98
Origin: Madagascar
Clarity: ‘eye clean, tiny crystals and silk needles visible under 10x magnification’
No indication of thermal or heat treatment

Reading all of the above information and reviewing the attached images/videos, do you think this price is appropriate? I’m so scared of getting ‘ripped off’ and paying too much.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[chrono]

Which lab verified that it is untreated?
Unfortunately, all I see are your 3 pictures. No videos.
What is your opinion when you view the stone under various lights (indoors, outdoors, dim vs bright lights)?

 

[elizat]

That's pricey to me... Even with conversion to USD.

Here is one that is a touch smaller, by about 1 mmish on each side, but it's much less expensive with no treatment.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/695951833/238-ct-peach-sapphire-unheated-ceylon

I know it's not the same shape, but I think you could find something more reasonable in cost.

The vendor above is recommended for stones here. You can also reach out to her and ask if she can source an emerald cut in the tone you like.

Others will weigh in too.

 

[OreoRosies86]

That’s an insanely high price for essentially a pale brown-orange sapphire.

 

[Daisy081]

Which lab verified that it is untreated?
Unfortunately, all I see are your 3 pictures. No videos.
What is your opinion when you view the stone under various lights (indoors, outdoors, dim vs bright lights)?

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I’ll try attaching the video again now
When I viewed it I viewed in both artificial and natural light. I thought it looked flawless but I am certainly not a trained eye. I’m an interior Architect so very details and colour focussed but this is our of my comfort zone!
Re which lab? I’m not sure but could find out. I’ve attached the certification that I was provided with my quotation....
Thank you again!

 

[Daisy081]

That’s an insanely high price for essentially a pale brown-orange sapphire.

Ok thank you for your feedback

 

[chrono]

I'm not sure but it looks like it is an in-house certification, not an independent lab? Which would make it a conflict of interest.

My concern is the colour changes under various lighting. It certainly looks eye clean enough.

 

[Daisy081]

That's pricey to me... Even with conversion to USD.

Here is one that is a touch smaller, by about 1 mmish on each side, but it's much less expensive with no treatment.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/695951833/238-ct-peach-sapphire-unheated-ceylon

I know it's not the same shape, but I think you could find something more reasonable in cost.

The vendor above is recommended for stones here. You can also reach out to her and ask if she can source an emerald cut in the tone you like.

Others will weigh in too.

Thank you for your immediate feedback. I’m very quickly realising this may be a crazy price to pay I love it, and I’m more of a muted neutral fan as opposed to more saturated hues or a ‘pinker’ peach but I certainly don’t want to pay too much for it.

I’ll look in to the supplier you have recommended above, thank you

PS I can’t seem to upload a video

 

[Daisy081]

I'm not sure but it looks like it is an in-house certification, not an independent lab? Which would make it a conflict of interest.

My concern is the colour changes under various lighting. It certainly looks eye clean enough.

Should I request an Independant Lab certification? Yes, this is the certificated that the Jeweller I am sourcing through got from her supplier...

 

[chrono]

I would very much prefer verification from a major reputable lab such as AGL but I don't think they have an office in Australia. GIA might be better known there. Gubelin and SSEF are my other preferred labs.

I agree with the others that it seems expensive for the very light saturation and tone. Have you negotiated?

 

[Daisy081]

Than

I would very much prefer verification from a major reputable lab such as AGL but I don't think they have an office in Australia. GIA might be better known there. Gubelin and SSEF are my other preferred labs.

I agree with the others that it seems expensive for the very light saturation and tone. Have you negotiated?

Thank you, I will look in to it. The GIA is what I’ve heard referenced the most.

I haven’t negotiated. Not my forte but in this situation I will do. Just need a better idea of what it IS worth before I commence!

 

[lovedogs]

That seems way too high for a soft muted color. I think they are significantly overcharging. Edit: 2-3k seems more reasonable for price, 10k is crazy. Granted I'm talking about USD , but even still I think 10k (which is maybe 8-9k USD is completely rediculous).

 

[lovedogs]

Here are some other options just to show price.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/591304529/cushion-pink-peach-sapphire-351cts

https://www.etsy.com/listing/677269232/gia-certified-4-carat-peach-ceylon

These are certified by independent labs and already set into rings and are still less than what the store is charging you

 

[arkieb1]

I'm an Aussie too unless it's a certified Padparadscha Sapphire YES you are getting ripped off, if it comes back from a lab a Pad sapphire it's a fair price. Sapphires here tend to be on the pricier side.... they are cheaper online from overseas. You should be able to find something cheaper in that colour range particularly if you are open to different shaped stones?

This is pretty close but the stone is more included IMHO and a different style of Emerald cut but for a price comparison;

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/598...re&ref=sr_gallery-1-36&organic_search_click=1

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/174...=sr_gallery-1-39&organic_search_click=1&pro=1

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/560...ire&ref=sr_gallery-2-9&organic_search_click=1

Very similar colour for a fraction of the price but a different cut;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-48-Ct-Na...241255?hash=item41fd75f8a7:g:ZVIAAOSwSk5cdgjp

 

[lovedogs]

I think they are charging Padpradascha prices for a color that most certainly isn't a pad. Which is a crappy sales tactic.

 

[elle_71125]

I think they are charging Padpradascha prices for a color that most certainly isn't a pad. Which is a crappy sales tactic.

What she said. ^^^
This seems way overpriced to me.

 

[strawrose]

It’s way too yellow, in my opinion.

 

[Daisy081]

I'm an Aussie too unless it's a certified Padparadscha Sapphire YES you are getting ripped off, if it comes back from a lab a Pad sapphire it's a fair price. Sapphires here tend to be on the pricier side.... they are cheaper online from overseas. You should be able to find something cheaper in that colour range particularly if you are open to different shaped stones?

This is pretty close but the stone is more included IMHO and a different style of Emerald cut but for a price comparison;

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/598...re&ref=sr_gallery-1-36&organic_search_click=1

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/174...=sr_gallery-1-39&organic_search_click=1&pro=1

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/560...ire&ref=sr_gallery-2-9&organic_search_click=1

Very similar colour for a fraction of the price but a different cut;

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-48-Ct-Na...241255?hash=item41fd75f8a7:g:ZVIAAOSwSk5cdgjp

Thanks so very much for this response. I’ve found it so hard to source what I want here in Sydney so I flew to Melbourne to see some I liked in the flesh. I’m not comfortable choosing a stone online that I cannot see for myself and check the colour. Plus, the jewellers I am considering using for my bespoke design don’t use stones not sourced by themselves...

I believe this size and cut is a rare find but I don’t want to pay an unreasonable price. I’ve now learnt the lighter in colour the cheaper it should be...but I actually prefer the more muted less saturated champagney tone

 

[T L]

Spinel comes in that color as well.

 

[Daisy081]

Spinel comes in that color as well.

Are they hard wearing enough though? This will be an everyday ring...

 

[T L]

Are they hard wearing enough though? This will be an everyday ring...

Yes, but I wouldn’t do housework or gardening with them, or even a sapphire or diamond. No gem is impervious to chips. Spinel is very durable though.

 

[lovedogs]

Are they hard wearing enough though? This will be an everyday ring...

Spinel is an 8 on the mohs scale (I think), and is generally considered ok for daily wear unless you are super rough w your hands.

 

[AV_]

.
WWW & WWW

 

[Daisy081]

Spinel is an 8 on the mohs scale (I think), and is generally considered ok for daily wear unless you are super rough w your hands.

Ok thank you!

 

[arkieb1]

Provided the vendor you buy from has a good return policy the only thing you will be out of pocket for is the shipping. Do not buy from a vendor that doesn't have a full return policy. That way instead of flying anywhere all you do is send stones back and forth. I do it all the time, I don't really consider it high risk.

 

[Daisy081]

Thanks again so much! My Jeweller sources this (from Hamis Bros.) and as such I only thought to meet with her to view it and not buy it myself!
I’ve expressed my concern to her today that it’s overpriced and she assured me that due to the size etc it isn’t.
Her response is below...
Sorry, have been writing this reply in installments, as I’ve been wrangling 2 toddlers. Haha!

“A top colour Padparadscha sapphire is extremely rare & in very high demand. Both factors that can drive the cost up above 6K per carat!
It is correct that lighter colour sapphires ‘generally’ don’t command the same prices. Especially in blue hues. But with peach or Apricot tones being hard to come by then this doesn’t apply so much. It’s all supply & demand with coloured stones & the price of sapphires & Ruby’s have increased significantly in recent years due to this.
Another thing to note is that we are looking at a sapphire of nearly 5 carat. As diamond price per carat jumps up at certain weight increments; (e.g a .90pt would be cheaper p/c than a 1.00ct & so on.) Sapphires over 3 carat are subject to a similar increase.
Considering that the cushion cut peach sapphire I found at the same wholesaler was DOUBLE the price p/c of the Emerald cut then to me, that was quite reasonable. I do take my job very seriously, & would never sell OR make anything sub-par.
It’s actually quite stressful at times. A lot of responsibility! ”

I’m torn. I really trust this lovely Jeweller...!

 

[arkieb1]

It's not a top coloured Pad sapphire, in fact as far as I can see it isn't a Pad sapphire it's a champagne/light pink/light brown sapphire they have labelled "peach" in order to charge you the consumer more money. The big problem I have probably is I know Sri Lankian Gem dealers, and they see a mile of stones this colour and they aren't that expensive. I know Hamid Bros - yes they are gemstone wholesalers in Melbourne. My husbands family work in the trade that is a low (ie cheap not highly popular) coloured sapphire to be blunt. But that means that you are paying a premium because this stone has been through several sets of hands including your lovely jeweller before it gets to you. If you are fine with that, it's totally O.K - you asked if you are being overcharged for that stone and the answer is still unequivocally YES....

Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And I'm not even going to comment on your "lovely jewellers" guilt tactics pressuring you into buying her stones in her email above.

 

[arkieb1]

https://www.instagram.com/sorbetsapphire/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv65hRhgo8T/

https://www.instagram.com/allsapphiressale/

https://www.instagram.com/deliqagems/

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/peachsapphire/

You can see it's not a rare sapphire colour.... Ultimately it doesn't matter what we think - if you like the stone you are the person that has to wear it. Is it overpriced, yes it is, but if it's worth it to you then that is your choice.

I know Charles this is smaller and yes it's sold but for a price comparison;

https://www.lawsongems.com/collecti...low-sapphire-e-c-unheated?variant=45962803476

 

[lovedogs]

This jeweler is awful. She is lying, guilting you, and over charging. She is not lovely at all, she's dishonest. This isn't even close to a top color, nor is it actually peach. It's much lighter than that, and as such it should cost much less, period.

We showed you tons of better priced examples, some of which are lab certified by trustworthy places (rather than internal certifications that don't mean anything).

I'm angry at this jeweler for you.

 

[Daisy081]

It's not a top coloured Pad sapphire, in fact as far as I can see it isn't a Pad sapphire it's a champagne/light pink/light brown sapphire they have labelled "peach" in order to charge you the consumer more money. The big problem I have probably is I know Sri Lankian Gem dealers, and they see a mile of stones this colour and they aren't that expensive. I know Hamid Bros - yes they are gemstone wholesalers in Melbourne. My husbands family work in the trade that is a low (ie cheap not highly popular) coloured sapphire to be blunt. But that means that you are paying a premium because this stone has been through several sets of hands including your lovely jeweller before it gets to you. If you are fine with that, it's totally O.K - you asked if you are being overcharged for that stone and the answer is still unequivocally YES....

Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. And I'm not even going to comment on your "lovely jewellers" guilt tactics pressuring you into buying her stones in her email above. [/QUOTE

Excellent! Yes all of these responses have been brilliant and so very helpful. I appreciate the honesty and being ‘blunt’. It’s not blunt, it’s just real and that’s what I wanted. Thank you