Sapphire help

[phinlum]

Hi, I am still in the process of building an engagement ring. It will be a three stone, with smaller diamonds, or perhaps white sapphires for the two outside stones. I am leaning towards a round center stone, blue sapphire and was hoping to have it around 7mm or a bit bigger. I don't really care about heat treating one way or another and was hoping to keep the cost of the center stone under $4000. I have spent the last month looking at stones online and reading posts here and have narrowed it down to a few choices and I was hoping to get your thoughts and help.

Here are the three I am thinking about.

http://gemrite.com/home/190-blue-sapphire-230-cts.html

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-55942-round-blue-sapphire-b6495/#AssetData4

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1205-round-portuguese-cut-2-07-cts

Thanks!

 

[Niel]

The gemrite and gemfix ones seem to be a bit cool(slightly greyish) blue. Is that what you're going for?

The TSC one doesn't look well cut.

 

[phinlum]

Thats is what I was afraid of. I was hoping for a darker blue, but in one picture the stone looks light, then in the next it looks dark.

 

[Niel]

Thats is what I was afraid of. I was hoping for a darker blue, but in one picture the stone looks light, then in the next it looks dark.

So, you're looking for like the traditional classic blue sapphire?

 

[phinlum]

Yes

 

[Niel]

I'm still looking, but I think this one is great, and though a little smaller than you asked, would leave you money for larger diamond side stones, and that way still give you a lot of presence on the hand

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1256-round-roulette-cut-1-33cts

 

[Acinom]

I'm still looking, but I think this one is great, and though a little smaller than you asked, would leave you money for larger diamond side stones, and that way still give you a lot of presence on the hand

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1256-round-roulette-cut-1-33cts

Ooh. I love the one Niel just posted. What an amazing colour

 

[Niel]

This may be a tad dark, however, hits the mm requirements

https://mastercutgems.com/Products-301-ANAGEE_Sri_Lanka_Gems/8204-Natural_Fine_Blue_Sapphire_2_37_carat-GemMedia.php?FromPage=1&ProductMediaID=32732

 

[Niel]

They may consider taking a 4k off, seeing as how its been for sale a bit, and has a bit of a wonk too it. I do think with a thick bar in the stones basket, the wonk wouldn't be too noticeable... But that's something you need to determine

https://mastercutgems.com/Products-301-ANAGEE_Sri_Lanka_Gems/6953-Natural_Sri_Lanka_Blue_Sapphire_2_92_carat-GemMedia.php?FromPage=1&ProductMediaID=26498

 

[lovedogs]

ohhh, as usual Neil delivers excellent options! I think the gemfix stone is my favorite in terms of color, but from what I've heard sometimes their photos are more vibrant than the gems in person, whereas mastercut's photos are more true to life. All of the choices seem great!

 

[phinlum]

Thank you so much got the help, couple more questions. First, will they take counter offers on stones usually or is that rare? Also if I find the right stone, who is a good person to use for the setting itself?

Thanks!

 

[Niel]

Thank you so much got the help, couple more questions. First, will they take counter offers on stones usually or is that rare? Also if I find the right stone, who is a good person to use for the setting itself?

Thanks!

Gemfix will not take offers. Other smaller lapidaries like MasterCutGems has in the past.

What stone are you interested in? What's your total budget for the setting, and what where you hoping to get as a setting style ?

 

[phinlum]

https://mastercutgems.com/Products-301-ANAGEE_Sri_Lanka_Gems/8204-Natural_Fine_Blue_Sapphire_2_37_carat-GemMedia.php?FromPage=1&ProductMediaID=32732

I think perhaps this one, although I was informed this weekend that oval might be her preference over round. As far as the setting classic three stone with 2 smaller round diamonds on either side, maybe 1/2 carat total platinum. Although I also saw a ring with 2 smaller white sapphires that looked very similar to the diamonds.

 

[Niel]

https://mastercutgems.com/Products-301-ANAGEE_Sri_Lanka_Gems/8204-Natural_Fine_Blue_Sapphire_2_37_carat-GemMedia.php?FromPage=1&ProductMediaID=32732

I think perhaps this one, although I was informed this weekend that oval might be her preference over round. As far as the setting classic three stone with 2 smaller round diamonds on either side, maybe 1/2 carat total platinum. Although I also saw a ring with 2 smaller white sapphires that looked very similar to the diamonds.

How much money are you allowing for the setting? I will warn you that a white sapphire has its place, but will not pass as a diamond. If you want the look of diamonds, I would still with diamonds.

 

[phinlum]

Upper limit of $6000 for everything. Sapphire,setting and side stones. Probably diamonds for the side stones I guess. Then I guess a little advise on round vs oval sapphires for the middle stone.

 

[Niel]

Upper limit of $6000 for everything. Sapphire,setting and side stones. Probably diamonds for the side stones I guess. Then I guess a little advise on round vs oval sapphires for the middle stone.

Well first is I would suggest get her what she wants. If its round, go round, if its oval, we can look for ovals. But, ignoring personal preference for a second, ovals are usually easier to find than rounds. They can have some cut issue though, like half/half extinction (this is when most of the time half of the oval is dark and half isn't)

 

[phinlum]

Oval it is. We were walking around the city and decided to get her finger accurately sized. We went into s jewelry store and they had s three stone with round sapphire and she liked the oval better.

 

[Niel]

Oval it is. We were walking around the city and decided to get her finger accurately sized. We went into s jewelry store and they had s three stone with round sapphire and she liked the oval better.

Cool! Ok, I'll look again. What side stones does she want? Baguettes?rounds? Ovals?

That might change the amount of money we need to allocate to the setting.

 

[phinlum]

Rounds. Total 1/2ct or so

 

[phinlum]

What about this stone? It mentions feathering not visible from most angles, I am not sure how bad that is?

http://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1221-oval-portuguese-cut-2-83cts

 

[Niel]

I was wondering about that one too. Now, my concern is it may be too dark. However, if you're willing to get it home and see, with the knowledge you may have to pay to ship it back, then I'd give it a go.

 

[phinlum]

Ok, I guess I am on my way with the stone. Now the next question is what do I do with it. Which jewlers would you all recommend to set the stone in a ring?

 

[Acinom]

Which setting styles do you love and what is the budget?

David Klass makes beautiful rings at reasonable pricing.

 

[phinlum]

I was looking for a traditional three stone with diamonds on the sides, maybe 1/2 ct total weight. I was hoping to stay under $6000 total and the sapphires seem to be approaching $4000, so closing in on $2000 or so, but I guess the Sapphires can get smaller if the setting costs more.

 

[Niel]

Would you consider using shapes other than rounds? Ovals? Maybe half moons?

 

[phinlum]

Yes I would.

 

[Niel]

Yes I would.

Oh cool. I'm trying to think what night be the least expensive.......

I'll look around