Trying to better understand sapphire pricing

[mimyr]

I'm looking for a natural, oval pink sapphire around 1 ct. The hue needs to be very pale pink, which I understand is less common but should be better priced. I don't mind if it's been treated or not.

The prices I've seen vary wildly. I've bought a sapphire before for $650, but the color didn't turn out to be as desired. On Ebay, I see supposedly natural, certified pink sapphires going for far, far lower rates, e.g. this 1.51 ct sapphire that was listed for only $365 https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-51-Cts-N...788588?hash=item4427e051ec:g:R04AAOSwVWFayLBY (incidentally didn't receive any bids - hmm.) And from retailers both online and in person, I find them going for $900+ a carat. In fact, here's a stone at AJS Gems similar to the ebay one going for $1000 more: https://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/pink-sapphire/pink-sapphire-1.47-carats.html

How can I tell what a fair price is? I just don't want to get ripped off. Should I use the prices on ebay as a guide?

 

[peacechick]

I'm looking for a natural, oval pink sapphire around 1 ct. The hue needs to be very pale pink, which I understand is less common but should be better priced. I don't mind if it's been treated or not.

The prices I've seen vary wildly. I've bought a sapphire before for $650, but the color didn't turn out to be as desired. On Ebay, I see supposedly natural, certified pink sapphires going for far, far lower rates, e.g. this 1.51 ct sapphire that was listed for only $365 https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-51-Cts-N...788588?hash=item4427e051ec:g:R04AAOSwVWFayLBY (incidentally didn't receive any bids - hmm.) And from retailers both online and in person, I find them going for $900+ a carat. In fact, here's a stone at AJS Gems similar to the ebay one going for $1000 more: https://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/pink-sapphire/pink-sapphire-1.47-carats.html

How can I tell what a fair price is? I just don't want to get ripped off. Should I use the prices on ebay as a guide?

You will get more answers if you post this under Colored Stones, which gets more traffic. But to answer your question, there is a world of difference between the two stones you posted. The eBay stone is badly cut. There is a giant window, which means the light passes through and is not reflected back. The effect is that you can see through the stone to your finger. Also did you see the shape of the gem how it’s slanted instead of being even? That means the cutlet is off center. The AJS gem on the other hand is pretty well cut and will appear brilliant and sparkling.

Also, the other things about eBay is that you never know what you’re getting. You could get topaz dressed up as pink sapphire, or the photos could be tweaked to look better than it actually is. The included certificate doesn’t mean anything as only a few labs like AGL and GIA are capable of accurately detecting treatment.

In the end, the PS-recommended vendor list exists because it’s a compilation of vendor sizes that people have found to be honest and trustworthy with their listings. Also, you can post your desired specs and budget here and people will find deals for you.

 

[peacechick]

Here is a must-read primer for buying colored gemstones

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-to-coloured-gemstone-buying-read-this-first.174284/

 

[mimyr]

Thank you peacechick! I had read that thread before, but you pointing things out like "windowing" helps me understand the price differences.

I see ajsgem.com is on the recommended vendor list already. Do you think that that's a fair price for that gem and about what I should expect for something similar?

 

[peacechick]

Mimyr, why don’t you start a thread on Colored Stones with your budget, a few gems that you like and ask for suggestions. People will be able to find you more options. Btw the AJS stone is not pale pink, like you said, it’s a medium saturated pink.

A pale pink to me looks like this: https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-497

If buying a gem of a certain value, I would ask for videos (see how helpful the Gemfix videos are?) and also consider the ease of returning the stone if you don’t love it. If you are in the US, you may prefer buying from a US-based vendor.