Unheated Blue Sapphire 6.5mm-7.5mm recommendations

[IslandBB]

Hello:
I am fairly new to this forum and after weeding through some posts about sapphires, and looking at loose sapphires, I need help. I have a beautiful setting and am looking for a round sapphire that leans towards a cobalt color. Bright, but still deep blue. Royal is great, but it has to have vivid color. I have looked at the sites for many recommended vendors (not all), but many have heated sapphires and one of the vendors I am considering has mixed reviews and is pricey.
My price range is not high. I'd like to spend at most in the $2000 range for a round stone as described that also is cut nicely, etc. So far, not so recommended vendors are where I'm seeing what I want in that price range- but the quality or cut isn't ideal. Is this just an unrealistic budget for a nice round unheated sapphire in that color in the 6.5mm-7.5mm size range? If so, what should be my goal price?
Thank you for your time and expertise.

 

[chrono]

Your budget needs to be in the 5K range for a vivid unheated 6.5 to 7.5 mm round blue sapphire.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

How strict are you on unheated? And is your budget firm? If those two are fixed, the cut or something else will have to give.

 

[IslandBB]

Hi:
Thanks for the reality check Chrono. LOL!

SparkliesLuver- I'm pretty firm on both the unheated and budget issues. As I am in NYC, I got the opportunity to look at some stones in person in my price range. Color is beautiful, unheated, certified, definitely flawed stones. So I guess I was trying to figure out whether the stones were overpriced (both vendors I saw have been discussed on PS as being overpriced) or if this is just market value?

I'm beginning to think they're actually priced about right. One sapphire was just under 6.5mm, silky possible fingerprint and a very deep pavilion and crown. So, for over $2000 it seemed pricey. But the color was stunning. Another I saw was about the same price, just about 7mm and a short shallow pavilion. The color is also lovely, but aside from shallow cut, there may have been some windowing. I'm not sure which is the lesser evil?

So, I would appreciate an opinion here, is it worth getting a "sub-par" stone with beautiful color, or look at another type of more affordable gemstone altogether. I'm definitely torn....

 

[SparkliesLuver]

It really all depends what you want and where you're okay sacrificing a little. Some people refuse to budge on the cut while others are alright with a tiny window if it means they get the color they want. It's a very personal thing, and you learn where your tolerances are the more you look.

Did you happen to take any pictures? Do you have any pictures of your setting?

 

[Niel]

Hi:
Thanks for the reality check Chrono. LOL!

SparkliesLuver- I'm pretty firm on both the unheated and budget issues. As I am in NYC, I got the opportunity to look at some stones in person in my price range. Color is beautiful, unheated, certified, definitely flawed stones. So I guess I was trying to figure out whether the stones were overpriced (both vendors I saw have been discussed on PS as being overpriced) or if this is just market value?

I'm beginning to think they're actually priced about right. One sapphire was just under 6.5mm, silky possible fingerprint and a very deep pavilion and crown. So, for over $2000 it seemed pricey. But the color was stunning. Another I saw was about the same price, just about 7mm and a short shallow pavilion. The color is also lovely, but aside from shallow cut, there may have been some windowing. I'm not sure which is the lesser evil?

So, I would appreciate an opinion here, is it worth getting a "sub-par" stone with beautiful color, or look at another type of more affordable gemstone altogether. I'm definitely torn....

I would rather pay for what I can see. I can see a better cut. I cannot see that a stone has been heated. You'd really rather have a poorly cut stone over a well cut one that's been heated?

 

[chrono]

Which lab reports do the stones have? I don't know which vendors you went to but some of them accept lower offers or runs the occasional sale. If it is NSC, then yes, they are typically overpriced and have wonky cuts. They do have some nicely cut stones occasionally and if you know how to shop, you can get a nice stone when they have a sale on.

It depends on how "sub-par" the stone is. Can you post pictures please?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I was looking for a 6.5mm blue sapphire a couple of years ago for a setting I had. I can tell you that a good quality heated sapphire is going to be at least $2500 at that size. If you factor in the fact that almost all sapphires are heated, you are really looking for a rare and much more expensive piece than $2500. Low heat is accepted for fine sapphires. I would really encourage you to consider a well cut, beautiful color sapphire. Cut was very important for me. If I were to buy today, I'd probably choose one from Gemfix.

This one looks pretty outstanding to me and I wish it had been available when I bought one.

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

 

[IslandBB]

Thank you everyone. All this input is very helpful!

I was looking for a 6.5mm blue sapphire a couple of years ago for a setting I had. I can tell you that a good quality heated sapphire is going to be at least $2500 at that size. If you factor in the fact that almost all sapphires are heated, you are really looking for a rare and much more expensive piece than $2500. Low heat is accepted for fine sapphires. I would really encourage you to consider a well cut, beautiful color sapphire. Cut was very important for me. If I were to buy today, I'd probably choose one from Gemfix.

This one looks pretty outstanding to me and I wish it had been available when I bought one.

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

Funny you mention that one, I was just looking at that specific one too.

I am a bit stuck on unheated because there seems to be a correlation with unheated being rare and therefore more desirable- I guess I'm thinking in terms of retaining value in my purchase, it's certainly not a small one for me. However, if that color is anything like what I'm seeing, it's certainly worth considering, plus cut seems to be a big deal and I've read about gemfix's excellent cuts....

Here are links to a few I saw:

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-55988-round-blue-sapphire-b6478/

That first link color is better in person- very eyecatching, but will look a little small in the setting... The flaw is not bad- it's not a large stone and there was a sale price.

Saw a similar one at another vendor to the one below, which is lovely looks bigger, but the color isn't as great as top one:

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/p-57501-round-blue-sapphire-b6583/

The setting is similar to this costume one, but with prongs in the middle, a bit more flexible:

http://www.emitations.com/silver-tone-engagement-ring.html#.Vo_pMvlVhHw

 

[chrono]

I would prefer to buy the heated Gemfix over the 2 NSC sapphires. The colouration isn't top (too light and they don't look vivid on my monitor, although the colouration is still pretty) and given the cuts, I don't think you will be happy with them in the long run.

#1. The performance is impacted significantly. The center is just dead.

#2. The performance is impacted moderately, which there's no way to "save" it because there just isn't enough material to fix it. This is a "pancake" stone. Low crown = not much life, coupled with a shallow pavilion (big window).

 

[IslandBB]

Thanks Chrono, I forgot to add both vendors offer GIA certificates.
In fairness to the first one- the color is way off- in a positive way. I saw this in person and can tell you the color is pretty close to this one:

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

I had them both side by side and they were like "family." The one above was my second choice, but the vein in the center bothered me, and it was over budget... Although, I'd love your opinion on that type of flaw.
The long pavilion- does that affect the "dead" middle for that first stone? Just curious...

 

[chrono]

Since that vein clearly impacts the performance and can be seen with the naked eye, it should not have been graded as VVS by NSC. It isn't the cut that bothers me but the clarity, which is what's causing it to have that dead strip running across the middle.

 

[IslandBB]

Since that vein clearly impacts the performance and can be seen with the naked eye, it should not have been graded as VVS by NSC. It isn't the cut that bothers me but the clarity, which is what's causing it to have that dead strip running across the middle.

Thank you, I agree. I spotted a few from another site, do any of these seem worth seeing?

http://www.gemsny.com/loose-sapphires/1.23-Carat-Round-Sapphire-SU40172RD/#horizontalTab

http://www.gemsny.com/loose-sapphires/1.87-Carat-Round-Sapphire-SU40173RD/

http://www.gemsny.com/loose-sapphires/1.39-Carat-Round-Sapphire-SU40175RD/

I am definitely considering Gemfix's stone, it looks amazing.

 

[chrono]

http://www.gemsny.com/loose-sapphires/1.23-Carat-Round-Sapphire-SU40172RD/#horizontalTab
1. Which is the true picture? The more vivid blue of the UGL report (which I don't trust in the first place) or the very drab gray blue of the GIA report?
2. Both the main picture and GIA report clearly shows a windowed stone so a dead round shaped middle will be present. Calculations also show this to be a shallow stone.

http://www.gemsny.com/loose-sapphires/1.87-Carat-Round-Sapphire-SU40173RD/
1. No GIA
2. Slightly windowed but one might be able to accept that IF we ever find out the true colour (see #1).
3. The killer for me is the total depth. You will need a custom setting for that 76% depth and you are paying for ct weight that you cannot appreciate face up.

http://www.gemsny.com/loose-sapphires/1.39-Carat-Round-Sapphire-SU40175RD/
1. Same question as to the true colour (see #1)
2. Same window issue even though the depth is fine. This time, it is due to poor cutting.

 

[minousbijoux]

Might be worth mentioning that colored stones are graded differently on clarity than diamonds. Unless its a "mind clean" issue with you as it seems to be about the heating, then focus on whether the stone is eye clean. Inclusions not visible to the naked eye are what make the stone unique. If they don't affect visibility, they are not issues to be concerned with. While I understand your concern about heat, there is no reason to believe that sapphires heated at low temps (e.g. without more invasive treatments) won't be holding their value over the long run - in fact, in recent years, they have been going up astronomically as well.

 

[IslandBB]

Might be worth mentioning that colored stones are graded differently on clarity than diamonds. Unless its a "mind clean" issue with you as it seems to be about the heating, then focus on whether the stone is eye clean. Inclusions not visible to the naked eye are what make the stone unique. If they don't affect visibility, they are not issues to be concerned with. While I understand your concern about heat, there is no reason to believe that sapphires heated at low temps (e.g. without more invasive treatments) won't be holding their value over the long run - in fact, in recent years, they have been going up astronomically as well.

Thank you for that. I figured about being eye clean- I don't think any I have seen have been eye clean, but maybe one or two had acceptable flaws... I guess it's all up to me and whether I am willing to spend a high amount on a flawed product.

As for the heating, that's very interesting. I'm not knowledgeable when it comes to value and adding heated stones to the mix makes me feel even more out of the loop. But, if values are retaining, I think I need to look around and seriously consider breaking out of the "unheated" box.

Thanks Chrono for the input. This was immensely educational for me, as I mentioned, I am a sapphire novice- a colored stone novice for that matter.... It was really helpful to see what can be considered flaws....

 

[Niel]

I was looking for a 6.5mm blue sapphire a couple of years ago for a setting I had. I can tell you that a good quality heated sapphire is going to be at least $2500 at that size. If you factor in the fact that almost all sapphires are heated, you are really looking for a rare and much more expensive piece than $2500. Low heat is accepted for fine sapphires. I would really encourage you to consider a well cut, beautiful color sapphire. Cut was very important for me. If I were to buy today, I'd probably choose one from Gemfix.

This one looks pretty outstanding to me and I wish it had been available when I bought one.

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

This was exactly the one I was thinking of too

 

[SparkliesLuver]

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

This was exactly the one I was thinking of too[/quote]

Me too!

 

[yanaazul]

Another voice for (a) heat only being more than acceptable, especially for the right cut (b) your budget being realistic for heat-only but not unheated as I've done a similar search, and (c) a very happy Gemfix customer.

Here is my Gemfix stone, for which I was looking for the same qualities as you other than unheated: round, vivid deep blue (though I think a darker hue than you seem to be going for), and at least 6.5mm:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-bezel-ring-david-klass.216659/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-bezel-ring-david-klass.216659/[/URL]

My stone is 7.1mm round, 1.86 ct. To give you an idea, when I purchased it in late Aug 2015, I paid just under $4K. Mine did come with a GIA report, so you should discuss with Andrew if one could be arranged.

On the second page of my thread I posted Andrew's picture from the listing, as well as many, many handshots including one before the sapphire was bezeled. It's actually the second sapphire I've bought from Gemfix, and I still wear both rings I had made daily. Good luck in your search!

 

[IslandBB]

Another voice for (a) heat only being more than acceptable, especially for the right cut (b) your budget being realistic for heat-only but not unheated as I've done a similar search, and (c) a very happy Gemfix customer.

Here is my Gemfix stone, for which I was looking for the same qualities as you other than unheated: round, vivid deep blue (though I think a darker hue than you seem to be going for), and at least 6.5mm:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-bezel-ring-david-klass.216659/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/sapphire-bezel-ring-david-klass.216659/[/URL]

My stone is 7.1mm round, 1.86 ct. To give you an idea, when I purchased it in late Aug 2015, I paid just under $4K. Mine did come with a GIA report, so you should discuss with Andrew if one could be arranged.

On the second page of my thread I posted Andrew's picture from the listing, as well as many, many handshots including one before the sapphire was bezeled. It's actually the second sapphire I've bought from Gemfix, and I still wear both rings I had made daily. Good luck in your search!

That's a lovely stone you got! Gorgeous! I would certainly be happy with that color! Well, I'm definitely going to expand my horizons! I am off to inquire about that beauty and look around at heated stones...

 

[IslandBB]

Just wanted to get an opinion here. How difficult is it to find an unheated sapphire that looks like this one below? I love the color! Would you say the quality is good? I know it's tough to tell from the photo- sorry for my low light photo, it was taken in a typical office light. Looked at some local heated stones and am not getting anything close to this vivid color. I had given up on finding an unheated stone since it may be out of my price range (this was certainly was), but I'm thinking if I could get this color, maybe I could live with some flaws... But I haven't found this color locally except for this stone, which was about 6x my budget! I'm hoping to look thoroughly locally before I order online, but most people locally tell me round cuts are not common around here. Most are ovals...