Vendor pictures and owner pictures of PS stones

[lin_ny]

Thought I'd add a sapphire I recently bought & returned from Gemfix. Ultimately whether or not I felt the vendor picture was a good representation of the actual stone, I knew it just wasn't 'the one'.

Vendor photo


My photos:
Indoor diffused daylight



Direct sunlight through window


Halogens in my bathroom

 

[imagardener2]

Well I blame you all for my first purchase of a colored gem ring. Seeing all your beautiful rings inspired me to make a bid on a ring with "emerald" from Lord of Gem Rings otherwise known as LOGR. (BTW it is very hard for a newbie to follow the conversation when you all use abbreviations even though I'm sure it gets weary typing out the whole name but as you can see I figured it out haha.

The posted BUY IT NOW price was $450 for this ring so I bid $370 expecting to get a counteroffer but nope the next morning (today) my message said I had purchased it. Only problem so far is that the vendors paypal account isn't working to take payment. Hope that's just an internal issue and not an omen.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-27ct-EMER...t=Diamond_Solitaire_Rings&hash=item3f0fce6f42
I'm going to have to figure out how to post just a picture not the entire link.

I'm not in love with the "emerald" but it's OK until I find the blue-green stone I really want. I live near the Gulf of Mexico and love that Caribbean blue green color. But until I find that gem this green one will do because I love the setting with milgrain.

Question: Assuming I can get this paid for how long before you all got your rings? I have a 40th HS reunion soon and would love to wear it.

 

[minousbijoux]

Hi Ima!

That is a very pretty ring. I love the split shank, the halo, and the color of the stone with the white gold and diamonds. Do be careful about the quality of their diamonds, as many of us when buying from them upgrade the diamond quality so that really are white and sparkly. Question for you: if you don't love their emerald, is your plan to replace it with the greenish blue stone you seek? In this case, you'd also be looking for a round stone...

Oh, and welcome aboard!

 

[chrono]

It's much easier to buy the stone first, then find the setting. As it is, just trying to get the right colour is a challenge in itself. Now you have the added limitation of a round shape AND the mm measurement. On top of that, you may need to extend the prongs or beef it up to set the new stone. All in all though, it's a pretty setting. I second MB's caution that LOGR's melees are hit or miss. Sometimes they are clean and white but more often than not lately, they tend to be cloudy unless upgraded.

 

[imagardener2]

Thanks for your suggestions. I will examine the small diamonds carefully on arrival and return the ring if they aren't acceptable. I hope my buying it for less than the posted price doesn't mean I'll get a less nice ring. But again, will return it if not good.

I decided to buy this now because although I really want a blue-green stone ring I am not up to the challenge of DIY right now. I'm just a beginner and learning. Minou has emailed me some suggestions for an etsy'er who will set stones in a setting I provide. Now I guess I need to start looking for a setting that will fit the tourmaline she has. I want to see the quality of LOGR setting in person before looking at any more of his rings.

My birthday is December plus Christmas plus anniversary in February so there are multiple reasons, right? My husband likes when I pick out my own presents

 

[two_little_birds]

Do be careful about the quality of their diamonds, as many of us when buying from them upgrade the diamond quality so that really are white and sparkly

minousbijoux (or anyone else) can you elaborate on this? I'm thinking of reseting my old e-ring to this setting of theirs - http://www.ebay.com/itm/6mm-Princess-Cut-85ct-VS-Diamond-14K-White-Gold-Engagement-Semi-Mount-Ring-7-5g-/251150461142?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D2120821287521202825%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26

 

[AmeliaG]

Vendor pics from Gemrite for:

Stone: Tsavorite garnet (Grossular garnet)
Weight: .92 cts
Clarity: VVS
Dimensions: 7.11x 5.37x 3.62mm
Design: Oval
Origin: Tanzania
Treatment: None (it doesn't look like its got a certificate though)
Price: $380

 

[AmeliaG]

And my photos taken outdoors (admittedly not a good camera but it portrays the color and extinction accurately)

 

[wordie89]

I hear that ovals are prone to extinction unless supernova or maybe Barion or Portuguese. Do the more experienced members of this forum agree? The color in the tsav above is so pretty but I wouldn't have expected extinction from vendor pic. Which reinforces the recommendations here to ask alot of questions.

 

[chrono]

Do be careful about the quality of their diamonds, as many of us when buying from them upgrade the diamond quality so that really are white and sparkly

minousbijoux (or anyone else) can you elaborate on this? I'm thinking of reseting my old e-ring to this setting of theirs - http://www.ebay.com/itm/6mm-Princess-Cut-85ct-VS-Diamond-14K-White-Gold-Engagement-Semi-Mount-Ring-7-5g-/251150461142?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D2120821287521202825%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26

Sorry I missed your question. Since the diamonds in this setting are already VS, there is no need to upgrade them. His more expensive settings tend to come with better diamonds which is fine. The less expensive settings tend to have SI melees which aren't true SI showing either cloudiness and / or black spots which is why regulars recommend upgrading LOGR's SI melees.

 

[chrono]

I hear that ovals are prone to extinction unless supernova or maybe Barion or Portuguese. Do the more experienced members of this forum agree? The color in the tsav above is so pretty but I wouldn't have expected extinction from vendor pic. Which reinforces the recommendations here to ask alot of questions.

I was once told that the choice of a pointed culet or keel type culet in a particular design can either eliminate this type of extinction or cause it. I see this half and half commonly on elongated type stones, oval and rectangular shapes only, bisecting it down the center into 2 equal "pieces". I've seen Barion cuts with this extinction but not Supernova cuts. I don't recall about oval Portuguese cuts. From certain angles, this characteristic cannot be seen, namely, at a certain distance and angle, hence is better as a pendant stone. As a ring stone, it will always been seen.

 

[imagardener2]

Please excuse my replying to my own post but I wanted to keep my reply connected. The ring arrived and been shipped back. Problem? Your thoughtful replies educated me on what to look for, namely gray and lifeless melee diamonds which I didn't know I should upgrade.

But even if the melee had been upgraded I have decided against a halo setting. It would be too blingy for my average day and I'd like a ring I can wear daily. Funny to say that about a $370 ring but the appearance of bling is what I'm talking about rather than how much it costs.

minousbijous, thanks for the welcome and suggestions.

Chrono, thanks for suggesting getting the stone first and then the ring. I was going about it backwards although I think I have to have both things in mind (stone+setting) in order to visualize what I want the final look to be.

So now I am looking at stones, stones that can stand up to daily wear and abuse (I'm a gardener like my name and a painter). Wish I could afford a colored diamond but after much surfing and looking those are out because I can't afford the ones I like and don't like the ones I can afford. I am just not attracted to white diamonds although I have (2) in 5 mm size inherited from mother and I'd like to set one in a ring.

What colored stones am I thinking of? Montana sapphires to match my DH's eye color. I replied on another thread that I thought my idea was soooo original. Not. But it was original to me since I'd never heard of anyone doing it before reading that post about a cornflower sapphire. My DH does not have super blue eyes so Montana sapph's are a better color match. Still searching.

There are sure a lot of badly cut stones on ebay. Reading these posts has shown me what a well cut colored stone looks like. So thanks everyone.

 

[AmeliaG]

From Gemfix

Merelani Garnet
Cut/Shape: Trillion Radiant Cut
Weight: 1.45ct
Measurements: 7.5mm
Clarity: VS
Origin:Tanzania
Enhancements: N
Price: $ 435.00
Description: Brilliant stone, apple green.

 

[AmeliaG]

More pics of the Merelani garnet - a little more yellow than the vendor pics and less color saturation - a pity its saturation was so low, the cut and brilliance of the stone were exquisite.

 

[AmeliaG]

more pics of the Merelani garnet. These were taken with an iPad camera so they are not that sharp and don't show the brilliance of the cut. They do portray the saturation of the stone accurately.

The last picture was the only pic I could take with decent saturation. This was taken under indoor fluorescent lighting at night.

 

[AmeliaG]

Precision cut stone by Peter Torraca

Peridot
Pakistan
weight: 1.75ct
clarity: EC1
width: 6.75mm
treat.: N
length: 6.77mm
design: Asscher-4 (pt)
price: $260

 

[AmeliaG]

Roger Dery precision cut sapphire

1.58ct @ 6.2 x 6.2 x 4.50mm
Untreated, Umba River Valley, northeastern Tanzania

 

[AmeliaG]

a better pic

 

[nsiderbam]

I ended up going with one of the gemfix sapphires.

Montana Sapphire Round "Portuguese" Cut
Weight: 1.50 cts
Measurements: 6.5 mm, height 4.6mm
Clarity: VVS
Origin: Montana, USA
Enhancements: Heat only
Price: $ 1180.00 Sale Pending
Order/Stock No.: sapphire_montana_294
Description: Sparkly light-medium blue, no green. Excellent cut and clarity.
(Cut by Andrew Gulij)
Pantone 540C & 542C (in daylight)





I haven't taken any pictures yet, but very closely resembles the vendor photos above -- I'm pretty happy with it.

 

[minousbijoux]

If that Montana is at all like the vendor pic on the hand, it must be a real beauty. Nice work.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Tried out a new vendor (for me)http://www.uppergems.com- I found them through Mattana who posted this Tsav in a group on FB (Fine faceted gemstone and Cab market)

A little mash up of my photos and the vendor (top left)

 

[imagardener2]

nsider

what type setting are you planning? That is a very pretty stone, cut and color are gorgeous. I've been looking for a Montana also in a slightly different color but am also trying to imagine the setting at the same time. I like to pre-visualize even though everyone says "get the gem first".

What are your ideas?

 

[GregS]

Jeff Davies Demantoids, frirst the small olive one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRECISION-C...370644055548?ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160

Larger one, keeps it's nice blue green indoors as well as outdoors.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CUSHION-CUT...EO-/370668544888?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:3160

Hand shot...

 

[all-sapphires]

From my last trip to Madagascar
A rare size 21ct high quality Spessartite Garnet

 

[minousbijoux]

Huge size - it looks like a hessonite!

 

[Jereni]

I've been meaning to contribute to this thread for awhile. Here's a few:

5.75 ct mint green tourmaline from Jerry at Gem Art Services.

Vendor pic:


My pic. His pic was very true to life. If anything, he missed the blue modifer that shows up indoors.

 

[Jereni]

Yellow grossular garnet that I picked up from Gene earlier this year. I never posted about this and I don't know why - it's one of my favorite stones (hence my avatar). I need to set it but I have no idea what setting for it.

Gene's pic:


My pic:

 

[Jereni]

Last for now, an aquamarine Peter Torraca cut for me. 2.72cts in a square cushion cut. Peter's cutting is so gorgeous.

Color-wise, I think his photo is true to life....perhaps a bit unfortunately. I loved this aqua when it first arrived, but it is def a bit of a steely ice blue as opposed to a richer blue-green than I was hoping for. But it's still pretty and I love the cutting so much, I'm thinking I will halo it in a pendant perhaps.

Peter's photo:


My photo, in fluorescent lighting


My photo, in incandescent lighting

 

[two_little_birds]

I ended up going with one of the gemfix sapphires.

Montana Sapphire Round "Portuguese" Cut
Weight: 1.50 cts
Measurements: 6.5 mm, height 4.6mm
Clarity: VVS
Origin: Montana, USA
Enhancements: Heat only
Price: $ 1180.00 Sale Pending
Order/Stock No.: sapphire_montana_294
Description: Sparkly light-medium blue, no green. Excellent cut and clarity.
(Cut by Andrew Gulij)
Pantone 540C & 542C (in daylight)





I haven't taken any pictures yet, but very closely resembles the vendor photos above -- I'm pretty happy with it.

Oh my!

 

[two_little_birds]

Last for now, an aquamarine Peter Torraca cut for me. 2.72cts in a square cushion cut. Peter's cutting is so gorgeous.

Color-wise, I think his photo is true to life....perhaps a bit unfortunately. I loved this aqua when it first arrived, but it is def a bit of a steely ice blue as opposed to a richer blue-green than I was hoping for. But it's still pretty and I love the cutting so much, I'm thinking I will halo it in a pendant perhaps.

Peter's photo:


My photo, in fluorescent lighting


My photo, in incandescent lighting

Very very very pretty!