What do you think about these sapphires?

[b_b]

http://cherrypicked.com/Gallery/Score.aspx?ItemID=1675


http://cherrypicked.com/Gallery/Score.aspx?ItemID=1696


I am thinking about having these guys send one of them out for me to inspect.  It would be for an engagement ring - platinum and in a solitaire setting.  I am having a hard time finding something that looks this good locally, especially given that I am working too much and don''t have a whole lot of time to visit too many stores.

Thanks in advance!

 

[raddygast]

Does shape not matter to you? The first one is nearly round which is always nice, though perhaps the ovals that are just a tad off round look a bit weird -- I mean, are they rounds or ovals?

The second one is a cushion and you have to make sure you''ll be ok with how that looks in a setting. Some like cushions. The color seems better on the cushion, no question, and indeed all the "cherry" scores except pedigree. But it''s also much more expensive.

Between those two I''d go for the other one -- doesn''t the pedigree score of 5 mean it''s untreated? That has a certain amount of cachet in these days of abundant treatments for corundum. But, the picture for the round is quite bad and blurry. I wonder if you could ask for another picture, and get Richard Orbach to send you more details about it? If you tell him you''re interested he will probably accommodate you; I haven''t bought anything there but in my experience he is fairly prompt and friendly with replies to all inquiries.

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Cherrypicked.com is a great site..

Yes they specialize in fine gems which to find this quality locally depending where you live can be a challenge.

I personally like the cushion cut stone. It seems to appear to have a more rich velvety color although you would have to inspect both stones yourself to make such an assessment.

The first stone 1675 is certified as a natural and seems to have a little darker tone than the cushion.

The regal squarish cushion cut was faceted by Reginald Miller which also carries a premium. The second stone carries an owners gaurantee that the stone is a natural while the 1st stone has a certificate stating it's a natural. Depending on what you choose you can either have an independent appraiser look at both stones and give you his/her opinion or if you decide to lean towards the cushion, cherrypicked will make the sale contingent upon verification of the stone being graded a natural.

Both stones are beautiful..My eyes lean towards the cushion and the depth of color it presents in the photo's..

 

[suzannecallison]

b_b

If you call Richard he will help you determine which stone is the best for you to look at. I just bought one, and when I first called I felt like he was interviewing ME for the stone. He is friendly, polite, professional and very easy to work with.

In fact, when I first called, I was also considering the 1.79. Take 30 minutes or so, and call. He sent me a different stone and I tried like crazy to not buy it. I pulled in sapphires from everywhere, but his turned out to be the one that said BUUUY MEEEE!

Color is everything. And when those suckers "talk" to you, all is lost...

Oh, and I think there is only one stone on his site that is treated. The oval you picked has better ratings overall, and the "owners guarantee" simply means that the stone has yet to be certified. If the cert says heated, you gets your money back...

Good Luck!
Suzanne

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/16/2004 10:48:19 PM
Author: raddygast
-- doesn't the pedigree score of 5 mean it's untreated?

Hm... the meaning of the scores can be retrieved by clicking on the arrows (the sign >< ) next to the category name.

According to the definitions of "pedigree" scores, 5=untreated with lab cert, and 3=untreated with owners guarantee. Given where these come from, both are just as good - and you can always ask for a stone to be certified.

No idea if the shape matters or not, but both are super fine color and cut - be it roval or cushion.

It seems that the cushion is a tad deeper in color because of the way it's cut, but... what do I know? This is just a picture, and it is just splitting hairs between these beautiful blues. What kind of ring do you have in mind ? The cushion is rather small, it would probably look it's best with some help from sidestones or a more substantial setting of sorts.

Just my 0.2, for sure.

Cherrypicked makes a nice sapphire dictionary with their online collection if anyone does.

 

[bar01]

What fine taste you have - creating a Sapphire E-Ring

- wait a minute - what the ??? another Brian in Chicago using a Cherrypicked sapphire e-ring???? Hey !

LOL!

My vote - Item#1675 - the 1.79 ct oval.

It is less rated but still "excellent +", much larger (ct and getting more faceup - depth issue), cost much less ($1300/ct vs $2580/ct), and comes with a cert.

Don't forget that great Cherrypicked Compare feature - puts everything in perspective

Cherry Compare

Yes, Richard is a fine fellow to work with and cherrypicked is reputable -but do follow CG Nut and others and have the stone(s) independently appraised/evaluated, most probably during your evaluation pre-sales period which Richard will typically extend for you.

As for an Appraiser I recommend Richard Sherwood. If you decide to use a local appraiser in Chicago - I will respectfully, but strongly, suggest you NOT use PS's listed Illinois appraiser - PGS. Instead consider this person.

Illinois Appraiser

 

[windowshopper]

1675--is my bet--you dont realize how small they are in real life. i would venture a guess that the seond one will look much darker in dim light and at night. A lighter saturation can be an advantage--often more sparkle and more oomph--look bigger

Richard is fabulous and the MOST accomodating person ...............a real gem.

 

[b_b]

Thanks all for the replies. The "oval" one was my first choice, but Richard (he called me) suggested looking at the cushion. Of course I am willing to look, but to be honest I think I may want to stick with the "oval." Richard called me after business hours and promised to call back today and let me know of a few other ovals that he can get to once the safe is opened again. I am thinking I will ask him to send out the "oval" as well as one of the other ovals he suggests I look at so I can compare them in person.

One other question. Is the pricing good or should I negotiate a lower price?

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/17/2004 2:24:33 PM
Author: b_b
The ''oval'' one was my first choice...

Same here... and allot because of the same reason windowshopper tells. This is a ring stone. The cushion is a jaded collector''s delight

ut a bit too small and perhaps not as bright.

Negotiating prices... perhaps not at this store. But what do I know ?

 

[bar01]

Date: 11/17/2004 2:24:33 PM
Author: b_b

One other question Is the pricing good or should I negotiate a lower price?

To me (a consumer) your stone looks to be very much "in the fair range" for an excellent unheated stone. Determining the exact price of a fine colored stone on the web is difficult - this is best left to your expert independent appraiser. When you get the stone(s) for evaluation - ask your appraiser for a fair retail cost appraisal (not insurance replacement). Good gem appraisers are used to doing pre-sale evaluations and can help you understand the quality and value of your selections – before you purchase. They have seen more types of gems than you or I will ever see.

As for negotiation with a place like cherry - here is my feeling - (flame suit on!) - Sometimes "a little" negotiation (say on getting a certification - if they didn't have one, or free shipping, or something small like that) "may" be okay - but Cherry is not a volume mall store.Trying to negotiate a lower price on the kind of colored gems they carry (without some sort of justification from a professional appraiser) is not really the thing to do. But hey - what do I know either?

 

[b_b]

Well after talking to Richard again today, he is sending me a different sapphire to examine. It is already mounted in a terribly ugly setting, and he is recommending either melting the setting down and doing something with it or he can take $100 off the total price. It should be here on Friday and then I will take a look at it. I also have an appointment with a local store on Saturday to look at 3 others. I am happy to be able to make this comparison! I will also take the advice of bar01 and use his recommended appraiser as he is located much more conveniently to me than the others. I would be able to have the appraisal done during the week on my lunch hour.

Anyway, this is the the stone (and ring):
http://www.cherrypicked.com/Gallery/Score.aspx?ItemID=1694

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/17/2004 5:42:32 PM
Author: b_b
Well after talking to Richard again today, he is sending me a different sapphire to examine. It is already mounted in a terribly ugly setting...

Oh... I know... what were they thinking with that ring ???

Anyway, that stone will have to be set. This (link) one perhaps not. And how about this (link) ''cheap'' happy camper ?

Keep us posted, by all means

 

[bar01]

Wow ! That Ring is UGLY !

But the stone looks fantastic, has an AGL report - and is of Burma Origin to boot! Of course you are paying a significant premium for that origin and pedigree. Remember that if you compare to other sapphires.

Don't forget to print a copy of the AGL report for your appraiser. Richard Drucker can do an GIA style evaluation if you wish - but with the AGL report I think you just need a verification and price appraisal.

For a disscusion of your AGL report see below

AGL discussed

 

[valeria101]

Freakin'' bagrgain basement... or what! (look at how each score ranks the two sapphires).

 

[suzannecallison]

b_b

>One other question. Is the pricing good or should I negotiate a lower price?

Everyone I called, after some really nice discussions, I would always say" Wow, these guys are really expensive. Is there ever any room to move?" Then I would wait. Some said no and explained why, and some said let me know if you like it then we''ll talk.

It never hurts to ask

Suzanne

 

[widget]

b_b:

I bet that stone (1.40cts, currently mounted in YG, right?) is going to knock your lights out! It has a very good AGL report (itself worth $300).

My guess is that it will blow the competition away when compared to the other stones on Saturday. I''ll be interested to hear.

I purchased a Burma sapphire from CherryPicked a few months ago, and am delighted with mine. My wimpy attempts at ''bargaining'' failed, but I do think it is standard for them to charge a bit less than the "published" prices.

Richard is a delight to work with.

widget

 

[windowshopper]

i agree the stone in the "ugly" mounting is a BEAUTY--you can just tell it is lit from within..........it would be lovely in a halo of bead set diamonds ..........

As for prices I must confess --I thought their prices insane at first. BUT--1)You really cant find/buy their stones anyhwere else and 2)after doing a lot of comparison shopping their prices are pretty good. and 3) you cant find those stones .......(again). I'd rather a 1.5 stunner than a 5 carat BLAH

FYI : A 5 carat HEATED sapphire at HARRY WINSTON is 42,000.............a 5 carat unheated (UGLY) Burma is 90,000.......................YES REALLY

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/17/2004 10:19:45 PM
Author: windowshopper

As for prices I must confess --I thought their prices insane at first

Try shopping for the same in London !...

I didn''t mean to say the prices were high... but the conparison between the two particular sapphires (as much as the scores are concerned) is funny. Piece B scores at leats as god as piece A across the board (except for rarity, and rarity here means geographic origin, not some tangible quality) and costs about 1/2. Puzzling ? Not that I cannot understand demand and fashion, but...

 

[windowshopper]

WELL IVE LEARNED THAT THE ORIGIN IS A PRIMARY FACTOR IN PRICE........NOT THAT IT DICTATES BEAUTY BUT TWO EQUALLY WELL QUALIFIED STONES BUT ONE IS FROM KASHMIR.........WELL YIKES.....................

 

[widget]

"Try shopping for the same in London

"

Valeria....why is that??? I recently fell SERIOUSLY in love with an antique emerald ring at SJ Phillips. I wrote them inquiring about the price (having missed their "color coding for prices). The ring, featuring a lovely emerald of less than two carats...was 53,000 USD!!!!!!!!!!!

??????

widget

 

[windowshopper]

to widget:

you really wonder if they ever sell that stuff.............the prices are astounding and so are thepieces of course

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/17/2004 116:26 PM
Author: widget
'Try shopping for the same in London'

Valeria....why is that ?

I might be studying economics, but didn't get that far... No idea. But the value given to jewelry in this particular town was nothing less than mesmerizing

Who can say if London is expensive or the US a relative flea market oblivious to finer things ? (depending on which party you ask)

 

[bar01]

Not to turn this thread away from things - but anyone else notice that Richard Hughes site is gone? Or maybe bought out ? or something???


Edited later - Okay now it is working - that is funny last night I got something weird. Oh well never mind.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/17/2004 11:505 PM
Author: bar01
Not to turn this thread away from things - but anyone else notice that Richard Hughes site http://www.ruby-sapphire.com is gone? Or maybe bought out ? or something???

Nooooo

....it is up and running

 

[windowshopper]

Who can say if London is expensive of the US a relative flea market oblivious to finer things ? (depending on which party you ask)


HEY HEY HEY THERE.........................

'');" height=15 alt="Insert smilie

" src="http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/1.gif" width="15 border=0">

 

[rubydick]

Allow me to weigh in here. Ricky Orbach of Cherrypicked.com is a first-class, stand-up guy. And a major VU fan, which puts him up a hefty notch further

And he knows his stones. You can trust what he says.

While I'm on topic, I should say a few words about origin.

I've never been a believer. Having been parented by a man from Laramie, WY and a woman from Grant, NE, with me, you won't get far with nose extended upward.

That said, despite my simple orgins, I have been around a bit. And in my travels I've learned there are reasons why certain items are in high demand.

Ever tasted pure beluga caviar? I have. Several years ago I feasted on an entire kilo of the stuff. No faggy knife and crackers to dilute the experience.

Prior to that, I never understood caviar. Now I do.

The Kashmir sapphire is a similar beast.

Spent close to two decades in denial. So long in Bangkok, sapphire capital of the world, I thought I knew it all.

I eventually escaped. And with it, my tunnel vision disappeareed. I began to see the entire world.

Here's a story. A couple years ago, I had the experience of a lifetime. In Vegas, of all places, I was shown a pair of earrings.

Okay, Vegas, right, the king of Bling Bling.

But what I saw that day was timeless. A matched pair of 10-ct. Kashmir sapphire earrings.

How do you describe a Kashmir sapphire to those who have never seen one?

How do you describe the feeling of a woman's breast to a youth who has only seen pictures?

I can say with perfect honesty that when I saw those earrrings, I was a virgin again. I was naked in front of my first girfriend, in awe of the female flesh. In love once again. And forever...

Dylan was from Minnesota. Miles was from St. Louis. I am from Boulder, CO. Simple upbringing. But don't ever call us stupid.

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Passionate Writing Richard....

I hope many gem owners themselves feel that way about beauty in gemstones. It''s nice to see trade members passionate about the experience itself.

 

[windowshopper]

whats VU??

 

[rubydick]

Date: 11/18/2004 7:30

6 AM
Author: windowshopper
whats VU??

Velvet Underground. Which perfectly describes a fine Kashmir sapphire.

 

[windowshopper]

thanks what an eloquent way to put it----------you are all a bunch of romantic old hippies huh?