Where to buy a Sapphire?

[Piglet9j7]

I'm looking to buy a beautiful, royal blue, untreated sapphire. Located in NYC, not entirely certain on the carat weight, as I know it is not measured the same as diamonds. Looking for a cushion cut that is approx 8.5mm square.

Where do I go for the best quality, at the best price?

TIA!!

 

[Treenbean]

You want to buy a stone in the city? Not from an internet vendor if I understand you correctly?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

They don't have the best prices, but their selection is excellent if you want to see the range of blue that sapphire can come in.
But you can schedule an appointment with Natural Sapphire Company via their website.

I went there in person to choose a padparadscha sapphire which I was having trouble locating through any of the online vendors, and the service was excellent and not at all pushy. It was quite the enjoyable experience. I left without having purchased anything, but later contacted them via email once I had made a decision.

 

[Piglet9j7]

I am fine with an Internet vendor. I have looked on the NSC's website, buy have been told their prices are very high. Any other suggestions for other vendors with great quality at good prices?

Tia

 

[MakingTheGrade]

For online vendors, Jeff White is a very popular vendor for sapphires.

You might want to read the "Steve needs a ring" thread, where he goes through similar searches and asks advice in preparing a sapphire engagement ring.

 

[Pandora II]

What kind of budget are you looking at? What treatments are you prepared to accept?

8.5mm is going to be around the 4 to 5ct mark.

Just to give you an idea, I paid just under $3.5k two years ago for a heated 2.20ct 7mm square cushion in royal blue with a tiny touch of violet. It is a beautiful stone and an extremely good native cut, I'd imagine it would have cost more if it had been precision cut. I also looked at a very similar stone that was just over 3ct - but that one was over $7k (again heated).

ETA: Stones were from Pala just to give an idea of the quality.

Also just seen that you want untreated. A 5ct untreated sapphire in royal blue in a square cushion cut with good cut and clarity is going to be a hard task to locate and will be VERY expensive. There is one 5ct stone at the NSC for just under $19k but it's probably a bit pale and another 4ct stone that is a better colour for $20k, but the cut looks 'orrible to me.