Advice re: parti sapphires

[chaplin]

^ You can pretty readily get a "group discount" from a faraway vendor for batch-sending stones if you intend to keep them all -- especially at your price point or below. There is a ton of fixed or almost-fixed transaction cost in the time and insurance and energy and (sometimes) customs. Less of an issue within the US.

Never buy with the intent to sell -- unless this is your profession or serious side-hustle (i.e., you can add value by recutting at wholesale or you can do the "geographic arbitrage" -- like if you live in Sri Lanka and your enterprising buddy lives in NYC). If you are like me and nearly everyone else here, you will be lucky to get 25%. You think you don't trust these commercial vendors? Why would a private party trust you?

That makes perfect sense, and that’s what I was thinking anyway. Thank you!

 

[rockysalamander]

This is not a parti, but its lovely.

Montana Sapphire Miner Don on Instagram: "2.03ct Montana Sapphire A gorgeous very light sky blue Montana Sapphire with slight hints of teal in some light. She’s is super sparkly and waiting for her person! If you love this stone we can help you p

119 likes, 3 comments - obsessedovergems on September 11, 2021: "2.03ct Montana Sapphire A gorgeous very light sky blue Montana Sapphire with slight hints of teal in some light. She’s is super sparkly and waiting for her person! If you love this stone we can help you pick out the perfect...

www.instagram.com

Pasted pic and contact below in case you are not on instagram

 

[Cerulean]

This is not a parti, but its lovely.

Montana Sapphire Miner Don on Instagram: "2.03ct Montana Sapphire A gorgeous very light sky blue Montana Sapphire with slight hints of teal in some light. She’s is super sparkly and waiting for her person! If you love this stone we can help you p

119 likes, 3 comments - obsessedovergems on September 11, 2021: "2.03ct Montana Sapphire A gorgeous very light sky blue Montana Sapphire with slight hints of teal in some light. She’s is super sparkly and waiting for her person! If you love this stone we can help you pick out the perfect...

www.instagram.com

Pasted pic and contact below in case you are not on instagram

Now this is a beautiful sapphire!

 

[chaplin]

Okay, I took all of your guys' advice. Today, I went to a local jeweler that had a couple of parti blue-green teals in stock, and they were all very dark (just as some of you accurately predicted). They looked black at arm's length, and they weren't even bezel-set! But, the good news is they had the perfect setting and wedding band combo, so I will definitely be going through them for my setting! They even offered to look around for me, and are having a trunk show in October that I will attend and look at a few more gems in person.

However, perhaps the best news of all... My fiancé and I have agreed to also go ahead and purchase the parti gem from Brume. If it ends up working out for the e-ring, great! If not, we will keep it and have it mounted some other way. I'm just too curious and excited about it, I can't let it go, so it's a gamble we're willing to make. So I might get a cool right-hand ring or necklace out of it someday if it doesn't end up being perfect for the e-ring ring. He's really spoiling me

Thank you all for your wonderful advice, your honest opinions, and your vendor recommendations. I will continue checking them regularly until the right gem arrives. (I am also seeing now how people become collectors... This is addictive )

 

[Cerulean]

Okay, I took all of your guys' advice. Today, I went to a local jeweler that had a couple of parti blue-green teals in stock, and they were all very dark (just as some of you accurately predicted). They looked black at arm's length, and they weren't even bezel-set! But, the good news is they had the perfect setting and wedding band combo, so I will definitely be going through them for my setting! They even offered to look around for me, and are having a trunk show in October that I will attend and look at a few more gems in person.

However, perhaps the best news of all... My fiancé and I have agreed to also go ahead and purchase the parti gem from Brume. If it ends up working out for the e-ring, great! If not, we will keep it and have it mounted some other way. I'm just too curious and excited about it, I can't let it go, so it's a gamble we're willing to make. So I might get a cool right-hand ring or necklace out of it someday if it doesn't end up being perfect for the e-ring ring. He's really spoiling me

Thank you all for your wonderful advice, your honest opinions, and your vendor recommendations. I will continue checking them regularly until the right gem arrives. (I am also seeing now how people become collectors... This is addictive )

So glad you went and saw things in person. Sometimes things just speak to us right away.

I’m definitely curious about what you think of that gem so please come back and share photos and reactions!

 

[chaplin]

So glad you went and saw things in person. Sometimes things just speak to us right away.

I’m definitely curious about what you think of that gem so please come back and share photos and reactions!

I will, for sure! If for no other reason than some other woman out there may have the same question I do (I know I certainly spent a lot of time in the expectations/reality thread where you all posted your online buys!).

 

[gemlover789]

Hello all!

I'm posting here to gather advice on which stone I should choose for my engagement ring (my fiancé is letting me design it ). I've been researching sapphires for the last 2 weeks straight, and I've learned a lot, mostly from this website! But I am still a complete beginner, and feeling a bit nervous to take the plunge on any particular gem I know enough to know that my priorities are as follows:

1. Color - I love teal/blue/greens, "peacock" sapphires, and parti sapphires of all types, especially the tricolor ones. I do not like pink/orange. Inclusions don't bother me as long as they don't affect the durability/structural soundness of the gem (as I will be wearing it all day every day) and I even think some heavily included gems look really cool.
2. Cut - I prefer emerald cut, because it's less common than round/oval, and because I'd prefer a lower profile gem in relation to the surface area.
3. Natural-ness - Heated sapphires definitely aren't a dealbreaker, but if I can find an all-natural one that is the color I want without treatment, it would be a plus.
4. Size - I'd like something over 1 carat, just so it has the surface area to show off colors & patterns, but as a daily-wear e-ring I don't want it to be huge (no more than 2.5ish carats).
5. Price - This is the lowest priority because although I'm not rich, I also anticipate this being the only piece of fine jewelry I ever design, so I want it to be as perfect as possible. I'm willing to spend up to $4k on my dream gem.

I was hoping some folks with more experience than I have could take a look at a couple of the gems I'm considering, and give me their opinions on cut, color, price, etc. I'm taking the weekend to think it over and hopefully decide by Monday. I've posted them in the order of my own affinity for them. And if anyone has personal experience with these sellers, please let me know. I've vetted them all thoroughly, but have found mixed feedback (as with most things).

1. Parti from Brume Jeroh (this gem has been listed several times, I saved the other photos posted of it here) - $1,000
2. Parti from John Dyer - $3,892
3. Interesting included gem from Earth's Treasury - $1,500
4. Peacock sapphire from Earth's Treasury - $3,600
5. Dark blue gem with cool inclusion from Earth's Treasury - $900

I also contacted this seller about a couple of gems in this post, but he hasn't gotten back to me, and I have mixed feelings about Madagascar-origin gems anyway (due to the ethical/environmental challenges in the mining practices there).

Are these fair prices? Are these good quality? Please don't be shy, and give me your honest opinions! And thanks in advance for lending me your expertise

Did you receive your stone yet? Wow, I just read your post and our search and gemstone preference are pretty similar! The main difference is I wanted an oval for an unheated, teal parti sapphire ideally around 1.5-2.5ct with no inclusions. I'm considering ordering from Brume as well and choosing a stone virtually makes me nervous! (All the other vendors don't quite have what I'm looking for.)

None of the jewelers around me seem to be very interested in searching and have not presented close options (blue lab diamond and moissantes are not the same thing).

What setting did you end up choosing? I don't know what the base cost of custom jewelry is, so that may be the route I end up taking if I buy the stone myself. I'm considering a few options, though it will ultimately depend on the stone.

 

[chaplin]

Did you receive your stone yet? Wow, I just read your post and our search and gemstone preference are pretty similar! The main difference is I wanted an oval for an unheated, teal parti sapphire ideally around 1.5-2.5ct with no inclusions. I'm considering ordering from Brume as well and choosing a stone virtually makes me nervous! (All the other vendors don't quite have what I'm looking for.)

None of the jewelers around me seem to be very interested in searching and have not presented close options (blue lab diamond and moissantes are not the same thing).

What setting did you end up choosing? I don't know what the base cost of custom jewelry is, so that may be the route I end up taking if I buy the stone myself. I'm considering a few options, though it will ultimately depend on the stone.

I haven't received it yet... international wire transfers have turned out to be exactly as complicated as we anticipated. But the process is moving along slowly! I have also chosen a backup stone if this one isn't up to snuff, so we'll see how I feel when I see it. I'll for sure update when it comes!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

OT:
Wow, went and checked out Brume(bayoto) out of curiosity from your journey and he also has these partis... so cool.

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[Cerulean]

OT:
Wow, went and checked out Brume(bayoto) out of curiosity from your journey and he also has these partis... so cool.

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Omg the “pharaoh’s eye” are amazing

 

[chaplin]

Omg the “pharaoh’s eye” are amazing

In my experience, his pricing is very competitive too... Although there are international shipping and wire transfer hoops to jump through.

 

[gemlover789]

I haven't received it yet... international wire transfers have turned out to be exactly as complicated as we anticipated. But the process is moving along slowly! I have also chosen a backup stone if this one isn't up to snuff, so we'll see how I feel when I see it. I'll for sure update when it comes!

I haven't received it yet... international wire transfers have turned out to be exactly as complicated as we anticipated. But the process is moving along slowly! I have also chosen a backup stone if this one isn't up to snuff, so we'll see how I feel when I see it. I'll for sure update when it comes!

How long is it estimated to be before it arrives? Did you pay by credit card, Paypal, or another method?

 

[chaplin]

How long is it estimated to be before it arrives? Did you pay by credit card, Paypal, or another method?

I paid by wire transfer, and he said it should arrive next week so we'll see! I'll post pictures when it arrives. It's the only payment method he accepts, unfortunately, and even though it was really inconvenient it worked out in the end.

 

[chaplin]

Well, the sapphire arrived... I will take some photos tomorrow and upload them. Unfortunately, tl;dr, I will be sending it back.

Long version: It's much darker than it looked in all the photos and videos I saw, and I'm also starting to see why so many people say the parti sapphires just end up looking "muddy." It just looks dark brown/black, from all angles, even under the brightest of my indoor lights. What's even crazier is he had even recommended this one over another one he had, because he said this one was lighter! If this is what a "light" sapphire looks like, I need to seriously adjust my expectations or start shopping for an entirely different type of gem

I was originally shopping for an all-teal color when I got sidetracked by these parti sapphires, because I found them so enchanting, but I now know they are definitely not for me. I want a gem that looks good from most angles and in most lighting, not one that only looks decent under direct sunlight from a very specific vantage point. Engagement rings are for life, after all. I know natural gemstones don't always look perfect from everywhere, that's part of their natural beauty and character, but I don't want one that's brown for 12 hours a day!

I think my lesson here is that I need to start shopping lighter, solid-color gems that will show more consistently and will retain their sparkle/light inside and outside. A very light teal will likely end up being the color I actually want (deep teal) while it's indoors. So I'm starting the hunt over again, a little smarter and a little more patient. I'm well aware that what I want is very specific, and I'm okay taking the time to find the right one.

On to the next! (I'm not abandoning this thread, I'll update it as I search and I will still post the pictures of the gem tomorrow before I send it back). I'll also attach a list of vendors I'm already keeping an eye on, if anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to post them.

Vendors I am watching:
Caleb B. Quashen
John Dyer
First Class Facets
MVM Gems
Shiny Precious Gems
Lisa Elser Gems
The Natural Sapphire Company
Earth's Treasury
Lizunova Jewels
Mountain Momma Gems

My criteria:
Emerald cut
At least 8mm x 6mm face-up area
Light/medium teal blue-green
Carats are less important than face-up size but 2-3ish carats seems about right
Low-ish profile (around 5mm or less total height)

 

[LilAlex]

Light/medium teal blue-green
Carats are less important than face-up size but 2-3ish carats seems about right

Have not shopped this color but can't recall seeing many that fall in that bucket. The teals tend to be dark, imo. The paler ones in that part of the spectrum -- like Montanas -- tend to be small and undersaturated. I don't think you will find this in a sapphire. Saphires may come in "all colors" but it isn't like paint colors -- you can shop your whole life and not find a killer green, etc. I have never see a sapphire that mimics an emerald or Paraiba.

 

[chaplin]

Have not shopped this color but can't recall seeing many that fall in that bucket. The teals tend to be dark, imo. The paler ones in that part of the spectrum -- like Montanas -- tend to be small and undersaturated. I don't think you will find this in a sapphire. Saphires may come in "all colors" but it isn't like paint colors -- you can shop your whole life and not find a killer green, etc. I have never see a sapphire that mimics an emerald or Paraiba.

I’ve seen a few I agree they’re rare, and I’m fully aware of that. But I’ve seen enough that I know they’re out there. I’ve just overlooked a lot of the lighter/medium ones and I won’t be doing that anymore.

 

[chrono]

Emerald cut will be a tough one too. I'm thinking you might have to go custom or wait several years to find something that ticks all the boxes. I'm not sure 5 mm depth is even possible unless you look for a deliberately shallow stone which compromises on the cut quality.

 

[rockysalamander]

Good luck on the hunt. I agree with others, your color + shape + size will greatly add to you time horizon. I've seen the right color, but very very rarely do I see emerald cuts for such desirable colors. With an emerald cut, you risk windowing much more than with brilliant cuts. I'd encourage you to be open minded about the cut and shape -- just looking for a step cut if that is your vision.

Here is what I mean, this is a mixed step brilliant cut using something like a scissor cut to add more sparkle to the sapphire, since they are not high on refraction.

Bluegreen Montana Sapphire-Shear Design 1.70cts | Americut Gems

Bluegreen Montana Sapphire-Shear Design 1.70cts

www.americutgems.com

I do see step cuts from Missouri River Sapphire Company (Frederick Watts).

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All American Sapphire may be worth watching.

Blue Montana Sapphire-Emerald Cut 1.53cts

Blue Montana Sapphire-Emerald Cut 1.53cts

www.americutgems.com

Are you sure you don't want tourmaline? They seem to be more aligned with your brief. Not a great choice for a hard-wearing stone, but certainly will give you the color and shape you desire.

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This Parti is pretty increadible from Australia. Not green, but so unique.

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[gemlover789]

Well, the sapphire arrived... I will take some photos tomorrow and upload them. Unfortunately, tl;dr, I will be sending it back.

Long version: It's much darker than it looked in all the photos and videos I saw, and I'm also starting to see why so many people say the parti sapphires just end up looking "muddy." It just looks dark brown/black, from all angles, even under the brightest of my indoor lights. What's even crazier is he had even recommended this one over another one he had, because he said this one was lighter! If this is what a "light" sapphire looks like, I need to seriously adjust my expectations or start shopping for an entirely different type of gem

I was originally shopping for an all-teal color when I got sidetracked by these parti sapphires, because I found them so enchanting, but I now know they are definitely not for me. I want a gem that looks good from most angles and in most lighting, not one that only looks decent under direct sunlight from a very specific vantage point. Engagement rings are for life, after all. I know natural gemstones don't always look perfect from everywhere, that's part of their natural beauty and character, but I don't want one that's brown for 12 hours a day!

I think my lesson here is that I need to start shopping lighter, solid-color gems that will show more consistently and will retain their sparkle/light inside and outside. A very light teal will likely end up being the color I actually want (deep teal) while it's indoors. So I'm starting the hunt over again, a little smarter and a little more patient. I'm well aware that what I want is very specific, and I'm okay taking the time to find the right one.

On to the next! (I'm not abandoning this thread, I'll update it as I search and I will still post the pictures of the gem tomorrow before I send it back). I'll also attach a list of vendors I'm already keeping an eye on, if anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to post them.

Vendors I am watching:
Caleb B. Quashen
John Dyer
First Class Facets
MVM Gems
Shiny Precious Gems
Lisa Elser Gems
The Natural Sapphire Company
Earth's Treasury
Lizunova Jewels
Mountain Momma Gems

My criteria:
Emerald cut
At least 8mm x 6mm face-up area
Light/medium teal blue-green
Carats are less important than face-up size but 2-3ish carats seems about right
Low-ish profile (around 5mm or less total height)

Thank you for the update. It's unfortunate that it didn't work out. I'll have to look at

Well, the sapphire arrived... I will take some photos tomorrow and upload them. Unfortunately, tl;dr, I will be sending it back.

Long version: It's much darker than it looked in all the photos and videos I saw, and I'm also starting to see why so many people say the parti sapphires just end up looking "muddy." It just looks dark brown/black, from all angles, even under the brightest of my indoor lights. What's even crazier is he had even recommended this one over another one he had, because he said this one was lighter! If this is what a "light" sapphire looks like, I need to seriously adjust my expectations or start shopping for an entirely different type of gem

I was originally shopping for an all-teal color when I got sidetracked by these parti sapphires, because I found them so enchanting, but I now know they are definitely not for me. I want a gem that looks good from most angles and in most lighting, not one that only looks decent under direct sunlight from a very specific vantage point. Engagement rings are for life, after all. I know natural gemstones don't always look perfect from everywhere, that's part of their natural beauty and character, but I don't want one that's brown for 12 hours a day!

I think my lesson here is that I need to start shopping lighter, solid-color gems that will show more consistently and will retain their sparkle/light inside and outside. A very light teal will likely end up being the color I actually want (deep teal) while it's indoors. So I'm starting the hunt over again, a little smarter and a little more patient. I'm well aware that what I want is very specific, and I'm okay taking the time to find the right one.

On to the next! (I'm not abandoning this thread, I'll update it as I search and I will still post the pictures of the gem tomorrow before I send it back). I'll also attach a list of vendors I'm already keeping an eye on, if anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to post them.

Vendors I am watching:
Caleb B. Quashen
John Dyer
First Class Facets
MVM Gems
Shiny Precious Gems
Lisa Elser Gems
The Natural Sapphire Company
Earth's Treasury
Lizunova Jewels
Mountain Momma Gems

My criteria:
Emerald cut
At least 8mm x 6mm face-up area
Light/medium teal blue-green
Carats are less important than face-up size but 2-3ish carats seems about right
Low-ish profile (around 5mm or less total height)

I

Well, the sapphire arrived... I will take some photos tomorrow and upload them. Unfortunately, tl;dr, I will be sending it back.

Long version: It's much darker than it looked in all the photos and videos I saw, and I'm also starting to see why so many people say the parti sapphires just end up looking "muddy." It just looks dark brown/black, from all angles, even under the brightest of my indoor lights. What's even crazier is he had even recommended this one over another one he had, because he said this one was lighter! If this is what a "light" sapphire looks like, I need to seriously adjust my expectations or start shopping for an entirely different type of gem

I was originally shopping for an all-teal color when I got sidetracked by these parti sapphires, because I found them so enchanting, but I now know they are definitely not for me. I want a gem that looks good from most angles and in most lighting, not one that only looks decent under direct sunlight from a very specific vantage point. Engagement rings are for life, after all. I know natural gemstones don't always look perfect from everywhere, that's part of their natural beauty and character, but I don't want one that's brown for 12 hours a day!

I think my lesson here is that I need to start shopping lighter, solid-color gems that will show more consistently and will retain their sparkle/light inside and outside. A very light teal will likely end up being the color I actually want (deep teal) while it's indoors. So I'm starting the hunt over again, a little smarter and a little more patient. I'm well aware that what I want is very specific, and I'm okay taking the time to find the right one.

On to the next! (I'm not abandoning this thread, I'll update it as I search and I will still post the pictures of the gem tomorrow before I send it back). I'll also attach a list of vendors I'm already keeping an eye on, if anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to post them.

Vendors I am watching:
Caleb B. Quashen
John Dyer
First Class Facets
MVM Gems
Shiny Precious Gems
Lisa Elser Gems
The Natural Sapphire Company
Earth's Treasury
Lizunova Jewels
Mountain Momma Gems

My criteria:
Emerald cut
At least 8mm x 6mm face-up area
Light/medium teal blue-green
Carats are less important than face-up size but 2-3ish carats seems about right
Low-ish profile (around 5mm or less total height)

Was Bayoto's stone accurately presented in terms of what it looked like outside? Did you ever see photos/video of what it looked like inside? I'm debating whether to buy the one I was looking at. How much was it to ship back insured?

It does seem like parti sapphires are actually darker inside and on the hand (if loose) vs outside or on tweezers.

I believe Earth's Treasury has a more flexible return policy where they will cover shipping to and from your home when you purchase a stone. You don't have to have them make your jewelry. Anueva Jewelry in Portland also uses sapphires too and allows purchase of loose stones. Cushla Whiting in Australia uses sapphires, but I think they have them to be used in jewelry they make. They do a good job representing their stones (on hand in soft, natural light), but in my consultation, many stones were darker than what I wanted.

 

[Inbloom]

Well, the sapphire arrived... I will take some photos tomorrow and upload them. Unfortunately, tl;dr, I will be sending it back.

Long version: It's much darker than it looked in all the photos and videos I saw, and I'm also starting to see why so many people say the parti sapphires just end up looking "muddy." It just looks dark brown/black, from all angles, even under the brightest of my indoor lights. What's even crazier is he had even recommended this one over another one he had, because he said this one was lighter! If this is what a "light" sapphire looks like, I need to seriously adjust my expectations or start shopping for an entirely different type of gem

I was originally shopping for an all-teal color when I got sidetracked by these parti sapphires, because I found them so enchanting, but I now know they are definitely not for me. I want a gem that looks good from most angles and in most lighting, not one that only looks decent under direct sunlight from a very specific vantage point. Engagement rings are for life, after all. I know natural gemstones don't always look perfect from everywhere, that's part of their natural beauty and character, but I don't want one that's brown for 12 hours a day!

I think my lesson here is that I need to start shopping lighter, solid-color gems that will show more consistently and will retain their sparkle/light inside and outside. A very light teal will likely end up being the color I actually want (deep teal) while it's indoors. So I'm starting the hunt over again, a little smarter and a little more patient. I'm well aware that what I want is very specific, and I'm okay taking the time to find the right one.

On to the next! (I'm not abandoning this thread, I'll update it as I search and I will still post the pictures of the gem tomorrow before I send it back). I'll also attach a list of vendors I'm already keeping an eye on, if anyone has any other suggestions please feel free to post them.

Vendors I am watching:
Caleb B. Quashen
John Dyer
First Class Facets
MVM Gems
Shiny Precious Gems
Lisa Elser Gems
The Natural Sapphire Company
Earth's Treasury
Lizunova Jewels
Mountain Momma Gems

My criteria:
Emerald cut
At least 8mm x 6mm face-up area
Light/medium teal blue-green
Carats are less important than face-up size but 2-3ish carats seems about right
Low-ish profile (around 5mm or less total height)

Hi, I've bought from Earth's Treasury twice and both times were heated Montana sapphires. They are absolutely gorgeous, and ET's customer service is great. But I definitely recommend asking for videos of the stones you're interested in, in different lighting, and make use of their generous 7-day examination/free return window. Because their web photos of the stones are in the best lighting of course, and for the most part the colors irl are darker than in the web pics. Also, sapphires have a tendency to shift in personality a lot in different lighting situations. For example, one of my MS's shines really nicely under the sun, but the other has silk that makes the stone look a little hazy in direct sunlight. However, in filtered light, the wonderful cutting and contrast comes out and it looks amazing and unique. So, every stone is different and you can't really know until you actually see it.

I also recommend "Obsessed Over Gems" (insta and website). Their Montana sapphires are precision cut and mostly unheated. The seller makes good effort to show/describe the stone's color accurately. I have a stone from them too. They too have a 7-day free return policy.

 

[chaplin]

Emerald cut will be a tough one too. I'm thinking you might have to go custom or wait several years to find something that ticks all the boxes. I'm not sure 5 mm depth is even possible unless you look for a deliberately shallow stone which compromises on the cut quality.

I've seen many stones that are 4.5-5.25mm in depth. It is possible, but yes, very rare.

Good luck on the hunt. I agree with others, your color + shape + size will greatly add to you time horizon. I've seen the right color, but very very rarely do I see emerald cuts for such desirable colors. With an emerald cut, you risk windowing much more than with brilliant cuts. I'd encourage you to be open minded about the cut and shape -- just looking for a step cut if that is your vision.

Here is what I mean, this is a mixed step brilliant cut using something like a scissor cut to add more sparkle to the sapphire, since they are not high on refraction.

Bluegreen Montana Sapphire-Shear Design 1.70cts | Americut Gems

Bluegreen Montana Sapphire-Shear Design 1.70cts

www.americutgems.com

I do see step cuts from Missouri River Sapphire Company (Frederick Watts).

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All American Sapphire may be worth watching.

Blue Montana Sapphire-Emerald Cut 1.53cts

Blue Montana Sapphire-Emerald Cut 1.53cts

www.americutgems.com

Are you sure you don't want tourmaline? They seem to be more aligned with your brief. Not a great choice for a hard-wearing stone, but certainly will give you the color and shape you desire.

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This Parti is pretty increadible from Australia. Not green, but so unique.

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I am open to other cuts as well! I am most attached to the rectangular shape, so I would be open to the right radiant/cushion/rectangular step cut as well. I just really do not like the round shapes. I have a few on my shortlist now that are rectangular radiants. Thank you for the tourmaline suggestion, but due to my active lifestyle, I really need a tougher gem. I have often been enchanted by their colors, though! They are gorgeous.

Thank you for the update. It's unfortunate that it didn't work out. I'll have to look at



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Was Bayoto's stone accurately presented in terms of what it looked like outside? Did you ever see photos/video of what it looked like inside? I'm debating whether to buy the one I was looking at. How much was it to ship back insured?

It does seem like parti sapphires are actually darker inside and on the hand (if loose) vs outside or on tweezers.

I believe Earth's Treasury has a more flexible return policy where they will cover shipping to and from your home when you purchase a stone. You don't have to have them make your jewelry. Anueva Jewelry in Portland also uses sapphires too and allows purchase of loose stones. Cushla Whiting in Australia uses sapphires, but I think they have them to be used in jewelry they make. They do a good job representing their stones (on hand in soft, natural light), but in my consultation, many stones were darker than what I wanted.

All of his pictures must have been taken outside, because there's no way it looked like that inside based on the way it looks in my house. He originally shipped it to me for $10 (insured), but because I'm returning it I have to pay $70 back for the rest of the shipping cost (which he is deducting from the refund price). And that's not even including what I'll have to pay to ship it back to him, plus the $50 we paid to do the international wire transfer. I'll let you know how much it ends up costing to ship it back. I don't think I would buy from him again, just because it's too risky/expensive not knowing what a stone will look like in person, I can't go back and forth from Nigeria more than this once. A back-and-forth with a USA-based vendor would be easier.

I have looked at Earth's Treasury, but they seem so much more expensive than other places. Maybe their sapphires really are better quality than everywhere else, but more than $2k/carat for a heated sapphire seems overpriced to me, based on prices I've seen elsewhere. I'll take a look at the other vendors you've posted, thank you!

 

[chaplin]

I also wanted to point out that Lisa Elser has been a great source of information and recommendation to me, and I am keeping a very close eye on her catalogs as they come out. She pointed out that a precision-cut gem will be a better option for me, as it won't go dark. So I will add that to my criteria

 

[Inbloom]

I have looked at Earth's Treasury, but they seem so much more expensive than other places. Maybe their sapphires really are better quality than everywhere else, but more than $2k/carat for a heated sapphire seems overpriced to me, based on prices I've seen elsewhere. I'll take a look at the other vendors you've posted, thank you!

I do agree that 2k/ct is high, but if you search more, you'll find that ET has more "budget" ones (ie more included) at 1k/ct or so. Which are the ones I got (I actually like some inclusions in colored stones; I think it gives them character). Also, I looked at other sellers too that have precision cut gems (I can't do another kind anymore; I'm spoiled), and I think you'll be hard-pressed to find Montana sapphires of good color/clarity AND unheated for less than 1k/ct, in the States.

I also looked at other sapphires besides Montanas, which are usually cheaper (like those from Caleb Quashen, choicegems, etc), but the colors on the ones in my low budget don't wow me, and i'm afraid to buy and be disappointed with the color without any buyer protection/full return guarantee.

Btw, my most desired color is teal/peacock/mermaid, and the like.

 

[chaplin]

I do agree that 2k/ct is high, but if you search more, you'll find that ET has more "budget" ones (ie more included) at 1k/ct or so. Which are the ones I got (I actually like some inclusions in colored stones; I think it gives them character). Also, I looked at other sellers too that have precision cut gems (I can't do another kind anymore; I'm spoiled), and I think you'll be hard-pressed to find Montana sapphires of good color/clarity AND unheated for less than 1k/ct, in the States.

I also looked at other sapphires besides Montanas, which are usually cheaper (like those from Caleb Quashen, choicegems, etc), but the colors on the ones in my low budget don't wow me, and i'm afraid to buy and be disappointed with the color without any buyer protection/full return guarantee.

Btw, my most desired color is teal/peacock/mermaid, and the like.

For good color/clarity and unheated, I would gladly pay $2k/carat. These are what I mean by "overpriced":
$2,500k/ct, (heated), $2,848/ct (heated), $2,304/ct (heated)

I am open to sapphires of any origin, not just Montana, which is why I listed all the vendors I am watching. Many of the colors I am most drawn to are from Madagascar. I also am open to inclusions, if they don't ruin the overall character of the stone or make it structurally unsound. A teal, rectangular gem, with good color, precision cut, at or under $2k/ct is not impossible to find. Difficult, sure. But not impossible.

As I've said before, I'm fully aware that my criteria are slim. But I am not a collector, this isn't for a hobby, this is something I will hopefully only buy once in my life and will wear for the rest of my life so I don't want to settle for something or compromise for a sapphire I don't absolutely love. If it takes a year to find the one, so be it.

 

[chaplin]

 

[chaplin]

Here are a few photos I took this morning, right next to an east-facing window that gets indirect light at that hour. My house is fairly tree-covered, so when some direct sunlight moves to my property I will go outside and take some more photos.

 

[chaplin]

I also made some videos posted here, where I was almost able to sort of make it look similar to the photos. I also added the photos/video the seller had posted, for comparison. The first 6 posts are from the seller's website.

I also just want to point out that none of this should reflect poorly on the seller. This is simply a lesson in expectations, reality, and representation.

 

[chaplin]

Okay, the sun has moved and I've added some more photos/videos of it in direct sunlight to the album here. Unfortunately, I was again only able to make it slightly resemble the seller's photos at one very specific angle (and even then, it's still much darker).

I think this gem would be best suited to a collector/hobbyist who wishes to display it in a perfectly lit case or just because they like uniquely coloredgems. It's not good for jewelry (unless you want a black/brown gem).

 

[chaplin]

Re-reading all of this, and since this experience, I think I have new criteria:

1. Rectangular shape (I've always entertained other shapes, it's just that emerald was my preference, but I now know I should start looking more at cushions, radiants, and other step cuts). Also, precision-cut is now a must-have.
2. Light/medium teal/blue-green/peacock (I like the more saturated colors, but anything too dark is going to go black).
3. I am no longer interested in partis (there's just too much risk of them looking muddy unless they're viewed from very specific angles).

Overall, I learned some important lessons!

 

[chaplin]

Just to add, for anyone else thinking about taking the same leap with this seller: I discovered this afternoon that shipping back to Nigeria is going to cost me much more than I expected. So overall, with the wire transfer fees and shipping both ways, this learning experience is going to cost me about $410, which is a very expensive lesson. So, if you're thinking of buying from him, make sure you press more than I did for lots of extra pictures and videos in all kinds of light. I didn't want to be "pushy," and now I'm paying a pretty hefty price for it.