Advice Selecting a Blue Sapphire

[Safire]

Hello PS Gem Experts,
I would like to thank you for your dedication to this site. It is truly a gift to the consumer as it contains a wealth of information otherwise scattered across the web.
I'm a new at purchasing gems on the Internet and have been doing some researched following your advise and found a few potential sapphires on the recommended sites listed on the vendor post.
My intention is to buy a loose sapphire and have it mounted on a ring surrounded by small diamonds in a Princess Diana style and hopefully give it to my wife in time for the holidays.
Below are 2 links depicting stones in the 1.8 to 2 carat range. I would greatly appreciate your expert opinion on them.

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-blue-sapphire-208ct-blue-cushion-cut-sapphire-great-stone-r5381

This link has multiple stones and I am contemplating the 2.04 carat stone

http://www.finewatergems.com/sapphire.html

This link also has multiple stones and I am contemplating the 18 stone from the top whit the following description

Sapphire Cushion "Portuguese" Style Cut 1.92 cts
Measurements: 7.6x6.4mm, depth 4.4mm

http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond with your advise.

 

[marymm]

I do not really care for the blue sapphire from Diamonds by Lauren - the color is nice enough but the clarity and color-banding would really bother me. Out of the 3 you linked to, this is the only one without a lab report.

The Finewater Gems blue sapphire seems to be lacking in saturation, and also there is no full-front shot of the stone... Gary's description states the color is deeper and more intense - if you were interested in this one, I'd ask for a face shot, and also see if he'd take some pics or a video of the stone on his hand to give you another perspective on the color and saturation.

I really like the GemFix stone, if you mean the 1.93ct cushion (I think your post gave a carat weight of 1.92ct but that is a radiant cut) - the color, saturation and cut look great - the sapphire looks to have some silk which can make the stone have a bit of a glow.

Good luck with your search/decision!

eta: not sure if you have a local jeweler for this project, but if you're buying a loose sapphire and having a setting made for it, and you want it in time for Christmas, I'd urge you to check with your chosen setting vendor(s) as to whether they can accommodate you... depending on your setting and vendor, it can take anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks, and during the lead-up to Christmas, it can get crazy for vendors. If you don't have a vendor in mind, I know ID Jewelry did a beautiful diamond ring setting for a blue sapphire somewhat recently, so they may be a good option for you.

 

[pregcurious]

If you're looking to recreate something like Kate Middleton's ring, the sapphire in her ring is dark. The range of saturations and tones in the stones you picked vary quite a bit.

I would personally go for a medium dark stone. Gemfix's description says that the stone you picked is medium deep. I'm not sure what that means. I am guessing it is a little bit darker than the picture, and I like the cut and shape of the stone very much. Can you post a picture of your dream color?

 

[chrono]

You selected 3 sapphires of very different colouration so I'm not sure exactly what shade of blue you are aiming for.

http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-blue-sapphire-208ct-blue-cushion-cut-sapphire-great-stone-r5381
I would pass on this because it is not symmetrical and I am concerned the inclusions will be eye visible, especially when the light hits the stone just right.

http://www.finewatergems.com/sapphire.html
The colour is the lightest of the 3 chosen. I would request a straight on picture of the 2.04.

Sapphire Cushion "Portuguese" Style Cut 1.93 cts
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html
Looks a bit silky so I'm not sure if this is a characteristic you will like. GemFix's sapphires are typically slightly less intense than pictured.

 

[minousbijoux]

Another way to go about it is to give us examples of the color range you seek. You've told us the carat weight, but what about dimensions? Colored stones such as sapphires are just not as standardized size-wise as diamonds, which means you can find two stones of the same carat weight with vastly differing dimensions. You have probably read a fair amount about treatment options. I would allow for a stone that is heated as it will make your search infinitely easier (if you also included diffused stones in your search, you could easily find a stone well under your budgeted amount, but know that the process literally alters the mineral structure of the stone). Let's start by seeing the colors you seek and go from there. So far, it seems that you would consider ovals and cushions. Are there other shapes as well? Would you consider stones with eye visible inclusions if they could be hidden by a prong, or is it important to know that there is nothing visible to the naked eye? Again, the more flexible you are, the more options you'll have.

 

[ilovegemstones]

I think the third one you posted is gorgeous but I love silkiness in sapphires.