Back after a yearlong hiatus, need serious help re: sapphire

[AmeliaG]

Hello. I was posting around here up til about a year ago and left after I killed my last (and first) sapphire project due to lack of funds. Its been great to catch up on all the new colored stone purchases here since I left. At that time, I was looking for Jeff White to cut a one carat sapphire similar to his unheated Asscher. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/taking-the-plunge-my-first-ps-project-blue-sapphire.162867/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/taking-the-plunge-my-first-ps-project-blue-sapphire.162867/[/URL]

Now I have the funds for a 2 carat and I really want to get cracking, except for one minor detail. According to Jeff, it can take up to a year just to find the rough and he already has a substantial waiting list for Asscher sapphires. I know it can take a while to find the one but I'd rather have two or three cutters looking rather than be dependant on just one.

I checked out all the websites of vendors that were recommended in my old thread but didn't find anything similar to what I'm looking for. I know its best to call. Do any of you have a shortlist of two or three vendors you'd recommend to call to have a similar sapphire cut? (Unheated 2.0 carat, medium or medium light blue, precision cut Asscher)

Thanks so much!

 

[VapidLapid]

Re: Back after a yearlong hiatus, need serious help re: sapp

Roger Dery, Gene Flanigan, Gary Braun, Seve Wallner, or Spectral Gems, Precision Gems, Finewater Gems and Westview Gems. I know Steve Wallner is going on a rough buying trip shortly.

 

[AmeliaG]

Re: Back after a yearlong hiatus, need serious help re: sapp

Thanks VapidLapid.

I'll call tomorrow. Do I have the cutters and their websites matched up correctly below?

Roger Dery at Spectral Gems
4253 Coolidge Highway
Royal Oak, Michigan USA 48073
248-545-3546

Gene Flaningan at Precision Gems
PO Box 53
Millersburg, PA 17061
Phone: 717-982-7124

Gary Braun at Finewater Gems
no contact info on site but email form on website

Steve Wallner at Westview Gems
no contact info on site but email form on website

Do Gary or Steve have a phone number where they can be reached?

 

[chrono]

Re: Back after a yearlong hiatus, need serious help re: sapp

Not all lapidaries like to be contacted via phone because emails leave a better discussion trail. Do not expect to find ready cut asschers; you'll need those custom cut by request. I'm not sure if you've noticed this either but prices of blue sapphires have gone up a lot since your last search due to the British Royal wedding.

 

[AmeliaG]

Re: Back after a yearlong hiatus, need serious help re: sapp

Thanks Chrono. I made a few contacts today.

Do not expect to find ready cut asschers; you'll need those custom cut by request. I'm not sure if you've noticed this either but prices of blue sapphires have gone up a lot since your last search due to the British Royal wedding.

You're right about that. What I've learned is the biggest wait is just finding the right stone to cut. I think I'd better brace myself for a wait or switch to a different stone.

 

[Jim Rentfrow]

Re: Back after a yearlong hiatus, need serious help re: sapp

It can take a long time to find the perfect rough but there are a lot of sources out there for cutters and rough. You should be able to have multiple people looking for your stone and find something soon. Rough sapphire is getting harder to find but you can also look at doing a recut if your budget allows it.