Blue Sapphire Opinion for ring

[misosilly]

Hi there, I need an opinion from those who are familiar with colored gems. I have a local dealer in Sri Lanka helping me to source an oval unheated sapphire between 4-5 caratS which I plan to use for a ring. Since really hard to shop and assess using images on whats app, I wanted to see if this is a good stone or not in terms of color/proportions. The stone seems a bit deep to me but I'm not familiar with colored stones and how they are supposed to be cut. The price is 10k which is a lot of $$ for something I cannot see in person. I do plan to negotiate and wanted to get feedback from the forum to see what people think is a good price for this stone.

I've also never heard of the the Tokyo Gemological Centre and wanted to know if they are a reputable or not?

 

[Autumn in New England]

So the depth percentage is 82. Colored stones have different ideal proportions than diamonds. Well-cut sapphires often have a depth percentage range of 65-80. This is done to better show off the stone's color. However, 82% is quite deep or "heavy," so the stone is facing up a bit smaller than it normally would with a more average depth percentage. This may or may not be acceptable to you.

In any event, the color is going to be completely subjective and a matter of taste. Just make sure to have a good return policy. I am also unfamiliar with this particular lab, so you will want to have it recertified. $10k is relatively inexpensive for a 4.5ct. unheated sapphire. So do proceed carefully. Where are you located?

 

[demantoidz]

It seems to have some color zoning, is that ok with you?

 

[misosilly]

So the depth percentage is 82. Colored stones have different ideal proportions than diamonds. Well-cut sapphires often have a depth percentage range of 65-80. This is done to better show off the stone's color. However, 82% is quite deep or "heavy," so the stone is facing up a bit smaller than it normally would with a more average depth percentage. This may or may not be acceptable to you.

In any event, the color is going to be completely subjective and a matter of taste. Just make sure to have a good return policy. I am also unfamiliar with this particular lab, so you will want to have it recertified. $10k is relatively inexpensive for a 4.5ct. unheated sapphire. So do proceed carefully. Where are you located?

Thank you for taking a look at the proportions, I'd rather wait for another stone to come through that isn't so deep to get a bigger spread. Good to know that 10K is reasonable, this seems to be the going ask for this size stone in Sri Lanka. I'm in NY.

 

[misosilly]

It seems to have some color zoning, is that ok with you?

What is color zoning? How do I look out for that?

 

[Autumn in New England]

What is color zoning? How do I look out for that?

Blue sapphire is infamous for zoning, which is when the stone possesses different levels of color throughout the crystal. Ideally, you want to see a uniform distribution of hue, tone, and saturation.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Thank you for taking a look at the proportions, I'd rather wait for another stone to come through that isn't so deep to get a bigger spread. Good to know that 10K is reasonable, this seems to be the going ask for this size stone in Sri Lanka. I'm in NY.

It's very convenient that you're in NY, because you have both the AGL and GIA at your disposal, if you wish to have a stone certified. Good luck in your hunt and do keep us updated!

 

[demantoidz]

What is color zoning? How do I look out for that?

Based on the photo, there's a darker area and lighter areas. Basically the rough had some lighter blue and darker blue areas, creating uneven color (though some zoned sapphires face up evenly colored if cut to reduce to effect). Could be zoning, a trick of the camera, or inclusions in the one you're considering.

Here it is in an obvious manner:


Here is what might be color zoning in the one you're considering, where the circled area is darker than the rest of the stonee, but not sure if its zoning now that I look at it again:

 

[Autumn in New England]

I was trying to find a good example of color zoning for you in a blue sapphire. Here is one with dramatic banding.



They are not all so obvious though. Some, like the one you originally posted, can have larger blotches of zoning. This is what I think @demantoidz was referring to...

 

[Autumn in New England]

Based on the photo, there's a darker area and lighter areas. Basically the rough had some lighter blue and darker blue areas, creating uneven color (though some zoned sapphires face up evenly colored if cut to reduce to effect). Could be zoning, a trick of the camera, or inclusions in the one you're considering.

Here it is in an obvious manner:


Here is what might be color zoning in the one you're considering, where the circled area is darker than the rest of the stonee, but not sure if its zoning now that I look at it again:

We literally just posted the same exact thing. "Great minds" and all that. Your example is way better than mine though.

 

[demantoidz]

we had almost identical posts at the same time!

Edit - and again

 

[Autumn in New England]

we had almost identical posts at the same time!

Edit - and again

baa haa haa! Shall we go for a trifecta?! We even drew the same little picture. Sigh, I love this site.

 

[misosilly]

baa haa haa! Shall we go for a trifecta?! We even drew the same little picture. Sigh, I love this site.

omg thanks! these images are so informative!

 

[Rfisher]

What’s your ballpark budget for a 4-5ct blue sapphire?

If you aren’t comfortable sharing this - that’s fine, of course. But a similar one with an evenly distributed open color most likely will not be priced like this one.

One thing you can ask the vendor - is take a few more photos in the same lighting as before - but rotate the stone itself. If that darker zone stays in the same exact location on the stone - it’s color zoning. If it moves - it’s extinction.

How did you find the SA vendor - was it a recommendation from someone you know that’s used them?
If you have not thoroughly researched $ transfer/shipping logistics and how the vendor deals with returns and what they consider ‘acceptable returns’ - there’s a few threads on here detailing purchases with SL vendors. Good and not so good. And vendor photos vs customer photos.
Natural lighting /latitude between vendor and you also comes into play, sometimes too.

Also - if you are new to colored gemstones
This is a good reading start

New to coloured gemstone buying? Read this first!

First of all welcome to our technicolour world! :wavey: If you've never bought coloured gemstones before, you're in for a real ride and I'm hoping that this thread may help you on your quest for your "special" one! One thing it's important to know .......... this part of PS is frequented by...

www.pricescope.com

 

[demantoidz]

One thing you can ask the vendor - is take a few more photos in the same lighting as before - but rotate the stone itself. If that darker zone stays in the same exact location on the stone - it’s color zoning. If it moves - it’s extinction.

A photo of the stone upside down often shows zoning more clearly too.

 

[pokerface]

I have never heard of Tokyo Gemological Centre and they don't seem to have a website. In Japan, I believe CGL is reputable, and GIA also has an office. As others have stated, I believe this stone will have substantial color zoning. Have you only seen photos over WhatsApp? The photos look edited to me; I think the vendor has amped up the saturation as well as angled the stone to downplay the darker blue splotch. An quality unheated 4.5ct blue sapphire would cost far beyond $10k (I'd guess $20k going up to over $200k), and therefore, buyer beware on this one.

 

[demantoidz]

How did you find the SA vendor - was it a recommendation from someone you know that’s used them?
If you have not thoroughly researched $ transfer/shipping logistics and how the vendor deals with returns and what they consider ‘acceptable returns’ - there’s a few threads on here detailing purchases with SL vendors. Good and not so good. And vendor photos vs customer photos.

Very important point. Here's a very negative experience but of course OP's may be smooth. But OP needs to be aware of the issues surrounding return of gems to Sri Lanka and the risks that come with getting a good price from a SL dealer.
I'm not posting this to beat a dead horse but because theres good info in the thread from those experienced in buying from SL.

A Terrible experience with IG Seller CeylonSapphireGems

I know this seller has been mentioned here a few times, and I am here to share with you my first, and last, experience with this seller. If you are thinking about buying from him, please read and think twice, and good luck. I got interested in gemstones very recently and read a few posts about...

www.pricescope.com

 

[Rfisher]

Knowing if OP would compromise on size
Or compromise on color, maybe violet being ok or darker royal blue or a more dilute blue….
Or would a window be preferable to color zoning or vice versa? How sensitive are you to extinction….

OP, knowing this will help you get comments and advice tailored to you, rather than general comments about faults on a stone you show.
There’s plenty of people here that can help

 

[T L]

Returns to Sri Lanka are also difficult from what I hear. For that price, I would want a lab report from one of these labs:

GIA
AGL
GRS
SSEF

 

[LilAlex]

I've also never heard of the the Tokyo Gemological Centre and wanted to know if they are a reputable or not?

I don't know this lab but based only on the fact that they are hijacking the "look" of a GRS report, it should not inspire confidence, imo.

And, yes, too deep. A 5-ct stone should look substantial.

EDIT: This 4.5-ct stone faces up like a better-proportioned 3.5-ct stone (I just did the math.). Unless the extra depth is really adding beauty (which is possible), it is mostly raising the "effective" $ per ct, imo.