Blue sapphires online...where to find?

[ajoh3142]

Hi Everyone - I have an antique platinum mounting that would look great with a blue cushion or oval cut sapphire. I have found diamonds are much easier to get a handle on - especially when considering an online purchase. Ideally, I would like to find an unheated Burma or Ceylon sapphire, but if that isn't possible, or only available at an incredible price, I would certainly consider heated. Have any of you purchased blue sapphires online, and if so, do you have any recommendations. I see so many websites that have what appear to be rather skeptical lab reports and then others that say triple A sapphires only (again, skeptical of that as I know sapphires are not graded by A, AA, or AAA). Thanks for any advice.

 

[Arkteia]

You know, from personal experience, strange that it may sound, purchasing sapphires from precision cutters may cost you less. I had good experience with Jeff White (his sapphire was from Tanzania I presume, but unheated, and it limited my options) and bought an incredibly nice Ceylon sapphire from Gary Braun. Since you are looking for a heated sapphire, prices may be much lower than what I paid. Pala carries good stones and has vast inventory but they are expensive retail ... unless you find a jeweler who will offer a low markup.

Here is another choice... I haven't bought from them personally but I understand this company is held in high esteem here... First two, from Burma and Ceylon

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

 

[ajoh3142]

Thank you for the response - I enjoyed the link to the website you provided. However, how do I find contact info or websites for Jeff White or Gary Braun? Thanks!

 

[faegrace]

www.finewatergems.com (Gary)

www.whitesgems.com (Jeff)

 

[Treenbean]

You may also want to consider Ed Bristol at http://www.wildfishgems.com/ . He deals in untreated and ethically sourced stones. Another option is Australian sapphires, which are usually unheated and untreated. Do you know the size you need for the setting? That will make the search easier. Doug Menadue at http://www.bespoke-gems.com/SacredGeometrics_MainFoyer.php has some beautiful sapphires and can source others at times. Good luck the right "one" is hard to find, my search continues as well.

 

[greenmoose]

Any others? Seems that the current supply is quite limited....

 

[Novel]

Have you had the chance to go through the sticky on reputable vendors? Many of them carry sapphires. Some have had luck with Simply Sapphires http://www.simplysapphires.com, Precision Gem http://www.precisiongem.com, Lisa Elser http://www.lisaelser.com, and others in addition to those already mentioned, but it may be worth your time to look through some of the sticked vendors, as it all depends on who has what in stock at the moment. And if you're looking for something specific, you can always ask one of the cutters to source something for you. Good luck!