Brian Gavin Sapphire pendant

[rainydayam]

Hi everyone!
This is only my second post as I am still on my hunt for a blue sapphire pendant! Recently I found this one ( http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5661 ) from Brian Gavin and when I emailed, they said that they could do it with a 6mm sapphire instead of a 4.5 (as shown on their web site) for $1600. My question to you all is, do you think that a 6mm sapphire would make a large enough pendant? I'm quite petite so I don't think i will drown it out, but I'm really not sure just how large that really is. Also, I know that Brian Gavin is known for his diamonds, but are the sapphires he sells any good? Thanks again for your help!

 

[iolitedreamer]

So are you planning on getting the same exact pendant with the halo? It is very pretty for sure. Hopefully some of the knowledgeable folks on here can help.

 

[rainydayam]

I think so too! Yes, the exact same pendant, just bigger

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I love it, funnily enough, I was logging on to post this:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/62729074/sliding-halo-pendant-design-concept-only

a similar gorgeous pendant, but from Daniel M. I want it

I'm not sure how BGD is at sourcing sapphires, but they have great eyes, so I'm sure they'd work with you to find something that you like, fits your budget, and is the right size.

 

[rainydayam]

Bella_mezzo, the sliding halo pendant from Daniel M is Gorgeous!

 

[Indylady]

Personally, I'd probably want to source the sapphire myself. BGD does have great workmanship, and you are getting signature melee for the price, but I think $1600 is a bit much. You might consider:

a) sourcing the stone and asking them how much it would cost to have it set by them in that mount
b) asking other vendors for quotes (still sourcing the gem yourself)--you wouldn't get the signature melee though
c) sourcing your stone and purchasing a semi mount online (I'm pretty sure the mount for a 6mm slider pendant in 14k would be around $200) however, if you go this route, you're losing out on craftsmanship that you'd be getting with choices a and b, but with the amount you'd save, you might be able to pick up some earrings or a small ring to match

 

[rainydayam]

Hi IndLady! Thanks four your response. When you say that I should source the stone, do you mean that I should buy it from a vendor other than BGD? If so, do you have any recommendations? I've heard a couple of names thrown out on this forum of people who do an excellent job at cutting stones, but do you think I would be able to get a 6mm stone and have it set for around the same price?

 

[y2kitty]

I have the DanielM pendant, in January I paid less than $500 for it in 6 mm and I provided the stone. Depending what the sapphire costs this could be much cheaper then Brian Gavin.

 

[rainydayam]

Hi herekittykitty. Is that the pendant in your avatar picture (if it is, then i think I may have to go with this pendant instead)? Do you have any other pictures of it that would give me an idea of the size?

 

[y2kitty]

Yes, DanielM made the pendant in my avatar.
There are pictures on the second page of this thread:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finewater-96-mahenge-spinel.153267/

There is a shot of all my DanielM stuff together in this thread (the larger ring in the middle is 8mm to give you an idea of size):
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/rose-gold-danielm-spinel-ring.159680/

 

[Indylady]

Dan Stair has quite a few sapphires and recently cut one for another PS'er e-ring that was set by Daniel M, and Gemline Inc has a 5.3mm heat only sapphire that's only about $145 that I have had bookmarked since I saw it. I would have bought it if I hadn't purchased another just a week before it was posted.

 

[rainydayam]

So I really like the idea of buying my own sapphire and then asking someone (most likely Daniel M) to set it. I think that i've found a nice sapphire. Can anyone comment on it? http://www.gemselect.com/sapphire/sapphire-249846.php#
Thanks again!

 

[Indylady]

Unfortunately I often have trouble opening that site so I can't comment on that link (please do a search for Gemselect--some people have had success with them, but others did not and it takes some time learning to read gem photography to really get the hang of it. For a high-end piece, I'd probably wouldn't seek them out).

Here are a couple rec's:

My favorite http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8779 but it is smaller than the 6mm you'd prefer.

This one is 2 carats and a conveniently calibrated 8x6. There are diamond halo mounts listed on Ebay for this size for $150 http://cgi.ebay.com/Oval-Solid-14Kt-WG-0-15Ct-Diamond-Semi-Mount-Pendant-/200602482564?pt=US_Fine_Necklaces_Pendants&hash=item2eb4d6f784.. Cost of sapphire http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8504 is $490. Cost to set, lets say $30. Total cost, $670 for a 2ct sapphire pendant with diamond halo. No kidding!

http://www.customgemstones.com/SAPPHIRE/Sapphire.htm esp gem 1149 but its kind of small.

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8124 dark with some clarity issues but its untreated and $45 and nearly 7mm.

http://mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=5898 A 5.5mm Montana but it has some green in it.

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=8662 I like this too but its a roval.

I've also had great experiences with Simply Sapphires, but I've got to run or I'd post a couple more rec's. Good luck! The 'hunt' for a sapphire is always a fun one. I was assuming you'd like a classic blue, hence the links, but there is really a lot out there so enjoy the search!

 

[kelpie]

I can't say I like the bail on that BGD one. The concept of a sliding pendant sounds much more fluid. The only purpose of a bail is to hold the pendant onto the chain so it should either compliment the design or be unobtrusive.

 

[rainydayam]

IndyLady Thank you so much for your responses! I really like the color of your last suggestion (the oval one) and the size of the 2ct one! I also e-mailed gemfix to see if they had any other ones in stock that were between 6.1mm and 7.5 mm and they found two that match my description, but they are A LOT more expensive then the others that I have been looking at ($2160 for the 7.5mm and 980 for the 6.1mm). This may seem like a stupid question, but why is there such a difference in price between websites? .

Kelpie I thought the bail was cute lol!

 

[rainydayam]

Hi again! Just wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on these four sapphires. I've been in contact with Laura at Gemfix and shes sent me this picture of the four sapphires that I was thinking about buying. Are they good?/ are they worth $1800?
royal blue, sparkly, VVS clarity, heat treated only. They are all modified Portuguese cuts. Following are the dimensions and weights for each:

6.1mm
1.00 ct

1 pair
5.1 mm
1.19 cts tw

4mm.
0.35 cts

 

[Indylady]

I've heard Gemfix's photos don't always line up with their gems, but that's hearsay since I can't think of a link where I read that. If you feel comfortable with them, and they have a good return policy, then I don't see any reason not to go through with a purchase. If these are 'expensive' you might want to ask for some shots in outside lighting, ask if they 'black out', etc.

There are LOTS of reasons for price differences:
color
treatment
size
cutting
origin
size that is considered 'large' for a certain species
scarcity
vendor, some charge premiums

Its probably a combination of a few of those factors that will affect the price, not just one factor. $980 for a 6mm sapphire might be ca total bargain for a sapphire--let's say a nice Kashmiri blue (yes, yes, I know its just a label and that that can mean anything), a really good blue that doesn't black out, maybe a little silk for that glow, actually from Kashmir, untreated--yeah, I think that actually might be a bargain. $980 for a heated sapphire, let's say with gray or green as modifiers, slightly over-dark, from no specific origin--I would call that overpriced. What if it was precision faceted into something really neat? Then, some people might be willing to pay a premium for it and the $980 might be a little more justified.