Commissioning custom sapphire

[devaughnb]

After searching for sapphires for about a month now, i think i'm at a point where i'd do better to commission something directly from a cutter. I've spoken to some great cutters including Jeff White who seems to have quite some notoriety on here.

How does one go about making sure they get what they expected? What is the best way to avoid disappointments? Am i increasing my risk of ending up with a so so rock by going this route? What kind of premium am i paying versus finding a similar pre-cut rock?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[SB621]

You will always pay a preimum with a lapidary. It is time, money, effort and travel for them to procur rough so prices vary.

As far as expectations I send pictures of what I'm looking for. There is no point in saying you are looking for a med corn flower blue sapphire. That doesn't help with any expectations. I would say I'm searching for a blue sapphire. Clearly state what treatments you are Ok with such as heated. Provide pictures of colors you like. Express what shapes you are looking for. Ask bout saturation of the rough. Then see what the lapdary has. Also find out about the return period. Some will accept gemstones back at 100% refund. I think JW takes back his minus 15% if you don't like it.

 

[chrono]

SB is correct. I have commissioned coloured stones from several lapidaries and the premium will vary, depending on their skill, time and effort required, design, cost of rough or recut material, and more. You need to confirm with the lapidary what their policies are. To increase your chances of getting what you hoped, providing pictures of stones that you'd love to have in the first but very important start. Most lapidaries will show you a picture of the rough or recut material for approval prior to beginning work. Keeping open and detailed contact is always in your favour. The question not asked might end up being the one that bites you back later.

 

[devaughnb]

I am sure i am in good hands with Jeff, but can you recommend another 1 or 2 top shelf lapidaries that you've used?

 

[SB621]

I am sure i am in good hands with Jeff, but can you recommend another 1 or 2 top shelf lapidaries that you've used?

For Sapphires no one really comes to mind. Rough has been hard to come by the last few years as prices have skyrocketed up. Gene and Gary come to mind as other excellent lapidarys. I don't think they have won the awards Jeff has, but they might not also put themselves out there to compete. Regardless my favorite cuts have always been from those 3 (I would add in BB as well but he never has sapphires).

 

[chrono]

I have had very fine coloured gemstones commissioned with Richard Homer. He also does flat faceting, which he did for me and is able to procure good quality stones. I don't think Barry Bridgestock is open to cutting per a specific order anymore.
http://www.concavegems.com/main.html

 

[ChrisA222]

I would reccomend Jean-Noel Soni of Top Notch Faceting. He is primarily on Facebook, but he does have a website (www.topnotchfaceting.com).

He is my go to guy for premium material, to get the best yield, etc. He specializes in non-traditional shapes....may or may not be your thing. He won last years first-place Spectrum Award. Might be worth a look....he does deal in a lot of higher-end material, including large Sapphires of different origin/colors.

Good luck!!

Edit: to find him on Facebook, either search for him by name, or for Top Notch Faceting