Feedback on yellow sapphire

[sm0436]

Hello,

I would love your thoughts on this yellow sapphire. I’m interested in using it as a center stone for an engagement ring.

2.04 carat, unheated, from Sri Lanka (GIC cert). $1,738. 6.47 (L) x 6.40 (W) x 5.03 (D). For reference, I’m a size 5.25.

I’m very new to sapphires, have wanted a yellow square center stone. I love the yellow glow of this stone, as well as the size.

Open to any thoughts/opinions, and especially curious about (1) This stone has silk rutile inclusions. I was thinking that’s what gives it a “glow”, but is silk generally seen as a negative? (2) I asked for side/back photos of the stone, to get an idea of whether there’s any color zoning. It looks like the cut may be uneven (side 2). Is that a concern?

 

[Ionysis]

Typical native Sri Lankan cut - nothing wrong with it per se as it hasn’t got a window and the face up looks pretty symmetrical- I like the clipped corners. But it’s pretty deep for the size so you’re not getting a lot of face up for the weight. Colour is pale / straw not a vivid yellow (I personally like that pale colour but it’s not trade ideal) so the reason you’re paying that high price is because it is unheated. Unless no heat is something important to you you could get a better colour / cut / bigger stone at a lower price.

 

[sm0436]

Typical native Sri Lankan cut - nothing wrong with it per se as it hasn’t got a window and the face up looks pretty symmetrical- I like the clipped corners. But it’s pretty deep for the size so you’re not getting a lot of face up for the weight. Colour is pale / straw not a vivid yellow (I personally like that pale colour but it’s not trade ideal) so the reason you’re paying that high price is because it is unheated. Unless no heat is something important to you you could get a better colour / cut / bigger stone at a lower price.

Hi there! Really appreciate your notes, thank you so much. I prefer lighter yellows also, so the color isn't too much of a concern. I was having a bit of trouble finding a square sapphire in the right size (5.7-6.5mm) and shade of yellow, which is why this one appealed to me. I'll try to share a video also. Do you think the cut will be okay for setting in a ring? Not sure if the bottom is asymmetrical, and if that would impact setting?

 

[sm0436]

Hello,

I would love your thoughts on this yellow sapphire. I’m interested in using it as a center stone for an engagement ring.

2.04 carat, unheated, from Sri Lanka (GIC cert). $1,738. 6.47 (L) x 6.40 (W) x 5.03 (D). For reference, I’m a size 5.25.

I’m very new to sapphires, have wanted a yellow square center stone. I love the yellow glow of this stone, as well as the size.

Open to any thoughts/opinions, and especially curious about (1) This stone has silk rutile inclusions. I was thinking that’s what gives it a “glow”, but is silk generally seen as a negative? (2) I asked for side/back photos of the stone, to get an idea of whether there’s any color zoning. It looks like the cut may be uneven (side 2). Is that a concern?

Trying to add videos:
Video 1
Video 2

 

[Ionysis]

Asymmetry in the pavilion wouldn’t affect setting necessarily. Most of my sapphires are like this. But the depth in the stone will mean it sits higher on your finger. So you’d need to choose a setting and / or angle of halo / side stones carefully to match your expectations.

Personally I don’t mind a bit of height but I like the shoulders of the ring to taper downwards to offset it a bit. What sort of setting were you thinking of?

This is definitely more of a silky stone than a sparkly stone but I kind of like that. Even the most brilliant sapphires tend to dull quite easily with finger marks and general daily crud build up. You need to clean them constantly to keep the sparkle up. So it matters less with a silky stone.

 

[sm0436]

I totally agree! I think the silky look makes it unique, and I’m planning for relatively large diamond side stones to get the sparkle.

Basically I’m trying to recreate a vintage emerald and diamond trilogy ring, but with yellow sapphire instead. What do you think about these style settings with the stone height?

 

[Ionysis]

Lovely design! I think it will look beautiful.

 

[T L]

It’s well cut, but not very saturated in color. Unless you like pale yellow, you might want to opt for a stronger color.

 

[sm0436]

Lovely design! I think it will look beautiful.

Thank you!! And thank you for all of your advice, I’m very new to all this so I really appreciate it

 

[sm0436]

It’s well cut, but not very saturated in color. Unless you like pale yellow, you might want to opt for a stronger color.

Glad to hear the cut is decent! I wasn’t sure if the asymmetrical bottom would be a problem, so very relieved. I tend to like a light to medium yellow color, which is partly why I was drawn to this option… though I’m trying to avoid any color zoning or uneven color. Do you think a yellow gold setting will help give the color more umph?

 

[T L]

Glad to hear the cut is decent! I wasn’t sure if the asymmetrical bottom would be a problem, so very relieved. I tend to like a light to medium yellow color, which is partly why I was drawn to this option… though I’m trying to avoid any color zoning or uneven color. Do you think a yellow gold setting will help give the color more umph?

Well you can have medium yellow tone with rich saturation of color. I suspect you like lightly saturated yellow.

I would do yellow prongs and basket with a white shank and prints/baskets for side stones.

 

[Ionysis]

Well you can have medium yellow tone with rich saturation of color. I suspect you like lightly saturated yellow.

I would do yellow prongs and basket with a white shank and prints/baskets for side stones.

Agree with TL on the combo of white and yellow gold.

 

[pokerface]

If your skin tone is not similar to the video model's, I would ask for more photos/hand shots. I think this color would look quite washed out on lighter skin.

 

[LilAlex]

How late am I? I can't tell anymore.... Hope I am not too late.

Too pale for me -- and I don't see the gain for a "glowy" pale yellow-ish stone (vs. a glowy vivid pink or blue, say); I worry this will just look like an inexpensive/low-quality stone and ring.

Pale tones are fine but not in yellow, imo (except maybe for diamonds).

 

[T L]

By the way, that sapphire looks very similar to many pale yellow grossular garnets I’ve seen, if you’re on a budget. I don’t know if you are, but it’s something to consider.

 

[sm0436]

If your skin tone is not similar to the video model's, I would ask for more photos/hand shots. I think this color would look quite washed out on lighter skin.

That’s definitely a concern. I love light yellow sapphires, but often they look more lemon-lime in person and not buttery. :/

 

[sm0436]

By the way, that sapphire looks very similar to many pale yellow grossular garnets I’ve seen, if you’re on a budget. I don’t know if you are, but it’s something to consider.

Thank you! Appreciate the tip. I was planning to use this for an engagement ring though, so not sure if garnet would be too soft for daily wear?

 

[sm0436]

@LilAlex not too late! Definitely still appreciate any input. (Apologies, I didn’t get notifications for the recent replies. )

I tend to prefer a lighter color yellow, just because a lot of the deeper colors seem too lemon-lime or orangey for my taste when I’ve seen them in person. I know it’s not technically ideal, but I prefer pastel sapphires in general.

Though, to your point, I am definitely concerned that the silk/lack of sparkliness might make the stone seem low quality. I’m planning for this to be an engagement ring, so want it to be somewhat of an heirloom/something I’ll love for years.

That said… I’m potentially switching directions now eek. My partner is wary of ordering a sapphire online (oy vey!) and a local jeweler recently showed us a possible design with a lab Asscher center (~6.5mm) and pastel sapphire round side stones (5mm). It gets at similar shapes to my original design, but obviously the colors are flipped. While I wasn’t originally thinking blue, I really liked the soft contrast of the pastel blue with the diamond and think it might look nice set in yellow gold. Might go with a smaller center so it’s not too gaudy on my hand (size 5.25). I’ll try to attach photos if anyone wants to weigh in. As a total newbie, I really appreciate any input!

 

[LilAlex]

Love the new design and color-combo! Looks beautiful!

 

[sm0436]

@LilAlex thank you!! I’m a little worried it might be a lot for my finger size (16.4mm wide total, on size 5.25 but going for 5.5 due to big knuckles). But also really like the middle stone so might just stick with it