First Purchase - Unheated Mambilla Sapphire

[ipodobe]

I think this is worth a look, nice purple Spinel with a very slight blue secondary (if the picture is to be believed). I'd want to see a video of it though, it might fall flat when viewed through the table, it's hard to tell.

http://www.africagems.com/round-purple-spinel-g2k-92595889.html

Thank you! I emailed them and requested a video.

 

[GregS]

I think this is worth a look, nice purple Spinel with a very slight blue secondary (if the picture is to be believed). I'd want to see a video of it though, it might fall flat when viewed through the table, it's hard to tell.

http://www.africagems.com/round-purple-spinel-g2k-92595889.html

Thank you! I emailed them and requested a video.

Cool! If you think of it post a link of the video here, I'd like to have a look.

 

[retrogamer]

How about this? It's purple-blue

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/violet-sapphire-ring

 

[pregcurious]

Good luck with the spinel!

 

[ipodobe]

Cool! If you think of it post a link of the video here, I'd like to have a look.

Yes- but he is at the gem show, so it will be 1-2 weeks before I get a video.

How about this? It's purple-blue

http://loupetroop.com/listings/rings-colored-stone-center/violet-sapphire-ring

It's beautiful! I only need a stone, and if I bought the ring w/ the stone it would put me over what I wanted to spend (since I already purchased the setting!)

 

[chrono]

You can ask the seller if she is open to selling only the stone.

 

[GregS]

That Loupe troop stone (ring) is killer. I remember when she posted it here. Sad that she has to sell it.

 

[ipodobe]

That Loupe troop stone (ring) is killer. I remember when she posted it here. Sad that she has to sell it.

Agreed! I like halos, just not for me.

 

[ipodobe]

After sleeping on it a couple days, I decided to take the stone with the ring to a jeweler to find out if it would fit. She believed it would, but is having their bench jeweler look today.

My big concern that I need help with is... she said he may want to add platinum to the prongs to help hold the stone in. This bothered me quite a bit because it is a vintage setting (1920) and seems like it would ruin the piece. She insisted I wouldn't be able to see it, but with a fishtail setting, it seems very iffy to me. I recently moved, so this is a new jeweler to me. They will call me this afternoon and let me know if a) it'll fit and b) if he will want to add platinum to the prongs. Does this sound right, or should I just pick up my stone and ring after work and not let them touch it?

 

[chrono]

It could be that the prongs are worn and have to be rebuilt, which I have done so on 2 vintage settings. It is preferable that prongs are sound (and the stone does not drop out and get lost forever) than worry about the minor touch up to the vintage setting. That said, any such repairs are best done by a bench who is skilled with antique restorations. It is all too easy to mess up the setting.

 

[ipodobe]

It could be that the prongs are worn and have to be rebuilt, which I have done so on 2 vintage settings. It is preferable that prongs are sound (and the stone does not drop out and get lost forever) than worry about the minor touch up to the vintage setting. That said, any such repairs are best done by a bench who is skilled with antique restorations. It is all too easy to mess up the setting.

I don't think they are, but I could be wrong! It appears to be in excellent condition.

Here's pics from the vendor (Love Affair Diamonds) before they removed the diamond for me.

Any advice on finding someone skilled with antique work?

 

[T L]

Can we get some better up close shots of the setting and a side view. . . please???

That is really beautiful.

Wink Jones sets a lot of stones and I think he is probably capable of restorative work. He does jewelry repairs too. You could ask. He may be able to refer you to someone if he can't do it.

[email protected]
+1 (800) 524-7904Address
Wink CZ • A subdivision of Winfield’s High Performance Diamonds
10400 W. Overland Rd. 299
Boise, Idaho 83709

 

[ipodobe]

I should have saved the photos from her listing. I can take more pictures of the setting when I get it back tonight.

This is the only other one I have on my phone right now!

 

[T L]

Wow, that is so beautiful up close.

Perhaps a round would be a better fit. I can see an issue with perhaps setting a cushion, with those prongs. They're really lovely, and one should be careful with how the stone is set.

 

[ipodobe]

Wow, that is so beautiful up close.

Perhaps a round would be a better fit. I can see an issue with perhaps setting a cushion, with those prongs. They're really lovely, and one should be careful with how the stone is set.

I think you're right... back to the drawing board. It seems I'll have to wait a bit since everyone is at the trade show.

Edit: Funny, they just called and said the bench wouldn't feel comfortable with it. Truly not meant to be. I'm hoping Jeff can help me find something else!

 

[lilmosun]

I just saw this and the setting is beautiful....deserves the time to find the perfect stone for it!

 

[ipodobe]

I just saw this and the setting is beautiful....deserves the time to find the perfect stone for it!

Thank you! I am shipping the sapphire back today. Bummed it didn't work out, but you're 100% right.