Help choosing a sapphire

[frostoria]

Hi everyone, new poster here (though I've been lurking for a while and learning all sorts of interesting things!). I'm looking for a sapphire for my engagement ring, and I finally reached out to a few vendors to express interest and ask for additional photos and videos. I'm looking for a light to mid-tone blue sapphire with purplish tinge, and I found two stones through online vendors and one from a local jeweller. Which one looks best to you, considering the price differences? I know ovals are prone to the half-shadow effect, but are these examples normal? Thanks in advance!

Sapphire #1: Etsy seller, 1.22 ct precision cut, $837 CAD

Listing photos:


Videos on hand, outdoors and indoors:

https://imgur.com/a/OZ5ZBDQ

Sapphire #2: Jupiter Gem, 1.29 ct, $544 CAD

Listing photos:

Additional photos and videos:

Sapphire #3: Local jeweller, somewhere around 1.57 ct, did not give exact price but would be around $2000 CAD

Picture, indoor lighting:

 

[voce]

Yes, that shadowing looks typical of ovals. I don't know if you are soliciting an opinion as to which we like best, but I would personally go with gem #1, as the bow-tie effect looks much more apparent on gems #2 and #3.

 

[frostoria]

Thanks for the feedback, yes I am looking for opinions on which one is best. Is the bow tie the area where it's dark? I'm not sure I see it for #2 and 3.

 

[mommylawyer]

The bow tie is the area in the middle of the stone that becomes lighter as the sapphire moves back and forth. It is apparent in the second video. It looks like a little white bow tie across the middle of the stone.

 

[frostoria]

Ah good to know, for some reason I thought bow tie refers to a dark area, not a light one.

 

[mommylawyer]

Ah good to know, for some reason I thought bow tie refers to a dark area, not a light one.

Yes, it's dark for diamonds. I guess it's the reverse for darker gemstones. I'm not certain, but I think that's what @voce was referring to.