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Help choosing ceylon sapphire

darkntwisty

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 17, 2017
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Hi, we have been looking for a blue sapphire for an engagement ring. Initially I wanted royal blue, but I've been liking more lighter blue ceylon sapphire after seeing them in person. We found an interstate jeweller, who has this unheated 1.4ct sapphire (6.1x7.6x3.3m - my finger is size G for reference). It will be set in a ring with halo diamonds & we were quoted $3.8K USD.

It looks very pretty to me, but seeing as I'm no sapphire expert, I would really appreciate any advice & opinion on this stone.


IMG-20171006-WA0021.jpg Screen Shot 2017-10-17 at 9.27.13 pm.png
 
I seem to comment 'window' on two out of three such requests. Am I too critical? Are there so many windowed stones out there that one must take them?
 
Hi normanintheskywithsapphires, not at all! My issue is I don't have the critical eye to see the flaw, so I appreciate you pointing out.

Thanks @PhilipJSmith, that sapphire is really pretty! My partner is hesitant about getting the stone online since we aren't expert & located outside US so we can't order and send back stones as easily. I do think we can get better values online though.

We visited a few reputable stores, and the rings they have (1ct-1.5ct) were around $6-10K and I didn't love the sapphires or the style. I don't know if we should keep looking, get a custom ring (and accept the cost will be mostly the jeweller's fee not the stone's worth) or just get a ring in a store.
 
The window is so great that the stone is pretty much dead (no sparkle). I would keep looking. Is it necessary to be unheated?
 
The window is so great that the stone is pretty much dead (no sparkle). I would keep looking. Is it necessary to be unheated?

Thanks Chrono, I was wondering if the lack of sparkles was due to the image/video quality... I guess not.

Unheated is just preference, but I don't mind that if I find a really great stone.
 
Yeah, I'd pass on that one - for 4K you can find much better, esp if you're open to heat.

Finewater has a few stones that might be of interest, and Jeff Davies often has nice lighter blue sapphires. Here's a couple that jumped out at me:
https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p345/1.87_ct_Ceylon_Sapphire.html
http://jefferydavies.com/gemstones/sapphire/mj9390-sapphire-2-41ct-gia/
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1287

Here's another data point on something nice in the 6-10k range
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1287
 
9E6DA296-A120-487D-8E6A-6D20CF14A7B4.jpeg Wow, I’m in shock I think. I just pulled a couple of my little sapphires from my loot. Now, they do have small imperfections ie tiny girdle chip but .......
 
Bron, Common! You did a lottery-type catch and now you complain about a few bad apples? Just take it and open the next box! Or give them to me....
 
That's way over priced for a sapphire that colour, you should be able to find one that is a lot bigger unheated or heated a much better colour for that price.
 
online since we aren't expert & located outside US so we can't order and send back stones as easily. I do think we can get better values online though..

Where are you located ?
there are online dealers who have a good return policy. if you can buy from them you are in safe hands.
 
Where are you located ?
there are online dealers who have a good return policy. if you can buy from them you are in safe hands.

Thanks crescentgems, I'm based in Australia :) The issue with US based shops is that we'll pay import taxes, so it's not feasible to buy just to inspect the stone. It's okay if we are 100% sure about the sapphire!
 
Thanks so much for all your help. I have gone back & rethink the kind of sapphire I want since I found the setting. The designer can set both round and oval stone.
https://img1.etsystatic.com/171/1/6271439/il_570xN.1162085021_el7w.jpg

I have looked at various vendors for a round/oval blue sapphire under $3k (to incorporate custom & duties + setting cost).

What do you think of these stones?
https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p344/1.60_ct_Ceylon_Sapphire.html (my favorite in terms of saturation)
https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p224/1.64_ct_Blue_Ceylon_Sapphire.html
https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p342/1.89_ct_Ceylon_Sapphire.html
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1277

Also would a darker sapphire fit better in the setting?
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1219
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1044
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1198
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-11-1048
 
I like the rounds in your first set - especially the two finewater ones. The 1.6 does look maybe a touch more saturated, but it's hard to tell. I'd suggest emailing and asking how different those two are in the hand, maybe they'd do a photo with both stones side by side for better comparison. All things equal, I'd splurge for the larger of the two, especially with the current prices :).

The second set are all quite dark and I think I detected some grey in most if not all of them. You have to remember that most pics and vids are taken under pretty bright light so all of the stones are likely to look darker in person. If you go too dark you run the risk of the stones appearing black under some lighting conditions.
 
Thanks goldie_locks! You're right, I have contacted them for comparison pics of the round stones. Hopefully will lock it soon :)
 
Do all the gemfix ones come with lab reports?
 
Screenshot_2017-11-27-07-59-38-38.png

I have no idea @TL, but the finewater one comes with AGL.

Comparison pic 1.6 vs 1.64 vs 1.89 :)
 
I liked the 1.89 before.. But I like it even more in that lineup pic!
 
Yep - I agree with chroman, I like the 1.89.
 
icm_fullxfull.147654125_hfqciznsjlcsoco884k0.jpg
BEAUTIFUL! Which stone did you pick?

So sorry for the late reply. It has been super hectic during the holidays!

In the end, I picked the 1.6ct - mainly bcs of the consideration that my parents are gifting me a bigger sapphire for our wedding & this one I can wear daily (since my ring size is 3!).

I have gotten a photo back from my jeweller, & can't wait to see it in person. Couldn't have done it without all your sound advice, so thank you all!
 
Oooh pretty. I was worried there'd be more extinction in that one. It looks beautiful. Please post hand shots when you get it (profile, bottom, petting the dog/cat). :lol:
 
icm_fullxfull.147654125_hfqciznsjlcsoco884k0.jpg

So sorry for the late reply. It has been super hectic during the holidays!

In the end, I picked the 1.6ct - mainly bcs of the consideration that my parents are gifting me a bigger sapphire for our wedding & this one I can wear daily (since my ring size is 3!).

I have gotten a photo back from my jeweller, & can't wait to see it in person. Couldn't have done it without all your sound advice, so thank you all!
Looks GREAT! Please post photos when you get it. We'd love to "see" it too.:D
 
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