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Help?..Christmas Panic

smcts13

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 23, 2012
Messages
6
All,

I recently made an impulse purchase ring from my jeweler (same guy I have purchased multiple quality diamond pieces from)....and I am not sure if I have made a poor decision based on price/quality/investment.

I recently purchased (with right to return) a 5.21 Carat, 10.22 x 9.53 x 6.52, modified brilliant/step (5), cushion, vivid blue Sapphire ring with a GRS certificate. The stone has been heated...something I did not know to care about when I purchased the ring. In addition, the ring has 12 brilliant diamonds totaling approximately 1ct in size and is set in a platinum setting.

I believe the ring is beautiful and it sings to me. That being said. I paid approximately $20k for it and after reading this forum non-stop for 24 hrs, I am panicking that I have made a bad investment. The stone has been heated, and the certificate does not have an origin on it...not sure why that is?

I trust my jeweler, his prices are always very fair, and the ring was not leaving his office for much less....if at all. I have attached the certificate and some pictures (I am sure the pics aren't what people need)...any thoughts, or advice would be much appreciated. I truly love the ring, I just don't want to feel like I have not made a good investment. The non-standard grading is a nightmare for someone who is analytical such as myself

Thanks again....my Christmas piece of mind needs some expert help!

Not sure why the a certificate keeps showing up upside down :(

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On the report it says H (for heated) and "LIBS tested see reverse for details". What does it say on the reverse?
 
I have taken a picture of the back for your review....

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Better picture of the back...

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smcts13|1356288931|3338618 said:
I recently purchased (with right to return) a 5.21 Carat, 10.22 x 9.53 x 6.52, modified brilliant/step (5), cushion, vivid blue Sapphire ring with a GRS certificate. The stone has been heated...something I did not know to care about when I purchased the ring. In addition, the ring has 12 brilliant diamonds totaling approximately 1ct in size and is set in a platinum setting.

I believe the ring is beautiful and it sings to me. That being said. I paid approximately $20k for it and after reading this forum non-stop for 24 hrs, I am panicking that I have made a bad investment. The stone has been heated, and the certificate does not have an origin on it...not sure why that is?

I trust my jeweler, his prices are always very fair, and the ring was not leaving his office for much less....if at all. I have attached the certificate and some pictures (I am sure the pics aren't what people need)...any thoughts, or advice would be much appreciated. I truly love the ring, I just don't want to feel like I have not made a good investment. The non-standard grading is a nightmare for someone who is analytical such as myself

Thanks again....my Christmas piece of mind needs some expert help!

Not sure why the a certificate keeps showing up upside down :(


Labs usually don't put origin unless it is requested (which is an additional charge). Not having it on there just means it wasn't requested or paid for.

If you look at the back of the lab report it states that "H" means heat only - no residue. I believe you have purchased a gorgeous - heat only - sapphire and diamond ring. I don't know if $20k is a "great" price or not because sapphires that size are out of my price bracket, but I think you got a gorgeous ring and if you love it, enjoy it - Merry Christmas.

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BTW, GRS is a very reputable lab and if it has been LIBS tested (as it states) then you can be comfortable that the stone has only been heated with no other treatments. Getting an unheated blue sapphire that color and that size would be very difficult.

Check out the price of similar sized sapphires at AJS (reputable seller). http://www.ajsgem.com/blue-sapphire-gemstone-sapphire-2046340410.html
 
Thank you...I sincerely appreciate the feedback. I could pay to have the origin located, correct? I am torn for sure. It's a large ticket not to feel confident.
 
smcts13|1356298878|3338697 said:
Thank you...I sincerely appreciate the feedback. I could pay to have the origin located, correct? I am torn for sure. It's a large ticket not to feel confident.

HI:

You have a long standing relationship with your jeweller, I am sure they will help you; except I am not quite sure what you are looking for. Is the lack of origin a concern and the heating; which begs the questions if you knew the answer to both, how would it influence your decision?

RW Wise has a one or two heated and unheated sapphires in your size--check out his website. He, doesn't post prices for these stones however, so you'd have to call him.

BTW, your ring is lovely--but regardless of the price, you need to be comfortable with your purchase.

cheers--Shaorn
 
Well, things are ultimately worth whatever someone is willing to pay. So if you're excited about it, then no need to fret. For what it's worth, NSC (which is generally perceived as overpriced by PSers) has several 5+ carat blue sapphires for sale ranging from about $10K-$30K. All of them are unheated. However, only you can decide whether your stone compares favorably to them or not.
 
What are you worried about? Are you worried you've overpaid? OR are you worried that the sapphire isn't top quality (which is presumably what you want)?

In terms of price, if you've been reading this forum you'll know that heated sapphires are not as expensive as unheated ones. On the plus side however is that it is a good size and presumably has a good clarity.

Is the colour what you want? Colour is very subjective and so one man's meat is another man's gravy! Objectively, your sapphire is not top colour as it is quite dark. So, you shouldn't be paying top dollar but it is a pretty dark blue.

I wouldn't bother worrying about origin. The only time this would become important AND would change the value of the stone, is it if were top colour. As Colorluvr has said, GRS are a good reputable lab so I wouldn't bother with another report.

The cut is ok - although it's difficult to be accurate from the photos you've posted as neither are head on. I can see a couple of tilt windows (nothing to worry about) but would need to see a head on photo. There may be a window but it's not easy to tell at the moment. Having said that, a 5ct sapphire without a window and no cut issues does increase the price.

Currently sapphires are expensive to buy (thanks to the engagement of Prince William to Kate) so you've probably paid more than you would have 5 years ago but that's what the market is dictating at the moment.

When I buy gemstones I always trust my instincts. If my gut is telling me I've overpaid then I probably have. However, you can also get this feeling when parting with a substantial amount of money!
 
I know it's a very hard question...and somewhat a foolish exercise with the miserable picture I took with my IPad. Under decent light, the gem is very high quality on color - I believe Vivid "Royal Blue" is GRS top color stone and it does not look as dark as those pictures portray. I am more worried that for similar prices I could get better quality center sapphires that were more collectible for the same price/setting. I looked at NSC, and that was a site that made me worry although i have seen others with heated 5ct royal Blue stones in the same range. My knowledge has greatly improved in 24hours - which is a problem for me as I will beat a horse to death on incremental knowledge. 5 ct seems to be a large stone for sapphires and there is not much to compare out there, unfortunately.
 
Of course right when I post that last but, I pulled the ring out and now it does look dark. So, maybe I was wrong. In the office and this afternoon, I thought it looked quite medium, but now, I am not as sure.
 
A nice 5+ ct blue sapphire, heated can cost wholesale $2500 to $4000 per ct. Add in the diamonds, the ring, some setting cost, and a little money left for the jeweler, I'd say you did fine.
 
From your first post and subsequent posts you sound really worried and unsure and I can't pin down what your exact concerns are ie cost, quality or both. Do you think it's worth you going somewhere other than your jeweller to see if you can see some alternative sapphires - I realise it's very close to Christmas and this may not be possible but it sounds like you need reassurance one way or another?

It's always wise not to make rush judgements and live with a stone for a few days. Normally you'll find yourself swaying more to one side than the other.

Don't forget only YOU need to love this ring - nobody else! If you don't and continue to have doubts then there's your answer. If the thought of sending it back makes you want to rush to the mailbox and pull it back out then it should be a keeper!
 
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