Help me buy a padparadscha

[Shijitake]

I'm stuck between all a lot of the pads from the Natural Sapphire Company, and some other ones. I'm looking for one with medium saturation. Sorry, the pictures from NSC are really bad. Which one looks best? Thanks for the help!

 

[DAF]

The first one gets my vote. Nice color and seems to have best symmetry.

 

[voce]

The first and second have the smallest window and good color. Up to you whether you prefer oval or cushion.

 

[Anne111]

If you take out the ones with windows (yak), most look OK depending on price and features like heat, price, lab report etc. and of course personal taste and need to shape if you are going to be setting it.

 

[Shijitake]

As it turns out, the first two are not pads according to the GIA :/

 

[MollyMalone]

As it turns out, the first two are not pads according to the GIA :/

I think the first 2 (which are unheated, altho' heat would not be a deal breaker for me) are the most appealing of the stones depicted in your initial post here.

Are any of the NSC stones in the original post above accompanied by an independent lab report denominating the sapphire as a Padparadcscha or Padparascha-like? From my quick skim through the NSC site, it seemed to me that the less expensive "Padparadschas" (think your hoped-for budget is $2000?) come with just a report from their own, in-house gemologists. Since more than a few stones in NSC's Padparadscha category would not meet GIA's criteria for that classification, don't think you should rely on NSC's say-so if a "for real" Pad is really important to you.

 

[Shijitake]

I think the first 2 (which are unheated, altho' heat would not be a deal breaker for me) are the most appealing of the stones depicted in your initial post here.

Are any of the NSC stones in the original post above accompanied by an independent lab report denominating the sapphire as a Padparadcscha or Padparascha-like? From my quick skim through the NSC site, it seemed to me that the less expensive "Padparadschas" (think your hoped-for budget is $2000?) come with just a report from their own, in-house gemologists. Since more than a few stones in NSC's Padparadscha category would not meet GIA's criteria for that classification, don't think you should rely on NSC's say-so if a "for real" Pad is really important to you.

I didn't know about the GIA/AGL cert until just last night. Some of their pads have GIA certs, but they're way over my budget *sigh*. I'm still looking for a pretty one though, but I'm not paying a good price unless it's GIA cert. Now that I know none of these are "real pads" I guess this thread is moot.

 

[Shijitake]

Scrapping those on the top, which of the three would you choose?

 

[Shijitake]

Hi all, I'm stuck between two now. I appreciate all the help and feedback!

My logic and wallet says to get the pear, because it has good color and almost the same size, the cut is very nice. Cost-wise it's the better choice. Also better clarity. The second one my heart wants. The shape I want, the orange-pink percentage I like. Costs a bit more (and that's a sale price!) but the cost is less per carat. Clarity is only VSI and has a large inclusion. the cut above the "neck" (I can't remember what it's called) is a bit off center. Is it worth buying both and returning one, at the cost of some insane shipping price?


1.68cts
8×6.1mm, depth 4.3mm
VVS-VS
$3,995.00
This pic doesnt make it look as nice as it is


2.09 cts
8.24L x 5.38W x 5.58H
VSI
$4,441.25