Help me shop? Emeralds & Sapphires

[Bojambles]

Hello, I've accumulated a "consideration" list of things that I've been thinking about the past few week and would like to get opinions on these 4!
Also posting in a separate thread for tourmalines & garnets

Thanks very much!

1. Emerald (4.55ct) Cabochon Ring (seller can turn it into studs with sturdy backings for free), ~USD2.6-2.7k

The first picture is the seller's and the second is mine. The actual "brightness" of the emeralds is somewhere between both; I'm a terrible photographer.
I know I just bought another pair of emerald earrings but I'm perfectly capable of owning multiple emerald ones .
I'm hesitating because it's starting to look more like jade (albeit very luscious jade) from afar than emeralds - I guess transparency is extremely important when it comes to cabochons?
When one of the emeralds are tilted, in the second photo, there is a weird series of white patches. They do have black inclusions but not very obvious

The emeralds are minor to moderate treatment so also wonder if it's worth the price.
Didn't ask about the diamond halos but they looked sparkly enough






2. Unheated Yellow Sapphire, 3ct, ~US$460

So I love this colour, and even though I suspect this seller ramps up the saturation, it does have a cert from an unknown lab that it's a "vivid yellow" and the photo in the cert seems to indicate strong colour. It's extremely included but very cheap I think?

I am concerned that there is area that is less saturated, and also when it's flipped over, there seems to be alot of weird things going on - are these cracks / chips / fractures / surface reaching inclusions etc?

I could live with them in a gem cheap enough, but want to know what I'm getting into









3. Unheated Pink Sapphire, 2ct, ~US$600

From the same seller, he has a pink that I though might match an existing pink sapphire that I have, of same weight and similar cut. Based on his listing photos vs additional photos taken indoors, I feel like the colour is likely closer to indoors, more of a purplish pink. Not that fond of it but might still match my stone

However it seems to be pretty included and I'm not sure if that's going to look better at eye level - the camera is so close it's probably magnifying the flaws?












4. Emerald Cabochon Pendant & diamonds, ~US$2,000

The emerald is 4.23ct and the diamonds are 2tcw. No cert so will insist on one if I do get it, but will appreciate opinions on pricing and quality?
Seller is not answering / doesn't know the degree of treatment of the emerald, so the diamonds in the setting would be contributing to most of the value and I hope that they're not "icy" / "frozen spit types"

I will probably get to see this in person before buying and so will appreciate any tips on what to look out for as well!

 

[musicloveranthony]

Respectfully, I don't like either of those sapphires. The emeralds look decent if the price is right - cabachons are typically cut from more included stones than faceted gems.

 

[Bojambles]

Respectfully, I don't like either of those sapphires. The emeralds look decent if the price is right - cabachons are typically cut from more included stones than faceted gems.

Thank you Anthony!

For the sapphires, would you have any comments on why the yellow one specifically wouldn't make the cut?

For the emeralds, would you have any opinions on the reasonableness of the price for the first one (ring / earrings), and the quality of the diamonds for the last one (pendant)?

 

[musicloveranthony]

The yellow sapphire is poorly cut. I think they did that to try to work around some serious inclusions - ugly and risky inclusions that I think would make it unsafe to set.

I can't offer too much info on the emerald ring/pendants as I'm not too knowledgeable on emerald pricing.

 

[qubitasaurus]

I think the sapphires are a hard pass. The emeralds could be ok. There is a fair bit of difference between minor and moderate treatment, so it is a shame not to have a more fine grained assessment. I would have looked arround at other sources such as emerald embassy, muzo emeralds, Jr Colombian emeralds to see whether the bulk of the value was in the emerald (it it was in the setting then I'd have to love the setting when I saw it).

 

[Bojambles]

I think the sapphires are a hard pass. The emeralds could be ok. There is a fair bit of difference between minor and moderate treatment, so it is a shame not to have a more fine grained assessment. I would have looked arround at other sources such as emerald embassy, muzo emeralds, Jr Colombian emeralds to see whether the bulk of the value was in the emerald (it it was in the setting then I'd have to love the setting when I saw it).

okay another strike out for those sapphires!

yeah that ring is actually from Desiree, so there is a B&M component that they have t charge for. I think I would have been okay with the minor to moderate part if I loved the emeralds irl, but I'm on the fence about it because they're looking more like jade to me. I do think that the bulk of the value is in the emeralds for this pair

For the pendant, the seller doesn't want to disclose / doesn't know the level of treatment, so I'm ascribing very little value to it. It looks okay-ish but not top colour or clarity, am interested in it because it's large and the setting is acceptable to me.

Since I'm ascribing value to the diamonds, perhaps I should post this piece in the RockTalky thread instead?

 

[nutellakitty]

The yellow sapphire is very included that is why it is cheap. For asscher cut or emerald cut u would need something with minimum inclusions. For that price you can possibly only get a flawless unheated 1ct.
Those two cuts I mentioned above do not hide inclusions well. It would only look nice on camera, would be not really nice in person if you do not like inclusions. Also it looks like it has internal cracks on the bottom.

 

[icy_jade]

For yellows a few things to consider:
- color/tone: what yellow shade do you like? There is vivid yellow, light yellow, orangey yellow. Depending on your skin tone and what is more flattering maybe?
- color stability: yellows (and pads) can fade a bit and get revived in sunlight. You can read more here:

https://www.ssef.ch/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2018_Padparadscha_colour_stability_facette.pdf

So for both I will only buy when a (reliable) lab certifies that color is stable.
- clarity: for yellows I’m less forgiving of inclusions as I feel like the color doesn’t hide the inclusions as well as maybe some other colors can. So must be of good Crystal clarity. Not smoky like how I like some other colors (personal preference and all that)

For emeralds you need to understand clarity enhancements, what is your tolerance for them and also how glowy you need them to be and origin if it matters to you. Plus, emeralds are fragile, so do note that they need to be babied when worn.

 

[Bojambles]

For my own learning - another question on another (pink) sapphire from a private seller that I had been interested in months back.

I asked for quite a few photos from the seller but couldn't tell each time if the photo quality was bad or if the sapphire was really sleepy & spread; it didn't seem to have any sparkle or depth in the photos, didn't seem crystalline at all.

Eventually I stopped asking for more photos as she had sent me photos 3 times so I didn't want to bother her further. Would you agree with my assessment that it's sleepy and too spread out?

Thanks!

Unknown lighting - probably diffused







I thought the colour in these photos were still okay, but that the sapphire seemed quite "flat" from the side

Outdoor lighting - the colour now looks really different.

Edit: Also, these photos were taken much later than the ones above (3 years), and also reset. Given that Icy Jade had recently linked an article on colour being unstable, I wonder if this might have been what happened to it

 

[peacechick]

For my own learning - another question on another (pink) sapphire from a private seller that I had been interested in months back.

I asked for quite a few photos from the seller but couldn't tell each time if the photo quality was bad or if the sapphire was really sleepy & spread; it didn't seem to have any sparkle or depth in the photos, didn't seem crystalline at all.

Eventually I stopped asking for more photos as she had sent me photos 3 times so I didn't want to bother her further. Would you agree with my assessment that it's sleepy and too spread out?

Thanks!

Unknown lighting - probably diffused







I thought the colour in these photos were still okay, but that the sapphire seemed quite "flat" from the side

Outdoor lighting - the colour now looks really different.

Edit: Also, these photos were taken much later than the ones above (3 years), and also reset. Given that Icy Jade had recently linked an article on colour being unstable, I wonder if this might have been what happened to it

This pink sapphire is extremely shallow, which is why there is no sparkle/return of light. What you’re looking at is a huge window, notice how you can see the seller’s skin through it? IMO it is a correct choice to reset it into a pendant versus a ring. I’m more forgiving of windows in pendants.

 

[VividRed]

The sapphire is said to be a protective stone that represents purity, honesty, and fidelity. Sapphires also represent heaven, and priests believed that wearing sapphires would shield them from temptation and bad or impure thoughts in the Middle Ages. Sapphire necklaces were given to spouses by ancient warriors to guarantee that they stayed faithful while they were away.

If worn by untrustworthy someone or had committed adultery, sapphires were supposed to darken in hue. The sapphire is supposed to offer inner serenity and quiet, as well as improved attention and clarity, to those who wear it. Sapphires have physical therapeutic properties, such as reducing inflammation, treating high temperatures or fevers, and nosebleeds and joint issues.

Sapphires are stunning jewels with a stunning blue hue that ranges from light blue to deep violet. Colourless sapphires, yellow sapphires, pink sapphires, and grey sapphires are available, but the most popular hue is rich, deep blue sapphires. Along with rubies, diamonds, and emeralds, the sapphire gemstone is considered a valuable stone. Sapphires and rubies are both composed of the mineral corundum (called red corundum). Sapphire has been used to embellish royalty and religious garments for ages.

Well that was quite intense. Is there anything sapphires cannot do?

 

[andi69]

Hello, I've accumulated a "consideration" list of things that I've been thinking about the past few week and would like to get opinions on these 4!
Also posting in a separate thread for tourmalines & garnets

Thanks very much!

1. Emerald (4.55ct) Cabochon Ring (seller can turn it into studs with sturdy backings for free), ~USD2.6-2.7k

The first picture is the seller's and the second is mine. The actual "brightness" of the emeralds is somewhere between both; I'm a terrible photographer.
I know I just bought another pair of emerald earrings but I'm perfectly capable of owning multiple emerald ones .
I'm hesitating because it's starting to look more like jade (albeit very luscious jade) from afar than emeralds - I guess transparency is extremely important when it comes to cabochons?
When one of the emeralds are tilted, in the second photo, there is a weird series of white patches. They do have black inclusions but not very obvious

The emeralds are minor to moderate treatment so also wonder if it's worth the price.
Didn't ask about the diamond halos but they looked sparkly enough






2. Unheated Yellow Sapphire, 3ct, ~US$460

So I love this colour, and even though I suspect this seller ramps up the saturation, it does have a cert from an unknown lab that it's a "vivid yellow" and the photo in the cert seems to indicate strong colour. It's extremely included but very cheap I think?

I am concerned that there is area that is less saturated, and also when it's flipped over, there seems to be alot of weird things going on - are these cracks / chips / fractures / surface reaching inclusions etc?

I could live with them in a gem cheap enough, but want to know what I'm getting into









3. Unheated Pink Sapphire, 2ct, ~US$600

From the same seller, he has a pink that I though might match an existing pink sapphire that I have, of same weight and similar cut. Based on his listing photos vs additional photos taken indoors, I feel like the colour is likely closer to indoors, more of a purplish pink. Not that fond of it but might still match my stone

However it seems to be pretty included and I'm not sure if that's going to look better at eye level - the camera is so close it's probably magnifying the flaws?












4. Emerald Cabochon Pendant & diamonds, ~US$2,000

The emerald is 4.23ct and the diamonds are 2tcw. No cert so will insist on one if I do get it, but will appreciate opinions on pricing and quality?
Seller is not answering / doesn't know the degree of treatment of the emerald, so the diamonds in the setting would be contributing to most of the value and I hope that they're not "icy" / "frozen spit types"

I will probably get to see this in person before buying and so will appreciate any tips on what to look out for as well!

Hello, I am new here.I am in to jewelry and just stared making my own jewelry with jewstone ..buy untreated /unenhanced.i posted a few here ..colombian emeralds with diamonds vs.platinum ring/imperial topaz all untreated.If you can see it then compare it with what you got or want to buy ..but I advise against you buying
this cabachon for 2000.00(No good to be faceted so they 'cabachon it' ).the emeralds I have has GIA CERTIFICATE .I show e.gThis is most recognized in the world..besides AGL..I am also working on getting sapphires. tsavorites ..rubies..will get soon but hard to get untreated ..so if buying form anybody ..demand ...a recongnized certificate ..and there will be no that you can check for authenticity.(as shown in attachment and i will show other plus genuine topz specimens.botom line. get certificate..........recongnized one as I think you are making mistake...(take note oF GIA CERTIFICATE../AND NUMBER...

 

[andi69]

Hello, I am new here.I am in to jewelry and just stared making my own jewelry with gemstone ..buy untreated /unenhanced.I posted a few here ..colombian emeralds with diamonds vs.platinum ring/imperial topaz all untreated.If you can see it then compare it with what you got or want to buy ..but I advise against you buying
this cabachon for $2000.00(No good to be faceted so they 'cabachon it' ).Look at samples (attached) the emeralds I have has GIA CERTIFICATE .This is most recognized in the world. GIA .besides AGL..I am also working on getting sapphires. tsavorites ..rubies..will get soon but hard to get untreated ..so if buying from anybody... ..demand .. or .a recongnized certificate like AGL..as there will be no that you can check for authenticity.(as shown in attachment and i will show other plus genuine topaz specimens.bottom line. get certificate........a....recongnized one as I think you are making amistake...(take note oF GIA CERTIFICATE../AND NUMBER...

Also to much for sapphire.....ask for certificate most likely they will not have/gave u this this ..nothing to show what they say it is ..no prove ...... it might just ...besomething else .fake .treated ..irradiated..etc.....

 

[Bojambles]

So I've been looking at the other end of the price spectrum and got these options from 2 vendors who are known and trusted on PS (albeit with lots of comments that they tend to be a bit more expensive).

These are vintage / estate pieces but that actually doesn't matter to me and I am going to turn them into a pendant if possible, as I don't like wearing rings

First vendor is very good with the photos and the items I want are bigger and therefore pricier.

1. Unheated Sapphire, ~11ct, in the 25k to 28k range, 13.4 x 12.2 x 7.4

• Okay that massive window... can it ever be closed?
• I know sapphires go dark in "lower light" conditions but the change is still surprising to me
• The dimensions seem good, no large bulge underneath the face of the jewel, as I've come to expect from most sapphires, so the face up is large
• I guess that's also why there's a window. The window also looks extremely distorted faceup - is this an indication that the cutlet (sorry don't know the name) etc are wonky and probably badly cut to preserve colour?
• Does it need a repolish on the surface? Seems like there's a mild bit of abrasion and some scratches on the crown
• The price for this size and colour and unheated status though! I guess there is a drawback to everything
• They also sent me a video and it holds its colour well from all angles

Indirect daylight / indoor light?





Direct Sunlight? That window



Strong indoor lighting

 

[Bojambles]

6+ ct Emerald, Minor (GRS), ~35k

• I *think* that this is fairly clean for an emerald but the colour is kind of light. At these sizes they seem to go into the mid 5 digits though so maybe that's the trade off
• Had just asked for more photos for this as my impression is that emeralds are not as affected by lighting conditions although they do glow in the sun

 

[Bojambles]

Oops I forgot to post the next vendor, I have to use some stock photos because they only sent me videos. I don't know if they've been edited.

3.5ct Unheated Blue Sapphire (AGL), ~14k

• Dimensions are decent at 8.7 x 7.4 x 6.2
• In the photos this is the one with less darkening of the two and it seems to retain its colour better, but will it be too dark?
• Vendor has called this Royal blue and I can see why, but the AGL certificate doesn't call it that. Does AGL like to put trade colour names the way GRS does?

Stock photo




est 4ct Blue Sapphire, ~9.5k

• Dimensions are also pretty decent as it is noticeably larger as should be for a 4ct
• I've pressed the vendor for more details - it's probably going to be heat treated which I'm fine with, but I don't want anything other than standard heat. They've simply ignored this point several times, which I take to mean that they won't guarantee this is anything other than non-synthetic
• I really don't get this stance - for something approaching 5 figures, surely you'd want to disclose what the buyer is getting?
• In any case, I really love the design of this setting, and those diamonds look yummy (another 1.6cts), but it is the darker of the two.

Stock photo



Real life photos - looks like Daylight but not direct sunlight - diffused light?




Indoor lighting - looks warm





Both pieces look really dark although the unheated one is performing better. Is it just bad lighting or are they really going to be too dark?

 

[Bojambles]

Also more photos from the emerald I had previously shown... got to see it in person today and I quite like the design but want to hear comments. I've discussed with the seller that I will likely only take it if it is at most a minor to moderate in lab tests as don't want to deal with extensive restoration if it needs a refresh

My phone camera tends to play up contrast very badly, so I'd say that the emerald is lighter in colour irl, but I think the transparency should look the same? Is it a reasonable size for a ~4ct gem?

Indoors





Outdoors - direct sunlight







Outdoors - Indirect (diffused?)

 

[Bojambles]

Another piece I'm considering, a heated pinkish sapphire of 4.5cts, say ~3.2k
The diamonds look very good irl so am happy with that. The small cluster flower bail at the top is not included

The sapphire looks better in person than my camera can capture - there is persistent darkening (extinction?) in all lightings but it isn't that glaring irl. Is it bad cutting?

The sapphire looking dark in general may be due to my phone camera playing up the contrast and unfortunately the very sparkly diamonds. So this is a piece that definitely looked better in person

Outdoors direct sunlight



Outdoors indirect - diffused?







Indoors



That "extinction"? looking terrible here, but it's not as bad irl