Hesitating to get this Sapphire Stone for engagement ring

[traversbenoit]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I’m looking to get a sapphire gemstone for an engagement ring and came across this one.
It looks really great in person, 3.01 carat and seems the best option I’ve come across after visiting a few jewellers.

The asking price is 5400USD for the gemstone alone.

What are your thoughts? Is it worth the price?

Otherwise another shop had a similar looking one, 2.2 carats for 4500USD. So the 3.01 seems much more worth it on a price per carat logic.

Anything thoughts would be helpful!

 

[Lilith112]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I’m looking to get a sapphire gemstone for an engagement ring and came across this one.
It looks really great in person, 3.01 carat and seems the best option I’ve come across after visiting a few jewellers.

The asking price is 5400USD for the gemstone alone.

What are your thoughts? Is it worth the price?

Otherwise another shop had a similar looking one, 2.2 carats for 4500USD. So the 3.01 seems much more worth it on a price per carat logic.

Anything thoughts would be helpful!

What lighting did you take this picture under? Are you looking for a dark or medium-tone sapphire? Are you ok with heat only sapphires?

 

[traversbenoit]

What lighting did you take this picture under? Are you looking for a dark or medium-tone sapphire? Are you ok with heat only sapphires?

Was the lighting on the shop, looks darker when looking at it in person.
We are looking for medium-tone sapphire so guessing this is a bit darker than that.
We don’t really care heat or I heat, but the price difference seems so steep we’ve only been looking at heated ones.

Saw unheated 3.6 carat with almost identical colour which was coming up 17500USD

To the left is the 3.01 heated, to the right the 3.6 unheated. Tone rather similar.

 

[Lilith112]

Was the lighting on the shop, looks darker when looking at it in person.
We are looking for medium-tone sapphire so guessing this is a bit darker than that.
We’re also fine with heat only sapphire.

If you're looking for a medium-tone, than yes, it's too dark for that. I recced it in "Somebody's gotta buy this stone," but here's an unheated, medium tone blue sapphire going for USD2.56ct:



This is just an example of one that I've seen recently. At your price point, it should be possible to find a 2-3 ct unheated, intensely saturated & medium tone sapphire.

 

[icy_jade]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I’m looking to get a sapphire gemstone for an engagement ring and came across this one.
It looks really great in person, 3.01 carat and seems the best option I’ve come across after visiting a few jewellers.

The asking price is 5400USD for the gemstone alone.

What are your thoughts? Is it worth the price?

Otherwise another shop had a similar looking one, 2.2 carats for 4500USD. So the 3.01 seems much more worth it on a price per carat logic.

Anything thoughts would be helpful!

Am mindful that pricing can vary a lot depending on where you are located. That said I do think the stone is very overpriced, and too dark.

 

[traversbenoit]

If you're looking for a medium-tone, than yes, it's too dark for that. I recced it in "Somebody's gotta buy this stone," but here's an unheated, medium tone blue sapphire going for USD2.56ct:



This is just an example of one that I've seen recently. At your price point, it should be possible to find a 2-3 ct unheated, intensely saturated & medium tone sapphire.

Got it, yours looks great, but may actually looks for something a little darker than that, so I’m guessing more in between both tones, medium-dark.

With that said, if we could find one medium-dark unheated, 2-3 carats for that price I guess that would be ideal. Any idea where we could find those then? We live in Asia. It seems most jewelry shop pricing we’ve seen has been on the higher end side then...

 

[traversbenoit]

Am mindful that pricing can vary a lot depending on where you are located. That said I do think the stone is very overpriced, and too dark.

Thanks for your feedback, we‘re in Hong Kong and to be fair we’ve been looking in the central business district which may explain why.
I find it quite challenging/risky to buy online since quite difficult to get an idea if the stone will really look like the photo or is trustworthy. Or maybe I simply don’t know where to look.

With that said, our budget is ~5000USD for the stone, 2-3 carat sapphire, then ideally unheated, cushion/oval, velvet blue/royal blue...! Don’t mind paying more as long as it’s worth it.
Guess will just have to go to even more stores, right? Or any other suggestion?

 

[icy_jade]

In theory in HK you should have many choices. Unfortunately the gem shows are cancelled, else you can go and have a look.

Knowing the way retail works (and rental costs) in HK, I doubt you can pick up a well priced sapphire from a retail store. Online could be a better bet.

Pinging @Lilith112 and @mochiko42 for contacts in HK

Also try contacting these two and ask what they can find for you. Don’t mention your budget if possible, just say you want an unheated +/- 3ct blue sapphire with really nice color (I hesitate to restrict you to royal as some other shades can be so much nicer - like cornflower. You need to see them in person so you know if you really like them).

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Should be doable to get a nice unheated with your budget. Burmese origin is out of question but Sri Lanka or Madagascar can also be very nice if is the look-like Kashmir type. The stone that @Lilith112 shared earlier looks really nice - maybe you can consider?

 

[Lilith112]

[/QUOTE]

The picture I posted would fall within the medium-deep range lol; picture was taken in bright sunlight so it's brighter compared to indoor lighting lol.

In theory in HK you should have many choices. Unfortunately the gem shows are cancelled, else you can go and have a look.

Knowing the way retail works (and rental costs) in HK, I doubt you can pick up a well priced sapphire from a retail store. Online could be a better bet.

Pinging @Lilith112 and @mochiko42 for contacts in HK

Also try contacting these two and ask what they can find for you. Don’t mention your budget if possible, just say you want an unheated +/- 3ct blue sapphire with really nice color (I hesitate to restrict you to royal as some other shades can be so much nicer - like cornflower. You need to see them in person so you know if you really like them).

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Should be doable to get a nice unheated with your budget. Burmese origin is out of question but Sri Lanka or Madagascar can also be very nice if is the look-like Kashmir type. The stone that @Lilith112 shared earlier looks really nice - maybe you can consider?

@traversbenoit Hmm...I'd personally classify the sapphire as medium-deep already. It's definitely not medium tone which I'd consider to be more like this:



Moving on, I second @icy_jade suggestions about staying away from jewelers in Hong Kong. In my personal experience, I can vouch for TheGemCollector; she sourced an unheated sapphire for my engagement ring. EKA_Gems also usually has some super nice sapphires; they showed me a lovely 2.49ct. intense cornflower sapphire that was going for around USD4000ish. They're based in Shenzhen, but SF delivery & returns are super convenient.

Another online Asian vendor is HiGems; idk about pricing but their gems look stunning! Also, if you really want to cut prices, you can also directly contact wholesalers. I recently just sourced a very reasonably priced 2.21ct. unheated padparadscha sapphire from Gem Ocean.

 

[icy_jade]

Got it, yours looks great, but may actually looks for something a little darker than that, so I’m guessing more in between both tones, medium-dark.

With that said, if we could find one medium-dark unheated, 2-3 carats for that price I guess that would be ideal. Any idea where we could find those then? We live in Asia. It seems most jewelry shop pricing we’ve seen has been on the higher end side then...

By the way, the sapphire should look a bit darker after setting as it becomes enclosed in the setting. So if a stone already looks dark the way it does in your pics, it could look pretty awful - like black/blue.

Individual preferences do vary of course, and personally I don’t like the Princess Diana ring type of shade. I don’t like my blue sapphire to go black on me. See other colors, including nice cornflowers (not the almost fake cornflowers that look bleh) before you make up your mind on what blue sapphire color to go for.

Also, note that some labs are very liberal in giving trade desired names, including well known labs. So don’t just go by the cert - it should be a stone that makes your heart skip a beat at first sight. You know, like falling in love.

 

[traversbenoit]

By the way, the sapphire should look a bit darker after setting as it becomes enclosed in the setting. So if a stone already looks dark the way it does in your pics, it could look pretty awful - like black/blue.

Individual preferences do vary of course, and personally I don’t like the Princess Diana ring type of shade. I don’t like my blue sapphire to go black on me. See other colors, including nice cornflowers (not the almost fake cornflowers that look bleh) before you make up your mind on what blue sapphire color to go for.

Also, note that some labs are very liberal in giving trade desired names, including well known labs. So don’t just go by the cert - it should be a stone that makes your heart skip a beat at first sight. You know, like falling in love.

Thanks so much for your recommendations.

Will be reaching out to your suggestions and naturally keep you updated on the direction I’ll be leaning and when we make a choice.

Yes, that’s true didn’t think too much it would lose even more colour once enclosed in the setting, definitely something I’ll consider.

Will likely try and find an unheated with better colour if possible with that same budget as you recommended. Not a fan either of Diana shade of blue.

The search is on!

 

[traversbenoit]

The picture I posted would fall within the medium-deep range lol; picture was taken in bright sunlight so it's brighter compared to indoor lighting lol.


@traversbenoit Hmm...I'd personally classify the sapphire as medium-deep already. It's definitely not medium tone which I'd consider to be more like this:



Moving on, I second @icy_jade suggestions about staying away from jewelers in Hong Kong. In my personal experience, I can vouch for TheGemCollector; she sourced an unheated sapphire for my engagement ring. EKA_Gems also usually has some super nice sapphires; they showed me a lovely 2.49ct. intense cornflower sapphire that was going for around USD4000ish. They're based in Shenzhen, but SF delivery & returns are super convenient.

Another online Asian vendor is HiGems; idk about pricing but their gems look stunning! Also, if you really want to cut prices, you can also directly contact wholesalers. I recently just sourced a very reasonably priced 2.21ct. unheated padparadscha sapphire from Gem Ocean.
[/QUOTE]

Awesome, that’s great to hear! Will explore those different options.
Might even head out to Shenzhen once the virus dies out and see what they have then.

Seems there’s so much more choice online and better diversity than what I’ve been seeing in stores.

Will keep you updated, thanks so much!

 

[lovedogs]

Stones will darken once set and I'm afraid the one you originally posted will look almost black

 

[traversbenoit]

Hi,

Quick update, found this blue sapphire which looks more cornflower, which is what we are looking for.

It’s heated from Sri Lanka.

It’s 3.63ct for the sapphire itself.

As you can see, it has a bit of ‘color zoning’ if that’s what it’s called on the left.

What are your thoughts? How much would say it worth?

Thanks!

 

[qubitasaurus]

It looks nice can you get some more pictures outside of jewelery store lighting? Take a few pictures from different angles. Also does it have a lab report, several large labs (I think GRS and GIA) are in hong kong so you should be able to get it sent to a lab before purchase if you like it.

 

[Acinom]

Based on this one photo it looks nice and promising. I agree with @qubitasaurus to take more pics inside and outside the store (or near the window).

Will you leave it in this setting if you decide to take it? I am afraid it might snag on clothes the way it is designed

 

[traversbenoit]

Hi,

Will try and pass by and take some more photos, but here are a few more from on the day.

If we get it, we’re planning to change the setting to something a little simpler and potentially to hide a bit the slight lack of color/colour zoning on one of the sides.
It’s not certified but he can guarantee Sri Lanka and that should be heated, 3.63ct.
He can get us the certificate before we buy.

How much would you think it’s worth? Honestly the price cited sounded really reasonable so want to get your thoughts before.

Maybe a stupid question, but what happens if we pay for the certificate first (1-200USD), and then it comes back as unheated? Would he be allowed to increase the price?

Also, for the setting,we were looking for a slightly antique setting. Would this kind of cornflower blue go well with rose gold/gold setting? How would it affect the color?

 

[qubitasaurus]

Hi,

Will try and pass by and take some more photos, but here are a few more from on the day.

If we get it, we’re planning to change the setting to something a little simpler and potentially to hide a bit the slight lack of color/colour zoning on one of the sides.
It’s not certified but he can guarantee Sri Lanka and that should be heated, 3.63ct.
He can get us the certificate before we buy.

How much would you think it’s worth? Honestly the price cited sounded really reasonable so want to get your thoughts before.

Maybe a stupid question, but what happens if we pay for the certificate first (1-200USD), and then it comes back as unheated? Would he be allowed to increase the price?

Also, for the setting,we were looking for a slightly antique setting. Would this kind of cornflower blue go well with rose gold/gold setting? How would it affect the color?

If you have a rose gold band or chain then take it and lay it next to the stone. Can also possibly use some paper to cover one corner of the setting and take a close up image with just the rose gold + sapphire (+ paper as needed). That should give you an idea.

No you should agree on a price before sending it to the lab. But sale is contingent on it coming back with heat only or better. They're unlikely to be wrong -- they rarely ever are.

That stone should be at least 4.5 k usd. Probably more like 5 k usd at the lower end. Hong kong shop rent is not cheap. So if you are getting it cheaper you should either be wondering why (look it over carefully) or looking around the shop to see if they're just more competitively priced on most items. Jewelery doesnt really adhere to a standard pricing structure very well -- some places can easily be 30% lower than others for no apparent reason (other than maybe shop location).

 

[lovedogs]

If you have a rose gold band or chain then take it and lay it next to the stone. Can also possibly use some paper to cover one corner of the setting and take a close up image with just the rose gold + sapphire (+ paper as needed). That should give you an idea.

No you should agree on a price before sending it to the lab. But sale is contingent on it coming back with heat only or better. They're unlikely to be wrong -- they rarely ever are.

That stone should be at least 4.5 k usd. Probably more like 5 k usd at the lower end. Hong kong shop rent is not cheap. So if you are getting it cheaper you should either be wondering why (look it over carefully) or looking around the shop to see if they're just more competitively priced on most items. Jewelery doesnt really adhere to a standard pricing structure very well -- some places can easily be 30% lower than others for no apparent reason (other than maybe shop location).

This! Price should be agreed upon before sending the stone for certification. And if the stone comes back as not what the jeweler says then you should be under NO obligation to purchase.

 

[traversbenoit]

If you have a rose gold band or chain then take it and lay it next to the stone. Can also possibly use some paper to cover one corner of the setting and take a close up image with just the rose gold + sapphire (+ paper as needed). That should give you an idea.

No you should agree on a price before sending it to the lab. But sale is contingent on it coming back with heat only or better. They're unlikely to be wrong -- they rarely ever are.

That stone should be at least 4.5 k usd. Probably more like 5 k usd at the lower end. Hong kong shop rent is not cheap. So if you are getting it cheaper you should either be wondering why (look it over carefully) or looking around the shop to see if they're just more competitively priced on most items. Jewelery doesnt really adhere to a standard pricing structure very well -- some places can easily be 30% lower than others for no apparent reason (other than maybe shop location).

Thanks for the feedback and ideas!
Yeah, it’s really on that lower end... but as mentioned, can’t seem to see any glaring issue apart from small ‘decolouring’ slightly to on of the sides.
Most of the items in the shop seems cheaper than other competitors nearby. Not sure if the difficult market conditions or something like that which explains it.

 

[traversbenoit]

This! Price should be agreed upon before sending the stone for certification. And if the stone comes back as not what the jeweler says then you should be under NO obligation to purchase.

Got it! What if the stone comes back more than what they said it was (like unheated instead of heated) would some increase it’s price if it hasn’t already been paid?

 

[traversbenoit]

As you asked, here are a few additional photos, taken outside on a cloudy day.
Feel free to raise if you notice anything!

 

[traversbenoit]

Here’s another one we considered, about 11500USD (quite some difference!), but looked even nicer.
3.4ct, heated, Sri Lanka

 

[lovedogs]

Got it! What if the stone comes back more than what they said it was (like unheated instead of heated) would some increase it’s price if it hasn’t already been paid?

No. The agreement should be that you will pay whatever the asking price is, contingent on the report showing that it is what they say OR BETTER! They should not change the price to be more expensive after the report.

 

[Lilith112]

As you asked, here are a few additional photos, taken outside on a cloudy day.
Feel free to raise if you notice anything!

Just my opinion, but it looks almost too cloudy? Has a glow, but it's fairly milky to my eyes. Are you okay with that?

 

[qubitasaurus]

Thanks for the feedback and ideas!
Yeah, it’s really on that lower end... but as mentioned, can’t seem to see any glaring issue apart from small ‘decolouring’ slightly to on of the sides.
Most of the items in the shop seems cheaper than other competitors nearby. Not sure if the difficult market conditions or something like that which explains it.

It doesnt make sense to eliminate it because it is cheap. Probably the 11500 is nicer, but you can always find something nicer by rising the price (question usually is 'is it worth it?').

The 3.61 is definitely silky, if you have a penlight then can take that and shine it on the stone to see -- it's going to light up inside due to the inclusions. Having said that the inclusions look to be fairly fine and evenly distributed. This will make the stone less sparkly and more glowy (many prefer the glowy colour so this is not a criticism just more of a thing to be aware of). This stone also has a tilt window (you can read the new to this forum threads pinned at the top if this doesnt mean anything). Again not a major problem. Colour at the side actually looks good -- stones are cut to make sure light exits through the crown to give them the best colour when viewed face on; they are not cut to scatter light through the sides of the pavilion. So youd be expecting the body colour to be a little changed from the colour when viewed from the top.

 

[traversbenoit]

Hi,

Was looking deeper into our videos/photos, and found the window to be actually quite obvious. Not sure why didn’t notice it to begin with.



Isn’t it too big window to justify to get and should look for another instead?

 

[chrono]

That is a tilt window. It is normal and all gemstones exhibit this. The way to look for a true window is to view the stone with your eye perpendicular to the table, not angled as you've shown.

 

[traversbenoit]

Just a quick update, we got the stone and got it GRS certified and came out as....
Sri Lanka
Cornflow Blue
3.63 ct
UNHEAT!!!!! (seller thought it was heated)

Obviously very happy by that surprise, thanks again for all your help, we’re both very happy with it.

We’re now moving on to the next step in designing a new setting for it.

 

[traversbenoit]

Step 2, we’re looking for a ring designer. We’ve collected some ideas of ring settings, most of which are ‘antique’ style and ideally would need someone to go through those suggestions, make recommendations, and put together the sketches/3D renders, etc.
I guess doesn’t have to be in Hong Kong, since we could still have it made locally once completed.
Would any of you have any recommendations?
Thanks!