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How to price a Kashmir sapphire or similar?

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sapphire_fiend

sapphire_fiend

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 12, 2008
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19
I''m looking with my boyfriend at sapphires for an engagement ring and it''s turned out to be harder than expected. Apparently, I have a very strong color preference for the Kashmir blue. The topic has gotten a little sensitive - he''s saved at least $5k for the purchase of a nice ring and would go a little higher for the right one, but I only like the bigger richer blue stones.

Can anyone help out with what the price for this stone would be?

http://www.palagems.com/php/db_search.php?action=gemdetail&inventory_number=14358

Or alternately, any ideas on how to find a stone and/or ring that blue at a good price and size (2 carats+) in round cut, oval, or cushion? Or should we just wait?

This will save me many awkward "negotiations" - thanks!
 
That particular sapphire is just over $130k

That blue is about the most expensive you can find and a true 'kashmir' - which that one is - will carry a HUGE premium.

Have you had a look at the Natural Sapphire Company, they have the prices marked which will give you more of an idea of what will fit in your budget.

Otherwise, it's worth contacting some PS vendors and seeing what they can come up with in your parameters, they can also look at heated stones for you - which will bring the price down some.

I've bought stones from Wink - www.winkjones.com and Richard at www.artcutgems.com

Jeff White has a great reputation here as well.
 
Do you have to go for a unheated stone? You can find many more affordable beautiful blue sapphires for less if you choose a gently heated stone. Gentle heating is an accepted practice in the trade.
 
Sigh. $130k? I''m getting "worse" not better, it seems, at picking stones.

To give some more specifics, I don''t care much if the stone has been heated. And it definitely doesn''t have to be from Kashmir, just a rich, deep blue. I saw a few on the Natural Sapphire Company website, but since I don''t mind heat treating, would that be a waste of money? I just saw a site listed here called AJ''s Gems (may not be exactly right) that sells heated stones. The whole process seems scary though. You see one picture of a stone on a website and send a few grand to Thailand for it?

Thanks for the Pricescope vendor recommendations.
 
One more question on the Natural Sapphire Company: most of the stones don''t seem to be the blue I like (they are much paler on screen). Do the photographs do a good job translatin the color that the stone will appear when set? It''s very hard to tell.
 
Date: 5/12/2008 8:51:17 AM
Author: sapphire_fiend
Sigh. $130k? I''m getting ''worse'' not better, it seems, at picking stones.

To give some more specifics, I don''t care much if the stone has been heated. And it definitely doesn''t have to be from Kashmir, just a rich, deep blue. I saw a few on the Natural Sapphire Company website, but since I don''t mind heat treating, would that be a waste of money? I just saw a site listed here called AJ''s Gems (may not be exactly right) that sells heated stones. The whole process seems scary though. You see one picture of a stone on a website and send a few grand to Thailand for it?

Thanks for the Pricescope vendor recommendations.
Click to expand...
Hey, at least you have great taste!
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I would go with heated if it doesn''t worry you.

It''s also worth looking at the slightly purply stones - they seem to cost a bit less.

Frankly I''d contact a vendor and have them look rather than having stones sent from all over the world. They will also be an extra pair of eyes as far as cut etc goes.
 
Date: 5/12/2008 8:54:38 AM
Author: sapphire_fiend
One more question on the Natural Sapphire Company: most of the stones don''t seem to be the blue I like (they are much paler on screen). Do the photographs do a good job translatin the color that the stone will appear when set? It''s very hard to tell.
Click to expand...
The blue you like is particularly sought after, so a) there aren''t that many around, b) they sell quickly and c) they are expensive.

The paler colours will cost a lot less and can be just as beautiful. Cut well, they will sparkle more than the deeper blues.

Lots of people on PS have lighter blue sapphires that are gorgeous - check out the Eye Candy thread,
 
ATG has some pretty sapphires (at least to my eyes). Using an expert to pick one (or several) out for you is definitely the best way to go, but if you don''t want to do that then definitely call or email the vendors you''re dealing with to discuss what you''re looking for. All of them will be happy to help you get what you want.
 
Personally, if I have a budget of $5K, I''d go with a heated blue with a touch of purple. AJS is reputable but I can understand your concern. They have an excellent return policy and will send additional pictures if requested. Ask for side and back views of the sapphires are well (from any vendors that you are considering). There are certainly many heated blues with the top colour you are looking for. If the "hunt" doesn''t excite you, have the vendor search for you.

www.winkjones.com Wink
www.diamondexpert.com Garry
 
What about that awesome round sapphire that was just returned to Jeff White? Wasn't that less than 5K? From the other thread I recall it was around 3 carats and looked GREAT.

eta:

Pics are on page 3 of this thread. The stone looks to have some violet, but maybe it's just the pics.

http://tinyurl.com/56t7pw
 
Date: 5/12/2008 10:04:16 AM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

Nice stones here, and I have purchased from her...

http://www.acstones.com/

cheers--Sharon
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I took a quick look earlier and there wasn''t anything nice other than a squat fat pear.
 
Date: 5/12/2008 12:04:16 PM
Author: Chrono

Date: 5/12/2008 10:04:16 AM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

Nice stones here, and I have purchased from her...

http://www.acstones.com/

cheers--Sharon
Click to expand...
I took a quick look earlier and there wasn''t anything nice other than a squat fat pear.
Click to expand...
HI:

Thank you for being thorough, Chrono, where I was not. Guess I should have prefaced my comment with "usually"....
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cheers--Sharon
 
Sharon,
I was all excited to recommend ACS too but when I checked, I was disappointed to see there was nothing suitable.
5.gif
 

Is this your first time looking at stones online?


I agree with all of the statements above. You seem to have very good tastes when it comes to sapphires, I think most people on here can relate to that

emotion-5.gif
. I think all the stones you have showed us are beautiful on photograph. Colored stones are a little harder buying online than diamonds because they are hard to photograph. There also don''t seem to be as many of them and they all are unique, so finding the one that matches your taste can be hard. That being said, It is doable with a little extra work. So the best thing to do is find a good company with a return policy. That way if it is not what you expeceted, you can send it back.


I think that the sapphire that was sent back to Jeff White is beautiful if it is in your budget. Plus, the way he cuts stones really makes the color pop and the stone sparkle. You may also want to contacting the online jewelers that sell color stones and see if there is one you are confortable working with. Often times they know about several other great stones that are not online. Good luck to you, and congratulations in advance.

 
Thanks for all of the thoughtful advice. I followed up with two online vendors (Natural Sapphire Company and AJS Gems) for more info/pics based on stones I like and also sent a message to Jeff White. Since someone asked, this is the first stone of any sort I''ve picked out, which definitely makes it the first attempt online!
 
Hi, you can try Richard Homer - www.concavegems.com. He is lovely to work with and cut gorgeous gems.
 
That is the inclusion in the stone. You WILL be able to see it in person and I would not buy it because of that inclusion. I''d also be concerned with its durability.
 
I like the 2.89ct Ovaly-Cushion Blue-Indigo Sapphire and the A - 2.17ct Oval Sapphire found here. Unfortunately, you can''t link the exact stones or pictures but if you search the page using the above descriptions you should find them.
 
The 2.89 ct oval one is gorgeous, but probably outside my price range. (Unless I want to use fishing tackle to wind the stone on my finger, that is.)
 
Hmm... ATG is only a half hour from me. Do they do in-person appointments?
 
Date: 5/13/2008 8:36:59 AM
Author: sapphire_fiend
Hmm... ATG is only a half hour from me. Do they do in-person appointments?
Click to expand...

I don''t know, but it doesn''t hurt to ask. It would be interesting to find out as Methuen isn''t all that far from me either.
 
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