I am so totally lost on what makes a good gemstone. Help me please.

[Deputy74]

I understand the 4Cs of the diamond world but I have no clue about colored gemstones.

I've been looking at the natural sapphire company's website and I am completely lost.

Some stones are well over 3 carats but are much less expensive than a 1 carat.

I cant seem to figure out the grading system.

What ranks highest with these? Its not the carat or the color it seems so can someone explain?

Im trying to find a nice sapphire with maybe 2 side stones for an engagement ring but need to be educated on what makes a sapphire.

Thanks.

 

[Richard M.]

Date: 10/24/2005 4:17:16 PM
Author:Deputy74
I cant seem to figure out the grading system.

What ranks highest with these? Its not the carat or the color it seems so can someone explain?

You are asking a very complicated question. Why don''t you start learning HERE? The overall quality of any colored gem, not size alone, determines the price.

Let me make a personal point. This tutorial deals with the world''s finest sapphire types and colors. Prices for such stones are very high and only a tiny percentage of consumers can afford them. While there''s nothing wrong with knowing about them, most buyers can afford very acceptable but lower-priced gems that are most often heated.

You''ll have to decide for yourself which category you''re in. Be assured there are many beautiful stones available at more moderate prices.

Richard M.

 

[Deputy74]

Thank you. I had already read the small tutorial on the NSC''s website but I needed more clarification.

Thanks for your link. It was much appreciated.

 

[colormyworld]

Hi D...74 I am not an expert but IMO color is king. The more intense the better. In blue sapphire pure blue and violetish-blue are the hues to look for. Also the tone is important. A sapphire that is too dark will look black. Medium tone is best. Hope this helps. Regards Doug

 

[Deputy74]

Thanks again for the input. Im trying to keep so many things in mind while Im looking at these beauties.

The ones I seem to be drawn to are the medium blue color in the round or oval shape with the brilliant cut because it seems to give them more sparkle because of all the cuts. I really like the dark navy hue but they dont seem to flash/sparkle that much like a softer blue does.


B625: Lighter Blue

B610: Medium Blue

B473: Dark Blue

It just seems that the lighter blue will have more sparkle but I really have no idea.

 

[colormyworld]

It is tough to judge a picture on a computer screen. On my screen #2 looks to be nice as is #3 I think #1 is to light but some find that appeling. They all look very well cut. It has been my experince that pictures on the net are taken with a lot of light and may be darker when you get the stone in person. I think these stones are from The natural sapphire co. and I think they make every effort to make sure the pics are true to life.

 

[movie zombie]

Deputy, welcome to the world of color! i, too, have found the 4 c''s pretty easy to understand and the world of color to be a bit more daunting....but for me, more rewarding.

there are good books out there and lots of information online but ultimately, just like with diamonds, it has to appeal to YOUR eye. it doesn''t matter what the experts say, you may decide you like something a bit different. and until you see the stones up close and personal, you won''t be able to develop your eye and/or your preference.

monitors just aren''t accurate nor are the photos often times. i live on the west coast and bought a spessartite from an east coast vendor who i have never met. he has always been available by phone and/or e-mail and had an excellent return policy if i wasn''t satisfied with what he sent me to preview...of course, it was love at first sight....i''m currently lusting after another one of his stones and plan to preview it at some point. if you see some stones you want to preview, be honest with the vendor and make sure of the return policy.

of the three links you provided, i loved the third one but i''m thinking that realistically, it will probably be too dark in person. but i could be wrong.

i think the most important part is not to get to wound up and take it all so seriously that you don''t enjoy the process....[now if i could only take my own advice!].

peace, movie zombie

 

[Sagebrush]

If you are interested in blue sapphire, suggest you read chapter 22 of my book available free at the link below.

 

[MINE!!]

How about some eye candy...
Purple sapphire...yummy

 

[MINE!!]

purple-pink sapphire...

 

[MINE!!]

ahh.. bllluuueeeee

 

[MINE!!]

another blue

 

[MINE!!]

DDRRROOOOLLLL>. now where did I leave my drool bucket..
these are all exmaples of Richard Homers work.. LOVE IT

 

[MINE!!]

Here is another good site for some info...
http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/sapphire.html

I second MZ when she says that you will have to find a stone that appeals to you.

Monitors are not the greatest to tell color. It can give you a 'good' idea... but you really have to see a stone to really appreciate it.

I also would suggest speaking with a vendor. I have heard good things about the website that you posted the pics from. I worked with Richard Homer and he was able to find a stone that was perfect. But the concave cut gems are some of my favorites.. so they are my preference. But there are also some other great vendors around that can help you as well. I would be sure to understand return policies... these vendors WANT you to be happy, so they would rather you find the PERFECT stone, than just 'settle' for something. So I know they will work with you on it.

I say this to many people that ask about how to find the perfect color based on the numbers....~ keep the numbers in mind... but you have to find a stone that speaks to you. After all, it is going to be the one on your finger... make sure that it is speaking your language..

Don't get tooooo caught up in the jargon... but don't dismiss it either.. Colored stone have amazing personality.. and when you see the one that states you personality... then you have found it. Be a word of caution... I have found many gemstones that are calling my name... unfortunately, my wallet can't answer ...LOL...

Keep us updated.. let us know if you are looking for a specific color.. shape etc.

BTW.. I like the first one you posted.. I think that the 2nd is nice but I do not like the cut as much... but the 3rd may be too dark, especially when set (although they are all scrumptous).. IMO.

 

[MINE!!]

Here are the pictures of D74 sapphires

#1

 

[MINE!!]

#2

 

[MINE!!]

#3

 

[colormyworld]

Mine I had not seen that purple pink sapphire in RH''s site before. I am surprized how much it looks likke this one which he cut for me 8 months ago.

 

[colormyworld]

My pics are not near as good as his.

 

[MINE!!]

Date: 10/24/2005 10:15:16 PM
Author: colormyworld
Mine I had not seen that purple pink sapphire in RH''s site before. I am surprized how much it looks likke this one which he cut for me 8 months ago.

Oh wow... it is beautiful.... I love it!!

I was suprised to find the purple one of RH site. AND it is very yummy.

 

[movie zombie]

Mine is right: don''t ''settle'' for a stone....get one that speaks to you. budget is always a factor and fine gem quality stones go for FINE prices....but there are stones that cost less that won''t make you feel like you settled for less. also, richard wise''s chapter is a must read.

you can also find blue sapphires at his website [rwwise.com] and palagems.com [if you see one at this website, you''ll have to get a jeweler to get it for you for preview]. i bought a spessartite garnet from richard and i''ve had a tourmaline for preview from pala through a b&m in the bay area. no pressure and the process was easy in both cases.

hope we''re not overloading you!

peace, movie zombie

 

[Deputy74]

WOW!!!!

*wipes drool from mouth*

That purple sapphire is a knockout. And the blues are incredible. Is there a certain cut to get them to look like that?

You just had to go there and tempt me with those huh?

 

[Deputy74]

So its a "concave" cut that gives them the starburst effect?

No overload here. I am actually having fun this time versus the other time when I had to memorize figures and numbers for the 4Cs.

 

[Deputy74]

Another question....i like sparkle. Would the ones from concavegems sparkle even though they have the concave cut?

The ones I was looking at from NSC look like that would allow light in so they would sparkle a little but I cant tell if thats possible with the concave cut?

Anyone?

 

[valeria101]

Date: 10/25/2005 6:38:24 PM
Author: Deputy74
Another question....i like sparkle.

That''s why concave cuts are meant for anyway - to be brighter than traditional flat facets. Now, I am pretty sure there is more to this fancy cut than the concave facets alone - the overall proportions must count for something, just like they do in any cut. You may find allot of inexpensive stones concave cut these days, but not all are as nice. Since Richard was among the first to perfect this cut, ''bet his stones are among the nicest anyway.

About ''what makes a good gemstone'' in general, I found a couple of web sources particularly useful overall. The colored gem tutorial recently put up by GIA (see a funny icon with a cartoon lady in red at www.gia.edu) is a cute 10 minute thing you might like, then there are several pages / fact-sheets at Pala Gems (palagems.com) about the most popular gem types and then two books that also have very substantial websites Ruby&Sapphire (www.ruby-sapphire.com) and Secrets of the Gem Trade (www.secretsofthegemtrade.com and www.rwwise.com). The websites of the major gem labs & related (GIA, AGS, GRS, CGA, Gubelin, AIGS) are pretty useful if you have a particular subject to look up. There is allot more (when isn''t this the case?), but I am not sure where the diminishing returns to reading stop in all this.

I am not a good judge for that, if anything

Hope some of this helps

 

[valeria101]

Date: 10/24/2005 4:17:16 PM
Author:Deputy74

I understand the 4Cs of the diamond world but I have no clue about colored gemstones.

I am not sure these are related all that much anyway...



I''ve been looking at the natural sapphire company''s website and I am completely lost.

He , he... me too I wouldn''t mind any of those!


Some stones are well over 3 carats but are much less expensive than a 1 carat.

As you like it... perhaps demand and availability of large rough in some types. Some finished sizes are more desirable than others for jewelry uses and some more easily sold. There is no shortage of reasons for anything. Each gem has its own ''economic history'' after all.



I cant seem to figure out the grading system.

There isn''t any generally accepted one.



What ranks highest with these? Its not the carat or the color it seems so can someone explain?

Not sure how to go about this. I liked Richard Wise''s book (''Secrets of the gem trade''). The first part is posted online. Take a look. I wouldn''t know any better, but perhaps more useful stuff will amass on this thread anyway

I''m trying to find a nice sapphire with maybe 2 side stones for an engagement ring but need to be educated on what makes a sapphire.

That is pretty easy. The page at PalaGems should help, and seeing some nice ones in person would definitely help allot. There have been a couple more searches for blue side-stones and the result can be found on the ''Eye candy'' thread on this forum. Two particular pairs of sapphires come to mind - one looked up by ''ColoredGemstoneNut'' and another by ''Bertrand'' (these are avatar names). If you like what they ended up with, you could do the same of course. If not perhaps they''d make a reasonable starting point

Best of luck!