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I need opinions!!

As long as you aren't bezeling it, it should be fine because having a metal go all around the girdle will accentuate its off-symmetry-ness. Did I just create a new word? :cheeky: Just sit back and who knows, maybe it might turn out to be the perfect stone for you.
 
bezel is different than halo right?? bezel surrounds the stone with metal, and a halo with diamonds (or any other stone?).

Would a halo work?
 
Depending on how closely the halo follows the stone and how wonky the symmetry is, it might be accentuated. Picky eyed PSer types might notice it but regular folk probably would not. A good bench will probably not follow it as closely, making allowances, so it becomes less noticeable.
 
So, I sent Tan a message for an update status on the stone last Friday. By Tuesday he had not responded so I asked again, just in case I had imagined myself sending the original message. Anyways, I have not heard anything from him, and I'm a little worried. Every other reply for him I have gotten within 12 hours. I know it has not been that long since my Tuesday message, but I'm freaking out a bit. I buy a lot of things on ebay, but given that I spent more than $1,000, I'm a little worried. Should I be?
 
Tan is a trusted vendor and isn't going to disappear on you. I've purchased at least 3 or 4 stones from him, and many other regulars have purchased expensive stones as well. As always, keep your messages very short, to the point, using simple words. I would not freak out quite yet.
 
1 week, still no response.
 
All right, that's not good. Have you tried to email him again since Tuesday?
 
I just did. I'm sure everything is fine. And I don't really feel that I'm going to be defrauded or anything. But this is a big buy for me, and it makes me a little bit uncomfortable not getting a response. Especially when he always responded to promptly to my previous questions. I do keep my messages short and to the point, so nothing gets mistranslated in the process.
 
Chrono - my recent experience with AIGS has been very good and I would recommend them above GIA for coloured stones. I believe they had a blip several years ago when personnel changes but I think those issues have been overcome.

Lauralynn - I think this stone is very pretty BUT it does have a pretty decent sized window (probably because of the depth). When you get it and you stare top down into the stone, just make sure that the facets don't look too spread out which can cause your eye to focus on that aspect (or it does with me!!!).

Good luck!
 
LD - Aigs was not one of the options provided by the seller (maybe if I would have asked, they would have comply, but I see some people here rely on GIA, so I was not that worried.)

I am so confused as to what a window is now. Maybe I don't want to know just in case it is something that I won't personally notice and won't bother me unless I know what it is?

I also still need to see if it can be set up in a halo setting.
 
update: So i wrote him a message that I was freaking out and a little insecured for the lack of answers and if I didn't here from him i would be contacting paypal to cancel the transaction (not sure if that can be done?) Anyways, he finally responded that it is still in GIA, they have a big backup, and he expects it to be two more weeks. Ugh, did not think it would take that long. But I'm fine with it, I really do like the color, and I hope it doesn't disappoint when it gets here.
 
Always go into a purchase with your eyes wide open. You wouldn't buy a house or car without doing a full research on it in hopes that there's nothing wrong with it, correct?

A very obviously windowed gemstone example with more explanation in the link below.
http://www.palagems.com/quality_4cs.htm#cut

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true, and I usually do long research buying anything (I just did a month of research to buy a week whacker!) I guess this is just a little bit more complicated to understand. I am ok with the shallow cut, as long as the window isn't too big and it sparkles. My biggest worry is that it won't be compatible with the type of setting I want(and this is of course in the case that I do love it and keep it.)

If this one does not work (crossing my fingers that it does), I will probably just work with diamondsbylauren, or Leon Mege. Good news is that I have a little bit more wiggle room with the budget.

My hat goes off to all those amazing boyfriends that go through all this trouble (buying, getting it tested, returning, repeat) on their own (w/o their girlfriend/wife's help.) This truly is a long, and somewhat frustrating (although exciting) for those that are really not very gem-knowledgeable.

I would love to leave the task to my boyfriend, but just the fact that he keeps asking me about the status of the "ruby" seriously keeps me from doing it.
 
Lab report is not yet ready.

So just out of curiosity, in case this is not "the one." How long does the sapphire buying/getting it tested and receiving it process last usually? (an average ballpark picture.)

I ask just in case I need to go through this process again I hope not! but from what I have read, the first one is rarely ever "the one," even though every time I look at this sapphire I drool.
 
Depending on their workload, anywhere from a few days to a few weeks
 
7 weeks normal? (it has been 5 weeks yesterday, and since he hopes he gets it next week, it will probably be 2 more weeks I'm guessing)


ay ay aaayyy
 
Current tracking status:

October 25, 2012
14:32:00 United States of America (USJFKA) Accept

Does this mean it still needs to go through customs?

I"m guessing it will take longer than usual b/c of Sandy, just curious about the status.
 
I would give it extra time, considering the bad weather the East Coast experienced earlier this week.
 
Super exciting that your stone has nearly made it to you! Please post hand shots when you get it - I know there are lots of us that can't wait to see it IRL (or the PS version of that!)
 
The good news is that I am waiting on my new camera, so I will probably take lots of *pics in every light imaginable. The bad news is, I have no idea how to take pics of a sapphire, as I have read that it is extremely difficult. Any tips? Will a macro lens help?

(*eta)
 
I'm no expert, but I think you may have to experiment a little. And having a good camera helps.
 
What type of camera are you using? DSLR or point and shoot? The P&S style should come with the macro option (tulip button) which you will need to take close up pictures. Whichever light source you use, make sure you turn off the auto-flash function and have strong enough ambient light or else everything will look too dark.
 
Double post.
 
DSLR (nikon D5100). I have a macro lens from an old camera (from before digital era) which I'm going to see if it works. If not, I am probably getting the Sigma 50mm macro
 
The Nikon has a specific mounting attachment or seat for their lenses so I don't know if your old macro lense will fit. Without a macro lense, you might still be able to get a decent picture if you are able to save the format as RAW, then cut and resize it without losing the resolution.
 
It's here!!!!!!! Ok I'm going to post some pics, but lightning is not the best. Will get others in natural daylight later in the week.


ETA: I think I really like the color. I am not sure about the size. Is it too small, or once it is in the setting (halo) it will look bigger? I don't want a 'boom" bling, but I also don't want it too small/delicate.
 
Please forgive my hands... need some serious tlc on them.

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I think you have yourself a really nice stone, it's beautiful. I bet it's dazzling in the daylight.
 
Thank you! I am mostly very happy! Like a mentioned, little scared of how the final project will look.
 
If these are the bad pictures, I can't wait to see it perk up with some sunlight. The cutting doesn't seem so terribly bad and the window is so tiny as to be negligible once set. How much finger coverage do you need? A halo will add anywhere from 1.5 mm to 2 mm of extra size. For this sapphire, the halo should not be too big lest it does the opposite and overwhelms it, making the sapphire look smaller instead.
 
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