Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Input needed on Colour Change Sapphire from Tan

ilovegemstones

ilovegemstones

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jan 13, 2010
Messages
2,202
My husband and I just bought an unheated colour change sapphire that goes from bluish violet to purplish pink from Tan. From the video, I love the bluish-purple colour and the sparkle the stone has. The colour change is great! We plan to have this set by Sally in a three stone ring with two .5 carat diamonds on either side for our 10 year anniversary (I have the diamonds already). Here is the link for the stone:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330564566886&ssPageName=ADME:L:COSI:CA:1123

I have never bought a sapphire even close to this price before so this was a big leap for us, but it seemed like the right stone since we both love colour-change or colour-shift stones and we love purpley blues. I just hope that it is not more purple than blue. I will be ordering a GIT certificate with it. Any input on this stone from you all would be greatly appreciated. I can`t wait till it gets here and I can post pics of it in person to you all, but I just wanted to be cautious before it is actually sent out in case I missed something. Thanks! =)
 
I should have added that I don`t have to use the two diamonds with the sapphire but I would like to use them since I have them and don`t wear stud earrings. I have not actually paid for the stone yet, so if there is another one by the same vendour that is also unheated that might be a better buy, please let me know. I am really new to this. Thank you!
 
Im not an expert on reading Tan's photos...some on here will probably chime in. My only comment is that the color is described as bluish-violet to purple-pink. That means that the violet component is greater than the blue component in one shift, and the other shift is equal pink and purple. So, my insinuation is that the stone will be more towards purple than towards blue. Could be wrong.

Either way, it looks interesting, and would love to see your photos once you have the stone :)
 
I'm afraid to say that I am dubious of any videos showing a dramatic color change like that - I'm not saying it doesn't change, but sooo many vendors show these huge shifts and regarding Tan, I've actually read some negative reviews of his color change stones saying that the shift was not as significant as the video indicated. That does not meant that this stone won't be beautiful, just that there is no way of knowing until you have it in hand. I don't know if he would be willing to do it, but you could ask for hand shots in the two lightings that show off the color change at its most significant?
 
Colour aside, this sapphire has a huge gaping window. I cannot view the video at the moment but as mentioned prior, colour changers are difficult to photograph and carries the risk of showing a lesser change in person. The blue side will show a stronger violet component.
 
Yikes! Thank you all so, so much. Could someone please point me in the direction of one of his stones from any of his stores in this price range that is a good one to go for that is unheatedÉ It does not need to be a colour changer, but I do like a great colour blue with just a touch of violet. Thank you again.
 
The stone is definitely going to look more purple than blue (much more so). If that's not what you want then it may not be for you. Just a word of caution - blue sapphires that colour shift are not plentiful. You can usually find purple colour shifters at a price as they're easier to obtain.

Also the colour shift of this stone is reasonably weak. If you look at the video you'll see that not all of the stone changes and that means it will be more affordable.

It's a great size stone though.
 
Since it was my fault for buying so quickly without doing my research, I want to get another from Tan instead of this one. We are willing to spend around 1500. Can someone please point me in the direction of some wonderful sapphires of hisÉ Size does not matter to me, but I would really prefer unheated. I have read the info about windowing but am still not confident in my own opinion! :( It is really tricky. I see a couple lighter bluish purple ones I like in his various stores but they are around 3000. Links would be great!
 
Thanks Chrono. That is really pretty and intense. I will look into it. What do you think of the USA 3ct light blue cushion cut that is around $3000 in his weblorn storeÉ How do the two compare in your eyesÉ I am sorry, my 20 month old disabled my question mark key!
 
Chrono any reasons you like that one
 
Aah....when you get the chance, do you mind posting the link? It is cumbersome to search via mobile phone. The reason I like that sapphire is the intense saturation of the stone. It is also neither too dark or too light. Cutting is actually decent; no major flaws like windowing, bowtie, extinction, etc. The hue is almost pure blue without any green. Distribution of colour also is quite even.

As a disclaimer, I cannot view the video though on my phone.
 
Thanks for the link. It's also a nice sapphire but different. Cut is nice even though I'm not fond of the center. It looks almost windowed but really isn't. It is the cut design which is a bit leaky by nature. This is more of lighter slightly grayish blue, less intense than Tan's sapphire.

Is the depth listed anywhere on Welborn's page? No profile picture?
 
Thanks Chrono, I ended up getting the one you suggested. I see a hint of purple in the blue stone which is hopefully how it is in person!
 
I did not get it after all. Now I am open to sapphire suggestions or spinel suggestions from anywhere! I would love one from one of these precision cutters I keep seeing mentioned on the board. A spinel would work too. I need a hard brilliant, colourful stone.
 
I am sorry the stone was sold before you had the chance. I hope it's not the work of another lurking stone snatcher. :angryfire: I managed to get into eBay this morning to view the video on my laptop. I see now that the crown is very flat which is generally a type of cut that I do not recommend. It will show less brilliance if there isn't enough crown height and there is a small window which should close up once set. Still, the colour is promising. I shall keep an eye out for other sapphires for you.
 
Hee hee, it was not a lurker, it was me! I bought it, but then we could not agree on a price because he thought I was getting both stones so he agreed to an offer for this one, but when I explained that I wanted this instead of the colour change one he wanted full price for this one so we just cancelled both transactions. I want to be in love with the stone we pick. I guess I will keep an eye on the `Someone needs to buy this`thread too. l love some of the precision cut colour change spinels I have been seeing on the forum!
 
Not sure from the wording of your post above but you know that Weblorn isn't one of Tan's stores don't you? Just wanted to mention it.

The one that Chrono linked to is gorgeous although over budget but it's one I would go for.

I'm not as fussy about high/low crown as finding one that has a great cut and colour can be problematic. For me, colour would make me buy this one!
 
Thanks LD. I did figure out thanks to you that it was a different vendour! Great input on stones. It seems we both love purpley blue sapphires!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP

Featured Topics

Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top