Is this a good star sapphire?

[kenny]

My friend inherited a light blue 2.65 ct star sapphire her dad bought in Ceylon in 1983 for $290.

She was curious about it.
Is there anything you can tell from these pics I took?
What other pics/lighting may be useful?

Side view:



When you focus on the star and use a small light source the star is very thin.
Top view under a single LED spotlight.



Original receipt:

 

[kenny]

I noticed when focusing that if I focused on the top surface the star was out of focus.
If I focused on the star the top surface was out of focus.
So, I used a small aperture to try to get it all in focus.

The star must be "happening" inside the stone, not on it.

I'm trying to get some back-lit close ups now.

 

[kenny]

Backlit it gets a rosey glow.

 

[kenny]

Side/bottom

 

[kenny]

 

[Kismet]

I'm in no way an expert, but I think what mainly drives the price is the quality of the star and the translucency of the stone. It's a good size and it looks like it has a really nice star, very sharp and symmetrical. The color is attractive but not top-notch. It's a bit hard to tell, but it looks more opaque than translucent.

 

[Arcadian]

I'm not a star sapphire aficionado but I do have a few so can tell you what I know.

Generally the more transparent the body of the gem, the more expensive it will tend to be. Color also comes into play. Transparent blues tend to be more expensive.

Also, the star should be strong and well centered. The star comes from the rutile needles in the stone which is the reason why you get a star.

Grayer ones should be as transparent as possible and have a glow about them. And no matter the color, there should be very little surface pitting.

I think the stone is really lovely, though not a top stone like Kismet said since its not transparent but does have some translucency. If set, I would certainly look at a white metal, that would really make it pop.

-A

 

[dzop]

http://www.ajsgem.com/blue-pink-star-ge ... 40409.html

I have bought from AJS, and the stone I purchased had similar color and translucency with a sharp star, around the same size, and was under $200. The price seems to have gone up since my purchase, but in general it is an inexpensive stone.

 

[dzop]

http://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/blue-pin ... arats.html

Similar color, similar star, similar translucency, much better shape and finish, 4ct, under $200.

 

[chictomato]

Hi there, the legs of the star are not straight. The sapphire seems to have this dark inclusion and not too well-polished (though its fine to leave the bottom un-polish to retain as much weight). The light blue body color is rather nice though I can't really tell from the photos if it is translucent. It usually does not command a high price if its opaque. I love star sapphire too and have a 3.79 carats certified white star sapphire set in a bezel ring. It does not have a fantastic body color, but rather translucent body and well-developed star with rather straight legs. Hope this helps a little.

 

[chrono]

At least the star sapphire has a good chance of being a natural stone based on the pictures (inclusions, colour and quality of star). As others have mentioned, the price seems to be in line for the quality. It’s not a fine specimen but is nevertheless pretty to look at.

 

[VapidLapid]

I like it despite its lackings. the wavy legs are much more interesting than regular ones. I looked at all those ones at ajs that dzop linked and they all look titanium diffused to me. They say unheated so I could be wrong. I dont think the shape of the back of the stone matters. Nice stone probably over paid back in 83, but also likely not diffused. sweet

 

[VapidLapid]

oh yeah, I meant to say the wavy legs reminds me of those cool spiney starfish!

 

[StonieGrl]

This is my recently set star ruby for those of you who remember it unset. I'm still a little unsure of my attachment skills in this recent version of PS so apologies if not a good pic/nonexistant pic.

 

[StonieGrl]

Trying to get the right pic, apologies...

 

[StonieGrl]

Last one I liked the purpley-red of this star ruby (which from reading I did suggests it is from Sierra Leone) and the straightness of the star. I also like the tear drop shape.

 

[baby nurse]

Wow! Beautiful stone and ring Stoniegrl! (sorry, threadjack)

 

[StonieGrl]

Thank you, baby nurse I just got this ring back from the jeweler. Haven't shared it in a separate thread yet.

I don't really have an answer to the questions of the thread, but it sure is a pretty and glowy color, the star sapphire in question. It is in rough (ha, pun) shape for setting as a cab, would need some work to set it assuming the owner even wants to go that route with it.

Its always difficult to assign value versus cost versus actual sale...

 

[baby nurse]

I really like the color of your stone, kenny. And I think the wavy lines of the star look neat, as well

 

[Nashville]

I admittedly know squat about star sapphires, but your friend has quite the cool stone there. Under the light it looks like an electric shock! Or like one of those lightning lamps...

 

[VapidLapid]

StonieG your ring looks great!!! Is this the stone (if I remember rightly) that you picked up at a gem show for something like $25?