Is this considered a pad?

[Ellie25]

Would this be considered a pad? I think it has a nice mixture of pink and orange but perhaps there is too much brown to look good on a setting?

 

[Acinom]

I am not a pad specialist unfortunately. However. The window in this stone seems to be huge. And I indeed detect a lot of brown on my screen.
Do you have more photo’s and a video to enable the experienced PSers to give you sound advice.

 

[marymm]

Pads command a pricing premium so unless the stone posted above is accompanied by a GIA or AGL (or similar) lab report, I would assume it is a pink sapphire (and not a very nice one).

 

[Ellie25]

Here are the links to several I was considering. They are offering to send it out for a GIA report. The second is what I was leaning toward because I liked the variety of colors. The first has more saturation of color but window. I'm looking for something under $8,000. A pad seems hard to find even if you want to buy one.


https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/1.42ct-ceylon-oval-padparadscha-sapphire-pa3174-/
https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/2.07ct-ceylon-oval-padparadscha-sapphire-pa3198-/
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-530
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-532

 

[lovedogs]

@Ellie25 I would recommend Gexfix over NSC every time. NSC stones are rarely well-cut, and have huge windows. I think they aren't worth the price, whereas I think gemfix stones are worth the cost. Just IMHO!

 

[Ellie25]

Thank you for your response. How do you feel about "heated"? I was originally looking for unheated (and have been for several months), but I'm thinking about maybe considering heated.

https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-499
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-534

 

[lovedogs]

Thank you for your response. How do you feel about "heated"? I was originally looking for unheated (and have been for several months), but I'm thinking about maybe considering heated.

https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-499
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-534

Heat and other treatment comes down to personal preference. I have no problem with heated gems, but I know others prefer unheated. My viewpoint is that heat doesn't change the beauty or appeal of a stone, but I know others disagree.

 

[whitewave]

Did you see these?

 

[Ellie25]

Wow, yes! I appreciate the pictures. I am actually looking at the 2.07ct one right now as I saw your post. I am new to understanding the pads so I don't want to make a hasty decision and learn as much as I can. I have a video and photos of the 2.07ct, but I just don't understand what it will look like outside or inside. Will it be too light? Will it show enough pink and orange in different lighting? I was originally looking for a larger size, at least 8x6 but the 2.07ct is close. Can it stand along, or should a halo be added? So many questions and so much research to do! And, I tend to have a desire for unheated sapphires, which is a mindset hard to change.

 

[Ellie25]

Also, the GIA report does not mention origin, but from my understanding the seller has a really good reputation. I'm just thinking about purchasing information on origin before setting the sapphire so at least I have it.

 

[whitewave]

It’s from Sri Lanka, is it not? I have bought 2 stones from Gary at Finewater and I feel sure he will answer all of your questions.

 

[Anne111]

A pad seems hard to find even if you want to buy one.

LOL, when else? Welcome to the gem world. Many fine gems are rarer than people wanting to buy them. It is not like buying a good car, or fine perfume where they will just increase production with demand. Some say fine gems are more like real estate or art. But true, unheated padparaschas are extreme.

 

[whitewave]

I feel like you should snap up that 2.07 while it is on sale. On IG, Gary said the sale price was temporary

 

[peacechick]

The demand for pads has been rising for many years, and the publicity from Princess Eugenie’s pad e-ring, as well as their rarity, is likely to make them more desirable. Did you mention the size you wanted?

I was going to link you to this one, but it looks like it just sold:
https://etsy.me/2KszoI2

 

[voce]

I would also recommend that you get your pad from Gary at Finewater Gems. He uses AGL certification. With GIA, they don't classify pads, period--it'll show up either as orangish pink or pinkish orange at best from GIA. I read an article someone at GIA wrote, and it's apparently because the label "padparadscha" has changed in meaning over time, so they (GIA) don't feel comfortable labeling sapphires as pads anymore.