Is this stone worth buying?

[kobido]

First of all, I have zero experience buying colored gemstones. I’d like to get your opinion if this stone is a good buy.

The #1 Web-Shop for Fine Natural Gems and Jewelry in Europe since 2003 - Unheated Ceylon Sapphire 0.76

perfect scissor cut blue yellow unheated sapphire in precision cut and square for sale plus full certification by IGI

www.wildfishgems.com

Thank you!

 

[VividRed]

How are you in the trade with no experience in buying colored gemstones?

Personally, I find that for 76 points and that color, this sapphire is 3x overpriced

 

[kobido]

Oh. I only realized now that I have a trade badge. I am definitely not in the jewelry or gemstone field. I will look it up to see how I can change my profile.

 

[chrono]

Nice looking sapphire but not at that price.

 

[kobido]

How are you in the trade with no experience in buying colored gemstones?

Personally, I find that for 76 points and that color, this sapphire is 3x overpriced

Hi! I am aware that there is a long list of vendors for colored stones here in PS. However, are there certain vendors you know of that offers better price?

 

[kobido]

Nice looking sapphire but not at that price.

Thank you for your feedback. I am aware that there is a long list of vendors for colored stones here in PS. However, are there certain vendors you know of that offers better price?

 

[chrono]

What are your requirements and budget?

 

[kobido]

m

 

[kobido]

What are your requirements and budget?

My dream is to have emerald (princess cut) but it seems way out of my budget. My budget is 2000 per carat. Don’t know if I should add oiled or unoiled or resin since I don’t know what they are for.

I also would like to have unheated, free of inclusions blue sapphire in princess cut. Perhaps below 1500 per carat.

 

[Rfisher]

What color of blue and how literal are you meaning with free of inclusions?

 

[kobido]

What color of blue and how literal are you meaning with free of inclusions?

Not too dark and too light blue. Cornflower blue or somewhere near that will be great. Free of inclusions at least in the naked eye.

 

[CBianco]

This one is unheated and looks to be decently priced

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[kobido]

This one is unheated and looks to be decently priced

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Thank you for this. So far, I didn’t find anything I like except the emeralds but they are already sold.

If there are others, kindly share. Thank you!

P.s. Admin, if you see this, please let me know how to remove the trade badge

 

[maru8888777]

I think a good, unheated princess-cut sapphire is going to be difficult to find... I've seen some radiant cuts, but not too many, either. With colored stones you are looking for, well, good color, and being super specific about the cut might stop you from finding beautiful stones.
I'd look at Adamant International (although their unheated blue selection now is low):
https://www.adamantgems.com/collections/available-gems/Sapphire
Their customer service is excellent. Gemfix has a broad selection of stones that are very well-cut, although they are not cheap. AfricaGems also has a really big inventory, and they are having a sale now.

 

[kobido]

I think a good, unheated princess-cut sapphire is going to be difficult to find... I've seen some radiant cuts, but not too many, either. With colored stones you are looking for, well, good color, and being super specific about the cut might stop you from finding beautiful stones.
I'd look at Adamant International (although their unheated blue selection now is low):
https://www.adamantgems.com/collections/available-gems/Sapphire
Their customer service is excellent. Gemfix has a broad selection of stones that are very well-cut, although they are not cheap. AfricaGems also has a really big inventory, and they are having a sale now.

I followed your suggestion and looked at africagems. Here are what I found. I wonder if they are overpriced? Are they colombian? Zambian? Merchant didn’t specify.

Green Emerald - Emerald Cut - 1.06 Carat - 6x6mm

This beautiful genuine 1.06 Carat Green Emerald Emerald Cut Gemstone, 6x6mm in size by AfricaGems, displays a vivid medium rich green color, great clarity, excellent cut and life. A beautiful gem of high color in a highly requested shape and size, very bright and lively. A gorgeous, top notch...

www.africagems.com

Low Price Emerald - 0.73 carats - Emerald Cut - 5.4mm - AfricaGems Certificate

This Low Price Emerald Gemstone 0.73 carats, Emerald Cut, 5.4 mm, with AfricaGems Certificate Displays a vivid medium rich green, great clarity, excellent cut and life. A beautiful stone in a highly requested shape and size. A stunning loose genuine gemstone, a very hard to source gemstone...

www.africagems.com

 

[maru8888777]

I followed your suggestion and looked at africagems. Here are what I found. I wonder if they are overpriced? Are they colombian? Zambian? Merchant didn’t specify.

Green Emerald - Emerald Cut - 1.06 Carat - 6x6mm

This beautiful genuine 1.06 Carat Green Emerald Emerald Cut Gemstone, 6x6mm in size by AfricaGems, displays a vivid medium rich green color, great clarity, excellent cut and life. A beautiful gem of high color in a highly requested shape and size, very bright and lively. A gorgeous, top notch...

www.africagems.com

Low Price Emerald - 0.73 carats - Emerald Cut - 5.4mm - AfricaGems Certificate

This Low Price Emerald Gemstone 0.73 carats, Emerald Cut, 5.4 mm, with AfricaGems Certificate Displays a vivid medium rich green, great clarity, excellent cut and life. A beautiful stone in a highly requested shape and size. A stunning loose genuine gemstone, a very hard to source gemstone...

www.africagems.com

Are you looking for emeralds or sapphires? Buying emeralds online is a whole different proposition...

 

[toomuchB]

My dream is to have emerald (princess cut) but it seems way out of my budget. My budget is 2000 per carat. Don’t know if I should add oiled or unoiled or resin since I don’t know what they are for.

I also would like to have unheated, free of inclusions blue sapphire in princess cut. Perhaps below 1500 per carat.

Personally, if your dream is an emerald, I think you should hunt for an emerald rather than spend 2k on something you want less. Princess cut is not common in emeralds and the corners might chip over time - unless you mean a cut like the emeralds you shared above, which are not princess cut. If you can sacrifice on some factors (origin, degree of treatment, breaking or not breaking the 1ct mark) and still be happy, 2k might be doable. Maybe look into Chivor emeralds which tend to be slightly lighter and bluish, but are still have the Colombian prestige.

 

[toomuchB]

I recalled that I once inquired about a post of a dealer who specialized in minimally treated Zambian emeralds, they were asking 2500/ct for each minor oil stone (each was around 1ct). Video below. They go by @gemerald_gems on Instagram.
Of course you'd have to do the homework on how legit they are, their stance on a third party lab report, verify return policy, make sure they have a safe payment method etc. Just a data point that might make you feel like you can get a nice emerald for around 2k, if that is what you want more than a sapphire. The sacrifice here being the origin (Zambia). I have zero experience with this company, so take with a grain of salt.

https://imgur.com/a/MDWQF9d

 

[kobido]

Are you looking for emeralds or sapphires? Buying emeralds online is a whole different proposition...

Both. But i love emeralds more as of the moment.

 

[kobido]

Personally, if your dream is an emerald, I think you should hunt for an emerald rather than spend 2k on something you want less. Princess cut is not common in emeralds and the corners might chip over time - unless you mean a cut like the emeralds you shared above, which are not princess cut. If you can sacrifice on some factors (origin, degree of treatment, breaking or not breaking the 1ct mark) and still be happy, 2k might be doable. Maybe look into Chivor emeralds which tend to be slightly lighter and bluish, but are still have the Colombian prestige.

Princess or anything that is square is fine.

 

[toomuchB]

Princess or anything that is square is fine.

So that includes cut cornered square cuts like the first stone you posted? I can take a look. Sapphire will be easier to find as there are less variables to take into account. Perhaps as you go through the journey and see more stones you will have a clearer idea of which gem material to aim for.

 

[kobido]

So that includes cut cornered square cuts like the first stone you posted? I can take a look. Sapphire will be easier to find as there are less variables to take into account. Perhaps as you go through the journey and see more stones you will have a clearer idea of which gem material to aim for.

Yes, cut cornered square cuts are equally lovely.

You are right, i think i should hunt for emeralds first.

 

[toomuchB]

Yes, cut cornered square cuts are equally lovely.

You are right, i think i should hunt for emeralds first.

Haha, you posted this right after I found some sapphire options. Not all perfect, but what I managed to find here and there.

Blue Sapphires | The Natural Sapphire Company

We offer a large variety of the beautiful blue sapphire. Between different hues and tones, you'll be sure to find the perfect blue sapphire here.

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

Needs third party lab report to confirm no heat, looks quite nice in the on-hand videos, under $450

Blue Sapphire - Radiant Cut - 1.53 Carat Weight - 6.38x6.17x4.05mm at AfricaGems

This beautiful genuineBlue Sapphire 1.53 Carat Weight Gemstone, Radiant Cut, 6.38x6.17x4.05mm at AfricaGems exhibits a beautiful vivid medium denim blue color, superb eye clean clarity, top notch cut and very high brilliance and luster. A beautiful gemstone in a highly desire shade of color...

www.africagems.com

Already has GIA reporting no heat, but a little gray imo, $2200 after discount

Unheated! Natural Bright Blue Ceylon Sapphire 2.05 ct - Litnon

no heat, but no lab report, $2460 but maybe they'd do a discount

Emeralds are more complicated. I know @muzoemeralds on IG has had some successful transactions with people on this forum, and in my chats with them, they are happy to educate and provide opinions. You can message them your budget and preferences and see what they say. They sell some very high end stuff, but some more affordable stuff as well.

Here is some of more desirable Muzo mateial, vs the lighter and bluer Chivor material with an idea of pricing from the aforementioned vendor which I quickly dug up from their IG (what can I say, I have spare time right now). Emerald is less dense than sapphire so it tends to look larger than a sapphire of the same weight. Of course, locales other than Colombia may be worth looking into.

 

[kobido]

Haha, you posted this right after I found some sapphire options. Not all perfect, but what I managed to find here and there.

Blue Sapphires | The Natural Sapphire Company

We offer a large variety of the beautiful blue sapphire. Between different hues and tones, you'll be sure to find the perfect blue sapphire here.

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

Needs third party lab report to confirm no heat, looks quite nice in the on-hand videos, under $450

Blue Sapphire - Radiant Cut - 1.53 Carat Weight - 6.38x6.17x4.05mm at AfricaGems

This beautiful genuineBlue Sapphire 1.53 Carat Weight Gemstone, Radiant Cut, 6.38x6.17x4.05mm at AfricaGems exhibits a beautiful vivid medium denim blue color, superb eye clean clarity, top notch cut and very high brilliance and luster. A beautiful gemstone in a highly desire shade of color...

www.africagems.com

Already has GIA reporting no heat, but a little gray imo, $2200 after discount

Unheated! Natural Bright Blue Ceylon Sapphire 2.05 ct - Litnon

no heat, but no lab report, $2460 but maybe they'd do a discount

Emeralds are more complicated. I know @muzoemeralds on IG has had some successful transactions with people on this forum, and in my chats with them, they are happy to educate and provide opinions. You can message them your budget and preferences and see what they say. They sell some very high end stuff, but some more affordable stuff as well.

Here is some of more desirable Muzo mateial, vs the lighter and bluer Chivor material with an idea of pricing from the aforementioned vendor which I quickly dug up from their IG (what can I say, I have spare time right now). Emerald is less dense than sapphire so it tends to look larger than a sapphire of the same weight. Of course, locales other than Colombia may be worth looking into.

Thank you for taking the time to look for blue sapphires for me. I am considering buying the sapphire at $450.

Meanwhile, i also looked for emeralds at JR since some PSers here recommended them.

I found this and anyone who would give feedback is highly appreciated: https://jrcolombianemeralds.com/pro...n-asscher-cut-natural-unset-colombian-emerald

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Thank you for taking the time to look for blue sapphires for me. I am considering buying the sapphire at $450.

Meanwhile, i also looked for emeralds at JR since some PSers here recommended them.

I found this and anyone who would give feedback is highly appreciated: https://jrcolombianemeralds.com/pro...n-asscher-cut-natural-unset-colombian-emerald

Very pretty emerald! Is this the tone that you love? I mention this because if you've just started looking there is no rush. Look around at different places and see what you like and don't like so that you end up with something you absolutely love. I bought a lot of random things when I first became addicted to coloured stones only to later on realize that I didn't love the color, tone, it was too small etc

If you do love this stone, ask the vendor about the level of treatment and see if it matches what you're comfortable with. Moderate, minor, insignificant etc

Some would also recommend an independent report. That is entirely up to you. Thought I'd just mention it. I personally don't always get a report from one of the big labs but that's a decision I'm comfortable living with. Others feel differently. Find your comfort zone.

 

[toomuchB]

Very pretty emerald! Is this the tone that you love? I mention this because if you've just started looking there is no rush. Look around at different places and see what you like and don't like so that you end up with something you absolutely love. I bought a lot of random things when I first became addicted to coloured stones only to later on realize that I didn't love the color, tone, it was too small etc

If you do love this stone, ask the vendor about the level of treatment and see if it matches what you're comfortable with. Moderate, minor, insignificant etc

Some would also recommend an independent report. That is entirely up to you. Thought I'd just mention it. I personally don't always get a report from one of the big labs but that's a decision I'm comfortable living with. Others feel differently. Find your comfort zone.

Lots of good points here
Especially the points of there is no rush, and finding comfort level regarding third party lab reports. My post was biased towards encouraging a lab report.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Lots of good points here
Especially the points of there is no rush, and finding comfort level regarding third party lab reports. My post was biased towards encouraging a lab report.

I hope you didn't think I was making a dig at getting gem reports! Not at all! Thought I'd clarify, just in case!

I mentioned it because I don't always get a report from GIA, GRS etc for various long winded reasons.

 

[toomuchB]

I hope you didn't think I was making a dig at getting gem reports! Not at all! Thought I'd clarify, just in case!

I mentioned it because I don't always get a report from GIA, GRS etc for various long winded reasons.

Of course I understood what you meant, and in some cases agree with you

 

[kobido]

Hello! I have sent email to JR. Here are his replies about the stone:
1. Our stones include an in-house certification of appraisal. I can also send this emerald to a 3rd party laboratory (GIA) is an additional cost of $480.
2. Since this stone is so pure and clean, it is to be believed as a minor oil stone. The reason being is that since the stone is already so clean, very little oiling enters inside the stone.
3. All of my emeralds are ethically oiled. It is a recommended and standard way of treatment for any person or gemological laboratory.

Kindly comment. Thank you!

 

[toomuchB]

Hello! I have sent email to JR. Here are his replies about the stone:
1. Our stones include an in-house certification of appraisal. I can also send this emerald to a 3rd party laboratory (GIA) is an additional cost of $480.
2. Since this stone is so pure and clean, it is to be believed as a minor oil stone. The reason being is that since the stone is already so clean, very little oiling enters inside the stone.
3. All of my emeralds are ethically oiled. It is a recommended and standard way of treatment for any person or gemological laboratory.

Kindly comment. Thank you!

I am hesitant to respond because its tough. Its a pretty stone that you like, declared to be minor treatment only, and quite clean.

That said, in-house certification is rather meaningless. The only way to verify their claim that it is minor oil, likely with cedarwood oil, which is very common (not sure I would use the word 'ethical' as they did - more like 'standard') is a 3rd party lab report. GIA charges 70$ for a report for a stone like that, 85$ if you want origin determination as well. The extra 400 is likely for insured shipping to and back. 480$ is about 20% of the stone cost... doesn't really feel worth financially, imo.
But on the other hand, I couldn't buy an emerald of decent value without verification on treatment (and origin if it adds to the price) via a 3rd party lab report.
Maybe PSers with more knowledge or experience with the seller will be of better help.