Joe Escobar in Campbell, Ca (looking at blue sapphires)

[minousbijoux]

You are showing us 3 or 4 different stones, correct? They are quite dark. Were the pictures of the stone(s) on your hand taken with some natural light, or only store lighting? Keep in mind that store lighting is made to bring out the absolute best in stones, so in order to truly judge, you have to see it in natural light as well. Ask if they have any fluorescent lighting as well and see what happens there.

The thing is that since you've been reading for a while, you know that everyone has different thresholds for what they like and can accept. For me, those sapphs would be too dark - others might not agree with that. Also keep in mind, since it may be that you are looking for a halo? that the stone will darken in almost any setting, so you may want to start a little lighter than you think.

You are absolutely right that folks who buy online often end up seeing a few stones and sending some back before they find "the one." Its often a hassle to send it back, depending upon the location of the vendor, but the return if and when you find "the one" online, is cost savings.

 

[eringnewbie]

It's actually two different stones.

Stone #1 is already set in a ring. I believe it was just about 2cts

Stone #2 is the loose one on my hand. Around the same carat size.

They are on the darker side but I like a deeper royal blue/purple color. That being said they performed great in the store which had lots of natural light as well. We did not take them outside or see them under true fluorescent lighting.

That being said, I'm worried about daily lighting. We just wanted to look at more stones in person on this trip, hints why we didn't dive in super deep. The other songs they had were a lighter blue but I don't really care for a denim color as much. I definitely want something that glows blue so you tell it's a Sapphire and not a black Diamond!

I like this one but I'm afraid it will be too light. It's definitely cheaper abs slightly larger than what we saw this weekend.

 

[eringnewbie]

I believe this represents the end color I want. Whether or not that's how it ends up looking in person is a different story! Is this price too high?

 

[chrono]

Both stones showed (in the store) are on the dark side and may close up under fluorescent lighting (lose the blue and become blackish). If you are interested in the two, I would definitely check them out under incandescent, fluorescent and outdoors.

Of the two Gemfix stones, the one you mentioned as light, isn't really lighter in tone. It has lesser saturation (more gray) and can be misread as "light" instead of being not saturated enough. The second Gemfix stone isn't dark but is better saturated (stronger pop of colour).

 

[eringnewbie]

Both stones showed (in the store) are on the dark side and may close up under fluorescent lighting (lose the blue and become blackish). If you are interested in the two, I would definitely check them out under incandescent, fluorescent and outdoors.

Of the two Gemfix stones, the one you mentioned as light, isn't really lighter in tone. It has lesser saturation (more gray) and can be misread as "light" instead of being not saturated enough. The second Gemfix stone isn't dark but is better saturated (stronger pop of colour).

I agree Chrono on all fronts. The first gemfix has more purple undertones from what I am seeing. Is less saturated better for a stone going in a Halo? I really love the second gemfix stone. It glows bright blue from the pictures.

Do you think gemfix #2 has too high of a price tag?

 

[chrono]

Saturation will remain steady no matter the type of setting. Tone is what will be affected the most. An enclosed style setting like a halo can make a darker stone even darker. A lighter stone will be slightly darkened in a halo setting. Saturation is minimally affected.

 

[Justin_Cutter]

eringnewbie, definitely see if you can walk outside with a stone that you are looking at. Or at least into a different lighting environment.

Here is my Wife's sapphire in overcast light just to give you something to compare. Now keep in mind that this stone darkens about 25% once indoors depending on lighting, so you might want a lighter stone than you think. Like most have said saturation is really the key here.




~Justin

 

[minousbijoux]

IMO, the second one is much better than the first. I like the hue and saturation better.

 

[eringnewbie]

Justin, thanks for showing me a few pictures of your wife's Sapphire outside of the setting. Her stone is amazing to say the least! I've been swooning over her stone after reading your journey to discover it! I'll definitely keep your suggestion to select a lighter blue with heavy saturation to heart.

I'm new to this world and I feel like everyone has been so helpful and forth coming with information. So thank you everyone!

 

[minousbijoux]

Sorry if I'm being a broken record, but have you read the stickey at the top of the page written by LD on gemstones? There is a bit of a review in that on the difference between tone and saturation, which might help you. One of the common things that happens is that people mistake darker tone for greater saturation. I worry that is what you are doing in looking at these most recent sapphs.

 

[LD]

Sorry if I'm being a broken record, but have you read the stickey at the top of the page written by LD on gemstones? There is a bit of a review in that on the difference between tone and saturation, which might help you. One of the common things that happens is that people mistake darker tone for greater saturation. I worry that is what you are doing in looking at these most recent sapphs.

Couldn't agree more. One of the loveliest sapphires that demonstrates superb saturation is slksaphire's amazing stone.

 

[eringnewbie]

Sorry if I'm being a broken record, but have you read the stickey at the top of the page written by LD on gemstones? There is a bit of a review in that on the difference between tone and saturation, which might help you. One of the common things that happens is that people mistake darker tone for greater saturation. I worry that is what you are doing in looking at these most recent sapphs.

I appreciate your recommendation to read the sticky thread. I've actually looked at it a few times. I'm a very visual person so while the descriptions are awesome it would be great to see more examples. Plus when you pair what is stated in that thread verses how vendors describe the stones (medium blue, deep blue, cornflower. ..) It's hard to make heads or tails at times because they sometimes don't even discuss the saturation. As I'm learning from reading other people's journeys, what you see online is usually not what you get in real life. Then I feel like it's a guessing game of how the stone was lit and if they enhanced the color or if my monitor is skewed!

Yes, I initially thought more saturation meant darker blue stones but you guys set me straight!

One thing that I guess mentally I keep coming back to its how dark Kate middleton's ring shows up in pictures. Maybe it's just bad photography but I would expect her to have a great specimen. So I keep associating darker more opaque stones with an ideal look. I'm sure you guys will laugh at me for that comment but being new to sapphires and only seeing a few in person it's just me being naive.

I'm definitely on board with one that glows blue with some violet/purple secondary flashes. The saturation should be fairly uniform and moderate to strong. The last one i postedfrom gemfix is beautiful in my eyes.

Please feel free to guide and correct me along the way. I need all the help I can get!

And by the way that sticky thread is very helpful!!!

 

[Justin_Cutter]

Sorry if I'm being a broken record, but have you read the stickey at the top of the page written by LD on gemstones? There is a bit of a review in that on the difference between tone and saturation, which might help you. One of the common things that happens is that people mistake darker tone for greater saturation. I worry that is what you are doing in looking at these most recent sapphs.

Couldn't agree more. One of the loveliest sapphires that demonstrates superb saturation is slksaphire's amazing stone.

I also agree. To my knowledge there is no better example on PriceScope. And that is really saying something because there are a lot of amazing blue sapphires here!
~Justin

 

[eringnewbie]

Her stone is a great example. Agreed!

 

[minousbijoux]

Wow, eringnewbie, for someone new, you have just summarily rattled off all the pitfalls of online searches! I love the stone you showed as the color you seek - stick to it. That is really helpful in the search.

Kate Middleton's ring is a mystery to many of us. There has been a surge in the popularity of darker sapphires as a result of that ring. That's fine if that is what you like, but only get what you like. You'll hear that a lot here.

 

[eringnewbie]

Wow, eringnewbie, for someone new, you have just summarily rattled off all the pitfalls of online searches! I love the stone you showed as the color you seek - stick to it. That is really helpful in the search.

Kate Middleton's ring is a mystery to many of us. There has been a surge in the popularity of darker sapphires as a result of that ring. That's fine if that is what you like, but only get what you like. You'll hear that a lot here.

Thanks minousbijoux! I'm definitely learning a lot from all of you guys and gals.

I did initially like darker sapphires but I realized after reading various posts on PS and seeing pictures online that I prefer something that glows blue. I don't want my stone to be mistaken for a black diamond.

Plus I now know how temperamental sapphires can be in various lighting conditions.

That gemfix stone is a lovely example of a slightly darker blue with moderate saturation. sadly someone purchased the stone... Hopefully it was my bf in an attempt to surprise me but doubtful. It moved very fast after I posted it... Another pitfall of online shopping I suppose. I'm confident with PSers helping me and my continued research we will get "the one".

 

[chrono]

Sadly someone purchased the stone... It moved very fast after I posted it... Another pitfall of online shopping I suppose.

This why we often tell the poster the following:
1. Do not disclose the vendor
2. Try to post pictures, not links.
3. If interested and PSers say it is promising, reserve it ASAP.

If the advice above is not followed down to the letter, you can bet any recommended stone will be gone in a flash, purchased by lurkers.

 

[eringnewbie]

Lesson learned for sure! I'll get more crafty with my postings to avoid the dreaded lurkers!

 

[minousbijoux]

I'm sorry this happened, but am a big believer in things happen for a reason. "The one" is still out there calling your name.