Just bought an unheated sapphire...appreciate your thoughts

[SomethingNew]

Hello all, hope you are all having a great start of 2021. I just bought this unheated sapphire and still within the return window, so I definitely would like your feedback. Honestly, i was most concerned about the size, because of the depth of the stone, it doesn't look the carat size, but I went for it anyway because the price seems to be very competitive.

Unheated 4.56 ct. Blue Sapphire Oval GIA, Loose 3-Stone Engagement Ring Gemstone SOLD

andrewsarosi.com

Btw I cannot give enough applause to the fabulous lady I worked with - Kim. She is the owner / president of the company. She is the sweetest lady, very professional and super patient with me even though mine is not a big purchase.

Any feedback is much appreciated.

 

[Bron357]

Looks lovely and a good price.
Yes, it is deep, what size finger is this beauty destined for as it will be sitting quite high up?
Its face up size isn’t a big as some 4.5 carat sapphires but bigger bottom sapphires are quite common. A cutter has to look at preserving weight and to maintaining colour and evenness of colour when looking “down” ( viewing angle) so sometimes they have a “weird“ shaped underneath. As long as it doesn’t affect facet display, ie looking nice and even looking “down” don’t worry.
9 x 8 mm is a good size for finger coverage, if a size 6 finger or under, big.

 

[SomethingNew]

Agreed 100% in terms of the face up size, and hence the price. But what do you think of the color? I just got the stone, will post some pictures tomorrow (hopefully we get some sun tomorrow).

I am about 4.75 ring finger, and 6.25 long finger, so I haven't decided yet. To tell you the truth, my fingers are super short and stubby, so I really wasn't sure about getting a chubby oval, but the stone growing on me.

 

[Adam95]

Agreed 100% in terms of the face up size, and hence the price. But what do you think of the color? I just got the stone, will post some pictures tomorrow (hopefully we get some sun tomorrow).

I am about 4.75 ring finger, and 6.25 long finger, so I haven't decided yet. To tell you the truth, my fingers are super short and stubby, so I really wasn't sure about getting a chubby oval, but the stone growing on me.

The vendor pics look cornflower blue, but I'd love to see yours. Its just the cut looking a bit native like typical of stuff cut in sri lanka/thailand.

 

[Rfisher]

Since you are wanting feedback - did the vendor send you any more pictures that you can show us?

 

[chrono]

But what do you think of the color? I just got the stone, will post some pictures tomorrow

I hope to see your pictures as those in the website are not good for evaluating colour. 3 pics have the stone bottom up and although there is one picture of the front, it is tilted almost completely on its side, making it difficult to evaluate colour which is always done face up.

 

[Arcadian]

So, interesting? I know Marc (have bought from him before) but do not know Kim. Andrew passed away from cancer some time ago, if its the same Andrew Sarcosi. (do run a search on his name on this forum)

well anyway, Marc owns AfricaGems https://africagems-showcase.com/pages/about-us

 

[Rfisher]

Oh! Whoops. I didn’t catch you already have it.
Yes! Please do post your pictures.
Multiple different lighting environments, both direct and indirect lighting would be fantastic.
And let us know if what you see to your naked eye looks similar to what’s showing up on your monitor. I know all monitors vary, but I think that bit of info is helpful.

 

[Ionysis]

Fat bottom sapphires are common in native cuts and often they are that way to bring out the best in the colour of the stone. These local cutters often know their business very well and get as much or more performance out of a sapphire than precision cutters. I’ve seen these kind of stones recut and totally lose their pizzaz and personality afterwards.

She’s a beauty. Hope you enjoy your project and please do post more photos through the process of getting her set!

 

[SomethingNew]

Yet another lazy, rainy day, but I managed to take some pictures around the house under different lighting. Now I totally understand when you guys say color stones are the hardest to take photographs...

These pictures are taken with my ipad, with no filters.

In my home office, under LED lights...you can see the slight violet color. In person, the violet is definitely a bit more prominent.





By the window, in direct sunlight, you can see the "zoning" in the blues, but not too significant. Some windowing but not so bad due to it being a deep stone.





Under direct desk lamp...



Overall medium saturation, is that a good thing? When I first got it, I wasn't too thrilled about the table size (compared to the carat weight), but it is definitely growing on me. I scouted around afterwards, and cannot find something equivalent at a price I can afford. I am super excited about setting this stone, but will have to save some money first.

Forgot to mention, someone asked before, the stone is from Sri Lanka.

 

[SomethingNew]

So, interesting? I know Marc (have bought from him before) but do not know Kim. Andrew passed away from cancer some time ago, if its the same Andrew Sarcosi. (do run a search on his name on this forum)

well anyway, Marc owns AfricaGems https://africagems-showcase.com/pages/about-us

Kim is the wife now owner of the company. She is absolutely a sweet heart to work with, very approachable and good taste in design. However I don't see their names pop up here a lot. I do see Africa Gems is a reputable vendor here.

 

[LD]

Several thoughts for you ................ (1) is the culet off centre when you look down through the stone? The photos suggest is might be. If you're a symmetry freak like me, that would be a deal breaker and (2) colour is very personal. If you like it then don't worry about the colour. (3) It is a very very deep stone so on little fingers if set into a ring it will be quite high off the finger. Is that something you're ok with?

 

[Arcadian]

Kim is the wife now owner of the company. She is absolutely a sweet heart to work with, very approachable and good taste in design. However I don't see their names pop up here a lot. I do see Africa Gems is a reputable vendor here.

I wasn't for sure the relation so hesitated to make one. I met Andrew at one of the gem shows many years ago and really loved his designs. I've had great experience with Marc (My red spinel was from him. ) He won't be the least expensive but he's got a good eye for stones.

This is good to know, thank you for the info!

 

[SomethingNew]

Several thoughts for you ................ (1) is the culet off centre when you look down through the stone? The photos suggest is might be. If you're a symmetry freak like me, that would be a deal breaker and (2) colour is very personal. If you like it then don't worry about the colour. (3) It is a very very deep stone so on little fingers if set into a ring it will be quite high off the finger. Is that something you're ok with?

Yes, good eye! The culet is a bit off centre, but when you look down it is not noticeable to me. The color is something i am unsure about. This is the first time I am buying a real sapphire and I don't know much about colored stones in general. I do really like the blue, but I don't know what shade would this be considered as? I see a tiny bit of cornflower, a bit of indigo blue....

I do think the stone is deep, so I am thinking a halo or a double halo that sits just a bit lower will help alleviate the height differential.

 

[SomethingNew]

I wasn't for sure the relation so hesitated to make one. I met Andrew at one of the gem shows many years ago and really loved his designs. I've had great experience with Marc (My red spinel was from him. ) He won't be the least expensive but he's got a good eye for stones.

This is good to know, thank you for the info!

I love red spinel, that will be hopefully my next project... maybe next year. Can i see yours?

 

[Arcadian]

I had to dig to find some older pictures (that ring is in the safe would be tragic to try to dig it out ATM)


Anyway that is the stone I got from Marc and is a mahenge spinel, 2.35cts if I'm remembering right. . At the time it was under 1K. TDF stoplight red but it is very silky/glowy. I found I'm a big sucker for silky spinels.

The setting is 18K gold. Its a basic setting, but in that setting she stays. its simple but highlights the stone well.

The other strawberry red one also a spinel, can't remember much about it...lol it was not terribly expensive but it is a beautiful stone.

 

[SomethingNew]

I had to dig to find some older pictures (that ring is in the safe would be tragic to try to dig it out ATM)


Anyway that is the stone I got from Marc and is a mahenge spinel, 2.35cts if I'm remembering right. . At the time it was under 1K. TDF stoplight red but it is very silky/glowy. I found I'm a big sucker for silky spinels.

The setting is 18K gold. Its a basic setting, but in that setting she stays. its simple but highlights the stone well.

The other strawberry red one also a spinel, can't remember much about it...lol it was not terribly expensive but it is a beautiful stone.

Wow, what a collection! The spinel looks delicious, but your whole collection is my DREAM, reminds me of a box of Christopher Elbow.

 

[Arcadian]

Wow, what a collection! The spinel looks delicious, but your whole collection is my DREAM, reminds me of a box of Christopher Elbow.

That is exceptionally kind of you, thank you! There are some that have some amazing and droolworthy collections. I think once you learn what you like, what you can and can't accept, it becomes pretty easy.....except the $$$$ part