Light blue/lavendar star sapphire

[pregcurious]

I just received this star sapphire from TGT and just wanted to post it while I'm deciding to keep it or not (I am leaning towards keeping it). I've been looking for a star sapphire with this color and sharp star for about 2 years, but have never found the right body color until now. The star itself is perfect. Are prefect stars hard to find?

On the negative side I can see small, clear bubble like inclusion inside the stone when I am inside the house. When I go outside, all I can see are the fine needle inclusions and the perfect star. There's also a black inclusion on the edge of the stone, which can be pronged, and is shown on the vendor's pics below (which are accurate). What do you guys think? I'm don't have much experience with stars.

EDIT: I can't see the pictures I posted. What's going on?

 

[pregcurious]

Okay, I can see the TIFF in "preview mode" but not in the regular posting. Can anyone else see these? This is annoying.

 

[Kismet]

Try inserting the image (the button under the subject line) now that the images are uploaded.

 

[pregcurious]

Thanks, Kismet!

You can see the black inclusion in the 1st and 2nd picture on the bottom left. The stone generally has a inclusions in it that blend with the overall silkiness. I haven't seen enough star sapphires to know if this is normal.

 

[Kismet]

It's lovely! I would totally keep it as the star is perfect, the color is lovely, it looks pretty translucent and the inclusions seem to be pretty minor.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

You have looked for a similar stone for 2 years. Are you willing to look for several more years or will this stone make you happy in the mean time? Finding a perfect star isn't easy, as you have noticed.

One inclusion is easily dealt with. The other is only visible in some circumstances. Will you have mind clean issues? Will the second inclusion bug you forever or will you learn to live with it, as a mark of "your" stone?

 

[pregcurious]

Thanks, Kismet. Are those kind of cloudy inclusions in the back ground normal for a star sapphire?

Lady_disdane, those are very good points, and the star is perfect.

Has anyone looked for/bought stars and would like to share their experience to help me put this into context?

 

[chrono]

Very pretty star sapphire; star is nice and sharp, colour looks dreamy with just the right touch of tranlucency. The black inclusion is minor and I would forgive the cabochon for that. The back is rather deep but again, a minor "fault". Not sure what you mean by "cloudy" inclusions in the background?

 

[pregcurious]

Thanks, Chrono. When I orient the stone as seen in the first 2 pictures, on the right side of the stone has a large area that is more silky. I don't notice it until I get within 3 inches, and then I can't clearly see it until I loupe it (10x).

I am planning on setting it in a vintage style pave setting, east-west orientation, with a white metal.

 

[minousbijoux]

I saw that stone and so totally coveted it. I decided not to go for it for two reasons, but knew that it would probably be several years before I see another one that nice. The reasons I didn't go for it: 1) no surplus funds these days ; and 2) the deep back with weight there means that it faces up smaller than I might like. I already have a 2 ct that is tiny because all the weight is in the back (admittedly not nearly as nice as yours).

I would urge you to keep it and set it. I think the bubble inclusions - which I can't see from your pics, BTW - would be neat and give it character. If you find that it really bothers you, I bet you could sell it eventually and recoup your investment, as ones of that quality are hard to find.

Really, really pretty.

 

[RedSpinel]

I can see the little black spot, but I cant make out the bubbles. Is there some color banding in there with a band of darker blue, or is it just the way the camera made it look in one or 2 of the pictures?

I like the color, and it has a nice star. I didnt see the size mentioned, but someone said something about 2cts. It is deep cut in the back, and I dont know if that will get in the way when you mount it(if you mount it), but that definitely takes away from the size of the stone when buying a certain ct. wt. gem.

But I like it, and it has a nice baby-blue color and nice star. I dont usually ask how much someone pays for something, but I am always curious(like probably everyone else!), but if the price was right, then keep it, if it ws too high in your opinion, then maybe find another.

I bought my 3.5+ ct medium blue star sapphire from a colored gem buyer/seller at one of the swankier Philadelphia jewlers, from their then-new Delaware store, and I actually got a good deal on it, and he said he had access to star sapphires in several different price ranges at the time, so they are out there, but you have to find the sources......

As far as price though, if it is a heated stone, which it probably is, then based on the color, star quality, but also the inclusions, I'd say to pay no more than $200- $250 per ct. If its not heated, then maybe $400-$500 per ct. tops. I got mine over 10 years ago, it was over 3.5cts, medium blue, no noticeable inclusions aside from the rutile needle inclusions that make the star, and I paid somewhere between $100-$150 per ct, I dont remember the exact price but it was somewhere in the $400 - $550 range., and it had a nice, straight star too. It was heated though.

 

[VapidLapid]

I think it is very nice. star looks sharp and bright. How is the color without the star, as that is what you will be seeing more of?

threadjack:
Whoever got the princess cobalt spinel two seconds before me, that I have been looking for for two years and is for a very special project is now my sworn enemy. I hate this about me, but I can hold grudges for decades.
end threadjack

 

[RedSpinel]

I think it is very nice. star looks sharp and bright. How is the color without the star, as that is what you will be seeing more of?

threadjack:
Whoever got the princess cobalt spinel two seconds before me, that I have been looking for for two years and is for a very special project is now my sworn enemy. I hate this about me, but I can hold grudges for decades.
end threadjack

Well, ALL you guys and gals who keep buying spinels are my enemies, because if too many people buy them, then they lose their "underdog" status, and then the prices will skyrocket due to their rarity and beauty! LOL

We need to start talking about spinels in code. For instance, if someone finds a nice spinel, the code words for nice, beautiful spinels will be "horrible" or "hideously ugly". When talking about how you cant wait to buy another spinel, the code words for that will be "I will never buy one of those pieces of crap again!"

See, that way we can make society forget about Spinels, or think that they are a total waste of money, so that we get first dibs on them and the prices stay reasonable!

 

[VapidLapid]

the cobalt in cobalt spinels is extremely dangerous to one's health. Anyone who recently purchased one is advised to return it as soon as possible to minimize the effects of exposure.

 

[minousbijoux]

VL - I am sorry you did not get the cobalt spinel. I just know it would've had a very nice life with you. Can you contact Brad in case he has several more just lying around?

Red Spinel, I believe that star sapphires lose their rutile - and therefore their stars - when heated, or at least it deteriorates the star. So I'm sure this is unheated...

 

[pregcurious]

Thanks for all the feedback and questions. I'll try to answer everything.

When there's no star, that color is mostly even, and slightly darker than the pictures. In the area with more silk, it is ever so slightly whiter, but only if I stare at it with my eyes 3 inches away in the crazy PS style, and then I pull out my loupe. It's very pleasant, and the exact color I wanted.

There's no noticeable color banding.

It's 3 carats, and the size is 8 x 6 x 6 mm, which is good for me. In a perfect world it would be flatter, but it does not bother me at all. Thanks for pointing out that it might be hard to set. I will have to consider that.

I paid a reasonable price, and you can still see that price on the thegemtrader.com if you're curious. I won't post the price because I don't want Brad to be have a certain price associated with stones like this for eternity. I think the price is reasonable.

I didn't ask if it was heated, but I will ask. It definitely was not subjected to high heat. I think I've read that some stars are subjected to low heat. I will probably send it to AGL for a Brief Report, but not within the 7 day return period. Low heat is okay with me.

I didn't buy the blue spinel, but I was fortunate enough to see it minutes after it was posted. I didn't buy it because I only have the risk tolerance for one stone at a time. I hope someone posts it!

Okay, I am most likely going to keep this stone. I've only ever regretted purchasing one stone, and with the exception of that one, I like my stones the longer I keep them. I think it may be the same with this. I really appreciate all your feedback!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I considered that star, but it was too similar to the one I already own, lol.

How is the star in person? I was worried it might be a bit on the thin side based on the photos.

 

[Fly Girl]

Very nice star and a very nice color. I've been looking for such a combo for years, especially after seeing MTGs pretty lavendar star.

I finally picked up this pink star sapphire from Vance Gems at Intergem a couple of weeks ago. Two carats, but nearly no back, so a spready 7 mm. Nearly round. Very pretty pink color with hints of lavendar. Great and awesome star that appears without a lot of trouble once I get spot lighting. Cons are a black spot on the back, probably the matrix rock, that shows through because the sapphire is fairly translucent. It was not cheap. But, I have been looking for years, and decided to go for it. Its shape will lend it to being set in a fairly flat setting, which is a plus in my view.

Bill Vance had a couple of other star sapphires that he picked up on his trip to Sri Lanka. He told me he goes that a couple of times a year and selects the stones personally. His other star sapphires were larger, a bit cheaper, but not nearly as pretty a color as this one. You can easily get a pale grey-blue one, from what I have seen.

That one you have is really nice. If it stars well and is a pleasant color, I would forgive its other flaws.

 

[beaujolais]

Awesome star s. !

On the negative side I can see small, clear bubble like inclusion inside the stone

I actually prefer an inclusion or two, actually (as long as it doesn't ruin the stone's performance). They add character. Perfect you can get in a "can't-talk-about-it-here" type stone (aka - synthetic).

Getting mad at that inclusion(s), imo, is sort of like, "Well, I won the lotto but I don't like the numbers."

Darn, I would have bought that if I saw it.

---

Yours is pretty, too, Fly. I love the magenta color. (For me, I'd be fine with the darker spots, too.)

 

[minousbijoux]

Must say, Pregcurious and Flygirl, you have officially bumped the other contender out of the top place in my heart and are now numbers one and two sapphires to me! Flygirl, excellent choice and gorgeous color! Pc, you MUST get that sapphire!