Looking for Opinions: Blue Oval Sapphires

[J-RL]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for a blue oval sapphire to be a centre stone for an engagement ring. I'm considering the following two sapphires; however, I want some thoughts on each of them as they are essentially the same price.

I'm extremely keen on the colour of the 1.19-carat sapphire (dimensions of H6.89 x W5.44 x D3.78 mm) which is heated; however, the 1.27-carat sapphire is supposedly untreated and larger in size (dimensions of H7.96 x W5.78 x D3.57 mm) yet still has a nice colour. I'm a little confused as I thought all else being equal, an untreated sapphire should command a higher price compared to a treated sapphire? I would have thought the untreated sapphire would cost more? I'm also unsure if these sapphires are good value for money - overpriced or not?

Any thoughts on these points would be greatly appreciated!

 

[chrono]

Do you have "life" comparison of both side by side? The heated stone looks livelier and brighter.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I would also check Etsy, (many of the vendors have Instagram pages) you'll have more protections and return policies and can request certifications etc.
Going through Instagram will definitely have what you're looking for, it opens you to source- but there is greater risk because some locales won't accept returns, import duties...it's more of a gamble.
But do I think you can do better? Certainly for heated, if you're willing to put time into it.

Blue Sapphire* - 1.22 carats at AJS Gems

Buy high quality natural Blue Sapphire at wholesale prices at AJS Gems.

www.ajsgem.com

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewelry, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewelry, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

Of the two you've shown I actually prefer the 1.27, as my taste runs to a little velvet. It may present dark in normal light. But silk means less/no sparkle, they glow. The issue I see is that the lighting used for this site's glamour shots is very bright, I would request daytime/indoor pictures. The 1.19 will be a brighter stone but it's hard to gauge it without varied lighting shots.

 

[J-RL]

Do you have "life" comparison of both side by side? The heated stone looks livelier and brighter.

I don't have a side by side comparison, unfortunately. The links to the stones show a 360 degree view - I agree the heated has better colour.

 

[J-RL]

I would also check Etsy, (many of the vendors have Instagram pages) you'll have more protections and return policies and can request certifications etc.
Going through Instagram will definitely have what you're looking for, it opens you to source- but there is greater risk because some locales won't accept returns, import duties...it's more of a gamble.
But do I think you can do better? Certainly for heated, if you're willing to put time into it.

Blue Sapphire* - 1.22 carats at AJS Gems

Buy high quality natural Blue Sapphire at wholesale prices at AJS Gems.

www.ajsgem.com

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewelry, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewelry, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

Of the two you've shown I actually prefer the 1.27, as my taste runs to a little velvet. It may present dark in normal light. But silk means less/no sparkle, they glow. The issue I see is that the lighting used for this site's glamour shots is very bright, I would request daytime/indoor pictures. The 1.19 will be a brighter stone but it's hard to gauge it without varied lighting shots.

Thanks for the feedback and links. I might see if I can get daytime/indoor lighting shots as this may reveal a great deal about their appearance - as you say, the website's photos are done under a great deal of lighting.

 

[chrono]

Ask the vendor to have the pictures taken side by side for a more accurate comparison.

 

[Rfisher]

I only have limited exp with TNSC, but they have been pretty generous with additional photo requests and comparison photo of stones together.

That company also seasonally runs %off sales - doesn’t hurt to ask a company like that if they’d consider that typical % off,
Unless it voids return policy.

Congratulations on your engagement!

 

[Bron357]

Congratulations on your engagement.
There are many factors that drive sapphire price including what is currently “in fashion”.
Typically an unheated sapphire is more expensive because it’s “rarer” and some people insist on completely natural as pulled out of the ground.
Ordinary heat treatment, which is done to reduce the rutile inclusions that can make the sapphire look hazy, is common and acceptable. Its the other and extra treatments that might be applied that should be avoided, their purpose is basically to turn ugly into nice.
Buying on line can be tricky as you don’t know what the sapphire will actually look like in your environment. All the different lighting conditions ie Inside, outside, summer, winter, rainy day, supermarket, office, jewellery store will make the sapphire look different, better in some lighting conditions, not so pretty in others.
Thats why a no fuss return policy is important just in case the sapphire when seen in real life is disappointing.
In relation to the sapphire you posted, the first one, smaller, has noticable colour zoning looking down. That’s not necessarily a deal breaker but mostly it’s not desirable. I prefer the larger sapphire.
Sapphire colour, tone, hue and saturation is a personal thing but some combinations are much more expensive than others.
If your preference is inky blue or sparkly pastel blue you will pay less than if your preference is Royal blue with vivid saturation.
Here are two of my sapphires, photographed with an I phone. One is inside on white background under LED lighting, the other is outside on my hand in summertime shade. They look like completely different sapphires.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Hello there and welcome to the forum!! As was previously mentioned, the NSC is very generous with providing extra photos and videos upon request. So I would ask for a side-by-side comparison. Lauren is excellent about comparing and contrasting differences amongst stones. As @chrono stated, I am assuming that, although heated, the 1.19ct. has better color in person than the unheated 1.27ct. Even the slightest variation in color can dramatically affect a gem's value. Congratulations on your engagement!!

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

Sapphire - Adamant International Ltd

Fine quality gemstones from Sri Lanka and East Africa. Ceylon sapphires, chrysoberyls, spinels, tourmalines, zircons, beryls, garnets and other gems.

www.adamantgems.com

This vendor has a few options right now, but from what I understand they have many that aren't currently listed and will help you find a stone. Their prices seem very reasonable and their cutting is nice.

 

[caolsen]

Congratulations. As for heating, does your soon to be fiancé have an opinion on that front? If not, traditional heat will generally get you more bang for your sapphire buck and often have the classic blue that folks think of when they think sapphire.