need constructive criticism on sapphire please

[1001smiles]

Hello. I purchased this sapphire from Tan, but have not received it yet, so I don't know how it looks in person. But I wanted to get some contructive criticism in the mean time (please don't worry about sounding negative, as i am still within a return window and I am looking for honest opinions).

It is heated, from Tanzania. Tan described it as violet color, medium tone and moderately strong saturation. I'm going to leave off size and price for now.

The video is here: http://www.odysseygem.com/ebay-pic/flash/18548-ae.swf

One of my concerns is that it may look kind of grayish in person. Although the last slightly-grayish blueish sapphire I got from Tan, I liked and kept. Also, will this wondow close in the setting? So for those of you who have ordered from Tan before, what are your thoughts from the video and description?

Thanks!

 

[GemFever]

I looove that color. But the window... will probably be noticeable, that's my guess. And with such a light color, it will be very easy to look right through it. Though who knows. Hope you get it soon and post your own pics!

 

[LD]

I have NO luck reading Tan's sapphire photos and all sapphires I thought would be lovely I've had to return. As you've already got one you love, I suspect you CAN read his photos. If you think it will have grey (and you already have a greyish stone from him that you've kept), will it be such a problem if this one has grey also?

PS It looks to be a very good size

 

[minousbijoux]

Its a pretty stone. Based on what I see, I would say that it has a window, but I find that windows close more easily on lighter toned stones, depending on skin color. Due to the cutting, the stone won't have as much scintillation as one with a higher crown might. That said, it has a lot of facets which will help. As lavenders go, I do see some grey in it and I think it will be present when you get the stone, but experts can probably tell you secrets to setting it in certain color metals to minimize the grey. Did you directly ask Tan if it had a grey modifier? Usually, he is so good at answering those questions (TL taught me that )

 

[stargurl78]

I have NO luck reading Tan's sapphire photos and all sapphires I thought would be lovely I've had to return. As you've already got one you love, I suspect you CAN read his photos. If you think it will have grey (and you already have a greyish stone from him that you've kept), will it be such a problem if this one has grey also?

PS It looks to be a very good size

Ditto. I've spent way too much money in shipping costs for returns to justify ever buying an expensive stone from him again. However, it seems quite a few people on here have had good luck with his stones...

 

[minousbijoux]

That's funny, because I think I've loved every one he has sent me, though they were all littlies of about a carat or less. I'll post some if I can dig them up.

 

[stargurl78]

That's funny, because I think I've loved every one he has sent me, though they were all littlies of about a carat or less. I'll post some if I can dig them up.

I believe that TL has said the same. I think I'm just not good at judging stones from the online photos, no matter who the seller is

 

[T L]

Hello. I purchased this sapphire from Tan, but have not received it yet, so I don't know how it looks in person. But I wanted to get some contructive criticism in the mean time (please don't worry about sounding negative, as i am still within a return window and I am looking for honest opinions).

It is heated, from Tanzania. Tan described it as violet color, medium tone and moderately strong saturation. I'm going to leave off size and price for now.

The video is here: http://www.odysseygem.com/ebay-pic/flash/18548-ae.swf

One of my concerns is that it may look kind of grayish in person. Although the last slightly-grayish blueish sapphire I got from Tan, I liked and kept. Also, will this wondow close in the setting? So for those of you who have ordered from Tan before, what are your thoughts from the video and description?

Thanks!

To set the record straight on greyish stones, if you like them, then you like them, and you should get what you like. There's nothing wrong with greyish stones, it's just that they're not the trade ideal, but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with them. There are many stones I love that are not the trade ideal like medium toned tsavorite for example.

I have some greyish stones from Tan (shockers!!), that I just love, and I have posted on this site on several occasions. I think the reason you're seeing a lack of saturation (which isn't a bad thing for many people), is because it's very light in tone. What I do like about that stone is that I see a lot of nice luster, sparkle, and although it's light in tone, which affects its saturation, I think it's the kind of stone that would look fabulous in a halo. For me, I feel that stones like that really glow and stand out in halos, but if you don't like halos, that's a different story. I'm not sure how picky you are about cutting, but there might be a bow tie on the stone and a small window (which I think is small enough to disappear in a setting), but more photos might be required to evaluate that properly.

It may go more grey in other lighting, or color shift, so please evaluate that when you get it as well. I hope that helps.

 

[Arkteia]

1001smiles, I hope you will not be disappointed. My recent experience with Tan's website has left me with a feeling that the stones that he describes as strongly saturated and which do not look too dark in his videos end up being unsaturated IRL, and stones that look dark in his videos turn out to be not dark at all and well-saturated. I can open a thread and post two spinels I bought from him and two videos for comparison. I hope you will have better experience with him. Greyish or not is a matter of personal preference, and so is saturation, but I just bought two spinels and was disappointed to see how his videos have changed. Good luck to you!

 

[chrono]

What are the dimensions of the stone? It looks a bit shallow with an extremely low crown, yet seems to have a smallish window. Perhaps the facet pattern is what helps minimize the windowing. With such a flat topped stone, I wonder how much dispersion you'll get in real life? Based on the video, it does look quite lively though. In terms of colour, yes, it will have some degree of grayness but in this case, it is because the saturation is tied somewhat to the tone. Overall though, I think the colour will be a pleasant pastel which is generally pleasing to most people. I suppose the real test comes when you get it in hand and check it out indoors to see the colour shifting. Sometimes it gets grayer but something a stone might shift to another pretty hue.

 

[1001smiles]

Thank you all for your feedback. I agree with everything said and share the same concerns about the cut and poor saturation.
Tan finally responded and sent this photo. I wonder if it will look to gray to my eyes. Another interesting thing he said is that he will charge me 10% restocking fee if I returned it. When did that happen?
Honestly, I am feeling really conflicted about this purchase, even more now...

 

[Arkteia]

It is not grey to my eye, and it is bright, but I hope you like pale stones. I have a post in vendor's photos in comparison to clients' photos about a spinel I bought from him. The restocking fee does not surprise me. I asked Tan to certify the spinel with AIGS, and he charged me $ 45.00. Things have changed with Tan.

 

[T L]

Thank you all for your feedback. I agree with everything said and share the same concerns about the cut and poor saturation.
Tan finally responded and sent this photo. I wonder if it will look to gray to my eyes. Another interesting thing he said is that he will charge me 10% restocking fee if I returned it. When did that happen?
Honestly, I am feeling really conflicted about this purchase, even more now...

For me, it would depend on the price and the size, and if they were what I perceived to be a good value for that stone. I personally like light toned spinels and sapphires due to their sparkle and luster, but if you don't like the color, that's a different story. I can forgo a very saturated spinel or sapphire if I feel they have light tone and excellent cutting, but that's me. The stone is not very saturated, but that doesn't mean it's not attractive to some. I actually like the color, however, I wouldn't want that color in an amethyst, or a low RI stone with glassy luster. Pale stones, in particular those with glassy luster, tend to get easily dirty, and they need a lot of cleaning in my experience.

I didn't know he's charging a restocking fee now.

 

[chrono]

The stone doesn't seem that bad; I like pastel spinels so my opinion is biased. Buying it or not depends on several factors, namely size and price which I have no idea of. Also, if you are not crazy about the colour in the first place, then whatever price he is asking for is not worth it. This is the first time I have heard of a restocking fee!