Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Need educated opinions on a sapphire I'm looking at. Please help.

S

SlowTree

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2018
Messages
11
Hi, I'm looking to get a padparadscha or peach colored sapphire for an engagement ring. I have picked one that I liked, but I have no idea about what goes into a quality stone. The shape of the stone does look odd to me... maybe it isn't an issue? I'm not sure. Any info on the stone I selected, or choosing a sapphire in general would be greatly appreciated!

Here is the one I like so far:

https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/2.07ct-ceylon-oval-padparadscha-sapphire-pa3198-/
 
I would avoid NSC based on their reputation not being very good. That stone is also very poorly cut, with a large window. What's your budget/target shape/target size?
 
It was cut to retain weight which is why the stone is so windowed and wonky. The problem with that is that you will only see the color you covet on the outside edges of the stone. The large middle section will be lifeless and lack color.
 
lovedogs said:
I would avoid NSC based on their reputation not being very good. That stone is also very poorly cut, with a large window. What's your budget/target shape/target size?
Click to expand...

Thank you for the quick reply. I am looking for an oval shaped stone, about 2 ct. And costs around 5k
 
LisaRN said:
It was cut to retain weight which is why the stone is so windowed and wonky. The problem with that is that you will only see the color you covet on the outside edges of the stone. The large middle section will be lifeless and lack color.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input, I will select a other stone. I have read about windows in a stone, but I cant seem to identify them myself. Is every "white" spot on the stone considered a window? :confused:
 
lovedogs said:
Not quite 2cts, but this is lovely:

https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p225/1.55_ct_Padparadscha_Sapphire.html

GemFix is another good source.

https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-499
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-502
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-460

The last one isn't peach, but I love the color and wanted to share.
Click to expand...

There second and third ones are pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. They are way better than anything I've found so far on my own. The first and 4th one are a little more vivid color than I am looking for. Thank you man!
 
@SlowTree: glad you like them! There's a list of suggested vendors pinned at the top. If you scroll all the way down to the end (the most recent list), you can find a full list of "trusted" vendors. Obviously not officially endorsed or anything, but vendors that people have generally had good experiences with.
 
I always wondered on some websites, like NSC, they have such a 'low' quality next to decent quality with both similar prices.
Are they just calculating $X/carat on all gems in a particular class, say 2-3 carat peach color, or do they hope to earn a 500% margin on the one with bad quality (which the newcomer can't distinguish) and make only 25% on the one in good quality.
Do you also see that? It seems like they don't evaluate and price each gem individually, instead good and bad are too close together.
E.g. the OP's first choice sells at a similar price as:
https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/2.01ct-madagascar-oval-padparadscha-sapphire-pa3205-/
To my eye, the 2.01 is far better. either 2.01 should be more expensive, or 2.07 should cost half. I imagine they make far more profit on 2.07 than 2.01.
Or course each gem has its pros and cons, but especially on windows they seem to hope that most buyers just don't see it, while they have bought it at a quarter of value because of the flaw?
Does my observation make sense to anybody?
 
I love these Padparadscha threads! There was one a few months ago where I learned that I like the orange with pink rather than pink with orange. As for the pricing on the NSC stones, the 2.01 may be a better cut, but it has a huge flaw near the girdle. I think that equalizes the pricing. Neither are top quality.

This one is way out of budget but wow.
https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p389/3.46_ct_Ceylon_Padparadscha_Sapphire.html
It has a lotus report. Wow.

I also vote for the second Gemfix one, the 2.59. It has a good blending of the two colors but I don't think it has the "pad" label on the gem reports. Which keeps the pricing within reason. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
 
I really like the second gemfix one linked by @lovedogs. This is one I liked, but may be too saturated for you. It's also smaller than you wanted, but if any one else is looking for a pad, it's a reasonable price and has a nice color and a Lotus report.
1.2 Pad Lotus Report.jpg

https://jupitergem.com/1-20-carats-heated-padparadscha-2477/

I really like the one you linked, @suzanne2! :love::love: I wish I had the budget for that.
 
natasha-cupcake said:
I really like the second gemfix one linked by @lovedogs. This is one I liked, but may be too saturated for you. It's also smaller than you wanted, but if any one else is looking for a pad, it's a reasonable price and has a nice color and a Lotus report.
1.2 Pad Lotus Report.jpg

https://jupitergem.com/1-20-carats-heated-padparadscha-2477/

I really like the one you linked, @suzanne2! :love::love: I wish I had the budget for that.
Click to expand...

The Jupiter Gem one also has a large window, so the color won't be great when set (the white space in the middle that looks shallow is the window, just FYI). But the color is nice--just not worth 2K IMHO.
 
lovedogs said:
The Jupiter Gem one also has a large window, so the color won't be great when set (the white space in the middle that looks shallow is the window, just FYI). But the color is nice--just not worth 2K IMHO.
Click to expand...
I didn't catch that as a window--I'm still a noob at colored stones! Do the other pictures at the Jupiter Gem link show the window, too? I'm really trying to learn as much as I can. I have a hard time interpreting pictures, especially.
 
SlowTree said:
Thanks for the input, I will select a other stone. I have read about windows in a stone, but I cant seem to identify them myself. Is every "white" spot on the stone considered a window? :confused:
Click to expand...

I think if you search "window" on this forum you will get a much more sophisticated reply than my basic reply. But- basically a window is an area in the middle of the stone in which you can almost see through the stone. If you placed the stone between your fingers you would see your fingers through that window. In a well cut stone you will see facets that are reflecting the light and you will also see that the color is the same, or almost the same as the rest of the stone. In windowed stones the center of the stone lacks that color and sparkle.
 
Thank you guys for all the awesome feedback! The second gemfix one is also my favorite. I am waiting for a reply from the seller now.
How do you guys feel about purchasing an expensive stone like this online vs. in person?
 
SlowTree said:
Thank you guys for all the awesome feedback! The second gemfix one is also my favorite. I am waiting for a reply from the seller now.
How do you guys feel about purchasing an expensive stone like this online vs. in person?
Click to expand...

100% I trust online more than in person. I used to feel the opposite way, but after being on this forum I've realized that 99% of trusted sellers are online (or have storefronts that aren't near me). So I would say you can be totally confident with well-known and trusted sellers (especially the non-Ebay ones, obviously). But with a vendor like GemFix or any of the other really well known ones with good return policies (ALWAYS check return policies before buying), you are good to go :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP

Featured Topics

Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top