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Need feedback on low priced sapphires

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stonew508

Rough_Rock
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
15
Hi everyone, first time posting here but I must have read a thousand threads. I love sapphire, and I want to get my lady a sapphire pendant. I have looked and been intrigued by some big name stores like angara.com but I'm also looking at cheaper ebay options. I found this stone and I don't understand how it can be so cheap. The seller has good reviews so I think I may buy. ANybody want to stop me? Hehe I appreciate any advice since I'm a noob.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370684586783?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648


Please look at the video review to get a better glimpse. The brilliance seems very nice, and I like the deep colors without being too opaque. Seems like a steal for only basic heat treatment, but there's no certification. I don't mind heat treatment, but thats as far as I'll go. Other people in the thread have mentioned the seller as being reputable. I don't mind spending more (maybe around $1300 for 1-2 carats)

I Appreciate any feedback from the community! -Walter
 
It is priced low because it is quite dark. If I am not mistaken, if you inquire with Jeff and purchase off his other website, he can give you better pricing.
 
Walter as Chrono has said, the stone is dark which is why it's priced the way it is. The other thing that I want to mention is that it's heavily grey - what this means is that it will have a cold steel appearance rather than a warm velvet look. Typically when people speak of blue sapphires they think of the warm glowy ones (which are usually priced on the high side). However, the greyness is another contributory factor to pricing here. I just wanted to mention it in case you want a warm looking rather than cool looking stone. It's absolutely personal preference and there's no rights/wrongs so you must go for what appeals to you!
 
Thanks for the replies! I am a little confused because I didn't think the stone looked really dark or opaque. It seemed to have a nice depth to it... I hate opaque sapphires so do you guys think it won't look like the video or look flat? I don't know it seemed sparkly and nice to me, I don't see the grey, but maybe you guy's have a better eye for it. I want to be able to see into the stone, and have good brilliance.
 
Hi Walter,
Sapphires can be confusing, especially since almost everything you see in mall jewelry stores are the lower quality ones - very dark, and only show flashes of blue in sunlight.
When Chrono and LD are talking about grey, in this sense, grey is the opposite of vivid. Greyish sapphires are less intensely blue.

Here are some examples of more vivid sapphires:





And here's a high end sapphire for comparison:



See the difference between your stone and these?

vivid_sapphire.jpeg

vivid_sapphire_mid_blue.jpeg

ps_vivid_sapphire.jpg
 
The reason why it is considered dark is because there are more blackish areas than blue. It is definitely not opaque and has good brilliance. If your only criteria is good flash and transparency, then this fits the bill. If you want fine colour, this is not it.
 
Here are two small (~1 carat) sapphires from Flawless Facets:





The second one is closer in price to the ebay one you posted.

ETA Chrono's point: It's grayer, less saturated, than the first one, and it does have a tilt window.

You can see on the left side where the stone becomes transparent and you can almost see through it.

Do you have a price range in mind?

flawless_facets_572_sapp-blue-1.jpg

flawless__facets_235_sapp_violet_0.jpg
 
Periwinkle,
I cannot see the background through the second sapphire, only the pavilion facets. Not only that, the stone is angled, so what you are seeing is a tilt window. I don't think this stone is windowed but that tilt window is mighty big.
 
Thanks Chrono! I've edited my post to correct it!
I'm a little curious as to why Jim would post a pic showing such a visible tilt window.

Walter - another idea that might help is to email the ebay vendor and ask him to take a pic in fluorescent light for you. Jewelry vendors use crazy spotlights and high wattage to make the stones sparkle and look brighter.

He states in the ad that: "You will find here only high quality items, with accurate descriptions and photographs, no photo-shopping", so he might be willing to give you a "normal lighting conditions" photo.

Alternately, get in writing how many days you have to return it and order the stone to see it person. I bet it's much darker in person than the photo or video shows.
 
thank you all so much for the suggestions and pics! Buying a sapphire is tricky business online! I'm still on the fence, don't know what to do exactly. I guess I could spend up to $1000, I'm not rich so I wanted to find a good deal. I also want the sapphire to be gorgeous though so I have a predicament! I think jeff has some nice stuff and good prices but maybe the stone isn't amazing enough... Like you guy's said its probably darker than it appears unfortunately. I appreciate the suggestions so far, any other suggestions for places to buy would be welcomed!
 
Hi Walter,
Here's my top advice - don't look on ebay! Although experienced gem shoppers can find deals there, for everyone else it can be very disappointing, and there is a lot of outright fraud as well (not that I'm suggesting anything like that about Jeff Davies). Out of say, a hundred gem purchases on ebay (before I found Pricescope), I've maybe been happy with five in total. Since then I've dealt with Pricescope or Pricescope recommended vendors and been happy with everything I've bought.

If you ask for help here, and give a price range (for example is the $1000 for the whole pendant, or just the stone?), I'm sure the Coloured Stones people here can help. Maybe start a new thread? Something like, "Can you help me find a sapphire?".

I only have a few sapphires, but here's my recommendation:

The two that I posted were from Flawless Facets. Lots of us here on Pricescope have dealt with Jim Rentfrow and been happy.

http://flawlessfacets.com/

They were under Gemstones for Sale (Fine Gem Collection), then under sapphire. I looked for ones that were around 1 carat.

The first one was $986 and the second one was $386.

He's the only cutter I've bought sapphires from.

I'm sure other people here can recommend other vendors.

Did you look at the Trusted Vendors thread?
Or the New to Buying Coloured Stones - Read This First one?

Those are both good.

Good luck!
 
Hi stonew508!

It sounds like you might not have had too much experience seeing gems in real life - often members here will advise that you hit up a gem show like Intergem or browse at local stores to see examples and compare. It's also worth pointing out that both Flawless Facets and your original ebay vendor, Jeff Davies have excellent return policies and reputations for customer service - you could purchase the original stone (and maybe even another to compare if you wanted) and return if it turns out not to be what you want....
 
Yeah that's a good point. I've been going to local stores looking at their horrible selections. Places like Ben bridge who have a single sapphire for sale! But you're right I should buy a few and return the ones I don't like. Jeff is over seas that makes it less tempting to return. I suppose its true ebay is the less trustworthy route. I'll check out flawlessfacets.com Thanks again everybody! I'll post some pics when I get one.
 
The really dark areas are called extinction. I have no prior experience with SS but the last time I helped a poster with a sapphire from this vendor, the sapphire turned out darker than expected. Let me see what is available out there. Round only?
 
Chrono|1363709772|3408666 said:
The really dark areas are called extinction. I have no prior experience with SS but the last time I helped a poster with a sapphire from this vendor, the sapphire turned out darker than expected. Let me see what is available out there. Round only?
Click to expand...


yeah I would like a round one. I'm going to make a simple prong pendant out of it. anywhere from 1-2 carats but I'm trying to keep the stone around under $600 although I'm not sure if I'll succeed! I appreciate your help!

edit: maybe I'm kidding myself that I can find a vivid sapphire for that price, eh?
 
You are not going to find it for $600. Below are some options I've listed out. As you can see, the stronger the pop of blue, the more $$$ it is going to cost.

109_blue_sapphire.jpg

120_blue_sapphire.jpg

120_blue_sapphire_2.jpg
 
this looks nice for around $800 from gemfix.com but the color isn't very intense.sapphire_blue_1070_a.jpg
sapphire_blue_1070.jpg
 
Thanks chrono. haha looks like we landed on the same site! You're absolutely right and I think I'm going to get one of the one's you posted, they are beautiful. Thanks again
 
Correct, I don't think you can get an intense 1 ct sapphire for $600 these days. There was a major price hike and continuing climb the past few years.
 
Its on the pavilion, and its purported to be eye-clean. I guess one would have to ask John over at SS what the deal is. It certainly can't be as noticeable as in the photo and still be called eye-clean. That said, its sub 600 and a nice color.
 
pregcurious|1363741499|3409139 said:
corundum_conundrum|1363741146|3409134 said:
http://www.simplysapphires.com/blue...th=155&zenid=cee468b5ef75f19ea77d4b7938a9cd34


blue_sapphire_ss.jpg

This is pretty good for sub 600...and unheated.
Click to expand...
This sapphire has a huge, dark inclusion.
Click to expand...


good eye. Mind blowingly, I didn't see it before. I am impressed by gems chronos picked out, I think I'm going with gemfix ultimately. After scouring the internet, I don't believe a truly wonderful sapphire can be had for less than $1000 a carat. Which is annoying, because I was hoping to spend less! But I want it to be something she can treasure forever, so I'll fork it out! :$$):
 
If you have the budget for it, definitely go with a higher quality sapphire. This is for someone with only 600 to spend on a sapphire. It has issues, as Preg mentioned.
 
Not only does this latest one have a significant inclusion, but it is lacking in the saturation department. You have been given good advice; there are not many cheap blue sapphires left out there these days, so its wise to pay more to get a better stone.
 
periwinklegirl|1363632859|3407951 said:
Hi Walter,
Here's my top advice - don't look on ebay! Although experienced gem shoppers can find deals there, for everyone else it can be very disappointing, and there is a lot of outright fraud as well (not that I'm suggesting anything like that about Jeff Davies). Out of say, a hundred gem purchases on ebay (before I found Pricescope), I've maybe been happy with five in total. Since then I've dealt with Pricescope or Pricescope recommended vendors and been happy with everything I've bought.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
I can so much relate to your words! I previously bought stones from gem fairs, and they were good and nice quality. I bought them in the store, and I used one australian vendor, who seem to be pretty good in his descriptions. And when I went to ebay to look at stones, oh my! Lie after lie, after lie. I am not crazy happy about buying stones and shipping it back to Thailand. I am so glad Prisescope has this list. It gives hope.
PS I al looking for sapphire too!
 
corundum_conundrum|1363741807|3409145 said:
Its on the pavilion, and its purported to be eye-clean. I guess one would have to ask John over at SS what the deal is. It certainly can't be as noticeable as in the photo and still be called eye-clean. That said, its sub 600 and a nice color.
Click to expand...

It is clearly visible in the face up picture I posted. I would pay a few hundred more to get something that is eye clean, or has less noticable inclusions.
 
I know some vendors are not as eagle eyed as some PSers. It also depends on their definition of eye clean. Is it 6 inches away or 12 inches away from the eye? That makes a difference too.

blue_sapphire_ss.jpg
 
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