Need Help Finding a Blue Sapphire, phase 2- Candidates Attached & Increased Budget

[donnabrsd]

Thank you to those of you that helped with my initial search @Bron357 @qubitasaurus @peacechick @Dee*Jay @Laurainthesky . After looking, I've increased my budget to get a sapphire I adore.

My visit to Gemfix was very nice but I did not love the one contender that he had in stock. It was a Madagascar and not Ceylon. I'm replacing a Ceylon sapphire ring so it's what I want. I liked it a lot though and Andrew was wonderful!

My visit to Brilliant Earth was a waste of time. They did not have any natural cushion shaped in stock at that location.

The Natural Sapphire Company has been very responsive and helpful so I think they are my preferred vendor. I'm still open to others as well as long as they have a return policy.

Would you mind taking a look at these three and let me know your thoughts? The two elongated both have small windows (which I am okay with) and I've opened myself up to a more square shaped. The center one is a little lighter than I wanted, but I like the stone. TNSC is working on getting me additional videos of these three.

https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/comparelist.aspx


Here again is my wonky made sample along with the inspiration setting photos:

 

[Dee*Jay]

Of these three the first one is my least favorite. There's a lot of zoning going on.

I like the last one, but I know you were hoping for a more elongated shape.

My personal favorite in keeping with the inspiration ring is the middle one. You could talk to David about putting a "plate" under it like I have on Uni with the large open culet. That way you wouldn't have finger showing through. If you wanted to try that concept out you could get a ring style temp stone holder and put some aluminum foil under it and see how you feel about the effect.

 

[Laurainthesky]

I am probably the least qualified person to ask lol.
The first one seems to have a lot of extinction.
The second one may have a window, but maybe not too bad.
I heard that NSC photoshops their pics, but a good return policy is helpful for that.
Sorry you were empty handed after your trips.

 

[donnabrsd]

Of these three the first one is my least favorite. There's a lot of zoning going on.

I like the last one, but I know you were hoping for a more elongated shape.

My personal favorite in keeping with the inspiration ring is the middle one. You could talk to David about putting a "plate" under it like I have on Uni with the large open culet. That way you wouldn't have finger showing through. If you wanted to try that concept out you could get a ring style temp stone holder and put some aluminum foil under it and see how you feel about the effect.

The first one is the least favorite of the sales rep as well with the 3rd being the best cut in her opinion. I was hoping to avoid a plate.

Here are additional videos of the three (in reverse order of my posted image).

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1H_6Q60nZt0NTTTCGaB_uIHO1rL4pvn5y/view?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U_JxHwlnxlmJTdY2gsRqHTyN36CLZHiu/view?usp=sharing

The squarish one looks so small which I may not like on my not so slender finger. I'm having an internal struggle; I kinda want delicate but I kinda like BIG!

 

[donnabrsd]

I am probably the least qualified person to ask lol.
The first one seems to have a lot of extinction.
The second one may have a window, but maybe not too bad.
I heard that NSC photoshops their pics, but a good return policy is helpful for that.
Sorry you were empty handed after your trips.

Considering that most everyone is more qualified than me, I will happily accept any input.

 

[Dee*Jay]

OK, I've just watched both videos like 10 times each and I totally prefer the squarish one!

The problem with size is you can see them all at the same time. But on your finger of cf course you only see one. Can you do a scale picture with sides and then put it on your finger to see how you feel? I'm a big fan of post it notes, LOL. Also, don't forget stones always look bigger when set. (I have no idea why that is BTW, but I do know THAT it is!)

 

[qubitasaurus]

Of these the third is the nicest -- although you'll have to tolllerate a small window on both 2 and 3 (1 will probably have some slight cutting issues too for that matter as it is shallow and very elongated in one axis. Cant see the video but I am expecting a bowtie at the very least from the dark bands in the center). 1 and 2 are also a bit grey.

I'd reach out to roger dery gems, and also look at africa gems/pearlman's websites (they both stock gem2000 stones). With the budget increase it kind of makes sense to resurvey all options as your position is changing.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Soooo... is there any chance you would consider a spinel?



11.1 x 8.8

Origian Sri Lanka. I imagine it's heated or they likely would have said otherwise. $3.723. There's a video too but I don't know how to post it. Let me know if you want to see it and I'll text it to you.

 

[Dee*Jay]

9.04 x 8.14 $9,500

Sri Lanka, heated

 

[lovedogs]

Definitely the smallest (3rd in pics). Its very nice IMHO

 

[donnabrsd]

9.04 x 8.14 $9,500

Sri Lanka, heated

I'll inquire about this one.

 

[Laurainthesky]

I just watched the video. Team smaller square by a mile!

 

[donnabrsd]

Definitely the smallest (3rd in pics). Its very nice IMHO

I know it is. That's why it intrigued me even though my first choice is/was elongated.

 

[lovedogs]

9.04 x 8.14 $9,500

Sri Lanka, heated

Oooooh

 

[donnabrsd]

I just watched the video. Team smaller square by a mile!

Why couldn't it be just a tad bigger. I'm trying to make a mock ring, but I can't get it scaled small enough.

 

[donnabrsd]

Oooooh

I was just going to ask what others thought about this one. I've sent a request for more photos/videos.

 

[donnabrsd]

Of these the third is the nicest -- although you'll have to tolllerate a small window on both 2 and 3 (1 will probably have some slight cutting issues too for that matter as it is shallow and very elongated in one axis. Cant see the video but I am expecting a bowtie at the very least from the dark bands in the center). 1 and 2 are also a bit grey.

I'd reach out to roger dery gems, and also look at africa gems/pearlman's websites (they both stock gem2000 stones). With the budget increase it kind of makes sense to resurvey all options as your position is changing.

I already have an inquiry in at Pearlman's. I'll look at Roger Dery Gems next. Thank you!

 

[Laurainthesky]

Why couldn't it be just a tad bigger. I'm trying to make a mock ring, but I can't get it scaled small enough.

The bigger the more rare and difficult to procure. If you are patient which it appears you are, you don't need to settle.

 

[donnabrsd]

Of these the third is the nicest -- although you'll have to tolllerate a small window on both 2 and 3 (1 will probably have some slight cutting issues too for that matter as it is shallow and very elongated in one axis. Cant see the video but I am expecting a bowtie at the very least from the dark bands in the center). 1 and 2 are also a bit grey.

I'd reach out to roger dery gems, and also look at africa gems/pearlman's websites (they both stock gem2000 stones). With the budget increase it kind of makes sense to resurvey all options as your position is changing.

I took a look at Roger Dery and did not see any that peeked my interest. Africa Gems has the same stone that DeeJay posted at a much higher price ($14,060).

 

[qubitasaurus]

I took a look at Roger Dery and did not see any that peeked my interest. Africa Gems has the same stone that DeeJay posted at a much higher price ($14,060).

Yes africa gems and pearlman's both stock the gem2000 catalogue, like I said. Gem2000 is a wholesaler. You must go through such a dealer to reach them. However multiple dealers will carry their inventory.

The difference is africa gems marks up, and then runs sales. Pearlman's price will be stable and lower. Who has the stone cheaper tends to depend on when you buy.

You ahould know that gem2000 photos are difficult to read. Whomever you go with should be willing to take extra photos for you. And watch out for darker blue spinel pieces, it can tend to lean overly dark.

 

[donnabrsd]

The bigger the more rare and difficult to procure. If you are patient which it appears you are, you don't need to settle.

So sweet of you to think that I am patient. I kind of am but kind of not.

 

[donnabrsd]

Yes africa gems and pearlman's both stock the gem2000 catalogue, like I said. Gem2000 is a wholesaler. You must go through such a dealer to reach them. However multiple dealers will carry their inventory.

The difference is africa gems marks up, and then runs sales. Pearlman's price will be stable and lower. Who has the stone cheaper tends to depend on when you buy.

You ahould know that gem2000 photos are difficult to read. Whomever you go with should be willing to take extra photos for you. And watch out for darker blue spinel pieces, it can tend to lean overly dark.

Thanks for the clarification. I requested additional photos/videos from Pearlman's.

 

[donnabrsd]

Here is the Pearlman's 9.04 x 8.14 cropped into the setting. Stone color printed weird but stone size is close to actual.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I think that looks great! What do YOU think?

 

[donnabrsd]

I think that looks great! What do YOU think?

I think it looks small. I'm hoping the additional video show a little lighter color as well. I like the look and color of the small square from TNSC better.

 

[Dee*Jay]

I think it looks small. I'm hoping the additional video show a little lighter color as well. I like the look and color of the small square from TNSC better.

Hmmm... Do you think it's "small" overall or just now as wide as you'd like? Unfortunately the squarish one from TNSC is even smallER than the one from Pearlman's.

Would you consider a bezel around the main stone to add a little size? I've also chipped my "old" sapphire (TWICE!) and had to have it recut so I'm a fan of the extra protection.

 

[donnabrsd]

Hmmm... Do you think it's "small" overall or just now as wide as you'd like? Unfortunately the squarish one from TNSC is even smallER than the one from Pearlman's.

Would you consider a bezel around the main stone to add a little size? I've also chipped my "old" sapphire (TWICE!) and had to have it recut so I'm a fan of the extra protection.

Actually, the size is "growing" on me. I do want something that is very wearable with my casual attire. I'm hoping the additional photos from Pearlman's make me like the stone more. The one from TNSC is so pretty, but yes smaller. I just want to make sure what I get is a substantial increase in size from the Ceylon sapphire I currently have. I don't think I'm a fan of a bezel but I will look to see if I can find samples to view.

 

[donnabrsd]

9.04 x 8.14 $9,500

Sri Lanka, heated

Attached are additional photos of this stone. What do you think?

 

[Ionysis]

I am probably the least qualified person to ask lol.
The first one seems to have a lot of extinction.
The second one may have a window, but maybe not too bad.
I heard that NSC photoshops their pics, but a good return policy is helpful for that.
Sorry you were empty handed after your trips.

If it helps I’ve bought three stones from them and they look exactly like the pictures - no amping up the colour for what I’ve got anyway.

 

[lovedogs]

Attached are additional photos of this stone. What do you think?

I really really like it.