Need Help Please Buying Pink Sapphire

[diva rose]

Hi ~ I would like purchase a pink sapphire for my sister's birthday gift. I am hoping to make a ring for her.
She loves pink diamonds but sadly I can't afford them.

I tried to add this to my other thread re: asscher cut however PS won't let me modify it at the moment.
So please excuse me for starting 2 threads. I don't want to be hogging here.

I'm very new to the coloured gem and totally clueless so any feedback and advice would be much appreciated.

For the sapphire - I need to keep it between 0.5-1C.
She wouldn't want anything bigger so I need something simple.
Like me she has tiny hands - size 3.

She likes pear or trillion shapes.

So far I have found these two:
http://www.gemselect.com/sapphire/sapphire-238012.php

http://www.gemselect.com/sapphire/sapphire-235570.php

What do you think? Is Gemselect a good company to buy from?

Any other suggestions would be helpful also.
I have till end of Sept for the purchase.
I would like to get something that is good quality.

Thank you so much for looking!

 

[chrono]

What is your budget for the stone? Neither are ideal colours but the price reflects that. The pear is quite brown and I prefer the trillion even though it is purplish. However, I am not familiar enough with GemSelect to gauge the accuracy of their photography in comparison to the stone in real life.

 

[diva rose]

Around $300 max. Is this realistic?
I'm not sure about prices with pink sapphires.

EDIT - I just checked The Natural Sapphire Company and prices are way higher.
So I'm guessing I should increase my budget. Maybe around $400 for 0.5-0.75C.

 

[chrono]

Again, pricing depends on the quality. If you are talking untreated fine quality hot pink, it will be much more than $300/ct. for a 1 ct pink sapphire. However, if you are looking for a regular pink sapphire or even a pink spinel and are willing to make concessions on the colour quality, $300/ct is possible.

 

[diva rose]

Thanks Chrono ~ I don't mind if it is heat treated or not but would like something that sparkles/well cut.

I think my sister would prefer the softer pinks (baby & rose pinks) and not hot pink.

Another option: is making 1/2 eternity band with pink sapphires. It is more practical for every day use.
I'm having difficulty finding pink sapphire parcels online though.

 

[chrono]

In that case, your budget is realistic. Here are some pinks and purplish pinks that are well coloured (although not pale) and within budget. http://www.diamondexpert.com/diamonds/d ... 20Corundum

 

[diva rose]

Thank you Chrono! You are so kind and prompt!

 

[diva rose]

Found parcels - but not sure about the colour. It looks a bit too purplish to me - but it could be just my eyes???

http://www.forevergemstones.com/proddet ... rodID=2428

 

[diva rose]

another one - I love the colour but very uncertain about the provider (website)

Here is the descripton of it from the site:
Amazingly beautiful, unheated, top, pink, colored sapphires, weighting 0.81 cts. perfectly executed, 6mm round, diamond cut, eye flawless, VVS type2 from the gem fields of Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Well, this is a truly beautiful, very rare, unheated pink sapphire in a round, diamond cut that will charm your day and beyond....Excellent spread, this sapphire has a face (dimensions) of a 1.15-1.25 cts.

http://www.planetarygems.com/rare%20gemstones3.htm

asking price is $445 US

 

[Aoife]

I have no personal experience with either of these vendors, but before I purchase gemstones from a new-to-me site I make it a rule to check a variety of places for feedback about them. For starters, do a search on PS on both of them, you should turn up some helpful info. Also, both those photos look heavily Photoshopped to me, so I would take the color with a grain of salt.