New to colored stones...is this a reasonable price?

[Crystal72384]

Hi everyone!

So I'm completely new to purchasing colored stones and would appreciate some advice. I found this stone that I love the look of. It is listed as a natural color change sapphire, 4 ct, VVS, heat only treatment and they are asking $3,800

Does this sound like a reasonable price? I am waiting to make it into a ring I'm not sure if that matters...

 

[chrono]

Whether the price is reasonable depends on many variables. Please post a picture of the cc sapphire because the colour is what sets the price.
How is the colour shift?
Are there any cut issues?
Is it eye clean to you?
Is there proof that it is heat only?

 

[minousbijoux]

It is impossible to judge without good, representative photos.

 

[Crystal72384]

Here is a picture



It does have a TGL certificate that states heat evidence found. Optimum color is Greenish-blue in daylight, purple in incandescent. I hope this helps...

 

[chrono]

The picture shows a steely purplish + bluish stone, which does not jive with the written description. Is this the only picture? Any video?

 

[katharath]

Exactly what I was thinking - do you have a video? This vendor usually uses them and I find them to be more reliable than his pics, in general.

Also IMO - his pricing is usually pretty good too, as a general rule.

 

[Crystal72384]

Yes here is the video
http://youtu.be/ZZ4B1hgvCEQ

 

[chrono]

It looks darker and grayer than I expected. I suppose this might be why the nearly 4 ct sapphire is less than $4K.

 

[Crystal72384]

It looks darker and grayer than I expected. I suppose this might be why the nearly 4 ct sapphire is less than $4K.

Do you think this stone will be too dark?

 

[T L]

It looks darker and grayer than I expected. I suppose this might be why the nearly 4 ct sapphire is less than $4K.

Do you think this stone will be too dark?

People on this board have complained that Jeff Davies "dark" gems look darker IRL than in the photos, so I suspect it will be darker IRL, and perhaps greyer too.

 

[GregS]

I agree, lots of gray. I don't think it'd be overly dark in tone but anything is possible. I'd like to see it in various lighting, I suspect it'd looks better in natural day light.

 

[Crystal72384]

Thank you everyone for your responses I really appreciate them. It's a little alarming to know that there have been some less than perfect purchases from this vendor. After all your insight I do see where you are saying that it has a steely color.

I have also found this stone here, I believe it's a chrysoberyl?


It's listed as 3.59ct yellow/green, VVS/clean, no treatment, no certificate

Here is a video link
http://youtu.be/bz1c9DK8f3Q

I have never heard of a chrysoberyl...would this be an ok stone for a ring?

 

[T L]

Thank you everyone for your responses I really appreciate them. It's a little alarming to know that there have been some less than perfect purchases from this vendor. After all your insight I do see where you are saying that it has a steely color.

I have also found this stone here, I believe it's a chrysoberyl?


It's listed as 3.59ct yellow/green, VVS/clean, no treatment, no certificate

Here is a video link
http://youtu.be/bz1c9DK8f3Q

I have never heard of a chrysoberyl...would this be an ok stone for a ring?

Chrysoberyl is one of the most durable and hard gems, so yes, it's good for a ring.

 

[minousbijoux]

Hi OP: Welcome to the world of colored stones!

So before commenting on the stones, I want to ask what is your intention? I ask because you say you are new, and then you link to two stones just about as different as they can be (except for the fact that they are both cut well and from the same vendor). You have chosen well as both chrysoberyl and corundum make fine ring stones. But I ask because the color and shape are so different from each other. Its fun looking at and buying gemstones, and the best way to learn is to see them in hand, either at gem shows or buy them online. But if you buy them when you are first starting out, you run the risk of having your tastes evolve fairly quickly and soon not be so satisfied with them. I say this in part because the stones you are considering are so different. If this doesn't apply to you, please ignore it!

Now for comments on the stones. I find Jeff to be a great, honest, good quality dealer with mostly excellent pricing. However, as with any vendor, its important to learn how to read his photos. He takes his photos in a studio setting with bright light. As a result, imo, his stones in hand are not as saturated nor as bright, typically darker in tone. If you were to take the stone and shine a very bright light on it, it would likely look similar to his photos, but that is not how one typically views stones. I agree with the comments on the sapphire and think that it would be darker in tone in hand. He has some amazing chrysoberyl, but this one I would say while nice and well cut, lacks something in the neon highlighter department for which chrysoberyl are known. In other words, I think you can do better - once you know what it is you seek!