Newbie needing opinions on Cushion Sapphire

[Lawcrazy]

Hi everyone!

This is my first time posting. I have been looking for a blue, cushion cut sapphire for some time now and have finally purchased one from Tan at gemcatalouge and would truly appreciate any opinions/comments that everyone might have to offer.

This is the link to the stone on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/370640380325#ht_2393wt_958

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for your time!

 

[Lawcrazy]

This is a picture of the sapphire.

 

[Justin_Cutter]

Here are my thoughts,

1. $300 for a 2.67ct sapphire that is untreated...... not bad.

2. I do think that the stone will be darker in real life. It looks like there is a lot of light being shown onto the stone.

3. There is a large inclusion right under the table of the stone. This could also be a finish issue on the stones surface not really sure. In real life it may not be as bad as the video makes it seem.

4. I see color banding in the stone which is a good and bad thing. It makes it easy to determine that the stone is real, but it also can make the color seem uneven depending on your viewing angle.

5. The stone has a little bit of a tilt window but it doesn't look to bad.

6. If you like the stone then that's all that matters.


These are my honest thoughts.

~Justin

 

[Arkteia]

The price is very good! One can never say with Tan's stones, so I can not comment on how dark it will look URL, because some of his cuts create a lot of extinction IRL. On the other side, I bought a stone from him that looked pretty dark and it is absolutely perfect blue spinel. But at such a price, in a violetish-blue, unheated sapphire, i'd disregard everything, the inclusion, the cut, the zoning...can you please post photos when you get it?

 

[Lawcrazy]

Justin: Thanks so much for your input! FYI... I actually discovered pricescope about a year ago when googling cushion sapphires and your post about the sapphire you purchased from Gemsthailand showed up in the search results What exactly is a tilt window? Of all the research I've done on sapphires, colors, cuts, etc., I don't recall coming across that?


Arkteia: Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it. I will most definitely post pics as soon as it comes in!

 

[Coco914]

Hi Lawcrazy,

For what it's worth, I had that cushion sapphire on my watch list before you purchased it. Given the size, weight, color and cost...as well as the fact that its an unheated sapphire, I'd say you got a very nice deal. Regardless of any little issues it might have. I'd absolutely love to see it once you have it in hand!!

A tilt window is sort of a dead spot in the stone that can only really be seen when the stone is tilted at a certain angle. I think once you set this stone, that will close up and you won't even be able to tell it's there. Do you have any idea how you'd like to set this one, if you decide it's a keeper?

 

[minousbijoux]

I agree with the other posters - if you get it in hand and its little flaws don't bother you, then for its size and price, you've gotten a good deal. Good for you for taking the risk!

 

[Justin_Cutter]

Justin: Thanks so much for your input! FYI... I actually discovered pricescope about a year ago when googling cushion sapphires and your post about the sapphire you purchased from Gemsthailand showed up in the search results What exactly is a tilt window? Of all the research I've done on sapphires, colors, cuts, etc., I don't recall coming across that?

No problem! That is very cool! As Coco914 said a tilt window is exactly how it sounds. If you tilt the stone side to side and it shows a window then the stone has a "tilt window" Many native cuts suffer from this. I do agree that it will probably close a bit once you set it. Over all if the stone turns out to be decent then you really do have a great value on your hands! Please report back with pictures once it arrives.

Also if the unheated/untreated aspect of the stone is important to you then I would recommend sending it to AGL for a gem brief to verify it. Should cost you $55 plus shipping. I purchased a "untreated/unheated" stone from Tan once and GIA found it to be heated.

Tan made things right tho so big props to him for that! This really goes for any vendor selling a stone without a report to accompany it.

~Justin

 

[chrono]

Does the stone have issues? Sure it does.
1. Colour zoning, which includes some dark stripes visible across the table.
2. Off centered culet.
3. Some inclusions clustered on one side of the stone right under the table, that flashes when the light hits it just right.
4. Polish looks pretty poor.

That said, that colour and size for only $300? Unheated too? Can't beat that! Would love to have you back with your opinion once you receive the sapphire. I agree that if the stone being unheated is important to you, I'd send it to AGL ($55 brief memo).

 

[Lawcrazy]

Thanks to everyone for posting!

I'd like to have it set in a halo setting.

I sent AGL an email requesting information on the process and am waiting for a response.

Estimated arrival is September 19. Will keep everyone updated.

 

[Lawcrazy]

(Indoor lighting on white paper)


(Outdoor, indirect sunlight)


Well, finally got stone in. I've had it about a week and wanted to ponder over it before posting. I was a little disappointed in the color because it isn't as bright of a blue as I was expecting. In certain lighting, it looks like there are fingerprints on the top of the stone, but it's actually inclusions. I stopped by a local jewelry store and asked if they would take a quick look at it, and they said it was a decent stone, it tested as natural on their machine; however, they said that the dimensions were slightly smaller than stated. I have been in contact with AGL and will be sending it to them Monday. I sent Tan an email last week explaining that the color wasn't as vivd (?) in person as I was hoping and that the stone could possibly be a little smaller than he stated. I'm disappointed that he has yet to respond. Anyway, opinions/thoughts from everyone are appreciated. Thanks so much for the input!

 

[Coco914]

Hey there, I was hoping you'd come back and post a photo of your cushion... I see what you mean about the stone being less vivid than pictured. The color in the vendor photo is more of a deep, royal blue where this is darker and shows more gray. I assumed it'd appear a bit darker in person, though. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing, depending on what you like. Personally, I think it has some beautiful, bright flashes of blue...and considering the wonkiness of the cut, faces up pretty nice. Can you get a photo closer up? I can't really see the inclusions under the table. If this is an unheated sapphire, you still paid a really reasonable price.

What do you think of it? Undecided? I'd be curious to know what Tan responds.

 

[Lawcrazy]

Thanks Coco... I'll take more pictures (hopefully better) and get them posted. At first I didn't like the stone at all. I think mostly because it wasn't the color I was expecting. But after a few days of looking at it, it's grown on me and I like it. I will keep you posted on Tan's response, if he ever does. Any suggestions on how to take a better pic?

 

[distracts]

If you have a loupe or magnifying glass, you can hold it up to you camera lens and take a picture through it to get a closer pic. To show the colors better, it's best if you're in indirect sunlight.

 

[chrono]

I think most of the seasoned posters noted the dark colour, zoning and rather large inclusion right under the table. I guess that's why it was priced at only $300.