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Newbie.. risky purchase?

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Loz123

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 13, 2020
Messages
5
Hi everyone, new poster here and I have been searching for the perfect peach sapphire for a few months now as I'm wanting to update my engagement ring. I'm from Australia and the prices here are $$$ so I have been looking at purchasing online from Sri Lanka. But im a bit hesitant in spending alot of money when I'm no expert. It is hard to determine fair price and i dont want to get ripped off!
Is it commonplace to buy directly from say someone who just advertises on Instagram?? This is the latest stone I'm considering as its the colour and size (maybe a little deep) im after. What are your thoughts? Is it worth $1500usd. Thanks!!

 
I am also not an expert, but I checked the seller's Instagram page and found out that some very respectable vendors are following them. And I see that they offer a certificate upon buyer's request. I am in the same position as you. A great (blue) sapphire is on my shopping list, and most likely I will also take a risk of buying from a vendor who is located in Sri Lanka in order to save money and get a bigger stone. Wish you luck!
 
It is, with the caveat that you must do your due diligence in asking/paying for a reputable cert. Checking return policies/fees and making sure your source of payment is a secure one.
There are many people here who know a lot about this. I'm sure they'll have lots of really good info
I'll tag @voce, @lovedogs because they knows their stuff.
 
I dont love the color of this one. Not totally sure why, but it looks a bit dull. Almost like there's not enough orange/pink but instead is grey. Not totally sure why I dont love it.
 
I have commented on IG vendors -- to a lot of backlash here. It's all iPhone photos and videos = ridiculously oversaturated (even if it's "unedited"). I have worked with Adamant International in Sri Lanka. I don't know if they have an IG presence but their website is lovely. Limited selection but fairly represented and objectively described. Mostly smaller stones. I don't think the peach sapphire you found would be too hard to beat.
 
LilAlex said:
I have commented on IG vendors -- to a lot of backlash here. It's all iPhone photos and videos = ridiculously oversaturated (even if it's "unedited"). I have worked with Adamant International in Sri Lanka. I don't know if they have an IG presence but their website is lovely. Limited selection but fairly represented and objectively described. Mostly smaller stones. I don't think the peach sapphire you found would be too hard to beat.
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Thank you! They have a page on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/adamant.gems/
 
I just took the same risk after tons of research - I ADORE my sapphire from @gemoceanltd - he is based in Sri Lanka - and Ahamed is very very nice, took multiple videos and lots of photos in different lights. I messaged with him for weeks before the purchase went through due to COVID-19. He took every precaution to ensure I got my stone and was just as worried when I was when it went to the wrong address bc Fedex made an error

It was worth the risk for me. I got a stone I could've never afforded buying from a US based vendor. But every IG vendor is different. I got a cert, but not from AGL. I took a big risk. I trusted my gut. I knew returns would be a HUGE pain. What helped, there was at least one other PSer that reported a great experience with them. It's not much - but it made me feel better.

He has an absolutely BEAUTIFUL pink sapphire right now - might be brighter than you want, by no means peach - it is a bright PINK but looks good enough to eat!!! I agree w/ @lovedogs the peach stone - it seems weirdly lifeless, i dont care for the cut and reminds me of morganite (not in a great way?)

 
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LilAlex said:
I have commented on IG vendors -- to a lot of backlash here. It's all iPhone photos and videos = ridiculously oversaturated (even if it's "unedited"). I have worked with Adamant International in Sri Lanka. I don't know if they have an IG presence but their website is lovely. Limited selection but fairly represented and objectively described. Mostly smaller stones. I don't think the peach sapphire you found would be too hard to beat.
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Thankyou I will have a look!
 
annagene12 said:
I just took the same risk after tons of research - I ADORE my sapphire from @gemoceanltd - he is based in Sri Lanka - and Ahamed is very very nice, took multiple videos and lots of photos in different lights. I messaged with him for weeks before the purchase went through due to COVID-19. He took every precaution to ensure I got my stone and was just as worried when I was when it went to the wrong address bc Fedex made an error

It was worth the risk for me. I got a stone I could've never afforded buying from a US based vendor. But every IG vendor is different. I got a cert, but not from AGL. I took a big risk. I trusted my gut. I knew returns would be a HUGE pain. What helped, there was at least one other PSer that reported a great experience with them. It's not much - but it made me feel better.

He has an absolutely BEAUTIFUL pink sapphire right now - might be brighter than you want, by no means peach - it is a bright PINK but looks good enough to eat!!! I agree w/ @lovedogs the peach stone - it seems weirdly lifeless, i dont care for the cut and reminds me of morganite (not in a great way?)

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It is beautiful but yes not really my colour :) I will have a look though at his instagram page for sure
 
annagene12 said:
Both of these have their quirks - but might be closer to the color you want - I am sure #1 is more than $1500


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I had a look at his page.. very nice stones. Yes I imagine the first pad one is more than my budget! But that is the sort of colour I am after.. maybe a touch less orange though.

But I got sidetracked looking and I do like this one.. even though its totally not the shape I was looking for!! Might be a tad big too (is there such thing as too big of a stone hahah)
 
Loz123 said:
I had a look at his page.. very nice stones. Yes I imagine the first pad one is more than my budget! But that is the sort of colour I am after.. maybe a touch less orange though.

But I got sidetracked looking and I do like this one.. even though its totally not the shape I was looking for!! Might be a tad big too (is there such thing as too big of a stone hahah)
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I saw that one too...Ask what the dimensions are - I am of the understanding that emerald cuts face up smaller, especially compared to ovals.

I think the color is just lovely. Very beautiful and I bet no one you know would have a stone like it. Other people may be able to weigh in - I know nothing about EC cuts. Seems to be a bit of a window but I dont mind it and a cupped setting may reduce the appearance- but it’s personal choice.
 
annagene12 said:
I saw that one too...Ask what the dimensions are - I am of the understanding that emerald cuts face up smaller, especially compared to ovals.

I think the color is just lovely. Very beautiful and I bet no one you know would have a stone like it. Other people may be able to weigh in - I know nothing about EC cuts. Seems to be a bit of a window but I dont mind it and a cupped setting may reduce the appearance- but it’s personal choice.
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Turns out it us double my budget. Plus I have small short fingers.. i did some reading that suggested emerald cut was not so great for my type.. oval would be better.

Guy is lovely though. Had a lovely conversation with him seems very genuine. He is going to keep an eye out for me.
 
Loz123 said:
Turns out it us double my budget. Plus I have small short fingers.. i did some reading that suggested emerald cut was not so great for my type.. oval would be better.

Guy is lovely though. Had a lovely conversation with him seems very genuine. He is going to keep an eye out for me.
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Could you tell us dimensions and price range? It’s a gorgeous stone.
 
From what I can see on the video of the 2ct stone the color leans brown ever so slightly greyish than pink. might be just me and my monitor setup, but thats what I'm seeing.

Thats not a bad thing if thats a preference and you love the color, but, also might be why its the cost it is. However if your skin tone is similar to this stone, it will get lost if you don't bezel, just something to consider.

I would want a lab (one that is wholly independent) to look at the stone and provide a report. Its worth asking about if you have interest.

The 3ct stone leans more pink to me and again, if close to skintone, it will likely melt right into it. But, not in love with the window. If you click with this seller see what else he has. Noted that he called this a pad and I would want independent proof from a lab that it is as he said.
 
I bought two garnets from him before. And i met him once in Singapore.garnet.jpg
 
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