Oops! I did it again…What is wrong with this Kashmir Sapphire?

[Mrsz1ppy]

Oh seeee, there she is. I absolutely love it.
I love that it's an antique cut. Silky, velvety, hits all my boxes. I would love to own something like that.

Thank you!

 

[LilAlex]

Here goes; deep breath:

Big no for me.

It looks translucent and undersaturated for that tone of Kashmir. It's an "interesting" stone for part of a collection and for a modest price. Assuming that you paid "Kashmir pricing" -- meaning more than an absolutely killer Ceylon -- it is not a good buy, imo.

This is not the coveted barely-there (almost invisible) touch of silk that diffuses sunlight but does not impair transparency. I can't even see the pavilion facets (but maybe that is a depth-of-field issue?).

Show it next to your avatar sapphire in the same light, maybe?

From your other posts, I think I can infer a little about your taste and budget. With those things in mind, I feel that it's disappointing -- and I was potentially excited when you posted the vendor shots.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Here goes; deep breath:

Big no for me.

It looks translucent and undersaturated for that tone of Kashmir. It's an "interesting" stone for part of a collection and for a modest price. Assuming that you paid "Kashmir pricing" -- meaning more than an absolutely killer Ceylon -- it is not a good buy, imo.

This is not the coveted barely-there (almost invisible) touch of silk that diffuses sunlight but does not impair transparency. I can't even see the pavilion facets (but maybe that is a depth-of-field issue?).

Show it next to your avatar sapphire in the same light, maybe?

From your other posts, I think I can infer a little about your taste and budget. With those things in mind, I feel that it's disappointing -- and I was potentially excited when you posted the vendor shots.

Thank you for your honesty! You are probably very right in your assessment. I am rather on the fence, which is why I am asking for feedback. I will take photos of both tomorrow, together. It does look very different in different light.

 

[LilAlex]

Thank you for your honesty! You are probably very right in your assessment. I am rather on the fence, which is why I am asking for feedback. I will take photos of both tomorrow, together. It does look very different in different light.

You're a good sport! I hate to be a killjoy but I inferred you were in the return window. You're pretty discriminating.

That said, I do have things that I love "in their own way" -- even if they were not what I was looking for or expecting. But they are not particularly expensive.

 

[JewelledEscalators]

Will you be uploading your other purchases?

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Will you be uploading your other purchases?

Oh yes. Were supposed to be here by end of day yesterday. I am on pins and needles. Darn it, DHL

 

[JewelledEscalators]

I'm experiencing a fedex nightmare...

 

[JewelledEscalators]

Fedex must be reading this, as my package is finally on its way.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Fedex must be reading this, as my package is finally on its way.

I’m jealous!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Here goes; deep breath:

Big no for me.

It looks translucent and undersaturated for that tone of Kashmir. It's an "interesting" stone for part of a collection and for a modest price. Assuming that you paid "Kashmir pricing" -- meaning more than an absolutely killer Ceylon -- it is not a good buy, imo.

This is not the coveted barely-there (almost invisible) touch of silk that diffuses sunlight but does not impair transparency. I can't even see the pavilion facets (but maybe that is a depth-of-field issue?).

Show it next to your avatar sapphire in the same light, maybe?

From your other posts, I think I can infer a little about your taste and budget. With those things in mind, I feel that it's disappointing -- and I was potentially excited when you posted the vendor shots.

Ok now that @LilAlex has said this, I am going to weigh in too.

I’m not an expert but based on the both the vendor photos and your own, I wasn’t impressed with the color at all. Assuming you spent what I would consider to be a relative fortune, I think you are better off putting the funds towards something better. The color to me is a bit grey and dull in a lot of the photos. It’s not awful by any means but unless you are super wowed by it then you should think about returning it.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Thank you @LilAlex and @CaseyLouLou for the honest feedback. I am here to learn to be a better buyer. I have written to Andrew Silver, telling him that the stone does not look transparent, as on the certificate. We’ll see what he responds.

 

[JewelledEscalators]

Does transparent on certificates mean anything though? Almost every gem cert I've seen irrespective of source seems to describe stones as transparent, whether it is included or silky. It's like the way stones are called 'red' when they're actually pink to most people's eyes. I've therefore assumed a stone has to look as opaque as jade to be classed as anything but transparent.

If you don't like the item, I would just return it.

 

[JewelledEscalators]

This Kashmir sapphire ring is also described as transparent on the cert but it is very silky:

Pragnell | Fine Jewellery & Luxury Watches since 1850

Pragnell is one of the world’s finest jewellers creating Rare Jewels handcrafted in Great Britain. Leading authorised UK retailer for luxury Swiss watches.

www.pragnell.co.uk

 

[JewelledEscalators]

Ooops sorry wrong link, I meant to post this one:

https://www.trafalgarjewellers.co.uk/product/rings-cat/certificated-kashmir-sapphire-marquise-diamond-cluster-ring-v148

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Thank you @LilAlex and @CaseyLouLou for the honest feedback. I am here to learn to be a better buyer. I have written to Andrew Silver, telling him that the stone does not look transparent, as on the certificate. We’ll see what he responds.

The transparency wasn’t really a critique that I had with this stone because I like silk - its more that the color isn’t as vibrant and is more grey. That’s not something a certificate is going to point out. Anything other than opaque is going to be considered transparent so the certificate is likely correct. You need to decide if you love the color of the sapphire.

 

[OneKuhlChic]

Ok now that @LilAlex has said this, I am going to weigh in too.

I’m not an expert but based on the both the vendor photos and your own, I wasn’t impressed with the color at all. Assuming you spent what I would consider to be a relative fortune, I think you are better off putting the funds towards something better. The color to me is a bit grey and dull in a lot of the photos. It’s not awful by any means but unless you are super wowed by it then you should think about returning it.

Agreed, the color looks flat; the stone doesn't have enough saturation.

 

[JewelledEscalators]

I get the impression that what the OP wants to know/undecided on is whether this is a good value purchase, rather than whether it is a good Kashmir saphire or a saphire in general or a nice ring etc.

If so, I think that's hard to judge for others without knowing the price.

I can guess, at least what I think it was being sold for before, though you might have gotten it for less.

Based on my (could be wrong assumptions), the price you paid would seem to be on the high side (if no discount was given) for a generic non-Kashmir non-pedigree unheated blue sapphire mid century ring with a stone that size and colour (in the UK). If you got a discount say up to 20-30%, it might be possible to find something for less but is it overpriced, I don't know, given it's also a vintage ring and you bought retail.

What is clear though is that it is nothing like the price range of Kashmir sapphires like the ones above in my post.

Maybe that's what's causing you to sit on the fence?

I'm not a sapphire expert though so I could totally be wrong.

 

[OneKuhlChic]

If you really love that sapphire, even if it's not the quality you were hoping for, then keep it... If not then return it and keep on hunting for the Holy Grail of Sapphires!!! Anyways, half the fun is the hunt

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

I get the impression that what the OP wants to know/undecided on is whether this is a good value purchase, rather than whether it is a good Kashmir saphire or a saphire in general or a nice ring etc.

If so, I think that's hard to judge for others without knowing the price.

I can guess, at least what I think it was being sold for before, though you might have gotten it for less.

Based on my (could be wrong assumptions), the price you paid would seem to be on the high side (if no discount was given) for a generic non-Kashmir non-pedigree unheated blue sapphire mid century ring with a stone that size and colour (in the UK). If you got a discount say up to 20-30%, it might be possible to find something for less but is it overpriced, I don't know, given it's also a vintage ring and you bought retail.

What is clear though is that it is nothing like the price range of Kashmir sapphires like the ones above in my post.

Maybe that's what's causing you to sit on the fence?

I'm not a sapphire expert though so I could totally be wrong.

I paid $11,000 for the Kashmir. It’s pretty and I don’t have this color. But I don’t like to overpay or buy something I can’t sell in the future. So JewelledEscalactors is right. I am learning, but have been up and down monetarily in my life, and have had to sell. You learn the questions buyers ask, when you sell, and I am trying to make better buying decisions.
Andrew Silver was not swayed by my translucent vs transparent reaction to the ring.

Very interesting that transparency has a lot of leeway on certificates. That I did not know.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

If you really love that sapphire, even if it's not the quality you were hoping for, then keep it... If not then return it and keep on hunting for the Holy Grail of Sapphires!!! Anyways, half the fun is the hunt

You are correct! And it’s been a lot of fun, and a learning experience. I am enjoying this sapphire—she does have some spark, some glow, and the color is softer. It matches my outfit perfectly today!

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Just got home, and DHL had left the package with no signature!!! No harm no foul, but the what ifs.

Anyway it is murky twilight to a rainy day, but I wanted to share first glimpses. The pink and green are not greatly saturated but I have never seen a green sapphire the color of tennis ball, and for what I paid, I am pleased.

The rubies sapphires and diamonds are beyond lovely, I think. I had no idea the stick pin articulated!

 

[icy_jade]

I’m quite underwhelmed by the sapphire… and for 11k you can get a much lovelier stone (not Kashmir but does it really matter if it looks better?) but your new additions look lovely!

 

[LilAlex]

Anyway it is murky twilight to a rainy day, but I wanted to share first glimpses

I don't know prices or sizes but these all look lovely!

 

[bright&shiny]

The two pins (I think they are both pins - with cabs) are fantastic! I’m uncertain of the ring given the lighting, but green is difficult enough in the best circumstances…. Looking forward to more pics!

 

[Ionysis]

That pin is so amazing I love it.

Personally I think the sapphire is VERY VERY overpriced.

 

[Avondale]

Well... I still think the colour is pretty. But 11k? gulp! Is kashmir origin of significant importance to you? Because it's true that for that kind of money you can get much better colour, more closely resembling your first sapphire.

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

Well... I still think the colour is pretty. But 11k? gulp! Is kashmir origin of significant importance to you? Because it's true that for that kind of money you can get much better colour, more closely resembling your first sapphire.

Maybe I’m weird, but yes, Kashmir is important to me. Burma ruby and paraiba from Brazil too. Not to say that I don’t love sapphires from other origins, because I do. But I watched my father go bankrupt in 1989 and my then husband have severe reverses in 2008. When you are forced to sell your possessions, you learn that what mattered to you when you bought it doesn’t matter. Nor does what you paid; that is a sunk cost. So that does factor in to my buying process.

However, if I could get another sapphire the same color as my original Kashmir, I would love to, so I could wear it more.

I truly do appreciate all the comments and feedback. I am here to learn, and appreciate hearing that many think I overpaid for an inferior stone. I will try to buy better next time!

 

[OneKuhlChic]

Maybe I’m weird, but yes, Kashmir is important to me. Burma ruby and paraiba from Brazil too. Not to say that I don’t love sapphires from other origins, because I do. But I watched my father go bankrupt in 1989 and my then husband have severe reverses in 2008. When you are forced to sell your possessions, you learn that what mattered to you when you bought it doesn’t matter. Nor does what you paid; that is a sunk cost. So that does factor in to my buying process.

However, if I could get another sapphire the same color as my original Kashmir, I would love to, so I could wear it more.

I truly do appreciate all the comments and feedback. I am here to learn, and appreciate hearing that many think I overpaid for an inferior stone. I will try to buy better next time!

Hold on a minute... Please correct me if I missed something. Is it beyond the return policy? If not, I can't help but feel you'd be happier with a Kashmir that's more saturated. If you keep this one only because you don't have to worry about damaging it, that's a crying shame.

Ultimately, it's your choice, but you deserve better than that!!!

 

[lilmosun]

@Mkrsz1ppy

fwiw- I've bought pieces, including a blue sapphire ring, that other PSers haven't been crazy about. (I seek/appreciate feedback as it helps me make better informed decisions but in the end it's my own taste/opinions/budget that matter.)

But in reading your posts, it does not appear that you are head over heels in love with the stone although it is growing on you. Forgive me if I am misconstruing things, but if it wasn't from Kashmir, I wonder if you wouldn't be convincing yourself to love it. $11k is a lot to pay for anything that doesn't make your heart sing.

 

[Avondale]

$11k is a lot to pay for anything that doesn't make your heart sing.

This. ^

But then, if you do love it and can afford it, then who are we to judge what colour blue you should prefer? I'm not even touching on the kashmir premium because I'm not familiar with the intricacies involved in its pricing. It's important to you and that's that, no further discussion needed, really.