Opinions on a sapphire?

[Sapphires91]

Hello,

I’m a newbie posting here

We are looking into having a ring designed by a local jeweller and I have been trying to pick a sapphire for the centre stone. I am wondering if you could tell me yours thoughts on the top sapphire in these photos. It has this almost kaleidoscope/hall of mirrors effect in it. I’m guessing it’s some kind of window but rather than see right through the stone somethings getting refracted around inside. Any thoughts?

We are looking for a natural sapphire and we don’t want to buy one we haven’t seen in person. The jeweller got in a few for me to look at but I have a particular eye for windows and I can’t unsee them. This stone seemed to be the best colour and I don’t think it has a window that you can see directly through, it’s more this weird effect that I described above?? I have included a picture where you can see a window in the bottom sapphire, but the effect is different in the top one.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Bron357]

Hi and welcome.
I’ll be honest, neither is great.
The top one has what I would presume are inclusions. I’m guessing feathers as rutile silk wouldn’t normally show up as “little sparkles”. If it’s heated they could also be microscopic “explosions” of crystal inclusions which is apt to occur upon high heating.
I would strongly recommend being “brave” and buying online because these days the reputable vendors are happy to have you send back the gem, no questions no problems if you don’t like it in person. On line you will be able to chose from hundreds of gems. Most vendors even do videos these days so you can be pretty sure that what will come to you in the mail will be as you expected. If not, send it back for full refund. Obviously shipping costs will be at your cost, but sfor the benefit of such a huge selection it’s still well worth it.
Most sapphires show some type of window, which is being “see through” when looking at some angles. If this concerns you, you need a precision cut as opposed to a native cut.
What is your budget? I presume you don’t mind heat treatment (this is common) and prefer an oval shape?
We can have a look around for you and post up some suggestions for you.
Don’t worry, there’s a fabulous blue sapphire out there waiting for you!

 

[Sapphires91]

Thanks for your reply! We are only looking at natural, untreated stones so it hasn't been heat treated.
I didn't think they were inclusions but maybe I'm wrong and that is what I'm seeing.

The problem I have found is that I'm very picky and seem to find fault with every stone I see. I have accepted that for our budget I will have to make compromises, but I worry that ordering online I just won't be happy with what arrives! I looked at postage the other day and it was going to be about £80 to post a stone back to the states insured, which makes us reluctant as I can't help but think I'll be too picky and want to send it back!

Our budget is about £600-700 and we are looking for a 7x5 ideally, although the one in my previous pictures is 6x4.

I have seen these two online. Any thoughts on these?
https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/1.08ct-nigeria-oval-blue-sapphire-b8700-/

https://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/0.96ct-australia-oval-blue-sapphire-b7506-/

 

[Bron357]

Ok, the Natural Sapphire company is over priced in most people’s opinion. The first one I think will be too dark, especially once set. The second one is better.
I’ll have a look around the other Vendors but do have a look at this one listed on the website -LoupeTroop.com under “Loose stones”
2.2 carat teal blue Sapphire .
Now these sellers on LT are both ordinary folk and business sellers. Many of us here from Pricescope buy gems we change our minds about and so resell them on LT.
I’m just showing you this one so you can see what is out there (I don’t know that particular seller btw).
This sapphire is similiar price to the Natural Sapphire ones but more than twice as big, a round and a unique colour way. Rounds are usually a premium price because more raw crystal is lost during cutting than with ovals. With a round brilliant cut, no windows ever! Yay.
It’s also a 7mm round. This is a great standard size, a lot of us PSers like to save money if we can (=more gems more rings) by buying stock settings rather than custom made. And there’s a much bigger selection suited to Round Brillants than ovals.

 

[chrono]

Found this in the recommended vendor list for the UK

www.topgem.co.uk (UK gemstone dealer specialising in unheated sapphires and rubies)

 

[Sapphires91]

Thank you for your help, it’s really useful! It’s interesting to see that 2.2ct for comparison! Reading your post made me think I’d rather have a windowed oval than a non-windowed round, so I guess that might just be something I will have to get over!

That’s useful to know about The Natural Sapphire Company too. I’ll try looking at other vendors for comparison!

 

[clumberlove]

Have you included import costs in your budget for the gem? If you buy from outside the EU you will have to add 20% on top of the price for VAT. Just something to bear in mind.

I'm UK based, but just a newbie to coloured stones so I'm afraid I don't have any recommendations for EU vendors.