Opinions on this 10.34 carat sapphire!

[ColoredStonesLady]

Hello! I'm a newbie looking for advice on a sapphire I just bought, on ebay no less (yikes!). I love light blue sapphires and have been looking for one for a long time. I wanted one that would remind me of the sea - almost the color of a nice aquamarine, and be at least 6 carats. I searched for months in B&Ms as well as online stores often talked about on PS, but couldn't find anything I really loved.

By chance, I stumbled upon this light blue sapphire on ebay from what seems like a reputable seller with a GIA cert: http://www.ebay.com/itm/250776135246?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I really loved the color, the shape, and that its unheated! I just hope it looks as good in person. I know it has a small window, which really bothers me since I prefer precision cut gems, but I loved the color too much to pass it up. I just wanted to know what pricescopers think of:

1) The Window - Should I have the stone re-cut to remove it? Or is keeping it over 10 carats worth anything for a light blue sapphire?

2) The Price - I paid $5,700 for it, and I hope I didn't over pay!What do people think?

3) The GIA Cert - It says the sapphire is unheated, can I really trust GIA with that?

4) Finding an appraiser in the San Francisco, CA area - I have 3 days after getting the sapphire to review it and I'd like someone knowledgeable in sapphires to take a look at it. Any recommendations?

My boyfriend and I are looking at this stone for a potential e-ring, so we'd like to make sure we don't have any buyer's remorse. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

 

[T L]

Hello! I'm a newbie looking for advice on a sapphire I just bought, on ebay no less (yikes!). I love light blue sapphires and have been looking for one for a long time. I wanted one that would remind me of the sea - almost the color of a nice aquamarine, and be at least 6 carats. I searched for months in B&Ms as well as online stores often talked about on PS, but couldn't find anything I really loved.

By chance, I stumbled upon this light blue sapphire on ebay from what seems like a reputable seller with a GIA cert: http://www.ebay.com/itm/250776135246?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I really loved the color, the shape, and that its unheated! I just hope it looks as good in person. I know it has a small window, which really bothers me since I prefer precision cut gems, but I loved the color too much to pass it up. I just wanted to know what pricescopers think of:

1) The Window - Should I have the stone re-cut to remove it? Or is keeping it over 10 carats worth anything for a light blue sapphire?

2) The Price - I paid $5,700 for it, and I hope I didn't over pay!What do people think?

3) The GIA Cert - It says the sapphire is unheated, can I really trust GIA with that?

4) Finding an appraiser in the San Francisco, CA area - I have 3 days after getting the sapphire to review it and I'd like someone knowledgeable in sapphires to take a look at it. Any recommendations?

My boyfriend and I are looking at this stone for a potential e-ring, so we'd like to make sure we don't have any buyer's remorse. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!!

I think it's a very good price for a 10+ carat sapphire of unheated status. While the color is not in the trade desired medium to medium dark tone, it's light and bright, which I personally like. As for the window, I don't see much of a window, and it would "close up" in a mounting anyways. You can trust the GIA report, but if it is Sri Lankan in origin, I'm surprised they didn't get geographical origin on the report, as that is a premium origin. At some point, you may want to get a full AGL prestige report so that you can have the origin, as that would add to the value I think. It may also be a color shifter (to more violet) in some other lighting, so be aware of that if you want a stone to stay as blue as possible.

I can't help you with an appraiser, but perhaps someone else can. Please post photos when you get it, and your thoughts on it.

 

[JewelFreak]

Everything TL said. Saturation is good & if you want a light sapphire, that certainly fills the bill. Cut looks good to me -- if I see any window, it's small -- hard to tell when the background almost matches the stone, but from its dimensions, unless there's something pretty wonky going on with the pavilion, it shouldn't be a problem. As TL mentioned, a setting would minimize whatever window exists. It's a wonderful size for an e-ring. I agree that a Prestige report giving origin is a very good idea, could make quite a difference in value.

Congratulations!

--- Laurie

 

[movie zombie]

call Lang Antiques in SF. ask for Barbra. or just ask if they do appraisals. Barbra is a credentialed gemologist.
check Gleim Jewelers in Palo Alto as well.

also, i hope inner kitten sees this and chimes in: i think there is an appraiser on market street in SF.

 

[Pandora II]

I think it looks like a very pretty stone and a good price for an unheated 10ct stone.

You can't always get an origin on a stone - if the indicators aren't there then there is nothing they can do. I also don't think that origin will add anything to the value as the stone isn't premium colour in the market (btw, I am not criticizing your stone here, just talking about the vagaries of the market).

I second the suggestion of Barbra at Lang Antiques if they do appraisals.

 

[bobsiv]

Not to be a killjoy or anything, but the color of the background suggests to me that there may be some color-correction to the photo. If the stone is really sitting on a white background then it may be much lighter than in the photos. You can ask the seller if the background is supposed to be white, but beyond that you'll just have to wait and see. I hope it turns out well!

 

[minousbijoux]

I hope its truly that gorgeous light blue - if so, that will be one beautiful, huge stone

 

[ColoredStonesLady]

Thanks for all of your advice! I will let you all know what happens ( and post photos! ) when the package finally arrives and the appraiser gets a hold of it. I have my fingers crossed... I really like the gem from what I have seen, and I hope we can move on to ring designing stage soon!

@TL & JewelFreak- Thank you for the comments, they will make me worry a little less while we wait for the stone to arrive. I hope the window will close up once the sapphire is set, but I might try and get the pavilion touched up a bit if it bothers me too much just knowing its there (crazy, I know!). If all pans out well, I will go ahead and get the Prestige report to see if its really from Ceylon (if they can tell). It might matter on the future, you never know!

@movie zombie & Pandora - I will contact Barbara at Lang Antiques and find out of they do appraisals there. If not, I'm sure they should be able to suggest someone in SF who does. Thanks for the suggestions, I'm new to the SF area and had no idea where to go!

@bobsiv - If its lighter than the photos, no problem! Lighter is what I'm after... I saw so many that were light on the website, but darker IRL at the B&M, it would be nice to be surprised in the other direction. Still, I hope its *close* to the color in the photos. The market changes (slowly) all the time, right? In the next 100 or 200 years, maybe light blue will be the next pad! Or at least pink sapphire / red spinel. Who knows? My great, great, great grandkids will hopefully enjoy it regardless of the market value!

@minousbijoux - Thanks!! My size 7 finger and HUGE (so I'm told!) personality should be able to carry it off!! I also promised my bf no upgrades! LOL!

 

[movie zombie]

i like HUGE stones....so a 10 carat sapphire seems about right to me....no matter finger size.

please let us know what you find out at Lang's.

 

[ColoredStonesLady]

I called up Lang's and they don't do appraisals anymore but they did recommend me to Watson & Son a few blocks away. They were all booked up until later next week due to the holidays. I only have a 3 day review period for the sapphire, so there's not enough time.

BUT, I think I'll send it back away for a couple reasons. First, the window was WAY bigger than it appeared in the vendor photos. The profile of the stone is lopsided, so depending on how you place it the window is huge, or smaller. It's also a bit of a color shifter. Indoor lighting makes it look very violet and almost a murky lavender which I don't love. And while I do love light blue as a color, this one really doesn't seem to compliment me.



Here it is in the tray.


Profile


Not sure the color works for me. I think I actually need a more vivid blue. Or maybe a ruby!


A closer look


I really notice the window here! And I also see some weird color zoning or silk going on on the right side... it looks like a shark fin.

What do you all think? I'm really leaning to sending it back....

 

[slg47]

if you don't love it, send it back.

 

[diamondloveruk]

I agree with all you have said im afraid. I would send it back. You have lovely colouring but the colour doesnt stand out as it should against your hand. I'd carry on the search, you have spent too much money to be undecided and from experience, if you feel like this now, your feelings will only increase.

 

[JewelFreak]

Yeah, definitely. You could drive a truck through that window. I also see what you mean about zoning. Possibly you could get that bizarre pavilion recut -- I'm no expert on that -- but you'd end up with much less sapphire, a bill for the work, and the hassle of it. This may be an example of the "if it looks too good to be true...." adage. You can do a lot better with a bit more looking.

Good luck -- I bet you'll find something else that makes your heart sing. That's what it's all about!

--- Laurie

 

[Imdanny]

OP, I'm sorry this one didn't work out. Better luck next time!

 

[T L]

That window would "close up" in a setting (it closes up in your second photo and a heavy gallery would do the same thing in a ring), and I actually love it against your skin, but if you don't like it, then send it back. Sorry this one didn't work out. I don't know if a recut of the pavillion would make this look better, but perhaps you want to check with a lapidary.

It kind of reminds me of the color of this precision cut, but heated sapphire, that was cut by Gene (precisiongem.com) for a lady's e-ring on this board. I just love this color, and it has so much potential. I have to say that what you paid for a 10ct unheated sapphire, however light blue, is awesome, but again, if you don't like it, you don't like it.

 

[Treenbean]

I have to say I also (agree with TL) like the color against your skin. However, if you don't like it, send it back because it will never be "mind clean".

 

[chrono]

Best to send it back; a recut of the pavilion will net you a much smaller stone since the culet is quite off-centered, thus a larger carat weight loss.

 

[ColoredStonesLady]

Happy New Year!!

The magic and craziness of the holidays kept me away for a while, sorry!! I thought about it and sent the sapphire back. The ebay vendor was very nice and gave me a full refund, less tiny restocking fee & shipping. I'd have only been willing to re-cut the stone *IF* I loved the color. I would have loved it more if it had stayed a pure blue with no lavender tones. I know a lot of people love that type of color and look for it specifically, but its one I never wear. I even checked my closet to make sure.

I still went to an appraiser as we were thinking it over. Lang's doesn't appraise outside jewelry anymore, but they recommended Watson & Son near Union Street in San Francisco. They were fabulous, very knowledge and fun to talk to besides doing a great appraisal. I would definitely go there again.

But my boyfriend and I did get out to a few shops to take a look at different colored sapphires in person - photos really do them NO justice! Lang's had a nice selection and we found that we both liked vivid or royal blue sapphires the most. Only problem is that's the most sought after color!!

We are looking for a nice unheated/ treated sapphire in a long cushion shape for around 15k. It has not been an easy search and vendors have been warning us this could take a while, as we'd like the size to be around 7 x 9 to 8 x 10. We saw this one at Lang's. I loved the color, but it was heated .



If anyone has any tips for making the sapphire hunt go any faster or smoother I'd love to hear them!!

And thanks for all your advice on the one I sent back... I learned MANY lessons... if you don't love it, leave it!

 

[LD]

Are you really against buying a sapphire with heat only? There are a fairly large number of us (collectors) who will accept heat - although no other treatments. Not only will it help greatly in your search but it will also make more sapphires affordable. If you look for unheated/untreated your search may take a while.

I'm afraid you need to be patient. Finding a blue sapphire that appeals to you in not only colour but cut and carat weight can be a lengthy process on its own. If you had in more search parameters ie natural only, the search will be elongated. Why don't you have a think about what you might be prepared to compromise on? That might help but even if you do this, allow months rather than days or weeks.

 

[JewelFreak]

A good thing out of the hassle is that you learned what you like -- that's a big step.

Take a look at Ed Bristol's site -- http://www.wildfishgems.com/blue_sapphire_over_1_5_carat?b=1 -- he has some nice untreated sapphires. This one below is over your budget a bit, but the color knocks me right out -- a little silk that I doubt makes a difference. He has a number of others that might interest you. Good luck! It will be beautiful when you find it.

 

[T L]

A good thing out of the hassle is that you learned what you like -- that's a big step.

Take a look at Ed Bristol's site -- http://www.wildfishgems.com/blue_sapphire_over_1_5_carat?b=1 -- he has some nice untreated sapphires. This one below is over your budget a bit, but the color knocks me right out -- a little silk that I doubt makes a difference. He has a number of others that might interest you. Good luck! It will be beautiful when you find it.

Why is the background blue in that photo?

 

[T L]

Are you really against buying a sapphire with heat only? There are a fairly large number of us (collectors) who will accept heat - although no other treatments. Not only will it help greatly in your search but it will also make more sapphires affordable. If you look for unheated/untreated your search may take a while.

I'm afraid you need to be patient. Finding a blue sapphire that appeals to you in not only colour but cut and carat weight can be a lengthy process on its own. If you had in more search parameters ie natural only, the search will be elongated. Why don't you have a think about what you might be prepared to compromise on? That might help but even if you do this, allow months rather than days or weeks.

I agree, and there is no way, no how, you will be able to find a ten carat sapphire, untreated (with the proper credentials), in the color of the Lang stone for $15K, let alone the whole ring for $15K. The pale sapphires are nice because they allow affordability, but if you want more saturated color in an large untreated stone, you need increase your budget.

 

[VapidLapid]

So I see they have relisted the stone with a price increase bigger even than the window is!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370571565052

kind of makes me wonder about the restocking fee. If they get it bought and returned enough then its as good as selling it and not delivering.

 

[chloeishere]

I liked the color of that big sapphire (but that's my stone that TL posted above, so... of course I do!)... but the huge window and asymmetrical pavilion would not work for me, either. I do think it's a nice color for your skin tone, but it needs to be what you like.

I'd agree that your budget, for the size, color, and unheated sapphire you want, is going to be tight. I hope you are able to find something you like!

 

[ColoredStonesLady]

@ LD I don't know why, but I just don't like the idea of a heated sapphire for my engagement ring. I have a lovely little collection of sapphires in many weird colors that are just about all heated, and I love them all. But for my engagement ring I want it to be "special". Super sappy and silly, I know. There is no logical reasoning to it, just emotional. You make a good case for heated sapphires though, but I think we'll wait it out and see what happens. I could change my mind...

@ chloeishere your sapphire is a beauty and looks GREAT on you. The cut is to DIE for, it puts most diamonds to shame! I know your search wasn't a short one (I have been a lurker for a while ) and I'm thrilled you found what you were dreaming of. I hope I'll have some of your good luck!

@ TL I'm hoping for around 3 to 5 carats. I'd hope that 15k could do it for the sapphire alone, but we'll see what happens. If the perfect sapphire costs a bit more, so be it, we'll have to pay up then! We have time to search so we'll wait until the right one comes along. I'd much rather be patient than get something that's just "okay" only to have it sit in a drawer.

@JewelFreak thanks for the suggestion! I have been drooling over that sapphire for a while and I contacted Ed about a gem hunt to what else is out there. Let's see what he finds!!!

Thank you for the opinions, this has been very, very helpful!! It's all a matter of taste, but its great to hear other perspectives - it makes it easier to figure out what you're looking for. I don't think there is any right or wrong. What works for one person doesn't work for everyone - jewelry is so personal! I have seen amazing jewelry of all types that I love and admire (and drool over!) but I know I would not choose to wear them myself.

I'll keep you all posted on the sapphire hunt! ...

 

[minousbijoux]

I don't know, it may not be as impossible as some have indicated. I agree with TL that finding one at the high end of the carat weight you want in the Lang color might be hard, but then again, who knows? It is smart of you to look at the high quality antique jewelry sites, because you may be able to find an unheated sapphire which you can unset. If they allowed you to make the sale contingent upon an AGL cert, you'd be all set. For that matter, they could probably provide you excellent guidance on which stones they believe are unheated...

So you have ruled out wonky as a deal breaker That's a good start! But do you think from what you've seen so far it has to be precision cut, or can it be a good, symmetrically cut stone? The two faceters who specialize in sapphires are Roger Dery and Jeff White, both of whom, IMO, are fabulous cutters. However, finding the unheated rough in the the size you would need is particularly difficult now. Are you available to try gem shows, or even make a trip of it and head to Tuscon for unheated stones? I know there are a few purveyors at Intergem that typically have well cut, unheated sapphires in large sizes (high end prices though).

Also, as others have probably already said (and it sounds like you know this already from your own research), it depends on what you can accept in terms of saturation and modifiers. If you like a little green or platinum, it might be easier; if you like that violet tinge, it might add to the price a bit. Gary Braun at Finewater Gems had some sapphires in mid blue tones from his trip to Sri Lanka a while back, some of which were unheated IIRC. He's another one you might check in with. But you're going in the right direction by contacting Ed Bristol as unheated gems are his area of specialty.

Good luck; can't wait to see what you arrive at!

 

[minousbijoux]

One more random thought: can you find a jeweler so you can access Pala's inventory? They have so many...

 

[ColoredStonesLady]

Time for a long overdue update! I have been searching high and low...

@ minousbijoux Thank you for all of those awesome suggestions! I found your reply really, really helpful and chased down several leads because of it. I reached out to both Roger Dery and Jeff White, but they haven't find anything yet. I contacted double digit vendors, cutters, you name it! But the consensus from them was that this year Chinese, Russian, and Indian buyers are very keen on buying great sapphires - even more than usual! Plus, flooding in Bangkok and shortages in Sri Lanka. And the royal wedding didn't help either! All in all, a tough time to find a great sapphire. In other words, you were soooo right!

In the beginning I preferred a precision cut sapphire. But after seeing so many it became clear to me that color was the absolute most important thing - as long as the cut wasn't so wonky that it was distracting. I considered going to Tuscon, but read too many scary stories of novice buyers like myself being ripped off. So, I'd prefer to leave it to the professionals. I was hoping that after Tuscon anyone that I contacted might find something interesting.

I saw a few sapphires in person that seemed to meet all of my requirements, but ofter the color shifts drove me crazy! Getting darker in certain types of lighting is nice, as far as I'm concerned. But, going grey and purplish is not - to me anyway. I know some people prefer that, but its not my cup of tea. So I did the only thing to do - raise the budget on the sapphire!! I'm sure if I kept looking longer I could find something lovely for under 15K, but time is money too! LOL! My boyfriend and I also honed in on exactly what colors and what modifiers we liked the best. These two things helped the search alot!

So now, we are between 2 lovely sapphires. We are really on the fence as they both meet all our requirements in every way, and we really like them both - from the photos. They are also about the same price - around 20k. And certified unheated from GRS.

So what do you all think of these??


-3.8 carats
-9.6 x 7.1
-GRS Royal Blue
-Ceylon
-Unheated


-3.7 carats
-9.4 x 7.5
-GRS Blue (But almost looks "Kashmir Blue" to me... or am I imagining it?)
-Madagascar
-Unheated

My boyfriend asked me the very important question, "Which would make you smile most on a rainy day?" I am leaning toward the 2nd one, but the 1st one is lovely too!!! Which would you choose for a 3 stone engagement ring? Of course I'll be sure to view them in person, as photos are at best a general guide.

Thanks again! -CSL

 

[Pandora II]

They're both lovely, but I would want to see them side by side under the same lighting to make any kind of decision.

 

[T L]

Not that keen on the first one, I see some grey inclusion on the corner, or some extinction, and I bet it has major zoning going around. The color is uneven to me. I dislike when vendors take photos of gems against a dark background. I would like to see the second one on a white background as it seems to have more potential, and some silk, which would give it a nice glow.

Due to the zoning, sapphires should also be viewed through the pavilion. I certainly wouldn't pay that kind of money without lots of shots.