Padparadscha journey

[Lilith112]

Luckily, the seller is pretty close by (Hangzhou), so I'm currently seeing when I can drop by and see in person. If I really like the color in person and I want to buy, I'm thinking of asking for GRS, just to confirm it's origin (vendor says it's Sri Lankan).



It looks really promising! Plus it looks super sparkly in the video she sent me

So I chatted w/a friend who actually went to see the gem in person! She said it looked quite brown in real life :/

On the other hand, the vendor with the gorgeous 2 ct Sri Lankan one sent me more pictures...it's so pretty but so over budget lol:


Outdoor:



Yellow light:


Incandescent light:



I also did see a very nicely colored pad, but it was cushion cut Madagascar, RMB19000, 1.59ct:

Outdoor:


Indoor:


Indoor:


So the hunt continues! But at least I'm 100% decided on the color I like nowadays lol?

 

[Lilith112]

What does everyone think of this one? 2.01ct, currently uncerted, USD4000:

 

[icy_jade]

@Lilith112 hope you are well. Understand from my colleagues in Shanghai that the situation there is fine but very quiet so hope it’s been quiet for you too. Stay safe!

 

[Lilith112]

@Lilith112 hope you are well. Understand from my colleagues in Shanghai that the situation there is fine but very quiet so hope it’s been quiet for you too. Stay safe!

I'm ok so far! Have actually been traveling around recently

In the meantime, have been milling over several pad options. So the previously posted 2.01ct one is still available, but these 2 also look promising? Maybe?

1.54ct, Sri Lankan, unheated, Rmb22000:




1.68ct, Sri lankan, sunset range, Usd5000:

 

[voce]

I'm ok so far! Have actually been traveling around recently

In the meantime, have been milling over several pad options. So the previously posted 2.01ct one is still available, but these 2 also look promising? Maybe?

1.54ct, Sri Lankan, unheated, Rmb22000:




1.68ct, Sri lankan, sunset range, Usd5000:

Good to hear you've been well! The color looks good on both, but I'd prefer the 1.54 because the window is too large on the 1.68.

 

[Lilith112]

Good to hear you've been well! The color looks good on both, but I'd prefer the 1.54 because the window is too large on the 1.68.

Good point! The 1.54ct will be available for viewing on the 20th, so I think I'll take a look then

 

[Lilith112]

Good point! The 1.54ct will be available for viewing on the 20th, so I think I'll take a look then

Vendor received the 1.54ct.but it has a chip and it's color has faded...pass lol

I found this one recently that looks nice. USD2500, 2.22ct:

Outdoor, bright:


Outdoor, shaded:


Indoor:


So it's RGL certed, but vendor says he can also open a GRS report. My question is should I do that? Or is RGL good enough?

 

[natasha-cupcake]

I don't know about the certs, but that pad is gorgeous. I like it!

 

[Rfisher]

the 2.22!
No idea about the lab tho

 

[Lilith112]

I don't know about the certs, but that pad is gorgeous. I like it!

the 2.22!
No idea about the lab tho

That's great to hear! I'm just a bit worried about the lab since the price seems almost too low for 2+ ct, unheated, and pretty?? Or am I overthinking it?

 

[Rfisher]

I don’t think you are overthinking it.
it depends on the trustworthy-ness of the lab, what tests were utilized, what the report actually says, and the accuracy of the photos to real life eye and other light sources.

That being said - id be very curious to know the current going price of this stone if it were a color treated sapphire but not surface coated and was color stable?

 

[pwsg07]

That's great to hear! I'm just a bit worried about the lab since the price seems almost too low for 2+ ct, unheated, and pretty?? Or am I overthinking it?

How about the inclusions? The stone is too good to be true. I would get a better lab report.

 

[Lilith112]

I don’t think you are overthinking it.
it depends on the trustworthy-ness of the lab, what tests were utilized, what the report actually says, and the accuracy of the photos to real life eye and other light sources.

That being said - id be very curious to know the current going price of this stone if it were a color treated sapphire but not surface coated and was color stable?

The vendor sent a RGL report confirming it's unheated,and he's fine w/opening up a GRS report w/color stability test. Would ypu advice me to go for that?

How about the inclusions? The stone is too good to be true. I would get a better lab report.

Oh that's a good point! Should check for that

 

[Lilith112]

Chatting with vendor after asking a few questions. According to him, the padparadscha's been through a fading test for color stability as well as a heat test for low & high heat. We're currently talking about how to arrange for a showing now; he's checking if he can get the pad over to HK where I have someone who can check it out for me since China will be a bit difficult. Just wondering, but are there any Thailand-based PSers?

 

[Lilith112]

So my friend did a HUGE favor for me and went to see the padparadscha in person! Says it's quite accurate IRL to picture, and it's eye clean! Also, the vendor opened a Lotus report which certifies that it's an untreated padparadscha!






I'm leaning towards pulling the trigger on this one, but what does everyone think?

 

[natasha-cupcake]

I really like it. I think I see an itty-bitty window--maybe not there at all-- but I think I see it. Even if present, I don't think it detracts at all. The color is lovely and the saturation is exactly where I prefer it to be. Seems like a good price, too. I'm a "yes" vote.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Heck yes! That looks gorgeous! My kind of pad too!

 

[shelovesinclusions]

. . .

I'm leaning towards pulling the trigger on this one, but what does everyone think?

Go for it. It's beautiful, and you have the assurance of a friend.

 

[voce]

I vote yes as well.

 

[Lilith112]

I really like it. I think I see an itty-bitty window--maybe not there at all-- but I think I see it. Even if present, I don't think it detracts at all. The color is lovely and the saturation is exactly where I prefer it to be. Seems like a good price, too. I'm a "yes" vote.

Heck yes! That looks gorgeous! My kind of pad too!

Go for it. It's beautiful, and you have the assurance of a friend.

I vote yes as well.

Thank you! I just purchased it

So excited! Fingers crossed for how it looks IRL!

 

[Crazie4Cuts]

So glad for you! However, if the vendor is willing to also cert it with GRS, I would ask him to go ahead! I did purchase a small sapphire cushion and it came with the GRS cert, I think having it would also give you peace of mind besides the Lotus and RMS report.

 

[Rfisher]

So glad for you! However, if the vendor is willing to also cert it with GRS, I would ask him to go ahead! I did purchase a small sapphire cushion and it came with the GRS cert, I think having it would also give you peace of mind besides the Lotus and RMS report.

Is lotus report really not considered complete enough?
Genuinely curious.

 

[shelovesinclusions]

Is lotus report really not considered complete enough?
Genuinely curious.

I want to know too; I am under the impression that Lotus is one of the best.

 

[Lilith112]

So glad for you! However, if the vendor is willing to also cert it with GRS, I would ask him to go ahead! I did purchase a small sapphire cushion and it came with the GRS cert, I think having it would also give you peace of mind besides the Lotus and RMS report.

I had thought Lotus by itself is pretty strong? Does GRS usually does a test that Lotus doesn't conduct?

 

[icy_jade]

Lotus isn’t as recognized in the industry. I’ve heard that it’s a reliable lab but they do give out trade preferred names on their certs which some of the other more established labs still refuse to do. So up to you what you make of that. Personally I’ll be fine with a Lotus cert.

 

[Lilith112]

Lotus isn’t as recognized in the industry. I’ve heard that it’s a reliable lab but they do give out trade preferred names on their certs which some of the other more established labs still refuse to do. So up to you what you make of that. Personally I’ll be fine with a Lotus cert.

Okay, got it! I think I'm ok now that it has two certs--plus, I think GRS' definition for a pad is pretty broad. I've seen a very brown-orange sapphire that was still certed as a pad lol!

 

[prs]

The journey to end all gem journeys is finally over.

Congratulations @Lilith112 !!!!!!

 

[Lilith112]

The journey to end all gem journeys is finally over.

Congratulations @Lilith112 !!!!!!

Fingers crossed that this is it lol!

I've lost track of how many pads I've seen by now...but on the plus side, at least I have a better idea of who to talk to for a good quality one? Lol.

 

[Lilith112]

My padparadacha came in and omg, I loooooove it!!!!!!!!



Such a delicate and etheteal color! The way it shifts color is amaaaazing! And it has a glow even in dim light!

Btw, it's grey and rainy today. Will take sunny outdoor photos when I can!

 

[voce]

OMG congratulations on finding the one!!!!!!