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Please help me pick between 2 Padparadscha Sapphires for an engagement ring.

S

SlowTree

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2018
Messages
11
After being pointed in the right direction and recieving some great advice on this site from @lovedogs, I've narrowed my choices down to two padparadscha sapphires.
One from gemfix:
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-499
Or one from finewater gems:
https://www.finewatergems.com/store/p236/2.07_ct_Unheated_Padparadscha_Sapphire.html

The sapphire is for an engagement ring.
I have been looking for a padparadscha sapphire in the 2ct. range at about $5k. Any opinions would be much appreciated. Also any flaws that you can detect, I'm definitely a noob when it comes to gemstones.
 
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The gemfix one really isn’t a pad, looks more like a light pink. That’s why they have it labeled as sapphire-pink. If you want a pad, the Finewater one is beautiful to my eye!
 
I agree, the finewater one is beautiful and is more clearly a true pad. The first does look orangey pink to me but could be peachy pink as well.
 
Jbows said:
The gemfix one really isn’t a pad, looks more like a light pink. That’s why they have it labeled as sapphire-pink. If you want a pad, the Finewater one is beautiful to my eye!
Click to expand...

Technically, the GIA report does identify the GemFix stone as a "Padparadscha Sapphire" with orangy-pink color.

I cannot see the GIA report for the FWG sapphire but I do note that Gary comments "A bit more pink in real life than in the photos..."

Personally, I prefer the cut and color of the GemFix Pad as revealed in the video (make sure you choose HD in the settings) and photo.

Were you able to get a video from Gary for the FWG Pad? The photos show a rather wishwashy color with some mush perhaps due to the depth/cut?

Any way you can purchase both and return one/both that doesn't meet your expectations?
 
I agree with @marymm that if you can, buy both and see them in person. Then you can return one once you've seen them in person. I definitely realize that it might not be possible, but I think that might be the best way to decide.
 
Gary @Finewater will send a video if you ask, which should help for comparison. It's nice that they both have the certs, so it will depend on the color and what you love. They are both gorgeous!
 
A lot of color zoning to my eye in the second one, but it's pretty nonetheless. The first one will "face up" much larger (~ 44% larger). Hard to compare between vendors but I like the color of the second one (richer and warmer) on my monitor.
 
You need a video from finewater. It looks a little windowy to me from the photos. It will also help with color. The remix is going to look larger.

Many pads are pink in tone, the finewater is more orange. But a video is essential. Pads perform very differently in different lighting, my pads are all very different tones, all pads.
 
I agree with @LilAlex on the zoning issue, especially based on Gary's first picture.
 
Jbows said:
The gemfix one really isn’t a pad, looks more like a light pink. That’s why they have it labeled as sapphire-pink. If you want a pad, the Finewater one is beautiful to my eye!
Click to expand...

This is not quite correct. Do you have any pad stones? Because I have several and I can assure you they run the gamut with color and pink can be prominent.
 
They’re both beautiful! You can’t go wrong. I would try to look at them in person on your hand in different lights. It’s a big purchase. Pick the color you like best, not what is “ideal” in the trade. The cutting can make a huge difference.

Best wishes for your engagement!
 
Thanks for all your replies. I recieved a video from finewater gems...I feel like the stone loses its sparkle at certain angles, sort of how its shown in the 2nd and 3rd pic on the website(I am having trouble uploading it here). I am such an ameture at judging gemstones that I keep second guessing myself lol.
I like the color and size of the firewater sapphire, but I just don't feel that it is as shiny or cut as well as the gemfix stone (but like I said, I'm definitely no expert)
I am starting to agree that I need to see both stones in person. I am traveling to San Diego tomorrow to meet with Andrew from Gemfix. Hopefully I fall in love with his stone when I see it in person, and can end my search there.
 
I don’t know...there’s something called a “tilt window” that is not the same as a window. It’s an optical effect when viewing at certain angles. I have a garnet that was expertly cut by Gary Braun and it has a beautiful high crown and sparkles like crazy. I have a sapphire that was advertised as “spready for its size” (carat weight). It has a lovely color that looks like a deep pool pulling you in, but the flat crown sacrificed some of the sparkle. Lots of variables, so pick what pleases you. Enjoy the hunt!
 
@SlowTree , don't leave your info on here (for your own protection). I'd delete that post, otherwise mods will remove anyway. You can upload it to youtube with an "unlisted" thing. That way you can put the link here.
 
Thanks for your concern. I will try YouTube. It won't let me delete or edit my post for whatever reason, hopefully the moderators get to it
 
A11DE24D-D4B8-41EB-ABAB-6C1E7A62887B.jpeg They seem so washed out... there is a vast difference for reference to me in regard to padparadscha sapphires. I’ve read that they “should not be deep in color”, bizarre. That certainly isn’t true with stones from Harry Winston, or auctioned by Sotheby’s or Christie’s. Example:
 
Here is the video from firewater gems
 
Also he has a video on his IG.
 
@SlowTree I think after watching both videos I prefer the cut of the GemFix one, but both are very pretty!
 
soberguy said:
A11DE24D-D4B8-41EB-ABAB-6C1E7A62887B.jpeg They seem so washed out... there is a vast difference for reference to me in regard to padparadscha sapphires. I’ve read that they “should not be deep in color”, bizarre. That certainly isn’t true with stones from Harry Winston, or auctioned by Sotheby’s or Christie’s. Example:
Click to expand...
Really? Here's one from Christie's. Pads vary - a lot.
Lot-1611-AN-EXCEPTIONAL-PADPARADSCHA-AND-DIAMOND-RING-.jpg
@SlowTree I think I'd go for the Gemfix stone. But both are pretty. You could always order both and see which your eye prefers.
 
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soberguy said:
A11DE24D-D4B8-41EB-ABAB-6C1E7A62887B.jpeg They seem so washed out... there is a vast difference for reference to me in regard to padparadscha sapphires. I’ve read that they “should not be deep in color”, bizarre. That certainly isn’t true with stones from Harry Winston, or auctioned by Sotheby’s or Christie’s. Example:
Click to expand...

I think you are like me in that you prefer the medium dark, strongly saturated Pad sapphires. I think the medium or light tones are beautiful as well if they are well cut and well saturated, but they totally get lost when worn with my light skin tone.
 
I like the Gemfix one best!
 
Soberguy,

The example you posted is not deep color. It is a strong medium tone. Padparadscha is a light to medium tone, so some lighter toned gems will appear washed out, and they are relative to finer more medium toned gems, but they still fit the definition pinkish orange to orangy pink. There is a schematic created by gemologist Frank Notari, that attempts to standardize hue/tone in this type of sapphire. It was adopted some years ago by the Lab Harmonizing Committee. Some labs use it, other's don't. What a surprise!

RWW
 
Sagebrush said:
Soberguy,
Oh I see what you mean. Thanks RW!


The example you posted is not deep color. It is a strong medium tone. Padparadscha is a light to medium tone, so some lighter toned gems will appear washed out, and they are relative to finer more medium toned gems, but they still fit the definition pinkish orange to orangy pink. There is a schematic created by gemologist Frank Notari, that attempts to standardize hue/tone in this type of sapphire. It was adopted some years ago by the Lab Harmonizing Committee. Some labs use it, other's don't. What a surprise!

RWW
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all your help everyone. I was able to travel to San Diego and visit gemfix in person. Andrew was a pleasure to deal with in person. He was very patient in answering all of my questions. He wasn't shy about showing me inclusions or windows in his stones, he was very clear on the positives and negatives of each stone....it was very comforting. I ended up getting a different stone than the one I went there to see. They really do look so much different in person.
Here is the on I bought :
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-534
Thanks again for all you advice and tips, it really made me feel more confident that I was getting a good stone at a good value. This site and its members are amazing. The stone is being set now, I will post pics once it is finished.
 
Great choice it's a beautiful stone! Great to hear about your experience with gemfix. Looking forward to seeing it set!
 
@SlowTree YAY! I'm so happy you went in person--it's important to see stones IRL, especially ones that are as complex as pads (since it's hard enough to get one color to look "right" on a computer, not to mention a stone with pink/orange. The one you bought looks amazing and I can't wait to see how you set it :)
 
Congratulations on your purchase. It is a beautiful stone and I can't wait to see the finished product. How wonderful that you were able to go there in person to see before buying. I wish I lived within driving distance of Gemfix. I'd spend an entire weekend drooling over gemstones!
 
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