Purchased Sapphire for e-ring, looking for opinions

[TheElms]

Long time reader, first time poster, so thank you all for all the help you've already given me!

I have bought and am waiting for the arrival of the sapphire below from Gemfix. I'm not sure its the one for my e-ring, but hopefully it is! I like darker blue sapphires, but I still want it to look blue rather than inky or black. Having followed others trials and tribulations with Gemfix sapphires, it seems that the pictures are at least a little and sometimes a lot darker than the the actual sapphire. So while the picture is a tad dark from my ideal sapphire I'm hoping the real thing will be right. My one concern based on the pictures is that one edge looks a little dark right on the edge.

The budget for the purchase of the sapphire is $2-3K but 3k would really be pushing things.





Gemfix provides the following information on the stone:

Sapphire Round Modified "Roulette" Cut
Weight: 1.58 cts
Measurements: 7mm, depth 4.4mm
Clarity: VVS
Origin: Sri Lanka
Enhancements: Heat only
Price: $ 2290.00 Sale Pending
Order/Stock No.: sapphire_blue_1043
Description: Stunning strong medium blue sapphire. Exhibits slight color shift from true blue to violet blue. AGL lab report included.(Cut by Andrew Gulij)
Pantone 2728C & 2738C

The plan is to have it set in a LM halo setting like this one.




So what does everyone think? Is the sapphire itself a good choice? Is this a good sapphire for this kind of setting?

Also, patience is not my strong point. For those of you that have ordered stones from Gemfix how long do they typically take to arrive?

Thanks! (and very excited to hear what people think, so please be honest - I want to get the right stone for me)

 

[LD]

You've asked some questions that in all honesty nobody can answer! Only you will know if it's the sapphire for you!

What I can tell you is that you're trying to evaluate the stone from a picture and as you've already said, you know that Gemfix's photographs are not 100% accurate (very few vendors manage to achieve that). In my experience the Gemfix photos are normally lighter than the actual gem. In terms of the darkness to the rim you're seeing, that's extinction and caused by the cut. However, you don't see it in the hand shot, although you do see other areas of extinction, so I suspect the gem in the first photo isn't face straight on to the camera.

The gem you've picked has extinction in places but it's definitely showing blue. I suspect that when it arrives you'll have a dark blue sapphire (that looks dark blue) but there will be areas of black when you rotate the gem. How much there is is impossible to tell because you can see differing amounts in both photos. However, I suspect from your description of what you're looking for that it may fit the bill.

I have no patience whatsoever so nearly always spend the extra for expedited service. I don't know if Gemfix offer this but it may be a way of putting you out of your misery quickly!!!!

Hope you love it when it arrives.

 

[TheElms]

LD -- thanks for your comments.

I figured the darkness around the edge was extinction, rather than a slightly deeper blue but agree that it doesn't appear to show in the hand shot though there appears to be some extinction in the middle of the stone in that shot. My concern with extinction on the edge is how it might look against a diamond halo -- specifically that the halo might somehow highlight the extinction depending on how pronounced it is to start. But again, as you say I won't know until I get the stone. When I do I'll be sure to post more pictures and a video if I can figure that out.

Sadly Gemfix didn't appear to have an expedite shipping option - or at least not one I saw - and in truth I should just be patient and save the money in case I end up sending this one back and ordering another!

Regarding the color and saturation of the stone, recently either lin_ny or emcee (sorry I can't remember who it was at the moment) got a Gemfix sapphire and the online photos were significantly darker and more saturated than the stone was in real life. I remember them being very disappointed, so based on that experience I went a tad darker in my choice.

Do you have any thoughts on whether the sapphire is a good value, based on the information that's available?

 

[lin_ny]

Hello there!

Yes, this was me. It was, however, before they offered any kind of hand shots and I had to go solely on one (inaccurate) picture and an inaccurate description to boot. Funny story, I checked out their site recently and they've used photoshop to lighten the exact photo of the sapphire that I bought. I compared it with the older (and darker) photo I have. Hopefully things are more accurate now that they're doing hand shots.

It's so hard to tell by the pictures... but it looks like it could be promising to me. The light is reflecting off the table/crown so you're unable to really see the colour/saturation with the hand shot. I'm crossing my fingers for you!

 

[TheElms]

lin_ny -- I noticed that the photos were lighter as well! At first I thought it was something funky with my computer, but its nice to have your confirmation that the photos were artificially lightened after you had your issues. I agree the handshot of this particular stone isn't that great, but I am so very glad they are doing them at all. Crossing my fingers I will love it when it arrives.

How is your search going these days?

 

[lin_ny]

We gave up. The sapphire market in my town is pretty abysmal. Everything is incredibly overpriced. Online has some great prices, but we can't afford to keep buying and sending things back, as the shipping to and from Canada gets really expensive.

I put a LOT of thought into it and I've decided to go with an antique diamond instead (I'm a total traitor I know . I'm really happy with my decision... because there was a big part of me that always wanted a colourless stone. I'm gonna get to do my favourite setting now which is exciting.

Post lots of pics when you get this one in the mail!!

 

[chrono]

The hand shot shows not only a slightly lighter sapphire but also less saturated. Being a tad lighter is fine but having the saturation (pow factor) reduced isn't. With the stone tilted, I feel it's best not to comment on any extinction issues it might have or not have. With the stone being this dark, it might not be a suitable candidate for an enclosed type setting like a halo because it might further darken it. Let's wait until you have the stone in hand first.

 

[TheElms]

I'd be happy for the sapphire to be lighter in color than as pictured and I agree it looks lighter in the hand shot than the close up picture. It would be lovely to have a strongly saturated sapphire but at my budget I don't know how realistic that is. Like lin_ny I'm getting a bit frustrated looking for a sapphire -- we initially tried B&M stores, but where I live there are less than half a dozen that seem to have sapphires and most won't sell loose sapphires in my price range at all. I completely understand why lin_ny is going the antique diamond route, but its really just not for me.

I know Roger Dery is well respected, but I hadn't contacted him because I assumed he would be out of my price range. I'm looking for something in the 1.5 - 2 carat range (to face up at somewhere in the 6-7mm range). I initially wanted a square cushion but gave up on that fast because they seem very rare so I'd look at any cushion and rounds that were a darker / royal blue. So, do you think it would be worthwhile contacting Roger Dery?

 

[JewelFreak]

It sure can't hurt. Email is free & Roger might have something for you that isn't pictured on his site. His gems are more expensive but the quality is excellent & he is great to work with & you can be sure what you're getting is exactly what he says it is. I'm sure he'll have advice either way that will help in your search.

It's so hard to tell from photos what a stone will look like IRL. The Gemfix one could turn out to be just what you want, but from the pic, extinction is a possible issue in addition to tone, especially if you plan to halo it. (Love the setting, btw!) When you find The One, it will be a gorgeous ring. I'm sure when you started out looking for a sapphire you had no idea it would be such a bear to find one!

Keep us informed.

--- Laurie

 

[gemseeker2012]

I would say definitely contact Roger Dery - he does amazing work and he's a great person to work with, so there is no loss in asking! I would also suggest Peter Torraca and Lisa Elser if you haven't already. I have had the chance to see their work in person and its really amazing!

http://www.torraca.net/gems.php?search=recent&for=recent

http://www.lisaelser.com/index.html

Don't give up, it will all be worth it in the end! (At least thats what I keep telling myself on this seemingly endless sapphire quest! )

 

[chrono]

It never hurts to inquire; best to know if he has anything for you that is within budget or you'll be wondering forever. As mentioned, cast your net far and wide to increase your chances of finding the right stone.

 

[TheElms]

I believe my sapphire will arrive tomorrow

 

[sebas]

TheElms > I've been in touch with gemfix and considering a sapphire. Would you be so kind to let us know what your sapphire looks like once it arrives? Is the color similar to the picture? Is their windowing? Etc. I just want to know how to interpret their comments and pictures. Thanks!

 

[TheElms]

Yes of course! I'll post pictures and take a video if I can figure it out. With my work schedule a daylight photo might have to wait until Saturday but maybe one weekday morning will be particularly sunny!

 

[TheElms]

So it arrived! Here are some photos. They were all taken under indoor lighting conditions (my kitchen's florescent lights). We walked it all over the apartment and under some lights it has a purple/violet hue, but I can't seem to capture that in the photos. I think my photos look very similar to the ones on the Gemfix website.







I'm still working on the video. And daylight photos too!

In person it has very lovely symmetrical facets and is quite sparkly. Its nicer than the comparably priced sapphires I have seen in B&M stores. There are a lot of different things to consider and I haven't seen it in daylight yet, but I think its a contender. **edited by moderator. please do not post personal email addresses per forum policy**

So what do you all think??

 

[TheElms]

Video as promised!

http://youtu.be/8uhHLoqAn6g

 

[lin_ny]

It's pretty!!

Seems to have some darkness in spots in the video (not sure if just shadows or extinction). I do really love the colour though.

 

[TheElms]

Yes it does have some darker areas, but they "move" a lot as you tilt the sapphire (if that makes any sense as a description). I'd love to hear the resident experts on the severity of this. I really find it hard to evaluate. I think I get distracted by the sparkliness

 

[emcee]

That's a lovely sapphire! The color seems quite comparable to the vendor's photos (and if anything, it looks even better in your photos), so that's definitely reassuring. I'm not an expert by any means, but it seems like that darkness is extinction going on. I know that extinction really bothers some PSers but I don't mind it so much in a stone, as long as it brightens up in more situations than not. At the end of the day, all that really matters is whether you love the stone and it sounds like your initial reaction was a positive one

 

[gemseeker2012]

I think its beautiful as well! I love the color and it definitely has the sparkle factor. Personally it looks like a keeper to me!

I also love the LM setting you picked and think they would be stunning together! I have to say I am usually not a fan of the round stone in the cushion halo, but that setting may have converted me! Well done LM! Congrats!

 

[emcee]

I agree that the setting is gorgeous! Since I have a similar setting in mind (and I've contacted LM plus a few other vendors for quotes), do you have any hesitations on spending more money on the setting than on the stone (and I'm pretty certain it's much much more)? I would really like to do something similar and it's within my budget, but I just feel kind of weird about getting such an expensive setting for a not-so-expensive center stone. I think the results will be absolutely stunning though, so maybe it's worth it... Eep, so many touch choices!

 

[distracts]

I think the sapphire looks beautiful!

(And Emcee - many of us who have colored stones have more expensive settings. It's totally worth it! I think of the package as a whole, though, and not of the setting just as a holder for the stone to sit on my finger. So, you know, ymmv.)

 

[emcee]

That's really great to hear. Thanks distracts!

 

[sebas]

The color is nice! I'm curious about what Chrono and Justin say.

 

[chrono]

Wow, finally a Gemfix sapphire that looks as pictured! Yes, it is a bit dark at times but since you zoomed in and out several times with the darkness coming and going, I am inclined to think that the darkness could be due to your head and camera shadowing. Personally, I prefer a blue to violetish blue shift as this type of sapphire typically do not gray out much, if at all. As you like dark stones, is this what you are looking for? In low lighting, it'll be difficult to see the body colour but I think you'll get nice looking blue flash. I think it's going to look great outdoors, as most sapphires typically do.

 

[TheElms]

I do like the stone. I like it enough to make it hard to make a final decision about it, but I still haven't figured out if its right for me. (I'm not normally indecisive so this is a very odd feeling for me.)

Chrono, yes there are definitely dark areas but no area is constantly dark, so regardless of whether its technically extiction or just shadows, they don't bother me too much.

There are some things that the photos can't capture ( or at least my photography skills aren't up to it). The big one is the purple color under some lights, which I don't dislike, but I just can't show it to you since all my photos look blue!

The stone does grey out when the light is very low and looks sort of inky, but I figure that will happen to just about any sapphire in my price range. I don't love that, but I'm not sure I'd say its a fault of this stone but rather the fact that I like darker stones. I do wonder if it might happen less if I went lighter a few hues.

In any event I'm still waiting for the sun to come out (it was raining this morning) so I can see it in daylight before I make a final decision.

 

[minousbijoux]

I am pleasantly surprised by the accuracy of their handshot to what you received. In fact, I think it looks nicer in your video and pics than in theirs. I know others have asked this, but do YOU love it? It really depends on what is acceptable to you. Overall, it has a pleasing color to my eye, but it is apparent, if one were to look closely, that the color appears a bit uneven.

 

[TheElms]

So I decided to return the stone. In the end it was just a little too dark overall and especially in indoor lighting (where I live most of my life). We had one sort of sunny day and I took it out in the partial sun and it did brighten up a bit and look more lively. I'm sure it would be stunning in bright sun, but alas that's not really my climate. It was a really close call though and this certainly was a lovely stone at this price point.

But all is not lost, I think I've found the ONE!!! I'll post more details tonight or tomorrow.

 

[minousbijoux]

Although its hard to do, you did the right thing in realizing that the stone wouldn't be at its best in the lighting in which you spend the majority of your time. Good call.

Can't wait to see "The One!"

 

[TheElms]

So before I get to The ONE, I just wanted to say that in my search I contacted Roger Dery. Roger was incredibly accommodating in picking out stones that matched my specifications. He initially picked out 4 stones and sent me a photo with them all side by side, which was very helpful. From that photo I was able to narrow it down to 2 stones and Roger sent additional photos of just those stones. He was also really great about answering my questions about the stones. He really was great. I would heartily recommend that anyone looking for a sapphire contact him.

His "latest project" is one of the stones we discussed and its really lovely. I was attracted to it because of the color, because its such a true blue.



I will definitely keep Roger in mind for future projects!