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purple Montana sapphire?

velouriaL

velouriaL

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Oct 21, 2004
Messages
1,178
Do these exist? Any suggestions on where to source?

A friend is proposing. He *really* likes the idea of an American gem and her favorite color is purple. I thought they only came in grays, blues, greens, and yellows...

Alternatively, any idea on how to source "ethical" purple sapphires? That seems to be a main draw for him to the Montana provenance.
 
Oh cool! I hadn't seen that site. Maaaaaan, though, the photography doesn't compare to the precision gem cutter sites I'm used to browsing. Hard to tell what's what! Nevertheless, this seems like a great resource!
 
Hi there :))

I was just browsing, and spotted your post and this on Dan's site at almost the same time! He's currently cutting a purple, but it doesn't say the origin of the stone. It might be worth dropping him a line, as I know he's had Montana's fairly often. The purple is on his front page...it could be what you seek, but it's size hints it likely isn't.

http://customgemstones.com/

A quick mail to some of the other cutters too, might be helpful - I know I've seen several of these Montana stones in the past, but true purple might be a little evasive. They are out there though.

Good luck :))
 
What size of sapphire is he or she looking for from Montana? Purples can be pretty easy to locate in sizes that will finish a carat or so. Above that they can be tricky to locate.
 
velouriaL|1295849943|2831181 said:
Oh cool! I hadn't seen that site. Maaaaaan, though, the photography doesn't compare to the precision gem cutter sites I'm used to browsing. Hard to tell what's what! Nevertheless, this seems like a great resource!
Click to expand...

you did see their faceted stones, right? link took me to the rough they have for sale.

i saw several purples under some of their other titles listed to the left that certainly could be considered.

you could also have your friend contact them as i doubt that they liste everything on their website.

good resource! i'm particularly fond of montana sapphires.

MoZo

ps arizona has lovely amethyst but it would not be suitable for 24/7 wear. many of us with color stone e-rings are used to NOT wearing them 24/7, only when we leave home.

eta: my MIL in australia has an amethyst e-ring that she received more than 30 years ago before she married. it is still lovely and is not the usual dark purple color.
 
I know you asked about Montana sapphires but you also posed the question about ethical sapphires. Australia has sapphire deposits and can be found in fossicking fields on the surface or just below. They usually aren't heat treated or treated at all and come in a variety of colors and a mix of colors.

I feel like the Australian Sapphire spokesperson lately. Seems thats all I talk about.
 
Treenbean is correct about the Aussie sapphires. I have seen quite a few purples from there. and they are perfect if ethical is your concern like Treenbean stated. I have never personally seen a Montana purple sapphire but they do exist like Jim stated.
 
I don't know about anybody else but I went on a purple sapphire quest for years! There are so many different shades of purple that it can be quite difficult to find exactly the right colour. Is there any way of proposing with an Amethyst first and then the two of them going on a hunt together to look for THE purple sapphire? It's just a thought but my purple might be too blue or too pink or too red for others.

The amethyst could then be swapped into a pendant or used as a RHR.
 
This is great, guys, thanks!

Tree Bean and John - do you have any sources for the Australians, particularly the purple? Thanks!
 
the friend found this one - http://wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/14236

It's purple(-ish)! It's from Montana! It's not too expensive! It's good dimensions...

Any thoughts? I'm thinking it might be too shallow? The color is obviously not traditional, but it certainly has its charms, especially within the limitation they've set for themselves.

How might it be set to make the best of it?
 
The colour is somewhat unusual and light, with the depth a bit close to the cut off mark but I doubt it has a window. Actually, this is one of the better cut stones from Wildfish. What I balk at is the price.
 
Does it have to be a sapphire? I don't know if he has a budget, but you can get practically the same look, for much less, in a non-treated gemstone, in a spinel.
 
velouriaL|1295849165|2831177 said:
Alternatively, any idea on how to source "ethical" purple sapphires? That seems to be a main draw for him to the Montana provenance.
Click to expand...

Could you be a bit more clear about what your friend means by "ethical"? I wasn't aware that there was a problem with sapphire mining anywhere and a search for "ethical" sapphires turned up this thread and a bunch of marketing hype. Is this really a problem or is it a bit of transfer from the problems with diamonds?
 
Is there a particular shape they are looking for?
 
I'm not sure I would call that purple. Lilac yes. Purple no. I think I'd go back to my previous post and say that you need to find out exactly what colour purple means to your friend.
 
Michael - I'd actually love to be able to present him with more information on this... I keep nudging him to think about other locations, but he's pretty hung up on Montana because it's more "ethical." Does anyone have any go to resources on the politics of sapphire mining (both socially and ecologically?)

I think he'd go for a spinel if it were purple and fit the "ethical" designation.

He is shopping for his GF whose favorite color is "purple." I think he's thinking about purple compare to, like, a white diamond. I have showed him a variety of things and he's just, like, as long as it's more or less purple.

No particular shape... I think he wants purple (some shade), about the size of a 1ct diamond, and "ethical"
 
"ethical" does not need to mean "US sourced" stone. Stones from Australia may easily meet the desired criteria.

Laura
 
Definitely! Thought he/we hasn't found any purple sapphire from Australia. Any good sources?
 
velouriaL|1299629653|2867775 said:
Definitely! Thought he/we hasn't found any purple sapphire from Australia. Any good sources?
Click to expand...

I've seen this one from Gem Hunters (they specialize in Australian sapphires), it's a color changer though:
http://www.gemhunters.com.au/picture.php?show=1&cat=19&pict=1712&pagenum=6

I haven't bought from them before, but asked about a few of their sapphires and they were kind, courteous and replied timely to my inquiries. I actually have some photos they sent me of that one too. It turns a bronze color in certain lighting.
 
thanks for the leads. I will pass them on.

that color changer is interesting. I wonder if it is attractive or muddy irl. Did you get a sense of the inclusions?

my assessment of the wildfish is similar... pretty ok, more or less purplish, right origin, but pretty expensive for what it is...
 
velouriaL|1299643866|2867954 said:
thanks for the leads. I will pass them on.

that color changer is interesting. I wonder if it is attractive or muddy irl. Did you get a sense of the inclusions?

my assessment of the wildfish is similar... pretty ok, more or less purplish, right origin, but pretty expensive for what it is...
Click to expand...

These are some of the pics Trudy from Gem Hunters sent me. You can see the inclusion in one or two of the photos. She told me, "Sometimes you can't see the inclusion. In natural light, this is a light gold to golden bronze and sometimes a dark bronze. Sometimes it is green mixed in with the bronze shades the camera wont pick these colours up. If it goes anywhere near artifical lighting than it goes many shades of pink, and purple."

Hope this helps! It's definitely an interesting looking stone.

P1250755.JPG

P1250768.JPG

P1250777.JPG
 
So my friend wound up getting a gorgeous, clean, sparkly pale lilac-colored Montana from Jim Rentfrow at Flawless Facets. It goes a bit pink in some light and basically clear in others. It's exactly what he wanted for an e-ring.

Unfortunately, no pics because it's not mine... I will say that Jim sent him photos and the stone is miles and miles more beautiful IRL than the photos, so that's worth knowing with Jim. He had a great experience with Jim and was very pleased with the stone, the price, and the service. It even came with a bonus teal Montana sapphire that my friend gave me for all my help... :)

Next question - my friend is looking for a setting that has a similar vibe to JbEG's solitaires and some of WroughtGold on etsy's designs - that is, clean line with some extra details, surprise diamonds, and possible other diamonds tucked in the details. He is also interested in "ethical" materials: recycled gold, recycled/Canadian/etc melee.

Does anyone have recommendations for jewelers? Bonus if they're in the LA area.
 
Oh! I didn't read all the way through before posting. Congrats to your friend for finding the sapphire! 8)
 
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