Quick sapphire question

[vintagelover229]

Hey everyone-
I know this isn't the place to be posting ebay finds for novice gemstone people such as myself but I have a gf who's getting engaged in the fall who is wanting a rose cut (or rough) gemstone bezel set in hammered gold for an engagement ring. She's only seen photographs and really loves the look but I'm wanting to show her some rose cuts in person so she knows what to expect and I can help her hunt better for the correct color/size of stone coming up.

It's probably going to be either a diamond or a sapphire since most of the other stones she liked are to soft for everyday wear on a ring. I've found a very inexpensive ebay lot of sapphires (Beryllium Heated) of 5 different colored sapphires of various rose cuts ~3ctw for a very very reasonable price. She doesn't care if the stones are treated (or man made for that matter-but I'd prefer to find something natural) but I'm wanting to buy this lot from Thailand for very inexpensive so she can at least check out the different colors/sizes/etc. and just to have some fun stones.

I'm not expecting these to be of high quality. Just expecting them to be actual stones and not glass. The vendor has both negative/positive/neutral feedback-its all over the board. From not getting the package to people being thrilled with their gemstone purchases.

How can I determine (if I buy them) what it's worth to see something like this in person? I'm thinking with the 8.00 shipping I can get the lot for ~20.00 shipped. If they are genuine I might have them set later on down the road for fun pieces for my gf's or something-or try my hand at making something myself since I'm considering joining a jewelery making class.

So I guess my question to you all is-when they arrive how can I tell if they are indeed sapphires? Treatment has been disclosed- and for the price I'm not expecting much. I'm attaching some photos of the lot.

I really appreicate it!

 

[ChrisA222]

They don't look high-quality to me..so its possible that they could be treated Sapphire..which isn't worth much (especially with that kind of clarity).

who is the vendor?

 

[minousbijoux]

Hi VL

I'm sure Pandora will mosey over and respond at some point, but I would take the gamble. Based on the closeup of the pink one with the significant inclusions, my guess is that they are low quality but real. I would also hasten to add that if Be treated, IMO they also look dyed, which would account for the spots of dye within the stone. Chalk them up to learner stones. On the other hand, you may be able to find nicer heavily treated ones, though I don't know about the rose cut aspect.

 

[VapidLapid]

From one VL to another, I don't think those will be fair representations of what good rose cuts should be like in any stone type. The treated colors may be quite distracting as well. You might look in antique jewelry dealers for good pieces using rose cuts to show her.

 

[minousbijoux]

Good point.

 

[vintagelover229]

They don't look high-quality to me..so its possible that they could be treated Sapphire..which isn't worth much (especially with that kind of clarity).

who is the vendor?

LOL-I knew the clarity thing would bother most people. But NOT for her. In fact the more rough looking the better! I showed her some AMAZING JBEG rose cuts that they have to offer and while she thought they were pretty she kept showing me pieces like the ones attached below. So inclusions aren't the enemy in this particular endeavor!

The ebay seller is ChanthaboonGem if that helps at all.


I didn't realize that stones could also be dyed. I knew pearls could be-had no clue that other ones could be. Guess that shows how clueless I really am!

Hi VL

I'm sure Pandora will mosey over and respond at some point, but I would take the gamble. Based on the closeup of the pink one with the significant inclusions, my guess is that they are low quality but real. I would also hasten to add that if Be treated, IMO they also look dyed, which would account for the spots of dye within the stone. Chalk them up to learner stones. On the other hand, you may be able to find nicer heavily treated ones, though I don't know about the rose cut aspect.

Right now the bid is at .99 cents. I figured that if they had one form of treatment that they probably had others. I figure for a few bucks and shipping just to show her the shape and sizes it would be worth it Good to know about them being dyed though-I have a loop so if I do get them they'll be fun to check out under the loop!

From one VL to another, I don't think those will be fair representations of what good rose cuts should be like in any stone type. The treated colors may be quite distracting as well. You might look in antique jewelry dealers for good pieces using rose cuts to show her.

VL: I appreciate the honesty. Unfortunately the only good rose cut I've seen AT ALL in person is an hour away and has been set in a horrible pendant. Most of the rose cuts I've seen that I could afford to buy to show her (if I'm spending $ on a vintage piece I want to be able to wear it) are either to small (meaning chips) or to wonky and not worth the funds (the stamped out pieces from India that I see often on ebay-not the particular look I'm hoping to show her).

Thanks for the help thus far everyone!

 

[chrono]

I see what you mean about the terrible examples you have. Well, she certainly has strange tastes if she likes them blotchy, included and off symmetry. In seriousness, the cutting on those sapphires are terrible and doesn't even scream Rose cut to me. Give me some time and I'll go see what I can dig up.

 

[vintagelover229]

I see what you mean about the terrible examples you have. Well, she certainly has strange tastes if she likes them blotchy, included and off symmetry. In seriousness, the cutting on those sapphires are terrible and doesn't even scream Rose cut to me. Give me some time and I'll go see what I can dig up.

I appreicate it. I've talked her into at least spending a few $$ on a ring. The one ring she liked on etsy I told her NO way would her bf be okay with buying as an e-ring. I reminded her even though it's HER tastes-everyone thinks the man picks out the ring still. The ring price...48.00! I'm pretty sure it was highly included quarts or something similar. Clear with almost moss like inclusions. She LOVES my amber necklace-and it's not even polished-it's used for pain relief.

She doesn't wear much jewelery so the idea of getting her something like that as a RHR didn't work either. I tried. I also linked her to some caleb meyer pieces thinking something like that would sit well with her but they still weren't rough enough looking.

So the stone (diamond or sapphire) can be treated-I'd say a carat or less-would have to look good in a hammered or brushed yellow or rose gold and be able to have a matching band (for himself and her).

You'd never know she was into this sort of jewlery by looking at her. She's very stylish and polished and a gymist and a dance teacher

But it's good news for her FI to be considering she likes the most affordable pieces out there

BTW the ONLY reason I knew she liked the rose cut is because she kept saying rough cut...I'm like rough is polished not cut...do you mean rose cut? Turns out she likes either :p

Keep the ideas coming-any affordable stones that could be used as an e-ring (completed or not) I'll forward onto her and see what she thinks.

 

[chrono]

This Etsy dealer seems to carry some well cut rose cuts with decent colour and etc. Some stones are a LOT better looking than others on the same website though.
http://www.etsy.com/search?includes%5B%5D=tags&q=rose+cut+sapphire

 

[VapidLapid]

Any chance she is thinking of natural crystals like uncut diamond when she says rough? Those lend themselves to the couture brut aesthetic of hammered metal. Then you might be able to show her things that appeal to her sensibility but that wont lose their appeal as they age.
http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/diamjwlr.htm

 

[innerkitten]

This one's cute. http://www.etsy.com/listing/81850848/pink-rose-cut-sapphire-mixed-metals?ref=sr_gallery_12&ga_includes%5B%5D=tags&ga_search_query=rose+cut+sapphire&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery