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Right I want to start my Sapphire search.

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sparklestick

sparklestick

Shiny_Rock
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I would like a lovely stone for a RHR for my upcoming birthday in April. I really want a sapphire cushion about 2 cts, a ceylon blue colour and eye clean. I would like a Harry Winston style setting for it with diamond baguettes.

Can anyone help me with suggestions of where I could get a stone and this type of setting?

I have been looking around and have found this stone:

http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=viewgem&id=6525


Any help appreciated. I am going to try to find pictures of the settings I like.
 
Your link just sends you to this thread. The actual link is here. That being said, that sapphire is *very* dark and I bet it will appear almost black when set.
 
Kismet: Thanks for correcting the link problem. I will go back and try to correct that now.

As for that stone. I did wonder if it would be very dark. Would you recommend any vendors?
 
Here is my dream setting from Leon Mege

mydreamcushionsetting.jpg
 
I love that setting. I seriously considered having my sapphire set that way by Leon!!!
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oh cushioncutnut we should have seen if he would have done us a deal on two?
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A sapphire with diamond baguettes is exactly what I want for a right hand ring. I am having the hardest time figuring out sapphires! Heated or unheated? What is a good cut? What are good measurements? Which vendor? Picking out my diamond was waaaaay easier than this.

Sorry - I''m no help. Good luck to you. I can''t wait to see what you get!
 
Date: 1/29/2009 5:39:46 PM
Author: sparklestick
oh cushioncutnut we should have seen if he would have done us a deal on two?
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Click to expand...
we would have people lining up to take advantage of that opportunity!!!!
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What is your general budget? Sapphires are more dense than diamonds and often have deeper cut, so they face up smaller than diamonds. So I tend to look more at the diameter than the ct weight. For example, my stone is 1.7 cts, and it is about 6.6-6.7 mm in diameter, which is closer to a 1.10 ct ideal cut round diamond.

I look often at websites for fun. If I see anything, I will let you know. It might be worth calling some vendors and asking if they can look around for you since you know exactly what you want. I know people have done this with Wink, Richard Wise, I can''t remember the other vendors.
 
Hope this helps:

Step 1: Prepare yourself for a not-INSTANT purchase. Diamonds are easy. Kinda like 'point and shoot' and put it in your basket. Coloured stones take a lot of investigation, as there are so many variables. My sapphire took almost 5 months to find and purchase. And I consider that fairly fast as I was pretty intensive in my search.

Step 2: Go to the sticky at the top of this section: "Sites selling coloured gemstones and jewellry". That will point you in the right direction. These vendors are reliable, AND, a lot of them have websites with hints on how to buy a coloured stone. Palagems, in particular, I think, has a really good section on sapphires.

Step 3: Start your search. Set a budget. Then, be patient. Be prepared to rethink your original concepts (your tastes in colour or shape may change as you learn more about each type of stone). Keep a little extra $$ in the budget in case 'the one' shows up and is a bit out of your price range.

Step 4: It is very difficult to buy a coloured stone online. They don't photograph like diamonds ('cause they're SPECIAL!). So search for vendors with good return policies, and/or who will do extra photographs for you once you've narrowed down your options. For example, once I thought I was close to 'the one', I asked Jeff White to take extra pics of the blueberry for me, some outside in sunny light, some indoors, etc. That helped a lot. But still be prepared to return the stone once you get it in hand: they often don't look much like what's on the website. (Palagems has a good section on why it's hard to photograph a sapphire on their website: have a look).

Step 5: HAVE FUN WITH IT!

Good luck.

LS
 
Date: 1/29/2009 7:16:39 PM
Author: LostSapphire
Hope this helps:


Step 1: Prepare yourself for a not-INSTANT purchase. Diamonds are easy. Kinda like 'point and shoot' and put it in your basket. Coloured stones take a lot of investigation, as there are so many variables. My sapphire took almost 5 months to find and purchase. And I consider that fairly fast as I was pretty intensive in my search.


Step 2: Go to the sticky at the top of this section: 'Sites selling coloured gemstones and jewellry'. That will point you in the right direction. These vendors are reliable, AND, a lot of them have websites with hints on how to buy a coloured stone. Palagems, in particular, I think, has a really good section on sapphires.


Step 3: Start your search. Set a budget. Then, be patient. Be prepared to rethink your original concepts (your tastes in colour or shape may change as you learn more about each type of stone). Keep a little extra $$ in the budget in case 'the one' shows up and is a bit out of your price range.


Step 4: It is very difficult to buy a coloured stone online. They don't photograph like diamonds ('cause they're SPECIAL!). So search for vendors with good return policies, and/or who will do extra photographs for you once you've narrowed down your options. For example, once I thought I was close to 'the one', I asked Jeff White to take extra pics of the blueberry for me, some outside in sunny light, some indoors, etc. That helped a lot. But still be prepared to return the stone once you get it in hand: they often don't look much like what's on the website. (Palagems has a good section on why it's hard to photograph a sapphire on their website: have a look).


Step 5: HAVE FUN WITH IT!


Good luck.


LS
Click to expand...

Thank you lilfirecracker I should set a budget for this but as I am just starting to look I am not really sure what the going rates are for this kind of stone.

Lostsapphire - What a great reply. You really address the main issues. I do understand that this could be a long search and want to get a fantastic stone that I can wear with pride for life. I have checked out a couple of the sellers in the sticky post and really wondered if there was anyone great for sapphires. I will check out Palagems when I have two minutes. As I said to lilfirecracker, I want to get a lovely ring for life and am not really sure how much that will cost. I do love the Leon Mege setting so know that it is going to be a expensive piece. I really like the cushion cut as I have an Emerald cut ER and want the sparkle of the cushion. As I am in the UK do you suggest that I search only sites here so that I can see the stones or can I have them sent over from the US if they are contenders. I intend on having lots of fun with this as my DH chose my ER all on his own and I didn't go through the stone selection process. (he didn't ralise then it would cost him another ring
31.gif
)

Cushioncutnut - Out of interest do you wear your ring everyday? I intend this ring to be a special occasion/evening ring as I have my stacking scattered bands that I wear everyday. I hope that when I am older that can wear it more but not now when I am running around after the children. I want it to be my 'off duty' ring now while I am a full time mummy. If that makes sense.
 
I wish the very best for your search! The Natural Sapphire Company is my pick, I''ve bought several impeccable stones from this company. Unheated/untreated. One HUGE caution... If you buy a 300.00 stone, you will get a 300.00 stone
emsad.gif
So, if you can... save some more money and get something you REALLY like!
 
Date: 1/30/2009 4:04:55 AM
Author: sparklestick

Date: 1/29/2009 7:16:39 PM
Author: LostSapphire
Hope this helps:


Step 1: Prepare yourself for a not-INSTANT purchase. Diamonds are easy. Kinda like ''point and shoot'' and put it in your basket. Coloured stones take a lot of investigation, as there are so many variables. My sapphire took almost 5 months to find and purchase. And I consider that fairly fast as I was pretty intensive in my search.


Step 2: Go to the sticky at the top of this section: ''Sites selling coloured gemstones and jewellry''. That will point you in the right direction. These vendors are reliable, AND, a lot of them have websites with hints on how to buy a coloured stone. Palagems, in particular, I think, has a really good section on sapphires.


Step 3: Start your search. Set a budget. Then, be patient. Be prepared to rethink your original concepts (your tastes in colour or shape may change as you learn more about each type of stone). Keep a little extra $$ in the budget in case ''the one'' shows up and is a bit out of your price range.


Step 4: It is very difficult to buy a coloured stone online. They don''t photograph like diamonds (''cause they''re SPECIAL!). So search for vendors with good return policies, and/or who will do extra photographs for you once you''ve narrowed down your options. For example, once I thought I was close to ''the one'', I asked Jeff White to take extra pics of the blueberry for me, some outside in sunny light, some indoors, etc. That helped a lot. But still be prepared to return the stone once you get it in hand: they often don''t look much like what''s on the website. (Palagems has a good section on why it''s hard to photograph a sapphire on their website: have a look).


Step 5: HAVE FUN WITH IT!


Good luck.


LS
Click to expand...

Thank you lilfirecracker I should set a budget for this but as I am just starting to look I am not really sure what the going rates are for this kind of stone.

Lostsapphire - What a great reply. You really address the main issues. I do understand that this could be a long search and want to get a fantastic stone that I can wear with pride for life. I have checked out a couple of the sellers in the sticky post and really wondered if there was anyone great for sapphires. I will check out Palagems when I have two minutes. As I said to lilfirecracker, I want to get a lovely ring for life and am not really sure how much that will cost. I do love the Leon Mege setting so know that it is going to be a expensive piece. I really like the cushion cut as I have an Emerald cut ER and want the sparkle of the cushion. As I am in the UK do you suggest that I search only sites here so that I can see the stones or can I have them sent over from the US if they are contenders. I intend on having lots of fun with this as my DH chose my ER all on his own and I didn''t go through the stone selection process. (he didn''t ralise then it would cost him another ring
31.gif
)

Cushioncutnut - Out of interest do you wear your ring everyday? I intend this ring to be a special occasion/evening ring as I have my stacking scattered bands that I wear everyday. I hope that when I am older that can wear it more but not now when I am running around after the children. I want it to be my ''off duty'' ring now while I am a full time mummy. If that makes sense.
Click to expand...

That is a great reply LS!!! I think that should be stickeyed....... I am serious!!
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Sparklestick, I do not wear my sapphire all the time only when I am going out for the evening or when I am doing something that will not compromise the integrity of the ring. Because it has an intricate/delicate gallery, the sapphire sets kinda high. So I am extremely particular about when and where I wear it.
 
I'm also in the UK - but buy almost all my gemstones in the USA as I haven't found a decent dealer over here with the quality I want for the same prices. I'm based in central London, so I have looked a lot!

Having stones sent over for appraisal is a PITA. First they will get stuck in customs and you will need to pay 15% VAT plus 2.5% duty to get them out.

Then it's a nightmare to send them back and is very expensive - and almost impossible to get insurance. You can't get loose stone insurance at all here, so if it's an expensive stone (and a 2ct ceylon is almost certainly going to be 4 figures GBP - check out the Natural Sapphire Company for an idea of unheated prices - I was looking at a 2.10ct blue ceylon in a good colour but not top colour and it was going for $4k) you may not want to risk it being shipped normal post.

What I do is to ask a lot of questions, ask for extra photos, use the freebie tool on GemeWizard so that I can accurately communicate about colour online and do as much research as I possibly can.

So far I have never returned a stone - and I am very picky.

ETA: For a LM setting with side baguettes and a 2ct ceylon, I would guess your budget needs to be around $5-6k ballpark minimum if that helps. If you want a top colour or unheated then it will get more expensive.
 
This one has a better cut... Cut is third in line for me with colored gemstones. I don''t care how well cut a cheap piece of overheated, over treated crap is, it''s still crap. Untreated is the only way to go for me. Look at the Carmen Lucia ruby. Talk about a window. Have you ever seen the crown jewels? Again... talk about windows.

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/Cushion/stoneid=B2947
 
Date: 1/30/2009 12:29:52 PM
Author: shaunrice
This one has a better cut... Cut is third in line for me with colored gemstones. I don''t care how well cut a cheap piece of overheated, over treated crap is, it''s still crap. Untreated is the only way to go for me. Look at the Carmen Lucia ruby. Talk about a window. Have you ever seen the crown jewels? Again... talk about windows.

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/Cushion/stoneid=B2947
Click to expand...
Just pointing out the flaws with the stone, which is the cutting and the possible zoning. It''s up to the prospective buyer to decide whether those flaws are acceptable or not. Sometimes the only way to get a gorgous colored stone is to put up with bad cutting. Unfortunately, that''s probably more often the case than not with rubies, sapphires and emeralds.
 
Date: 1/30/2009 9:47:17 AM
Author: Pandora II
I''m also in the UK - but buy almost all my gemstones in the USA as I haven''t found a decent dealer over here with the quality I want for the same prices. I''m based in central London, so I have looked a lot!


Having stones sent over for appraisal is a PITA. First they will get stuck in customs and you will need to pay 15% VAT plus 2.5% duty to get them out.


Then it''s a nightmare to send them back and is very expensive - and almost impossible to get insurance. You can''t get loose stone insurance at all here, so if it''s an expensive stone (and a 2ct ceylon is almost certainly going to be 4 figures GBP - check out the Natural Sapphire Company for an idea of unheated prices - I was looking at a 2.10ct blue ceylon in a good colour but not top colour and it was going for $4k) you may not want to risk it being shipped normal post.


What I do is to ask a lot of questions, ask for extra photos, use the freebie tool on GemeWizard so that I can accurately communicate about colour online and do as much research as I possibly can.


So far I have never returned a stone - and I am very picky.


ETA: For a LM setting with side baguettes and a 2ct ceylon, I would guess your budget needs to be around $5-6k ballpark minimum if that helps. If you want a top colour or unheated then it will get more expensive.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this advice. I had thought that this was about the minimum. Maybe I will have to compromise on the colour. I feel it may be a long search.
 
tourmaline lover and shaunrice - Thank you for the suggestions and advice. I love the second stone but it is too much.

Some of the stones look really out of shape on their certs. Does this really matter. Also do you think the lighter stones will be even lighter when set?
 
Here are some I could find, as LS said, it can be hard, but this should hopefully give you an idea of what is out there in your budget.


This one might be a little small but the price is better. I think it might be cut deep.


2 ct stone This one seems nice, but I wonder if it will be too dark (I will let some of the people who have been doing this longer point out potential problems).

Hope these and the other start helping figure out what you want and don't want. Looking at a lot of pics and learning how to look at the pics will help you find a stone you are happy with.
 
Date: 1/31/2009 9:06:27 AM
Author: LtlFirecracker
Here are some I could find, as LS said, it can be hard, but this should hopefully give you an idea of what is out there in your budget.



This one might be a little small but the price is better. I think it might be cut deep.



2 ct stone This one seems nice, but I wonder if it will be too dark (I will let some of the people who have been doing this longer point out potential problems).


Hope these and the other start helping figure out what you want and don''t want. Looking at a lot of pics and learning how to look at the pics will help you find a stone you are happy with.
Click to expand...

I am loving that second stone. I just went through all the recommended vendors and checked the inventory. I really don''t want to spend that much on my stone but see that it is better than buying a piece of crap and having it set by Leon Mege.

I just get suckered by stones like this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=250365523435

Can it really be that bad?
 
This is another Thanex stone on eBay

Do you think it will be too dark?
 
Date: 1/31/2009 9:06:27 AM
Author: LtlFirecracker
Here are some I could find, as LS said, it can be hard, but this should hopefully give you an idea of what is out there in your budget.


This one might be a little small but the price is better. I think it might be cut deep.


2 ct stone This one seems nice, but I wonder if it will be too dark (I will let some of the people who have been doing this longer point out potential problems).

Hope these and the other start helping figure out what you want and don't want. Looking at a lot of pics and learning how to look at the pics will help you find a stone you are happy with.
Click to expand...
The first one is dark. It doesn't look lively either.
The second has a huge window, but gorgeous colour.
I am unfamiliar with the ebay vendors.
 
Date: 2/3/2009 2:56:00 PM
Author: sparklestick
This is another Thanex stone on eBay

Do you think it will be too dark?
Click to expand...
Do not buy from Thanex. I suspect many are beryillium diffused and it is not disclosed. The colors are also enhanced in the pictures and the videos. I would never buy a sapphire on ebay unless it was super cheap and I knew the cutter, or it came with a reputable lab cert (even those can be forged). I certainly would avoid all sapphires from Thai vendors on ebay, or 99% of them. I don't like that cert that comes with the stone since it states that further evidence of whether a foreign element has been introduced is required. That tells me it's probably diffused.
 
Thanks TL. I am thinking that I need to find a dealer in London and go and look at some stones.

Can anyone recommend any London vendors?
 
I have only bought a few things from Harrods. But they were really really nice.
 
About Thanex:
I have bought 3 sapphires from him.
They are all beryllium heated (I have asked to him and he confirmed).

Morever, they are windowed most of the time.
So, check carefully.
 
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