Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Sapphire Costs? Help a novice!

What Would You Pay For This Stone- explain why below!

  • $1,000-2,999

    Votes: 3 33.3%

  • $3,000-4,999

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • $5,000-6,999

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • $7,000-8,999

    Votes: 3 33.3%

  • $9,000-10,999

    Votes: 1 11.1%

  • $11,00-12,999

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • $13,000 and up

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    9
W

WestCoastingIt

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 4, 2013
Messages
7
Hi everyone this is my first post here!! So I'm going to be getting a sapphire for my center stone on my engagement ring. We have been looking for stones for the past 8 weeks- we are in Central CA. We finally found one- 3.75 Ceylon cushion cut natural sapphire that's heat treated size is 8.93x8.04x6.16 my biggest thing is looking at all these different sapphires there's no real guideline for buying like diamonds, I did check out your thread on here for gemstone buying before talking with local jewelers. Through all of the ones we have seen they have ranged from 5,000$ for a 3 carat to 16,000$ for a 2.67 I know origin and color have a lot to do with it but looking on the internet and talking with people there seems to be no real guideline...

Our jeweler is asking for 11,000$ they did get it GIA certified for us for free!! We were initially told it was unheated from Sri Lanka (Ceylon) then when we looked more they messed the stone up and it was heat treated but the initial price didn't change, 13,500$. Then it went to GIA certification and 2/3 gemologists said it was from Madagascar, the main gemologist said Sri Lanka but I guess majority rules in this situation. With that coming back I told them that we won't pay the 13,500 for it since origin isn't Ceylon color. They quickly called back and adjusted based on another stone that we saw same price per carat of that stone so it dropped to 11,000. They also just took it back for us to get a second opinion and it seems like it will probably be from Sri Lanka now in origin.


So here is where I am... I'm asking for your help!!! Do you have pics and specs of similar priced stones? Did you buy it in a set or loose and then put it into a setting? Is it natural? Heat treated? Size? Inclusions? Color? Where are you in the country (or world) and what was your price when you got it?? From where would help too!!!

I know I mentioned heat treating--- is it really that bad? Aren't most sapphires heat treated? Honestly the stone is the prettiest one we have seen in color and shape... I'm just wanting to make sure that since we are willing to spend that much that I'm getting a good deal. I've posted some pictures, remember the 11,000$ does not include the setting! Thanks looking forward to replies and guidance!

img_0957.jpg

img_978.jpg

img_0963.jpg
 
I think you could do better for your budget. The back and forth not heated then heated, Ceylon then not Ceylon would turn me off. The vivid blue is nice but seems to black out in areas. It reminds me a little of how Princess Diana's sapphire performs.
 
I would get an AGL cert and not GIA. That cert will answer most of your questions about treatment, inclusions, size and color.

Personally for me the sapphire is to dark and I don't like the setting. And for the jewelry to orginally say no heat/ no treatment from Sri Lanka and then to find out it is heated from someplace else doesn't sit well with me. Yes, many if not most sapphires are heat treated and some people are fine with that- I know I have no issues with heating, but it does obviously bring the value down.

I personally would keep looking.
 
It's too dark for me to be happy with, for that budget. Nice strong color, but it does black out & I don't think would look in dim light as you hope it would. Can't tell about the cut from your photos, but from what I can see, I'm not impressed with that either.

So it comes back with a different origin & heated when they said it wasn't, and they didn't offer any price adjustment -- that would make me walk out the door. AGL is a better lab for colored gems, as SarahBears says. You were very smart to have it sent out & I hope you'll do that if you decide on another one.

If you're looking at loose sapphires, take a look at some of the vendors in the thread "Can We Start a New Thread with Respected Vendors." Also, you could do a search on Show Me the Bling or Colored Stones for pics of sapphires others here have bought -- that should give you an idea of what you like re: tone & saturation.

Buying colored stones isn't as easy as diamonds; it's a lot more subjective & depends a great deal on what you like. There aren't any hard do's & don'ts, though some colors are more popular with the market & therefore more expensive. Heat treatment isn't bad; some people want untreated gems & some don't care. You do want to be sure you're not paying for an untreated stone when it has been heated (or worse).

Good luck & come back if you have more questions.

--- Laurie
 
Well--- I'm heartbroken. Our jeweler gave the sapphire stone back to the seller to take it to Vegas to get a final certification. I called on Monday to get the feedback and go ahead with the ring purchase and I couldn't believe my ears... after getting it appraised by GIA on our request through our jeweler, the seller sold it this weekend at the gem trade show-- they reazlied it was worth more than what they were getting from us. The jewelery store is shocked they said this has never happened. I'm so sad because I really loved this stone... they want to make it up to me but I don't know if it's too late at this point. She said she's going to get us an amazing cost blah blah from a new vendor they met but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Should I see what they bring to the table? They at least know they messed up and are going to try to make it better I guess?

Mourning the loss :( I know it sounds silly but I really had my heart set on that stone... everything happens for a reason that's what I'm telling myself... ::sigh::

Now I'm looking on those websites you suggested for reputable sellers... I just hesitate buying gems online does anyone else have this problem?

Help!! I feel like 8 weeks have gone down the drain!!!
 
Oh wow... I would be so upset if the stone I loved got sold right out from under me!!
 
What a shame. Not the most ethical guys, eh? I have a feeling you'll find one you like even better. That is so often the way it works out. Honestly, there are better sapphires out there than that one & one of them will find its way to you, believe it. (Have it sent to AGL, too!) :wavey:

--- Laurie
 
I'd say it's a blessing in disguise. These vendors seem to have some interesting business practices. Frankly I would be pretty upset about all the run arounds only to have them completely waste my time by selling it anyway.
 
I'm so sorry. I hate to hear stories like this. Its amazing how we can get so attached to such little things. I agree with everyone else, its a blessing in disguise. (Hugs!)

As for buying online. I think just about everyone on this site as done it at least once. Buying from the right place makes it just as easy, or maybe even easier, than in a store.

Doesn't gemfix have a really beautiful 2.75 ct blue sapphire right now?
 
Thanks everyone!!! I have looked at the online threads that you have for online buyers, any suggestions on the following stones?

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/1086/13492

http://www.wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/1086/16346

http://www.africagems.com/oval-bluesapphire-g2k-4330.html

http://gemcal.com/royal-blue-sapphire

and there are a ton on here:
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html#thumb
like this one:Sapphire Cushion Mixed Cut
Weight: 5.97cts
Measurements: 10.2x8.2mm, depth 7.4mm
Clarity: VVS
Origin: Sri Lanka
Enhancements: Heat only
Price: $ 11940.00
Order/Stock No.: sapphire_blue_1123
Description: BIG and beautiful Ceylon cushion sapphire! The color is a vivid, saturated, medium blue with a barely perceptible hint of violet. Well cut, very clean, with lots of sparkle!

Any opinion on purchasing a loose sapphire from lord of gems? I saw the threads on it... just wondering personal things?

Ideally we really want a cushion cut for the engagement ring! Any feed back would be great! :mrgreen:

Searching near and far!
 
I personally would not purchase a sapphire from Lord of Gem Rings.

Of the ones you have listed, I'd start with the Gemfix one, since that will be the easiest to return if you don't like it, I think. I don't know much about returning to Gemcal or AfricaGems, but I have heard returning to Wildfish can sometimes be harder.
 
Gemfix seems like best bang for your buck to me.
 
soberguy|1370417741|3459256 said:
http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|1962
Click to expand...

Wow, I would love to know how much he is charging for this one - I bet an arm and a leg!

ETA: but is sure is gorgeous!
 
The Richard Wise sapphire made me say "Wow" when I opened the page!
 
I still like the Gemfix one. It looks potentially brighter than the MCG one and I bet it is less expensive than the RW one even though the RW one is less than half the size. Otoh, I think the RW one has the best cutting... the other two look a little lopsided to me. Dunno how much that would bother you.
 
minousbijoux|1370482442|34592 said:
Niel|1370435204|3459315 said:
This one is over 8mm. I don't know if that's good or not for the CTW, but one 3ct one on gemfix was about the same, so......


http://www.mastercutgems.com/preview.php?cat=301&id=6918
Click to expand...

I think OP said she wanted a cushion.
Click to expand...

Sorry ::) I just think the color and size was nice. Wasn't sure if you could just cheat and put it in a cushion halo.


I like the master cut one you posted
 
You may want to find out prices before you get too attached to any one stone. I agree that the RRWise stone is vivid and stunning (if that video is accurate which I assume it is), but please verify the price with him in case you are falling in love. :)) ;))

As to the others, I agree with Greg that the Africagems stone is beautiful with two caveats: its not the shape you seek and I have heard that in hand, their stones are often darker than their photos (I have not had first hand experience with them though).

One thing that might help you is to be thinking about your priorities. That is, if you have to compromise, which is more important, the color/intensity or the shape, as cushions are less common than ovals.
 
I wonder though if 5.95 carats may be a little big? Looking at the almost 4 carat on your finger, it looks like the right size along with a nice thick halo and the split shank. If you go bigger, I wonder if you have to sacrifice something visually in terms of finger real estate.

Not an expert with larger stones, but I have a 6+ ct round topaz ring and with the bezel, it pretty much covers my entire ring finger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP

Featured Topics

Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top