Sapphire engagement ring windowing concerns

[hellohighfemme]

Hi everybody! My boyfriend and I are working with a local jeweler in California to design an engagement ring with a sapphire center stone and diamond halo in platinum setting. The jeweler has a good reputation and has been in the custom jewelry business for decades. We JUST purchased a center sapphire from him, which can be seen in these 3 videos and photos. (I tried my best with the photos/videos, had a hard time getting my phone camera to focus!)

It's a 1.08 carat, about 6mm round, Ceylon sapphire. The jeweler has a sapphire guy he works with to source them. He had several stones for us to look through and we chose this one. It comes with origin paperwork but no GIA certification. We were charged around $1,000 for the stone.

My biggest concern is that I noticed there is a bit of a window effect looking through the sapphire from the top down. I really love it, it's beautiful and brilliant and I trust our jeweler, but I can't help but worry if this window is in the expected range or considered a real quality concern for the price. Any honest opinions/comments about the stone and asking price are appreciated! Thank you!

 

[GregS]

I don't see much of a window at all. It falls a little flat when viewed through the table, but that could be the result of inclusions in the pavilion. It's a pretty stone at a reasonable price and more importantly you like it. I'd say you did good.

 

[hellohighfemme]

Thank you for your input! We both really love the stone and are really excited about the design (and our future lives together!) I know that this is what's most important but it still helps to hear a second opinion on the stone, so thank you. I'm a cost-conscientious person and I mostly want to be sure that my partner is paying a fair price since we're pretty new to this.

 

[minousbijoux]

I agree entirely with Greg; the window looks pretty small. I doubt there will be anything that bothers you about the stone once you set it. But be aware that the stone will likely darken in any enclosed setting so you may want to make the setting as open as possible.

 

[eastjavaman]

Some of the photos indicate the stone is a bit shallow(big table), but other shots shown a fairly small window and possible tilt window which are not causes for concern which will likely not appear once set. If you decide to have it recut for whatever reason, expect 15-20% loss as a precaution.
If you want to delve deeper into values and pricing, other than just appearance, we have to start talking about treatments and lab reports, else, just focus on color and cut.

 

[chrono]

The cut is average (a very small window, larger than expected tilt window and some extinction) and the stone seems to darken up significantly at times. Without a reputable lab report, I cannot say whether the $1K/ct price is reasonable because I don't know whether the stone is unheated, heat only or heat with added minerals.

 

[movie zombie]

tilt window and some extinction. however, given the price for sapphires due to their popularity I personally think this one is priced accurately.......and i'd be happy to have it at that price.

at the end of the day it is the stone that fits your budget AND makes your heart sing.

if this stone does both i'd say you've done well.

I had to watch the videos very carefully to see the window. usually they jump out at me and drive me crazy! this one does not.

again, given the price and your love of it i'd quit worrying and enjoy!