Sapphire help and a 'fun' tale

[Shelby1975]

Hello PSers,

Based on your experience, where would you go to find a stone like this:

Unheated/untreated
Rich/intense/vivid velvet mid-blue (Kashmir-like but Ceylon/Burma/Madagascar origin)
Round and approx 10mm x 9mm (
Certified
Antique a bonus
Doesn't have to be loose/can be in a setting

I know it's very specific but I have a very specific setting in mind. Would love your recommendations - thank you. FYI - I'm in Australia, so need to look online.

Now for the 'fun' story. I once owned the most magnificent antique sapphire ring. It was sold to me as a likely Ceylonese or Burmese sapphire and it was a large stone - but I didn't care so much as I was head over heels in love with it from the very beginning. While I owned it I had it confirmed it was unheated and had planned to have it certified, but didn't get a chance as I was nervous about parting with it for hours let alone days. Unfortunately, a couple of years later we were in a tough situation and I needed to sell it. I sold it for the exact amount I paid for it. That was about 5 years ago and I've missed it everyday since - I even spent time trying to find it again to buy it back but had no luck. That would be a fine end tot eh story, but there's more....

I finally found it!......The sapphire formally certified as KASHMIR and the ring several hundreds of thousands of dollars. Think some 15 times what I bought and then sold it for . Yes, it could have been life-changing for me. Yes, will take me quite some time to get over this fact - if I ever do. But what's done is done.

That part was just for your entertainment. I learned a big lesson, but for me, it's really about having a precious, beautiful stone that makes me smile and so any suggestions you have on where to look to find myself a new stone, would be greatly appreciated. I've found a lot of vendors but feeling a bit lost as to where I should narrow my search.

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[Rfisher]

Inken - Enhoerning jewelry.
Since you are AUS, Doug Menadue? Didn’t he have some awesome high quality blues before, or still?

Show us pictures of your sapphire from 5 years ago?
Eye candy of course.

 

[Rad_Fan]

I remember your previous sapphire, I think...

The color looked amazing, especially those outdoor shots.

 

[Niffler75]

@Shelby1975 Hi What budget are you working with?

For antique sapphire rings I would recommend a look at 1st dibs or Ruby Lane. Many if these do come with GIA certification!

 

[minousbijoux]

To make you feel better, it depends upon which lab issued the report. As you know, only top tier labs would be trusted to declare it a no heat Kashmir as other "labs" often say such things but are not worthy. May I ask which lab issued the report?

 

[Pinkmartini87]

@Shelby1975 Hi there, is this the ring in question? Is that the color you are looking for? (I remember seeing it and was so tempted to buy, but didn’t have the funds for it at that time!)

 

[Bron357]

My dining room here in Sydney.
Seriously though, an unheated, round and vivid blue sapphire is an expensive and rare combination.
Would you consider heated? Obviously colour and shape are important but if you include heat only sapphires you’ll find it easier and cheaper to source a replacement gem.

 

[deorwine]

Given your requirement list, Inken / Enhoerning Jewelry for sure! (she is in the US but I imagine she ships internationally)

@Bron357 lol, can we talk? (I just have this problem with sapphires...)

 

[SparkleC]

I concur that Inken at Enhoerning jewelry would be an excellent vendor for you. Her stones are gorgeous and she also specializes in antique jewelry. What a heartbreaking story. I hope you find something you adore to help fill the void.

 

[Rfisher]

MJ10795 - Sapphire - 7.32ct - Lotus | Jeffery Davies

jefferydavies.com

Probably too dark, as it’s a medium-deep tone.

 

[dk168]

@Rfisher I have always loved that stone of JD's, wish I had that kind of money to spare!

DK

 

[Bron357]

This one is on eBay U.K., business seller. Certified unheated. Just under $30,000 Aust. Don’t forget GST / customs, 15% I think.

 

[Lilith112]

What's your budget like? Another option is this seller: https://www.instagram.com/lelapinsaphir/

She works primarily with Chinese customers, but she's based in Australia so I'm sure she can help you source a sapphire. What's your budget for a sapphire?

 

[qubitasaurus]

I feel like you may have been in this place before and already considered jogani and star ruby (now rebranded as cushion gem)-- suggesting we wont add that much new info to your search.

But as others have said can try enhoerning, and cicada jewelery (cjd sako). They have a chance of having something beyond what you've looked at already. Can also try Mayer and watt (probably priced in the same ball park as enhoerning). Obviously Nomads, Ivy New York and Wilds global minerals (although they had a collapse of their retail buisness a few years ago and I am not sure what is properly left).

 

[Shelby1975]

Inken - Enhoerning jewelry.
Since you are AUS, Doug Menadue? Didn’t he have some awesome high quality blues before, or still?

Show us pictures of your sapphire from 5 years ago?
Eye candy of course.

I hadn't heard of Doug - so thank you, I will take a look! I will dig out a photo of my ring and share!

 

[Shelby1975]

I remember your previous sapphire, I think...

The color looked amazing, especially those outdoor shots.

Thank you - actually that's a different ring!!!!

 

[Shelby1975]

To make you feel better, it depends upon which lab issued the report. As you know, only top tier labs would be trusted to declare it a no heat Kashmir as other "labs" often say such things but are not worthy. May I ask which lab issued the report?

Thank you! I have to check - maybe AGL? I know it wasn't GIA...

 

[Shelby1975]

@Shelby1975 Hi there, is this the ring in question? Is that the color you are looking for? (I remember seeing it and was so tempted to buy, but didn’t have the funds for it at that time!)

Actually this ISN'T the ring! I had one before this which was antique 1910...this one pictured is one I had made some time after I had sold my antique ring, with a stone I had purchased....

 

[Shelby1975]

This one is on eBay U.K., business seller. Certified unheated. Just under $30,000 Aust. Don’t forget GST / customs, 15% I think.

Stunning! Thanks for sharing...I'll take a good look....

 

[Shelby1975]

What's your budget like? Another option is this seller: https://www.instagram.com/lelapinsaphir/

She works primarily with Chinese customers, but she's based in Australia so I'm sure she can help you source a sapphire. What's your budget for a sapphire?

Thank you! I will take a look. I am flexible on budget to a degree and so long as I can do a payment plan of some kind....

 

[Shelby1975]

I feel like you may have been in this place before and already considered jogani and star ruby (now rebranded as cushion gem)-- suggesting we wont add that much new info to your search.

But as others have said can try enhoerning, and cicada jewelery (cjd sako). They have a chance of having something beyond what you've looked at already. Can also try Mayer and watt (probably priced in the same ball park as enhoerning). Obviously Nomads, Ivy New York and Wilds global minerals (although they had a collapse of their retail buisness a few years ago and I am not sure what is properly left).

Thank you! This is super helpful.

 

[Shelby1975]

Oh wow - thank you for imparting your wisdom everyone. i was aware of a few of these suggestions, but it's helpful to hear about other suggestions. I'll be sure to keep you all posted...and if you do come across anything you think fits the bill would be super thankful if you can share. I think I have a serious addiction to sapphires - I wish I had the money to just collect them so I could stare at them all the time....

 

[Rad_Fan]

Please show and tell your other sapphire...love to see it.

 

[Shelby1975]

Any thoughts on this stone?

Outstanding 2.37 Carat No Heat Natural Sapphire Ring - Etsy Australia

This Statement Rings item by VelvetBoxSociety has 66 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from United States. Listed on 30 May, 2024

www.etsy.com

 

[qubitasaurus]

If you like that one then can also try the following

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewellery, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

3.61 ct Blue Sapphire

3.61 ct Blue Sapphire

www.finewatergems.com

(if you dig arround instagram and youtube you have good chance of finding some videos.

Edit should say that if you are looking at an expensive sapphire and it is coming from the US then you should ask the vendor if they have(/can get) a lab report from GIA or AGL -- note this is not at all the same thing examined by a GIA graduate gemologist.

 

[Shelby1975]

If you like that one then can also try the following

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewellery, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

3.61 ct Blue Sapphire

3.61 ct Blue Sapphire

www.finewatergems.com

(if you dig arround instagram and youtube you have good chance of finding some videos.

Edit should say that if you are looking at an expensive sapphire and it is coming from the US then you should ask the vendor if they have(/can get) a lab report from GIA or AGL -- note this is not at all the same thing examined by a GIA graduate gemologist.

Thank you - that's much appreciated!

 

[Shelby1975]

I have also fallen in love with this one...

I think I'm leaning towards antique as a 'must'. This one is a Georgian ring....

 

[AV_]

No bargains, but - www

Would also ask www - never mind what is listed.

 

[qubitasaurus]

I have also fallen in love with this one...

I think I'm leaning towards antique as a 'must'. This one is a Georgian ring....

Yes that one is nice. Need better photos though, as it might be windowed and youd want some high resolution photos of the crown to decide on wear and tear. Also an AGL gem brief or prestige report as that is going to be a relatively expensive stone. I would guess it must be in excess of 6 cts, and looks burmese (although I keep feeling like I recognize it so maybe I'm just remembering a similar looking stone).

 

[qubitasaurus]

Forguve the forthrightness, but are you really wanting to buy a sapphire right now? Aussie dollar is so low, and the American so high it somehow doesn't make sense.