Sapphire Inquiry

[allisonNwill]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum. My boyfriend and I are looking for an engagement ring. I am considering getting a sapphire ring. If anyone has any advice it will be greatly appreciated.

I have found one website. Here is a link

http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B3981/Radiant/stoneid=B3981


I was also told about Jeff White. I looked at his website and like what I see. Has anyone done business with them that would like to comment on it?

Thank you for your time,

Allison

 

[Aoife]

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations!

Jeff White has an excellent reputation here on PS. Using the search function will turn up multiple threads with his name. Recently SteveNeedsARing has started a couple of threads about his search for a sapphire, and then his process of finding the perfect setting for it. Since he ended up buying a sapphire from Jeff White, you might find his search interesting. The ring design thread is now on the second page, so you might start there.

The Natural Sapphire Company gets mixed reviews. Some Pricescopers have been very happy with their transactions, some...not so much. Hopefully you'll get some comments here.

What size/color of sapphire are you searching for?

eta links:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ng-a-sapphire-e-ring-so-i-can-propose.146843/
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...apphire-lets-find-the-perfect-setting.151890/

 

[SB621]

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations!

Jeff White has an excellent reputation here on PS. Using the search function will turn up multiple threads with his name. Recently SteveNeedsARing has started a couple of threads about his search for a sapphire, and then his process of finding the perfect setting for it. Since he ended up buying a sapphire from Jeff White, you might find his search interesting. The ring design thread is now on the second page, so you might start there.

The Natural Sapphire Company gets mixed reviews. Some Pricescopers have been very happy with their transactions, some...not so much. Hopefully you'll get some comments here.

What size/color of sapphire are you searching for?

eta links:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ng-a-sapphire-e-ring-so-i-can-propose.146843/
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...apphire-lets-find-the-perfect-setting.151890/

+1 for everything Aoife said. Jeff White does in my opinion the best sapphires. Dianabanas ring with a JW sapphire and leon setting is my favorite of all time. Honestly I would stay away from the natural sapphire company. I think they are overpriced and I not fantastic cuts.

 

[motownmama]

Ditto - I've never read anything but ++++ on Jeff White - good luck!

 

[allisonNwill]

Aoife,

Thanks for the warm welcome and suggestions. The link to Steve's search will be very helpful, since I don't know the first thing about picking out a sapphire. The style rings I like are as followed.

Color: Blue Sapphire

Cut: Radiant, Emerald, Cushion
I have long fingers so I like the way the rectangular cut looks the best

Carat: 1.50 to 2

Price range: $4,500 or less
(i hope this is possible after seeing Steve's budget)

Band: Vintage with trillion side stones, but open to anything

-Allison

 

[Novel]

Hi Allison, welcome! Since you are looking for specific shapes, I'd get in touch with cutters. Do you know if you're open to heat treatment for your stone? Heat treated stones are generally cheaper and the treatment is permanent, and helps the stones look better (basically).

Everyone here generally recommends finding the stone first and then dealing with finding/creating a setting to fit. Some of the gem guys listed in the sticky (trusted vendors) also make settings - Michael E and Wink Jones, for example. Wink sources sapphires from Richard Homer, as well as other places, like Pala (below).

If I were you, as others have said, I'd check out Jeff White - whites gems, Michael E - gem shoppe, Gene Flannigan - Precision Gem, maybe Richard Wise (though his prices can be high - frequently debated here), Peter Torraca, Barry Bridgestock - acstones (though I don't know how many sapphires he does), Pala Gems (wholesalers, so price isn't listed), and I'm sure there are others, to see if they'd have any rough they could cut for you. The sticky has the web addresses of these guys and many others. If I haven't listed the shop name, they're googleable by name.

I think there is some reason having to do with crystal structure that one of the more educated people can explain that we don't see many emerald cuts, but there have been some amazing Jeff White cushions around here and I'm sure ones by others as well.

I'd also take a look at this chart: http://www.crossjewelers.com/products/how_to_buy_sapphire.asp?FolderID=53 to see what color sapphire you're interested in. That will help you know how to talk to the cutters about what you're looking for. I think its easier to understand in the beginning than tone and saturation. Those names aren't industry standard, but you can share the chart or know that you're asking for a little lighter than industry "ideal", etc.

Good luck and have fun! Take a look at those other threads, as its an in-depth process, but don't get stressed, this should be enjoyable! I'm sure many here are happy to help talk you through this.

 

[Aoife]

Since you're looking for a blue sapphire, Novel's suggestion to check out the Cross Jewelers link is a good one, since there is quite a bit of variation in color, and if you are having a stone cut or sourced for you, you want to make sure you and the vendor are on the same page when it comes to color.

I'd also add Gary Braun at Finewater to the list of cutters who do wonderful work.

I would also suggest that you spend a little time to understand the various treatments that sapphires are subjected to, and decide what you find acceptable.

Good luck, and I hope you'll keep us all updated on your process.

 

[LD]

You could also try looking at www.simplysapphires.com They are lovely to deal with and disclose treatments. They are also very reasonably priced and are affiliated with a lady who makes some of their settings. I think there's a link to her website from the simplysapphires web page also.

In terms of what should you buy? You MUST do some reading. There are certain questions that you need to answer first before plunging in and buying:-

1. Do you want a totally natural sapphire or will you accept some form of treatment?
2. If you will accept a treatment then these range from just heating (as this is the least of all evils of treatments!) ranging up to something called Beryillium or lattice diffusion (not acceptable to most collectors/purists but is a good way of buying a very pretty sapphire at a fraction of the cost of a natural or purely heated sapphire).
3. Does cut matter to you? A "native" cut i.e. one that is not precision cut, can be just as pretty as a precision cut. You need to decide which one you want.

A few other things to consider:
4. Rather than look at carat size look at dimensions and cut out a piece of paper and stick it to your to get an idea of what's an acceptable size for you.
5. Colour - this is absolutely an individual issue. Some like dark, some like light, some prefer a vibrant look, others more muted. Some command more $ per carat because they are more "prized" but you should definitely buy what you like because it's going to be on your hand for a long time!!!
6. Price - this varies from vendor to vendor. Being expensive does not guarantee quality!!!!

The other thing I would do is put the word "sapphire" into a search on here and do some reading. You'll find tons of photos and get a good idea of where people have bought from. Hopefully that will help.

Most of all, good luck in your search!

 

[movie zombie]

and you must absolutely see as many sapphires in real life as possible. pictures do not adequately represent stones. some vendors doctor their photos, others do not. until you see as many sapphires in real life as possible, you won't appreciate the differences in color, cut, etc. you also won't understand why one sapphire is $3k per carat and another $300 per carat....... where are you located?

seriously consider visiting not only jewelers [most of whom know less than we do re color stones], gem shows, gemology clubs, and/or natural museums. any and all are educational re color stones.

MoZo

ps congrats on deciding to become engaged and congrats on going with a color stone!

 

[CaliSun]

Hi allisonNwill

I don't have any advice to offer, but just wanted to say welcome and Thanks to everyone for their advice on this thread.

I hope to purchase a sapphire by this Fall, so I'll be watching this thread...

Best of luck to you and congrats!!

 

[chrono]

Allison,
You have been given good advice with regards to:
1. Treatment – read about if heating (acceptable by most people), diffusion (frowned by most people but makes it extremely affordable) or if it must be untreated.
2. Just saying you want a blue stone doesn’t tell us a lot. There are many different shades of blue (light to dark), hues of blue (pure blue to something with modifiers like violet, green and etc), and also the saturation that ranges from weak to eye popping. Showing us an example picture of what you like will be helpful.
3. Also consider the mm size because five 2 carat stones can all have different measurements even if they are of the same shape due to the cut.

I like item CS23 but it is probably too small for you. It is, however, one of the rare step cuts I’ve seen in a blue sapphire that also shows good colour.
http://www.steveperrygems.com/gems/ceylon.htm

 

[allisonNwill]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes and great advice. I have a lot of information to learn about sapphires and appreciate the help. I'll keep everyone posted once I know more about selecting a sapphire.


Allison

 

[allisonNwill]

Movie Zombie,

Thanks for the well wishes and advice. To answer your question, I'm located in Chicago. Any suggestions of places to go and look in person?

 

[Largosmom]

You asked for info from those who have worked with Jeff. I did for a color change sapphire and was extremely pleased with his communication, the quality of the stone, and the price for what I got, which is an excellent cut, rare stone that I love. I shopped for both blue sapphires and color-change sapphires locally and his stones are better by a long shot for the price, in my opinion. You get very fine cutting, and he has sufficient stock of stones which can be recut to help find the color you are looking for. The only potential downside is that many of the native cut stones are heated to improve color (heating alone, not using other substances such as beryllium)

Jeff is one of the more expensive cutters, but he has mad skills, and seemingly can pull out just the color of sapphire that many people want...so, that makes him worth it, in my book. If you compare with local brick and mortar store prices for equivalent quality color stones, his prices will be less. I could not get an equivalent quality cut stone locally. Check his web site for policy on deposit and returns (true for all cutters).

I buy stones from several of the great cutters recommended here...Jeff was the first I worked with and would go back for another fine sapphire in a heartbeat. I've also worked with Dan Stair of www.customgemstones.com,, Dana of www.mastercutgems.com,, Barry of www.acstones.com,, and Gary of www.finewatergems.com.. I would also recommend any of them if they have something in that you are looking for.