Sapphire suggestion

[Snapdragon 1010]

Hello all!

I am looking to buy an unheated medium blue sapphire to be placed in a Princess Diana type halo yellow gold setting. I would like it to be at least 1 carat. What do you think of this one? I'm still new to gem hunting and I am learning the ins and outs slowly. If you have other suggestions or advice for me, please post it. Thank you.

Blue Sapphires | The Natural Sapphire Company

We offer a large variety of the beautiful blue sapphire. Between different hues and tones, you'll be sure to find the perfect blue sapphire here.

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

 

[LilAlex]

I like that color -- should look pretty in all light. Not "killer" like vivid royal blue but it's only a little paler than a true cornflower blue which is so versatile and feminine (imo). It should please anybody. It looks pretty well-cut and the dimensions seems appropriate (neither too shallow nor deep -- maybe a hair on the shallow side). Decent light return (in the studio) and I don't see a window -- it has a million facets on the pavilion. I would only buy unheated -- and it is.

Vendor is plus/minus and others can weigh in on the accuracy of the photos -- like all of these things, I would expect to be at least slightly disappointed opening the box. Most likely the color would be less intense. It's not a bargain but I don't think the price is out of sight.

Draw a 7 x 6 mm oval on a piece of paper to gauge the actual size -- corundum is ~ 15% denser than diamond so the stones are smaller for the same carat-weight.

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

I like that color -- should look pretty in all light. Not "killer" like vivid royal blue but it's only a little paler than a true cornflower blue which is so versatile and feminine (imo). It should please anybody. It looks pretty well-cut and the dimensions seems appropriate (neither too shallow nor deep -- maybe a hair on the shallow side). Decent light return (in the studio) and I don't see a window -- it has a million facets on the pavilion. I would only buy unheated -- and it is.

Vendor is plus/minus and others can weigh in on the accuracy of the photos -- like all of these things, I would expect to be at least slightly disappointed opening the box. Most likely the color would be less intense. It's not a bargain but I don't think the price is out of sight.

Draw a 7 x 6 mm oval on a piece of paper to gauge the actual size -- corundum is ~ 15% denser than diamond so the stones are smaller for the same carat-weight.

Thank you for your very thorough reply. I was slightly worried about how the bottom of the back of the stone was very light on the back view. I didn't know if that meant anything. Also, I've read that a halo will darken a stone quite a bit. Do you think that is a worry here? I still want it to sparkle and darker stones tend not to have much bling.

I've heard good and bad about the vendor. Most of which is old information, so I am hoping someone can advise with more current information.

Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[lmyracle]

I almost purchased from them but ended up not doing so because of so many things I read about the company. I don't know enough to critique the stone; however, just make sure you're fully aware of their return policy in the event you buy it and are not happy with it.

 

[lovedogs]

I wouldn't purchase this stone. One reason is bc NSC doesn't have a very good reputation for being honest. Secondly, the stone is poorly cut with a large window in the middle that will be see through once set. Thirdly, though it's over 1ct in weight, it will look smaller on the hand since much of that weight is in the bottom of the stone (due to cut).

Do you mind sharing your budget and ideal color? We can help!

 

[lovedogs]

Edit. 4th issue is that I think the stone is overpriced for the color.

 

[finerthings]

That stone looks very pretty, and in all honestly I don't see a problematic window. I don't have any experience with the vendor.

 

[Lilith112]

It depends on what kind of color you want. Do you prefer a more pastel blue? Or are you looking for an intensely saturated medium blue? If you want the latter, I wouldn't go for this one. Also, as @lovedogs said, it's overpriced for its color & size. Just my two cents.

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

Edit. 4th issue is that I think the stone is overpriced for the color.

Oh wow! I was feeling pretty good about it until I read this.

I'm not sure what the color I want is called. I know what I don't want. I don't want a light, dark or electric blue looking stone. I want a medium?? blue oval stone with lots of sparkle. I don't want the halo around it to make it look too dark or take away sparkle too much. I definitely want unheated.

My budget is probably between $2,000 and $4,000. I'm not stuck on a particular size stone but I do have a size 8 finger so I'd be lying if I said size doesn't matter at all.

I want the setting to be similar to the Princess Diana ring but in yellow gold.

If you have other vendors I could check out, please let me know. Thank you for your help.

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

It depends on what kind of color you want. Do you prefer a more pastel blue? Or are you looking for an intensely saturated medium blue? If you want the latter, I wouldn't go for this one. Also, as @lovedogs said, it's overpriced for its color & size. Just my two cents.

Thank you. I don't want light or dark blue. I truly want what I would call a medium blue, but not the electric blue shade I see in a lot of places. I want it to sparkle so nothing too dark. I have no experience with what a stone looks like set vs unset. So that's where I am also stuck with picking a shade. If it weren't so much money I would just buy something and learn as I go, which I likely will have to do anyway. Lol. Hopefully with a bit more knowledge though. Thanks for your help.

 

[Rfisher]

I think it looks pretty in the photos.
I’d like to see more pictures on the back of a hand and in different lighting, and NSC provides them if asked if I remember correctly.
I can’t speak as to if it’s accurate pricing to their in-house grading, but NSC does regularly have 15% off sales that are built in to their listed prices.
That all said - if I were to be looking to spend close to 3kUSD on a oval medium blue sapphire, I’d be having a stronger look at this one -

This item is unavailable - Etsy

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

www.etsy.com

But different people are looking for different ideals....

 

[Lilith112]

Thank you. I don't want light or dark blue. I truly want what I would call a medium blue, but not the electric blue shade I see in a lot of places. I want it to sparkle so nothing too dark. I have no experience with what a stone looks like set vs unset. So that's where I am also stuck with picking a shade. If it weren't so much money I would just buy something and learn as I go, which I likely will have to do anyway. Lol. Hopefully with a bit more knowledge though. Thanks for your help.

What do you think of something like this?

 

[lovedogs]

I think it looks pretty in the photos.
I’d like to see more pictures on the back of a hand and in different lighting, and NSC provides them if asked if I remember correctly.
I can’t speak as to if it’s accurate pricing to their in-house grading, but NSC does regularly have 15% off sales that are built in to their listed prices.
That all said - if I were to be looking to spend close to 3kUSD on a oval medium blue sapphire, I’d be having a stronger look at this one -

This item is unavailable - Etsy

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

www.etsy.com

But different people are looking for different ideals....

I think this might be too vivid for OP, but I adore it

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

I think it looks pretty in the photos.
I’d like to see more pictures on the back of a hand and in different lighting, and NSC provides them if asked if I remember correctly.
I can’t speak as to if it’s accurate pricing to their in-house grading, but NSC does regularly have 15% off sales that are built in to their listed prices.
That all said - if I were to be looking to spend close to 3kUSD on a oval medium blue sapphire, I’d be having a stronger look at this one -

This item is unavailable - Etsy

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

www.etsy.com

But different people are looking for different ideals....

It is very lovely. Did you read the write up on it? I'm sure those reasons are why it is the price it is, but what are your thoughts on what the description reads? I have tried for days to see what windowing looks like in stones. Where is the windowing in this stone? Sorry. I'm just learning, but I'm sucking it all in like a sponge. Lol.

 

[Rfisher]

I think this might be too vivid for OP, but I adore it

I thought so too. I saw ops last posting too late. Lol
But having a look at all the other vendor photos posted ....maybe not so ‘vivid’ in most environmental listing.
I think the slightly silky appearance negating the sparkle/scintillation would be an issue as well.

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

That stone looks very pretty, and in all honestly I don't see a problematic window. I don't have any experience with the vendor.

Can you explain to me what windowing looks like? I'm just learning and I've really tried hard to see this in stones, but I'm struggling. Thank you for your help.

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

I thought so too. I saw ops last posting too late. Lol
But having a look at all the other vendor photos posted ....maybe not so ‘vivid’ in most environmental listing.
I think the slightly silky appearance negating the sparkle/scintillation would be an issue as well.

I was thinking the same thing. I immediately thought it's that bright electric blue that I do not want, but all the other photos show a much darker stone. Did you read the sellers notes? Do you think those issues are deal breakers for this stone?

 

[lovedogs]

Windowing = see through part of stone that won't show much color or sparkle.

 

[lovedogs]

See this stone. Excellent cut, nice medium color (to me). See the video for real life look on someone's hand. I would choose this 10000x over the NSC one.

Unheated Natural Blue Ceylon Sapphire Cushion Cut | 2.01cts | #11-1319 - Gemfix

Unheated Cushion Ceylon Blue Natural Sapphire

gemfix.com

Is this color what you like? That way I know if I need to look lighter or darker

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

What do you think of something like this?

100% within the range of what I want!! What is that color called? Is this one for sale?

 

[Rfisher]

It is very lovely. Did you read the write up on it? I'm sure those reasons are why it is the price it is, but what are your thoughts on what the description reads? I have tried for days to see what windowing looks like in stones. Where is the windowing in this stone? Sorry. I'm just learning, but I'm sucking it all in like a sponge. Lol.

Where you can see her finger thru the stone is the window.

I found elongated ovals and cushions in blue sapphires was not for me - I think that was my main deciding factor in not buying this exact stone. I would love to see it in real life. But, if sparkly is what you want, ‘silky’ is not for you. Mine has great scintillation in some lighting - other lighting has some sparkle - and some lighting glows with no sparkle at all.

Have you checked what Diamonds by Lauren has listed, or maybe called to see if he’s got something not listed?

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

See this stone. Excellent cut, nice medium color (to me). See the video for real life look on someone's hand. I would choose this 10000x over the NSC one.

Unheated Natural Blue Ceylon Sapphire Cushion Cut | 2.01cts | #11-1319 - Gemfix

Unheated Cushion Ceylon Blue Natural Sapphire

gemfix.com

Is this color what you like? That way I know if I need to look lighter or darker

WOWZA! I didn't even think I would like a stone this light until I saw this. You are so so right! This is worlds better than the one in my original post. I love it! I was thinking I would like something a tad more blue, but this baby is a top contender now. Do you know of anything this amazing with a touch more darkness?

 

[Rfisher]

See this stone. Excellent cut, nice medium color (to me). See the video for real life look on someone's hand. I would choose this 10000x over the NSC one.

Unheated Natural Blue Ceylon Sapphire Cushion Cut | 2.01cts | #11-1319 - Gemfix

Unheated Cushion Ceylon Blue Natural Sapphire

gemfix.com

Is this color what you like? That way I know if I need to look lighter or darker

Love this!!

If this is too light, OP - anything at Finewater catch your fancy? Make sure you check out his hand shots in the listings

 

[Lilith112]

100% within the range of what I want!! What is that color called? Is this one for sale?

The trade name for this shade is "cornflower blue." I believe it should be unheated; would you like me to check the price with the seller?

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

Windowing = see through part of stone that won't show much color or sparkle.

WOW! Now I see why that's such an issue. Thanks for those great pics of obvious windowing. Now I can look a little closer for less obvious windowing in other gems.

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

The trade name for this shade is "cornflower blue." I believe it should be unheated; would you like me to check the price with the seller?

Yes, please. If you wouldn't mind.

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

Where you can see her finger thru the stone is the window.

I found elongated ovals and cushions in blue sapphires was not for me - I think that was my main deciding factor in not buying this exact stone. I would love to see it in real life. But, if sparkly is what you want, ‘silky’ is not for you. Mine has great scintillation in some lighting - other lighting has some sparkle - and some lighting glows with no sparkle at all.

Have you checked what Diamonds by Lauren has listed, or maybe called to see if he’s got something not listed?

I have not, but I certainly will now! Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Snapdragon 1010]

I have not, but I certainly will now! Thanks for the suggestion!

WOW! I can see that window now. Good eye! I didn't see it even after you showed me! I have a lot to learn! Haha
Baby steps. Thanks for helping me on my way. One more question. What does silky actually mean when describing a gemstone?

 

[lovedogs]

WOWZA! I didn't even think I would like a stone this light until I saw this. You are so so right! This is worlds better than the one in my original post. I love it! I was thinking I would like something a tad more blue, but this baby is a top contender now. Do you know of anything this amazing with a touch more darkness?

look at Gemfix, Finewater, etc. They'll have great options.

 

[Lilith112]

Yes, please. If you wouldn't mind.

The price for this one (3.84ct, unheated, Ceylon) is USD5500. I'm asking if she has other oval cornflower sapphires that fit your budget

RE silk, it's a type of inclusion that tends to add value to a sapphire because it creates a lovely glow in sunlight.

My own sapphire is fairly silky: