Sapphires

[_Sarah_]

I love sapphires and I am possibly considering a very pale blue sapphire for a center stone intsead of a diamond for my egagement ring, maybe... I LOVE blue diamonds but I know that we would never be able to afford one

but i think the pale blue sapphires look similar.... I was wondering three things (probably have more questions later but oh well...) are pale blue sapphires natural, if so do they give off a lot of sparkle. I know that they wont come near to the fire of actual diamonds but i have found a photo of one that seems to be pretty firey for a sapphire, im curious as to whether or not its some what easy to find a firey sapphire. Third thing- who is highly recomended for quality sapphires?
Ok already I am thinking of more questions...

Does anyone else have a sapphire for your egagement center stone? Do you like it or do wish you had gotten a diamond? And this doesnt have to do with sapphires but when a diamond has flouresence does it give the diamond a blue tint? Since I like the blue, obeviously

would this be a good thing to look into?

Sorry for so many different questions, just very curious and eager to learn

I think I would like something even paler, but I like the fire, any thoughts?

 

[neatfreak]

Hi Sarah,

There are many people that have sapphires for ering centers. Just run a search in the box.

Natural Sapphire Company has some gorgeous stones, so I suggest you start your search there. They only sell naturally blue sapphires, but you sure can get treated ones too, so make sure you know what you''re buying as there is a large difference in price.

Sapphires will NEVER have fire like a diamond, in fact I don''t think they have "fire" at all. They''ll sparkle white light, but they don''t have the same type of light dispersion as a diamond, so the sparkle is very different. Make sure you know and understand this before you go for a sapphire. Go see a bunch in person and compare their sparkle in sunlight with a diamond if you can, there is a big difference in look.

The paler the blue the more sparkle the stone will probably give off, but that color isn''t as prized as the medium blue cornflower color sapphires. BUT that''s good for you because they would be cheaper.

Diamonds with strong blue flouro might be a good thing for you to look into as well as long as you''re working with a good vendor who can assure you that the flouro won''t have a negative effect on the diamond.

 

[:)]

You might get more replies/info on the colored stone thread - you can ask Irina or Leonid to move your thread over there.

 

[_Sarah_]

Hey neatfreak,
I have looked at the Natural Sapphire company and they didnt have any lighter stones like I''m interested in. I''m only really interested in the natural sapphires, thats why I was wondering if they can be pale naturally.

What kind of negative effects can flouresence have on diamonds, this is one of the many things I''m not up to speed on yet.

 

[_Sarah_]

Date: 5/16/2007 3:40:48 PM
Author:
You might get more replies/info on the colored stone thread - you can ask Irina or Leonid to move your thread over there.

Oh I didnt think about that.. Is there a way I can tranfer what I already have on this tread?

 

[neatfreak]

On the first note, CALL THEM. Many vendors have access to a lot more than they have on their website.

And to move it, you just use the MSG ADMIN button you''ll see on the top right corner of your screen and ask Leonid or Irina and they will be happy to move the thread for you.

 

[chrono]

Near the top of the page, there is a Msg Admin button. Click on it to request that this thread be moved to the Coloured Stone forum.

 

[_Sarah_]

Ok thanks guys, for your help!

 

[pinkdreamer]

Date: 5/16/2007 3:45:58 PM
Author: _Sarah_
Hey neatfreak,

I have looked at the Natural Sapphire company and they didnt have any lighter stones like I''m interested in. I''m only really interested in the natural sapphires, thats why I was wondering if they can be pale naturally.


What kind of negative effects can flouresence have on diamonds, this is one of the many things I''m not up to speed on yet.

the Natural Sapphire Company only sells natural sapphires, nothing they carry is treated. I would email them and ask, they were wonderful when I had questions. I''ve also read here that they can get just about anything for you if you ask them.

 

[_Sarah_]

Ok thanks I think I will. Are there any other good places to look at sapphires?

 

[bar01]

NSC has some of what I would consider lighter (sky /Caribbean blues) sapphires. They list these under color intensity of medium or medium light. I actually kind of like the lighter tones myself, but ended up get my gal the more traditional (and expensive) cornflower blue sapphire.

It appears from the picture you posted you are looking for something in a very pale blue. I would definitely call NSC and talk to them.

As for choosing between colored stones or diamonds - many of us did not have to choose - we used both! Check out the eyecandy folder for some examples.

 

[_Sarah_]

I just emailed NSC about the pale silvery blue sapphires, I am undecided but i do know ( well not for sure) that if he gets a diamond then there will probably be meduim to dark sapphires in the setting, which I love, but for the center stone its a hard decision, and Im not even making it, my bofriend is. But I still obsess over it

I really love the look of blue diamonds and I have found a few sappires that look really similar just not as much sparkle. If the center stone was a pale sapphire then I would like just a somewhat plain setting with small diamonds on the shanks of the ring.

 

[ILikeBond]

Here's one available on Richard Homer's site - its a concave cut, very unique, nice light color like you like (maybe not light enough though?).

Anyway, his stuff is worth checking out - www.concavegems.com

Here's his description:

"Sometimes called a ....cornflower blue....this gem is just the perfect tone and depth of color to have the best of both worlds. Any more brilliant and the gem would have to be lighter in color, any more depth of color and we would have less brilliance. Very bright and appealing gemstone!!"

And the stats:

1.29 ct., square cushion concave brilliant
6.2mm x 6.1mm
Tone 4, Saturation 3
VVS
Heat Treated
$1294

 

[pinkdreamer]

I crave a Richard Homer!!

 

[_Sarah_]

Date: 5/17/2007 1:08:18 PM
Author: ILikeBond
Here''s one available on Richard Homer''s site - its a concave cut, very unique, nice light color like you like (maybe not light enough though?).


Anyway, his stuff is worth checking out - www.concavegems.com


Here''s his description:


''Sometimes called a ....cornflower blue....this gem is just the perfect tone and depth of color to have the best of both worlds. Any more brilliant and the gem would have to be lighter in color, any more depth of color and we would have less brilliance. Very bright and appealing gemstone!!''


And the stats:


1.29 ct., square cushion concave brilliant

6.2mm x 6.1mm

Tone 4, Saturation 3

VVS

Heat Treated

$1294

Thanks! I have never heard or seen anything from this website before. What makes the concave cut different?

 

[neatfreak]

You can see the difference in cut between the one you originally posted and the concave right? THAT''s the difference.

Here is a link to Richard''s website that explains it a bit more in detail:

http://www.concavegems.com/concave.html

 

[colormyworld]

Hi Sarah, If you search this forum using blue spinel as key word you will find some beautiful jewelry pieces made by members. These seem to closely match the pic you have posted. Another plus for spinel is it has more "fire" than sapphire.

Doug

 

[leggs]

I totally agree with colormyworld.I would look into titanium spinels for that blue sparkle and you could look at sky blue zircons too they also sparkle like a diamond.

 

[leggs]

If you can trust ebay I found this while doing my usual search for round champayne stones
It looks gorgeous and nice and big for an ering.
Round Blue Sapphire- Ebay

 

[_Sarah_]

I looked at blue spinels and zircons and I really like some of the spinels. I had never really looked at that stone before but there where some really beautiful ones on ps!

 

[_Sarah_]

Date: 5/19/2007 2:19:22 PM
Author: leggs
If you can trust ebay I found this while doing my usual search for round champayne stones

It looks gorgeous and nice and big for an ering.

Round Blue Sapphire- Ebay

Wow! If I liked round cuts I would be in love! Haha... I do love the color and sparkle though, I rarely ever like a round stone but this one is gorgeous!

 

[pinkdreamer]

I agree Sarah, I rarely like round either but that one is beautiful! I love the hint of green in there!

 

[_Sarah_]

Date: 5/22/2007 12:16:33 PM
Author: pinkdreamer
I agree Sarah, I rarely like round either but that one is beautiful! I love the hint of green in there!

I agree the hues of the blue and green are just stuning! Very tempting

 

[_Sarah_]

I noticed that the round sapphire from ebay that Leggs posted is from Imperial Jewels, does any one know about them?

 

[chrono]

I think he may have posted once or twice here in the past. I tried to enquire about his stones a few times in the past but never got a reply. So I didn't buy it. I am rather suspicious about how dirt cheap IJ's gemstones are though so I wanted to try with a cheaper stone to gauge its quality but since he never replied my emails, I felt it was not worth persuing.

 

[LdyNghtWng]

I have bought a few items from Imperial Jewels and been very happy.
Here''s a pretty mandarin garnet ring I got at a great prices; people literally stop in their tracks.

 

[pinkdreamer]

Holy smokes that thing is gorgeous!! I love the two-tone with the garnet... it sets off the colors so perfectly!

 

[FireGoddess]

WOW LdyNghtWng - that ring is a showstopper!

 

[_Sarah_]

Date: 5/22/2007 12:44:44 PM
Author: Chrono
I think he may have posted once or twice here in the past. I tried to enquire about his stones a few times in the past but never got a reply. So I didn''t buy it. I am rather suspicious about how dirt cheap IJ''s gemstones are though so I wanted to try with a cheaper stone to gauge its quality but since he never replied my emails, I felt it was not worth persuing.

I was curious about their prices also... Is it because they are mostly heated sapphires?

 

[_Sarah_]

LdyNghtWng that ring is awesome, I love the sparkle of the garnet! How is the quality of their stones? Have you purchased any sapphires or spinels from Imperial Jewels?