Searching for a sapphire

[AmiV]

Hi all!
I’m new here but have been lurking and reading for a while.
I’m in the UK and looking for a sapphire ring - either pre made or custom. (I think it will probably need to be custom for what I’m looking for)

Just wondering if anyone can help source a stone in the UK or recommend jewellers etc? We’d prefer to see it in person before we buy as I find it really difficult to know from online photos.

I’m not sure yet exactly what I’d like so open to suggestions or recommendations within the budget which is £10000-12000 (could stretch a bit for the right ring/setting but would prefer not to).
Looking for something within medium intense - vivid range. Quite happy with slightly greenish blue or purplish blue colours - I think these add a bit more character.
I’d like something in an elongated shape (pear/radiant/emerald). Definitely no round or asschers.
I’ve been looking at stones online within the 3.5-5carat range. I do want something with some wow factor but I think larger than this will look quite bulky for regular use and you’d then need to compromise on the quality of the stone? (my ring size is K1/2).

The following two caught my eye at 77 diamonds so we’re going to view them this weekend:
CUSEMSXHWNTGU (cushion)
PSEMWJJRH57M (pear)
The problem is that they seem to keep most of their other stones abroad and we can’t actually see them in person. They’ve just said they’ll show us “similar” ones within our budget.

 

[whitewave]

5.30 ct Blue Sapphire

5.30 ct Blue Sapphire

www.finewatergems.com

sorry it’s not what you really asked about because its in the US and I’m not sure it’s in your budget, but I tend to get my colored stones from Gary.

also check diamonds by Lauren.

 

[whitewave]

What is 10-12k £ to usd? I need to go check

also, I don’t know how to search those sapphires on 77diamonds because apparently there is no search option??

 

[whitewave]

I’ve also bought sapphires from Africa gems and https://www.ajsgem.com/ in Bangkok (my stud earrings)

sapphire from Gary at finewater:


studs from AJs: Sorry, can’t find pic

 

[whitewave]

Just throwing some out for you to Look at so you can compare.

4.02ct Blue Cushion Sapphire

This is an amazing 4.02ct Blue Cushion Cut Sapphire. It comes with a GIA report, but even without you can see it's a stunning stone.

www.diamondsbylauren.com

 

[AmiV]

Thank you Whitewave for the suggestion by Gary. It is a bit over budget - would be ok if in the UK but by the time I add taxes and the setting it would be quite a bit over.
I’m a bit wary of buying from overseas as well because I just think things look different in person, on your own skin colour etc. and I’m also not sure I want the stress of trying to insure/return something if I’m not 100% on it when it arrives.
sorry, it seems the search function for the 77 diamonds site only works on a laptop/computer and there’s no way to link to the item directly. I’ll put the full details up later so people can hopefully filter to locate them.

 

[AmiV]

Your sapphire looks beautiful by the way!

 

[whitewave]

Your sapphire looks beautiful by the way!

Thank you. Yes, I understood i wasn’t exactly helpful, but I do think it is good to compare vendors and prices before you buy.

 

[AmiV]

What is 10-12k £ to usd? I need to go check

also, I don’t know how to search those sapphires on 77diamonds because apparently there is no search option??

These are the ones from their site that I requested to view but the octagon one is not available.

 

[whitewave]

How dark do you want them? 1 and 3 are going to be really dark when set.

 

[AmiV]

How dark do you want them? 1 and 3 are going to be really dark when set.

I’m not sure how to grade the darkness?
I definitely don’t want them really light but also want to be able to see some “sparkle” in them too.
I think maybe slightly darker than in your ring above would be right for me?

 

[whitewave]

I’m not sure how to grade the darkness?
I definitely don’t want them really light but also want to be able to see some “sparkle” in them too.
I think maybe slightly darker than in your ring above would be right for me?

#1 will be blackish when set.

Do these come with any kind of spec sheet like HIA or AGS? what is their return policy.

you are likely looking for ”royal blue” in a medium tone. That would be my guess.

 

[whitewave]

I don’t know anything about this company, but I think you should go look in some stores before you buy online so you can know exactly what you want.

Gemstone Rings UK | Coloured Gem Rings - Diamond Boutique ®

Are you looking for a truly unique gemstone ring? We have an incredible collection of natural gemstone rings in the UK. These boasting unique coloured gem rings are handpicked for their breathtaking beauty and crafted into jewellery designed to last a lifetime.

www.diamond-boutique.co.uk

Fine Jewellery and Engagement Ring Specialists

A beautifully curated collection of modern, vintage and antique fine jewellery. For over a decade, Katherine James Jewellery has been quietly providing those in-the-know with red carpet ready, heirloom-quality jewels, using expertly-sourced gemstones, the finest materials, and our impeccable...

kjj.rocks

a lot of time vendors will source stones for you and then make the ring when you approve the stone.

 

[whitewave]

I finally remembered this guy’s name!!! He is in the uk. Follow him on FB or IG.

Home - Jeff Davies & Son Gemstones

High quality gemstones Shop Now UK based & precision cutting Shop Now View Full Range Shop Now Latest Gems Here are some of our latest gemstones. We cut on average 200 plus new gems every month and the majority sell before they get chance to get listed here. So please contact us if you can

jeffdaviesandson.com

 

[AmiV]

I don’t know anything about this company, but I think you should go look in some stores before you buy online so you can know exactly what you want.

Gemstone Rings UK | Coloured Gem Rings - Diamond Boutique ®

Are you looking for a truly unique gemstone ring? We have an incredible collection of natural gemstone rings in the UK. These boasting unique coloured gem rings are handpicked for their breathtaking beauty and crafted into jewellery designed to last a lifetime.

www.diamond-boutique.co.uk

Fine Jewellery and Engagement Ring Specialists

A beautifully curated collection of modern, vintage and antique fine jewellery. For over a decade, Katherine James Jewellery has been quietly providing those in-the-know with red carpet ready, heirloom-quality jewels, using expertly-sourced gemstones, the finest materials, and our impeccable...

kjj.rocks

a lot of time vendors will source stones for you and then make the ring when you approve the stone.

Thanks whitewave, 77 diamonds has a physical store as well - we’ve already made an appointment to have a look at the first two I sent above but just wanted people here to cast their eye over my picks and see if they seem reasonable for the price.
Thank you for the other two links, are they ones you found online or have they been previously recommended?
The stones on the Jeff Davies site are stunning! He doesn’t seem to have many sapphires but I’ll definitely contact him to see if it would be possible to source one for me.

 

[Bron357]

There are lots of options out there with the benefit of on line purchasing.
I’m an eBay queen.
I had a look on eBay UK and found these stunning examples.
sellers are business sellers with 100% feedback.
The Art Deco and diamond ring is my favourite. That sapphire, the setting, so beautiful. I’d offer £13,250 pounds and see how it goes with a counter offer.
certified of course btw.
The second ring is new and also certified. 7.08 carats, that big. It’s a colour change sapphire blue to purple. Also certified. I’d offer £9,500 and see how they counter offer.

 

[whitewave]

I haven’t bought from Davies, but his stones are always so gorgeous that it makes me want to cry (good way) sometimes

 

[AmiV]

There are lots of options out there with the benefit of on line purchasing.
I’m an eBay queen.
I had a look on eBay UK and found these stunning examples.
sellers are business sellers with 100% feedback.
The Art Deco and diamond ring is my favourite. That sapphire, the setting, so beautiful. I’d offer £13,250 pounds and see how it goes with a counter offer.
certified of course btw.
The second ring is new and also certified. 7.08 carats, that big. It’s a colour change sapphire blue to purple. Also certified. I’d offer £9,500 and see how they counter offer.

Hi Bron,
Thanks for the advice. After seeing the ones above having been set and with the diamonds as well, they look really large and I think I should probably go for something smaller as had been planning to wear it quite regularly and not just on special occasions.
I hadn’t thought of looking on eBay as just assumed that it would be difficult to find any genuine ones among the not-so genuine ones. I guess we could consider it if they also have a UK registration for the company and a good returns policy etc.
I spotted this one which looks beautiful but has no certificate so have contacted the seller to see if one could be provided. What do you think?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294214459149

I’ve never bought pre-owned before so grateful for any tips.

 

[dk168]

I am in UK, and have commissioned a number of coloured gems from Jeff White based in US since 2015. He is my go-to lapidary artist.

Below is a screen grab of a recent video he posted in his FB page, a 3.67ct royal blue blue Sapphire that is a commissioned piece and not for sale:



He has a vast rough inventory that is not listed, no doubt he has Sapphire roughs in different sizes and every colours imaginable.

I would advise having a look at his different galleries of sold gemstones, and pick out the colours that you like, and contact him to enquire if he has anything suitable for you with your budget in mind, and take it from there.

Galleries | JL White Fine Gemstones

Photo galleries featuring some of the gems cut and sold by JL White Fine Gemstones over the years, as well as jewelery created with our gems.

www.whitesgems.com

I trust him with his judgements in terms of colour, yield and cut pattern. All my dealings with him had been virtual, and all the commissioned pieces received so far had all been works of art.

Please have a good read of his T&Cs for custom work that can be found on his website to give you an idea how he operates.

Good luck with your search.

DK

 

[AmiV]

I am in UK, and have commissioned a number of coloured gems from Jeff White based in US since 2015. He is my go-to lapidary artist.

Below is a screen grab of a recent video he posted in his FB page, a 3.67ct royal blue blue Sapphire that is a commissioned piece and not for sale:



He has a vast rough inventory that is not listed, no doubt he has Sapphire roughs in different sizes and every colours imaginable.

I would advise having a look at his different galleries of sold gemstones, and pick out the colours that you like, and contact him to enquire if he has anything suitable for you with your budget in mind, and take it from there.

Galleries | JL White Fine Gemstones

Photo galleries featuring some of the gems cut and sold by JL White Fine Gemstones over the years, as well as jewelery created with our gems.

www.whitesgems.com

I trust him with his judgements in terms of colour, yield and cut pattern. All my dealings with him had been virtual, and all the commissioned pieces received so far had all been works of art.

Please have a good read of his T&Cs for custom work that can be found on his website to give you an idea how he operates.

Good luck with your search.

DK

Hi DK!
Your review of his work is really reassuring. I think we’re going to have a look at some stones and rings physically this weekend to get a better idea of the colour and size we want and then contact both of the Jeffs mentioned on this thread . I didn’t even realise that the stone may look darker after setting.
Do you mind me asking who you use to create the jewellery after buying the stone? Are they UK based?

 

[Bron357]

Hi Bron,
Thanks for the advice. After seeing the ones above having been set and with the diamonds as well, they look really large and I think I should probably go for something smaller as had been planning to wear it quite regularly and not just on special occasions.
I hadn’t thought of looking on eBay as just assumed that it would be difficult to find any genuine ones among the not-so genuine ones. I guess we could consider it if they also have a UK registration for the company and a good returns policy etc.
I spotted this one which looks beautiful but has no certificate so have contacted the seller to see if one could be provided. What do you think?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294214459149

I’ve never bought pre-owned before so grateful for any tips.

That is a beautiful ring.
the workmanship is excellent.
many sellers on eBay are also “bricks and mortar” stores who use eBay as another selling avenue.
With PayPal and eBay protections it’s a very safe place to shop if you stick with established business sellers.
I’ve been buying on ebay, internationally cos I’m in Australia, for over 18 years.

 

[dk168]

Hi DK!
Your review of his work is really reassuring. I think we’re going to have a look at some stones and rings physically this weekend to get a better idea of the colour and size we want and then contact both of the Jeffs mentioned on this thread . I didn’t even realise that the stone may look darker after setting.
Do you mind me asking who you use to create the jewellery after buying the stone? Are they UK based?

I mainly use a bench based in China, as in diamondmounts of eBay. However, using a bench in China for custom work it is not everyone's cup of tea, and I would hesitate sending big ticket stones to China for them to set.

I used Simon Wright who is based in London, as recommended by another UK-based PSer, to set my mum's 1.94ct MRB in a bangle bracelet, and I would use him again, such as when I get round to having my 1.19ct EC reset in a new setting.

Jewellery Maker London | Simon Wright | Bespoke Jewellery London

Simon Wright is a master fine jewellery maker in London. Bespoke jewellery including engagement and wedding rings and a personal approach to fine jewellery.

www.sw-jewellery.com

Ooo, Jeff Davies and his son Daniel, are based in Wales nowadays I believe, and I have had a number of very nice ready-cut CSs from them. I have only had a couple of custom-cut stones from them, not big ticket items though (2 Amethysts and a EB Topaz).

Jeff W is my preferred lapidary artist as I have built up a good rapport with him over the years.

DK

 

[MillieLou]

@dk168 are you thinking of having your EC reset? Just being nosy!

I got in touch with Simon Wright after your recommendation and he seems brilliant. I'd love to go with him in future. (Went local this time because of travel issues with Covid).

Jeff Davies' gallery pages are astonishingly beautiful.

 

[dk168]

@MillieLou the shank of my current EC setting is not solid, and I managed to bend it badly out of shape.

Hence I am considering a new and sturdier setting in a few years' time, and may be a new design like a 3-stone with traps or a 5-stone with graduating ECs.

I may use lab/MMD stones, however, that is still to be decided.

DK

 

[AmiV]

Just a little update after seeing some in person - the “royal blue” colour is definitely the right one for me. Although it seems there is quite a bit of variation with these with some being much darker than others. Looking for a cushion with a length/width ratio of around 1.3ish in the 3.5-4.5 carat range. The vendors we saw are going to try and source what I’m looking for as they didn’t physically have this in stock but I’m going to follow up on some of the other suggestions in this thread as well now that I have a better idea what I’m looking for. Thank you so much for your help

 

[whitewave]

please keep us updated! We love to see the final product and hand shots!!!