Should I buy this star sapphire?

[Ionysis]

I was WhatsApping with my jeweller and just off the cuff mentioned that I really regretted not buying a lovely star sapphire he offered me a couple of years ago.

Lo and behold he pulls out this.



It’s almost identical to the one I turned down a few points difference in weight.

I’ve been wanting a star for a long time and this is exactly the colour I wanted. But I’d allocated my current bling budget to getting my bixbite, spess and ruby pave cocktail ring done.

I’m afraid though if I don’t buy this one I will regret it like the last time. I don’t see these come up often.

I’m going in on Thursday to check it out in person which might sway me one way or the other.

It’s also a little more than I am used to paying because it’s not an online purchase from source. 4.82ct and the price is USD 2,600. I’m going to ask for an all in cost for stone and setting and see what he can do.

I thought of a vintage style. Something like this.



So as this is on my official wish list rather than just a whim should I give myself permission? Or am I just being naughty?!

 

[Autumn in New England]

It sounds like you reeeeeally want this stone (the asterism is perfection, BTW!). And you're still regretting having passed up the last one. In my opinion, you can have your other gems set any time. Although I'm not a star sapphire expert, this seems like a rare stone. So, yes, I would buy it!

 

[Ionysis]

LOL I knew I could really on you to be a bad influence

 

[Ionysis]

Honestly it’s so similar to the last one. If they still had it I would lose my mind and buy both for outrageous and OTT earrings. Will post a vid and some in person shots next week. I’m hoping the transparency is good. That’s what’s usually lacking in these stars.

 

[VividRed]

You are being naughty, and that’s fine if you can afford it

 

[Autumn in New England]

LOL I knew I could really on you to be a bad influence

I'm an incorrigible enabler, yes! But I also truly mean what I said. This is why I've been so slow to set my stones. I figure I can always find some gold and accent diamonds when I'm ready... but if a special CS comes my way, it could be irreplaceable! I look forward to hearing your review and seeing your pix/vids!!

 

[Starstruck8]

Bright perfect star, correctly aligned, translucent body, the colour you want...

The only thing I can say against it is that the body looks sort of foggy blue rather than transparent blue. That's pretty common in star sapphires. Check out the star sapphire thread for some comparisons:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...tar-sapphires-and-rubies.231433/#post-4171026

If I were offered it here in Australia at the equivalent price in Aussie Dollars, I'd snap it up. But everything is expensive here, so that doesn't count for much. You like it, you can afford it, I say go for it...

 

[Avondale]

If you had allocated your budget for something else that was urgent or important, it would totally be correct to skip on it.

But your budget is your luxury spending money. So you get to measure which is more important to you right now:
- your setting project to be completed sooner
or
- having this star sapphire.

Would you regret it having to wait to get your cocktail ring done? Because looking at it logically, you'll save up more cash eventually. The cocktail ring will be done eventually. That sapphire won't be available for long. It's getting this stone now and waiting for the ring vs. not getting the stone now and getting the ring instead. You just have to decide which of these options you want more than the other.

 

[voce]

Agree with all that was said earlier. You don't want to have regrets X2! Go for the sapphire!

 

[bright&shiny]

Agreed. Imagine how much you’d think about it - probably with regret- after the other stones were set. It’s your next project, just a little earlier than planned. I say go for it!

 

[Mjay]

I’d definitely go for it if I were you. You don’t want to regret not purchasing it.

 

[LilAlex]

It is pretty! I have a cheap-o gray star in a vintage ring that is way more opaque.

I do not think it is a particularly rare opportunity in that color and opacity, though. If you pass, another will come along (happened once already, I guess).

Also: what does the back look like? I can not tell how high the dome is, etc., but most of the IG glamor-shots like this have been low-dome and giant backside...

 

[Ionysis]

It is pretty! I have a cheap-o gray star in a vintage ring that is way more opaque.

I do not think it is a particularly rare opportunity in that color and opacity, though. If you pass, another will come along (happened once already, I guess).

Also: what does the back look like? I can not tell how high the dome is, etc., but most of the IG glamor-shots like this have been low-dome and giant backside...

That’s a good point. I will try not to obsess until I see it in person.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Unless someone needs a kidney get the saphire
Its lovelly

 

[prs]

The most important thing I've learned about stars is that every vendor's photos will show the star as clear and bright as it will ever be. They do that by directing the face of the star to a very bright light!

We've found that is often the only way you'll ever see the star, and it becomes invisible in normal light. IMHO the only way to purchase a star is to see it in person in normal light. If you can still see the star, you've found a winner!

 

[MidModMin]

I agree with prs. I'd want to see what it looks like in normal light, without star, before buying.

That said, this stone does look lovely!

 

[Starstruck8]

The most important thing I've learned about stars is that every vendor's photos will show the star as clear and bright as it will ever be. They do that by directing the face of the star to a very bright light!

We've found that is often the only way you'll ever see the star, and it becomes invisible in normal light. IMHO the only way to purchase a star is to see it in person in normal light. If you can still see the star, you've found a winner!

It depends on what you count as 'normal light'.

You will never see a star in soft, even light, no matter how good the stone. That's just how star stones work. Also, the body will always lose saturation in soft light.

Direct sun is best for seeing stars. Anything sold as a star stone should show a star in direct sun. Where the brightness of the star matters is indoors: some stones have stars bright enough to be seen indoors under overhead lights, some don't.

My rule is to wear star stones on sunny days and faceted stones on cloudy days.

Anyone considering a star stone should think about this: are they happy with the body colour under soft light? If not, are they happy to reserve the stone for sunny days?

 

[fel]

I would definitely want more pictures before deciding... see how translucent, and also if it goes gray in some lighting. Star sapphires can be shifty.