Talk to me about star sapphires/rubies

[lovedogs]

Hard to say - this is where the compromise comes in.

#2 from the left for the bright sharp star (but least saturated body colour); #3 for bright star (but not so sharp and one weaker ray), good body colour; #1 for saturated body colour, sharp (but weakest) star; #4 is very cool, strong colour, but hardly a star sapphire in the conventional sense.

Agreed. Definitely compromises are needed here. Can you explain to me what you mean by "sharp (but weakest) star" for #1? I feel like the star is pretty clear on that one--but maybe you mean that the star itself has relatively "thin arms" (not sure how to say that), so it's not as visible?

 

[Starstruck8]

Agreed. Definitely compromises are needed here. Can you explain to me what you mean by "sharp (but weakest) star" for #1? I feel like the star is pretty clear on that one--but maybe you mean that the star itself has relatively "thin arms" (not sure how to say that), so it's not as visible?

[Edited]
Sort of. "Sharp" = "thin arms". The star in #1 is very sharp. But how bright is it? In the first two pics, it is looks fainter for #2 and #3. In the 3rd pic, it's clearly visible, but still looks a bit fainter than for #2 and #3.

 

[Dreamer_D]

To me it’s between the three on the left but I can’t tell anything about transparency from these images or videos or what the stones look like in normal diffuse lighting which is how they will look 90% of the time.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I would request a picture in regular diffuse light (no spot light) and profile shots as the dome is an important aesthetic factor IMO.

 

[lovedogs]

Natural diffuse ligjt pics


I'm most drawn to the one on tje far right, 3rd from right, and far left. Again, far left is not really a traditional star, just more of a unique cab

 

[Avondale]

Let's just make things easier for everyone and say they're numbered 1 to 4 from left to right.

If I had to choose just one, I'd go with 4. I don't mind a small stone one bit, and the colour is instantly drawing my eye. My (very very very close) second choice would be 2 because of the perfectly round shape and still very pleasing colour - there's something a bit magical to it. In fact, now that I think about it, I might even like it more than 4. But 4 undoubtedly has the better colour.

I wouldn't consider 1 and 3 at all, they don't scratch my itch.

Just out of curiosity, what is the price range of these stones? I also see a star sapphire somewhere in my distant future, and I'm always budgeting.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Let's just make things easier for everyone and say they're numbered 1 to 4 from left to right.

If I had to choose just one, I'd go with 4. I don't mind a small stone one bit, and the colour is instantly drawing my eye. My (very very very close) second choice would be 2 because of the perfectly round shape and still very pleasing colour - there's something a bit magical to it. In fact, now that I think about it, I might even like it more than 4. But 4 undoubtedly has the better colour.

I wouldn't consider 1 and 3 at all, they don't scratch my itch.

Just out of curiosity, what is the price range of these stones? I also see a star sapphire somewhere in my distant future, and I'm always budgeting.

I agree with all of this and would lean toward 2 because I think the round shape and water are very nice and it has a nice clear star. Best. Balance of traits.

Did you see profile! Sometimes they look domed (optical illusion) but have a flat top and I don’t find that appealing.

 

[lovedogs]

I agree with all of this and would lean toward 2 because I think the round shape and water are very nice and it has a nice clear star. Best. Balance of traits.

Did you see profile! Sometimes they look domed (optical illusion) but have a flat top and I don’t find that appealing.

Thanks! They all are domed, but #2 is the most noticeably round in profile (highest dome).

 

[lovedogs]

Let's just make things easier for everyone and say they're numbered 1 to 4 from left to right.

If I had to choose just one, I'd go with 4. I don't mind a small stone one bit, and the colour is instantly drawing my eye. My (very very very close) second choice would be 2 because of the perfectly round shape and still very pleasing colour - there's something a bit magical to it. In fact, now that I think about it, I might even like it more than 4. But 4 undoubtedly has the better colour.

I wouldn't consider 1 and 3 at all, they don't scratch my itch.

Just out of curiosity, what is the price range of these stones? I also see a star sapphire somewhere in my distant future, and I'm always budgeting.

Thanks! They're all between 600-800 USD. The smaller one with the best color (4) is the same price as the significantly larger 2, and I assume the color is why. But 2 is really lovely and kind of ethereal.

 

[Dreamer_D]

For a star stone I might be leaning to higher dome and better water even if the color isn't as punchy. Just based on the features I really enjoy about my star stone. Gazing into its depths. My eye keeps going to 2 for exactly the reason you said -- it has that ethereal quality. You can't see it in pictures and video, but in real life the stars on nice specimens float *within* the stone. For this reason I like the higher dome and water.

What size are they?

 

[Dreamer_D]

The way the stars look in this image makes me wonder if the #2 stone is a little more opaque than #4. The rays are so thin and sharp which in my experience is more common in more opaque stones. The stars float on the surface in that case. The slightly fuzzy rays in the 4 are what I see in my current star, and it is that 3D effect where the star floats instide the stone that is really enchanting.



Can the vendor speak to the difference in transparency between these two at all?

 

[Starstruck8]

I agree with the @Avondale and Dreamer_D. 4 has stronger colour, 2 is more translucent. 2 looks dreamy and magical in softer light, which is how you will see it most of the time.

You can't see it in pictures and video, but in real life the stars on nice specimens float *within* the stone. For this reason I like the higher dome and water.

+1. This is the 'silver curtain' that I like - the star seems to cut into the stone. Also, round is good, because the rays are evenly spaced. In oval stones, the star is 'pulled out' lengthwise (as you can see.) Also, call me a peasant, but bigger face-up size is not to be despised.

 

[lovedogs]

I agree with the @Avondale and Dreamer_D. 4 has stronger colour, 2 is more translucent. 2 looks dreamy and magical in softer light, which is how you will see it most of the time.


+1. This is the 'silver curtain' that I like - the star seems to cut into the stone. Also, round is good, because the rays are evenly spaced. In oval stones, the star is 'pulled out' lengthwise (as you can see.) Also, call me a peasant, but bigger face-up size is not to be despised.

The way the stars look in this image makes me wonder if the #2 stone is a little more opaque than #4. The rays are so thin and sharp which in my experience is more common in more opaque stones. The stars float on the surface in that case. The slightly fuzzy rays in the 4 are what I see in my current star, and it is that 3D effect where the star floats instide the stone that is really enchanting.



Can the vendor speak to the difference in transparency between these two at all?

Here are 2 videos that hopefully can help with questions of transparency.

I definitely think 2 is more transparent, but i asked the vendor anyway

 

[Avondale]

Oh, they're both gorgeous! Frankly, I almost want to buy the one you don't get. Aaagh!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yes lovely little gumdrops.

My heart is still with 2. Can you get both and return 1? I’m guessing no since I get the impression it’s and overseas vendor.

 

[lovedogs]

Last pics to help me decide. Vendor says the small one is "vivid" color and has the most intense color. But the other one also has a nice color and is bigger.


And videos:

 

[Rfisher]

Do you have a specific setting style in mind?
Will that help choose?

 

[Avondale]

Showed these two to my husband and asked him what he thinks.

He said you should buy both.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Did vendor comment on transparency?

 

[lovedogs]

Did vendor comment on transparency?

No, just on vivid color. I get the impression the vendor thinks thw transparency is equal, but the color intensity and size is where differences are.

 

[Dreamer_D]

How do you plan to set the stone?

 

[Avondale]

How do you plan to set the stone?

Is it weird that I already know how I want to set both of them, if I were to own them?

 

[lovedogs]

How do you plan to set the stone?

Either a 2 or 3 stone ring depending on if I can find the 3rd stone i have in mind or not

 

[RMOO]

This is just my opinion: I love both colors, but the spherical shape of the lighter one is more pleasing to my eye, and my gosh, you can see its star even when the video is not expanded to full screen. And isn't the star what its all about in a star sapphire?

 

[lovedogs]

This is just my opinion: I love both colors, but the spherical shape of the lighter one is more pleasing to my eye, and my gosh, you can see its star even when the video is not expanded to full screen. And isn't the star what its all about in a star sapphire?

Agreed. I asked a different vendor for pics of 2 stones that are significantly more $$. Trying to get a feel for if whether what I want is more pricey, in which case I'll wait a bit longer

 

[Dreamer_D]

Yeah I would go larger for similar reasons, in addition to the shape and star quality being more pleasing. With phenomenal stones you want to enjoy the phenomenon! My star is about 9x8.5 and the size helps a lot in that regard! (but it was also considerably more $$ than you have been quoted for these).

 

[lovedogs]

Yeah I would go larger for similar reasons, in addition to the shape and star quality being more pleasing. With phenomenal stones you want to enjoy the phenomenon! My star is about 9x8.5 and the size helps a lot in that regard! (but it was also considerably more $$ than you have been quoted for these).

I adked for pics of a ~2400 and ~4200 stone for exactly those reasons. Size, and to see if it's worth the extra cost to me

 

[Dreamer_D]

I adked for pics of a ~2400 and ~4200 stone for exactly those reasons. Size, and to see if it's worth the extra cost to me

I think for larger stones sometimes used/vintage can also be a good way to save money. I have a nice one saved from ebay with a GIA report if you want to see. Its 4ct and blue.

 

[Dreamer_D]

What is the measurement of the larger round pink stone?

 

[Avondale]

I adked for pics of a ~2400 and ~4200 stone for exactly those reasons. Size, and to see if it's worth the extra cost to me

Do show when you receive them. I’m currently living vicariously through your gem hunt.