Tell me what green sapphires are really like.

[beaujolais]

Can someone tell me what green sapphires are really like? I''ve only seen them in pictures. They usually look too dark.

I love sapphires and I love green but what are they like in real life?

Thanks,

Sonoma

 

[T L]

They usually have an olive cast to them. I''ve never ever have seen a green sapphire that was a pure spectral emerald green, or even one that looked as green as a tsavorite. If you like some olive to the green in your stones, than a green sapphire is probably a good (and affordable) choice.

 

[marcy]

Funny you should ask that; I just got home from buying some green sapphire stud earrings and solitaire pendant. I have a 6mm RB green sapphire in a RHR. It is definitely olive green but the store where I bought them also has darker green - not tsavortie green but definitely green and none one of them are dark (in that store anyway). My studs and pendant are being remounted in YG and will be sent to me this week. I love them and they match a lot of my green clothes which is why I looked at them in the first place. Good luck in your search. I will post pictures later the week when I get them.

 

[LtlFirecracker]

my friend has a pair of green sapphires, they are very pale, nothing like I have seen online. Although pale, the color is nice, they are pure shade of light green probably with yellow as a secondary color.

Those are the only ones I have seen IRL. She got them in India.

 

[beaujolais]

Thanks all.

 

[coatimundi_org]

What are you planning Sonoma?

hmmmm?

 

[beaujolais]

Ack - enabler !

Just looking to learn, actually. I must behave - I have to get my new antique cushion set.

You know, when I show people pictures of both the art deco setting and your setting for my new stone, they love both but end up picking your setting, btw.

 

[mochi]

Looking leads to wanting.... it''s useless, you know. ...

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 11/9/2008 1:46:36 PM
Author: sonomacounty
Ack - enabler !

Just looking to learn, actually. I must behave - I have to get my new antique cushion set.


You know, when I show people pictures of both the art deco setting and your setting for my new stone, they love both but end up picking your setting, btw.

Sonoma, if you go with JM, you will be amazed at his work. He makes each ring by hand, so they are truly one of a kind. I think your stone will feel quite special in such a bezel!

I must behave too! Hubby has just indicated to me that he would like gem to carry in his pocket, so my next purchase is for him--he wants an orangish yellow stone. I'm thrilled that he wants a gem!

eta: Oh, and the green sapphires I've seen are dark and yellowish green--olive. They are common and shouldn't be too expensive. They use green sapphires to make synthetic ruby and sapphire doublets--with the natural green sapphire for the crown, and the synthetic pavillion glued to the girdle plane.

 

[beaujolais]

Ohhhh !

And so it begins (maybe).

That''s great. In what capacity does he want to carry it? Loose sounds too easy to loose. Does orange/yellow have a significance for him? Does he like rings at all?

What I''m learning is green sapphires, so far, is not quite yet captivating me. This is good as there are already a few wishes on the short list and long list for quite awhile.

 

[beaujolais]

Fortunately, not really so for me. Sometimes I learn something I thought could work, doesn''t. Fortunately.

 

[marcy]

Sonoma, I honestly like the green sapphire ring I have. It is light, yellowish-green but it sparkles like crazy and I like it well enough to get a pendant and earrings to match. As Coati said they are certainly cheaper than other sapphires. The one in my ring was 1.13 ct and cost a little over $300. The pendant I just bought with chain is 1.35 ct for almost $400 and the earrings are .75 each for a little over $300. I passed them up a dozen times because they aren''t a vibrant color but since I''ve gone to more earthtone clothes I decided to take a look at them and I wear that ring probably at least once a week. I can''t wait to see your finished cushion set.

Coati, how fun that your husband wants to carry a gemstone. I was thinking of getting a moldavite or meteorite key chain for Marty for Christmas.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Hey Sonoma and Marcyc--hubby says hi. He''s really developing an appreciation for colored stones--makes me happy! Of course his enthusiasm will never quite match mine--haHA!

He works from home, so he wants to have something to keep at his desk that he can play with from time to time. He says it has to be a BIG one--sheesh! I can only afford so much--so I''m thinking a HUGE citrine or something not so pricey. After all, I need all my spare pennies for my gems--haHA. He loves emerald cuts(BIG), cushions and marquises(which he calls "crazy looking")

He also wants an OMC diamond

--he wants to know if he can borrow yours Sonoma!!

*sorry for the threadjack--enough about my hubby!!*

Marcyc--moldavite is awesome stuff! I love the color, and I bet Marty would dig it. I like earthy greens a lot.

Sonoma what''s on the short list and the long list??

 

[beaujolais]

I only have a second now so need to be quick.

Marcy, I''m Sure that green sapphires are great. I''m trying to get into more earthy colored stones, as it''s a very sophisticated look. Unfortunately, I do have that darn budget thingy to deal with.

Hi to Mr. Coati ! Of course you can borrow "Little Yellow", the new antique cushion. (Actually, it''s a nice straw yellow color indoors and faces up white outdoors.) Thanks for the compliment. It''s an e-bay find, was really inexpensive and I just adore it so much.

Citrine Can be lovely. I know it''s not your shape or size but look at the color on this:

http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=141&idproduct=2520

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 11/9/2008 4:21:44 PM
Author: coatimundi
Hey Sonoma and Marcyc--hubby says hi. He's really developing an appreciation for colored stones--makes me happy! Of course his enthusiasm will never quite match mine--haHA!

He works from home, so he wants to have something to keep at his desk that he can play with from time to time. He says it has to be a BIG one--sheesh! I can only afford so much--so I'm thinking a HUGE citrine or something not so pricey. After all, I need all my spare pennies for my gems--haHA. He loves emerald cuts(BIG), cushions and marquises(which he calls 'crazy looking')

He also wants an OMC diamond

--he wants to know if he can borrow yours Sonoma!!

*sorry for the threadjack--enough about my hubby!!*

Marcyc--moldavite is awesome stuff! I love the color, and I bet Marty would dig it. I like earthy greens a lot.

Sonoma what's on the short list and the long list??

Good for him. How about some amazing color-shifting rough? Link Here's a 13.1 ct chunk of umbalite for $45. (I think this place is in Australia.)

 

[coatimundi_org]

Sonoma--lovely citrine. I spied that one when I was perusing the site. They have such great gems! I really want pieces of chrysocolla and chrysoprase--my favorites. Do you like chalcedony?

Fly Girl--I love the idea of rough for the husband. I think a nice chunk of Oregon Sunstone would be cool! (I''d like that chunk of umbalite for myself heh heh)

 

[beaujolais]

Chrysocolla is beautiful. (I had to look those up.) I think the rough sunstone is a great idea, even moreso.


Oh, you asked:

The Short List (meaning things to work on that are gnawing at me)

setting the OMC
sapphire in the art deco setting
med. blue round (.30 each or so) sapphire studs

The Long List (meaning someday and only if I find "The" stone)

a quality aqua
red spinel (pendant or ring)
sunstone pendant (Who says inclusions are not wonderful?)
drusy (black or copper)
something in an opposed bar cut
upgrade modern cushion to a modern really extra chunky with strong flouresence

And you?

Is it This Week?

I was hoping Proteus would come back and we could do the inclusion game more.

 

[marcy]

Sonoma, I hear you on the budget. Too bad we can''t fill our wish list whenever we want. I love your lists though.

Coati, I love the idea of a piece of rough for your husband. Cool idea. The picture you posted is awesome.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 11/9/2008 9:47:12 PM
Author: sonomacounty
Chrysocolla is beautiful. (I had to look those up.) I think the rough sunstone is a great idea, even moreso.



Oh, you asked:


The Short List (meaning things to work on that are gnawing at me)


setting the OMC

sapphire in the art deco setting

med. blue round (.30 each or so) sapphire studs


The Long List (meaning someday and only if I find ''The'' stone)


a quality aqua

red spinel (pendant or ring)

sunstone pendant (Who says inclusions are not wonderful?)

drusy (black or copper)

something in an opposed bar cut

upgrade modern cushion to a modern really extra chunky with strong flouresence


And you?


Is it This Week?


I was hoping Proteus would come back and we could do the inclusion game more.

We have some overlap Sonoma!

I want a drusy piece as well--Uvarovite garnet and I''m really enjoying the opposed bar cut--I''d like a blue-green tourmaline.

My list changes rapidly, but I have a few mainstays. I''m currently building my specimen box, but I keep getting distracted by jewelry-gems. Right now I want garnets, one of each variety.

Where''s Proteus? I''m going to page him. I''m glad you enjoy inclusions too, S.

Here''s a photo of uvarovite.

 

[coatimundi_org]

whoops, forgot to attach the file.

Uvarovite

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 11/9/2008 9:59:02 PM
Author: marcyc
Sonoma, I hear you on the budget. Too bad we can''t fill our wish list whenever we want. I love your lists though.

Coati, I love the idea of a piece of rough for your husband. Cool idea. The picture you posted is awesome.

Thanks Marcyc! I love sunstone--everyone should have a piece--it''s just so cool.

 

[dancingflame]

I have two princess cut green sapphires around a half-carat each and I also have quite a collection of tiny princess greens that I want to have set in a bracelet. All of my greens have definite olive tones. I''ll try to get some pics in different lighting for you. I love sapphires of all colors and greens have their own special quality.

 

[beaujolais]

Thanks for your input, Dancing Flame. If you can put up some photos, I'd really appreciate it. I'm sure yours are gorgeous.

---

Coati:

--- We have some overlap Sonoma! ---

Well, great minds think alike. Drusys are interesting for sure. I think an opposed bar cut would be fun for you. It seems like we both often have an interest in stones with special traits and characteristics rather than stones that are "perfect".

---I'm currently building my specimen box, but I keep getting distracted by jewelry-gems. Right now I want garnets, one of each variety.---

Well, if you find "The" right one, whether gem or specimen box, you should grab it.

Thanks for paging Proteus. How wonderful it is to have these knowledgeable people to discuss/talk with. PS is such a great place to learn (and hang).

Cool uvarovite. Interesting creatures, those drusys.

Now are you opposed to drusys that are coated? I rather like the copper ones even though I've not decided if it's o.k., in my mind, to coat them. Copper is such an interesting metal. Do you like copper at all?

Link: http://www.sweetgemstones.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=sweetgems&Category_Code=1DD1

Now are you fully graduated on Thurs.? Do you then need to take national boards or do you get your G.G. right then? I wish I could take you out to celebrate. Anyway, cyber congrats & great big hugs from NY.

Question I wanted to ask - Is your JM setting platinum?

Best, Sonoma

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 11/10/2008 7:28:22 PM
Author: sonomacounty


Coati:

Well, great minds think alike. Drusys are interesting for sure. I think an opposed bar cut would be fun for you. It seems like we both often have an interest in stones with special traits and characteristics rather than stones that are 'perfect'.


---I'm currently building my specimen box, but I keep getting distracted by jewelry-gems. Right now I want garnets, one of each variety.---


Well, if you find 'The' right one, whether gem or specimen box, you should grab it.



Thanks for paging Proteus. How wonderful it is to have these knowledgeable people to discuss/talk with. PS is such a great place to learn (and hang).


Cool uvarovite. Interesting creatures, those drusys.


Now are you opposed to drusys that are coated? I rather like the copper ones even though I've not decided if it's o.k., in my mind, to coat them. Copper is such an interesting metal. Do you like copper at all?


Link: http://www.sweetgemstones.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=sweetgems&Category_Code=1DD1


Now are you fully graduated on Thurs.? Do you then need to take national boards or do you get your G.G. right then? I wish I could take you out to celebrate. Anyway, cyber congrats & great big hugs from NY.

Question I wanted to ask - Is your JM setting platinum?


Best, Sonoma

Hiya,

I am fully graduated on Thursday--with the G.G.--I'll add a signature to my profile when it's official.

Thanks for the cyber congrats--I wish I could celebrate with you too! You'll have to come out to Los Angeles sometime. When did you move from Sonoma? Do you prefer New York? I haven't been to New York in years--need to go!

My JM is set in white gold with a platinum bezel and platinum wraps--the little wraps on the side of the shank. He does not rhodium plate his white gold--it's au naturale. I wanted it this way--which is good, because he won't plate the gold. I love the slight yellow of unrhodiumed white gold--leans itself to an antique look. The platinum bezel and wraps are just slightly different from the gold shank for a hint of contrast--very hard to see, but my eagle eye loves it.

I love copper--which is why I love Oregon sunstone. For drusy gems, though, I prefer them to be uncoated and in their natural state. I want a piece of drusy chrysocolla.

Hopefully Proteus will see the page!

 

[beaujolais]

Coati:

Hi. Happy two days before your graduation ! !

Thanks for asking. I've been back in NY for five years now. Originally from NY, then lived in CA for 10 yrs then back to NY. I loved Sonoma County (Healdsburg) thus the tag name. It's somewhere that really felt right for me. I also lived in Dana Point, right on the coast, on a cliff (Just off 1, Pacific Coast Highway). The co-op complex I was in was amazing. The living room was all glass windows which give you a full view of the Pacific Ocean. Then just outside our front door was a hot tub (w. jasmine bushes all around it). Just over from that was the pool which looked out on the Pacific.

I do love the fall & winter in NY, though.

Do you all still have Tommy'? Rubys (w. the old cars outside)? Ralph's grocery store? And still very few delicatessens? Not many bagel stores, either.

I miss it. I thought the oil derricks in the water near Long Beach were kinda cool. The earthquakes where I was were always pretty small, so that was good. I hope you don't get any significant ones where you are.

What part of L.A. are you in? If I remember, you are from Chicago?

If (when) I go out to Ca. next, I'll give you a heads up. Likewise for if you come to NY.

Best, Sonoma

 

[partgypsy]

My birthstone is sapphire, but my favorite color is green, so at one point I thought the ideal would be a green sapphire. You are right, most green sapphires are kind of dull, overdark, muddy kind of color. There are also some green sapphires that I thought were pretty, some that were a light blue/green color, and another an almost light neon green (but it wasn''t cheap). If you want that true emerald green color it is almost impossible. I would almost say of all the colors, green is the one color that sapphire doesn''t "do well".