The better Sapphire?

[Dyman]

Hi Everybody!

I'm giving my lady an engagement ring - we both decided that a blue sapphire in a platinum setting would go perfect with her gorgeous natural blond hair and blue eyes.

Thanks to this board and helpful previous posts, I've been in contact with Wink Jones and Richard over at Cherrypicked. Both have been very professional and helpful.

The question I have is which to choose, I have a budget of $2500 for the stone and want something extra special, around 1.5 ct or so.

Cherrypicked are a bit more expensive per carat - but I hear they are top quality and AGTA certified unheated.
See this link and the first attachment.
http://www.cherrypicked.com/Gallery/Score.aspx?ItemID=1904

The 1.07 ct in the attachment is 6.02 x 5.39 x 4.24 and around 2k per carrat. I just wish it were a little bigger.

Wink has one I'll look at this week in person, over 2 ct and cut by Richard Homer - which I hear does amazing work. I don't suspect it is unheated though.
http://www.winkjones.com/xcart/customer/product.php?productid=16458&cat=278&page=1

Is there really a big difference in the unheated sapphires? I wish I could see them all in person, but I'm afraid that won't happen since I live in Minnesota and not New York.

 

[widget]

Hi, Dyman...welcome!

I''m one of those people who think for a one-shot deal (or not being a collector), going with a heat-only treated sapphire is just fine....especially if you want a little more size for the money. Heat treatment is permanent, and does not effect the durability of the stone...or so I''ve been told.

Homer''s concave cuts are gorgeous, it''s great that you''ll be able to see one in person. It is really of a matter of personal taste (I prefer traditionally cut stones) and it would be nice if you can see sapphires with both cutting styles when you visit Wink to better decide which you prefer..

Have fun!
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[bar01]

You’re working with some top notch people - and gems - so you can't go wrong. I agree with Widget it is a matter of taste and preference. The cuts by Richard are very modern and wonderful. I would love to give my gal a pendant sometime in the future with one of those breath taking cuts.

If I understand it right - you are looking at two sapphires from Cherry - and one from wink? I can't find the link for the pictured one you attached (1976?) - but it appears to be a better proportion than the other (1904) - 1976 has less ct wt but has larger face up size than 1904 which is cut deeper?

Much has been discussed on treated vs non treated - perhaps at the very top end - some experts have said that the best untreated look better than the best treated - but I think that is subtle distinction.

To me it comes down to a mind and money game. Assuming you are looking at similar quality sapphires then....

1) Money - you can get a larger stone if it is treated.
2) Mind game – untreated is fare more rare. Does that "idea" matter to you in this ring?



What are you shooting for in the overall ring design – size, cost, side stones, etc..?

 

[Dyman]

Here''s the stone from Wink, Richard Homer cut 2.04 ct, $1250 per carat.
Cherrypicked might be sending me some Larger examples! I want the best stone I can get, that we can enjoy for the next 50 years.

 

[Dyman]

I really like this setting which would work for Wink''s:

 

[bar01]

That is a stunning setting.

Keep in mind any preference you or wink my have for proportions in this ring design and how they may affect final costs. I guess what I am saying is that if you use a larger sapphire - you may want certain sizes of diamonds in that setting, and the setting itself gets larger, costs go up etc... and also what is going to look right for your gals hand. Of course she may want the biggest possible

!

 

[belle]

i absolutely love that setting. i have had my eye on it for quite some time.

i don''t love the concave cut sapphire. it''s just not my thing for sapphires but i do like the shape. i think a cushion really looks good for a sapph.
i can''t wait to see what you decide!

 

[maxspinel]

I love the color of the sapphire and the setting. I also don''t like the concave shape. I think they are great for brigher and lighter stones. Personally I prefer the traditional brilliant/step cut for the classical blue sapphire.

$1250 seems to be a good price for unheated. I was in a show and they were asking for $1500 for heated Ceylon sapphire that were > 3 cts.

 

[sunflowers]

I have seen both traditonal cut and concave cut sapphires. I agree with Widget and Maxspinal and like the traditional cut ones. I think if the stone is of high quality, it is usually cut in the traditional way. Lighter or darker stones may be cut concave to add more character to the stone and make it more sellable. You really need to look at as many stones as you can, maybe bring it home for a day or two, have someboy else look at them also. That will help you to decide what you like.

I have been looking for a sapphire for a long time and am very particular about the color and cut. I have not found one that I like at this time. It''s hard to find really good quality colored stones.

sunflowers

 

[Mokey]

May I ask, where is that setting from? It is beautiful! Mokey

 

[belle]

Date: 10/4/2006 1:11:47 PM
Author: Mokey
May I ask, where is that setting from? It is beautiful! Mokey

the natural sapphire company.

 

[Mokey]

Thanks Belle!

 

[belle]

you''re very welcome mokey.

 

[MINE!!]

Hey Belle... welcome back to the Colored Stone Forum.. we have missed you!!!

Well... I LOVE the concave cuts by Homer... I am a bit biased... But... this one... does not appeal to me. I have seen a GORGEOUS cushion cut by Homer... yum yumm... but I am not feelin this one.. it may just be something you have to actually see to fall in love with.. You Know..

BTW... check out Richards site as well

www.concavegems.com

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 10/4/2006 3:11:49 PM
Author: MINE!!
Hey Belle... welcome back to the Colored Stone Forum.. we have missed you!!!

Well... I LOVE the concave cuts by Homer... I am a bit biased... But... this one... does not appeal to me. I have seen a GORGEOUS cushion cut by Homer... yum yumm... but I am not feelin this one.. it may just be something you have to actually see to fall in love with.. You Know..

BTW... check out Richards site as well

www.concavegems.com

I''m not feeling this one either...

 

[Dyman]

So, I went and saw the Homer cut gem from Wink during lunch today. It did look great and very unique - Although perhaps a bit dark. Under the scope I could see a small feather in the center and some tiny white spots in one corner - nothing visible from the eye though. The cut was impressive - super clean lines and precise as can be - making it stand out more than any sapphire I''ve ever seen at the local jewelers. Being a novice I don''t know how to compare it to the top quality stones that exist somewhere. It would certainly work for me and I may take it in the end. But it would be smart to see just a few more top quality sapphires up close, in my size and price range before making a final decision.

 

[widget]

Date: 10/4/2006 7:50:49 PM
Author: Dyman
. But it would be smart to see just a few more top quality sapphires up close, in my size and price range before making a final decision.

It sounds like you''re going about this just right. Have you asked Wink to call in any other stones for you to look at? I think it''s great that you''re in "visiting distance" of such a great vendor.

I''ll be watching this thread with interest to see what you finally choose...keep us posted!

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[MINE!!]

yum yum

 

[MINE!!]

yum yum 2

 

[MINE!!]

I am DEFINTELY feeling these!!

 

[MINE!!]

OK!! IThis is the yum yum spectacular... having drool sessions

 

[MINE!!]

Now those are TALK to me across the room Richard Homer cuts...

BTW.. the pricyest ones are still near your price range

 

[Dyman]

Mr. Homer has some nice looking sapphires. But, to see them you have to write a personal check or transfer the money into his account - that just seems a bit scary to me. With a credit card or paypal I would feel better. If you don''t like them then your out the insurance money and shipping.

Today I had $8000 worth of sapphires shipped to me from a friends jeweler in AZ - no insurance, no purchase from me, the package was just sitting in my door when I came home! I guess my friend and his brother are good customers. Nothing special unfortunetly. Whats the best way to ship these stones around - UPS, Fedex? Should I make sure it''s signed for at the other end?

 

[belle]

usps registered mail is the safest. you can insure for up to 25k.

best of luck on your continued search!

 

[belle]

Date: 10/4/2006 3:11:49 PM
Author: MINE!!
Hey Belle... welcome back to the Colored Stone Forum.. we have missed you!!!

Well... I LOVE the concave cuts by Homer... I am a bit biased... But... this one... does not appeal to me. I have seen a GORGEOUS cushion cut by Homer... yum yumm... but I am not feelin this one.. it may just be something you have to actually see to fall in love with.. You Know..

BTW... check out Richards site as well

www.concavegems.com

sorry, i missed this before... thanks mine!! i''ve missed you too!

hope all is well with you

 

[Dyman]

Well, I finally found a ring and bought it! In unusual circumstances though...will post a new topic today. I''ve had the crash-course in sapphires and rings in general these past few months.

 

[widget]

What a tease!!

I''ll be watching for your new thread...


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