Thoughts needed on this Sapphire from Stuller please

[icecap]

Hi all, first time posting here! Have been learning much from you guys by just reading alone!

Have been searching for a sapphire for my girlfriend's engagement ring to be set on a halo setting and found this stone from Africagems by Stuller which I personally find it fits my requirement in almost all aspects.

http://africagems.jewelershowcase.c...blue-sapphire-black-box/287539/?groupId=92518

Purchasing such expensive item online is no doubt daunting, and hence I would really wish to hear from you people who are very much experienced in this if this is a good buy.

Marc is very kind, at my request, sent me a video of the stone taken under more natural lighting, here:

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AklGLqvhwXdukUHVpnDa6vwzAUde

Not sure if I am correct, but is there slight grayishness on the side? Or that is just fine? Just slightly bothered by that, if not it looks great for me! Any views are greatly appreciated!

Thank you very much!

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Technology! I never cease to be amazed. The video I mean.

The stone also looks best in the video. On photo it looked a bit dark, but on video it looks terrific, even for $1k on a 0.7 heated stone. Unheated this would probably be double? To me it seems top-top, if you don't mind heat.

 

[icecap]

Yes, the photos are never gonna do justice to the stones from Stuller I thought. I just could not see the colour correctly from their 360 video too (although the cut looks good?), often looks too purplish for me.

So from the video Marc sent over, the stone was considered worthy I supposed? Heated or not, I am fine with either.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

I am still a beginner, perhaps you wait for some oldies to say a word?

 

[chrono]

Firstly, what are your requirements?
I take it you haven't seen the stone in person yet, hence the video.

Cut - above commercial quality. Not great but no glaring issues
Colour - above commercial quality. Not great but no glaring issues

I believe this stone to be a fair comparison in terms of size and pricing (slightly bigger and so slightly more)
Note the evenness of the brightness due to better cutting and intensity of saturation.
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-blue-1275

 

[icecap]

I am looking for one more richer in colour. Budget is around 1k. Am ok with 5.3 to 5.5mm. Not sure if the gemfix one will be abit lighter in colour compared to the Stuller's one that Marc showed?

 

[chrono]

In terms of tone, the Gemfix is lighter than the one you are looking at aka Stuller is darker
In terms of saturation, the Gemfix is stronger than the one you are looking at aka Stuller is grayer.
In terms of cut, the Gemfix has better cut and the Stuller shows uneven brightness, with more dark areas.

 

[icecap]

In terms of tone, the Gemfix is lighter than the one you are looking at aka Stuller is darker
In terms of saturation, the Gemfix is stronger than the one you are looking at aka Stuller is grayer.
In terms of cut, the Gemfix has better cut and the Stuller shows uneven brightness, with more dark areas.

Thanks for your input Chrono. Unfortunately I read that Gemfix policy does not provide more photos or videos to their stones, standing by their 7-days return policy. And I have read on some frustrations of posters here trying to ask for that too. Even more so is they do not ship to 3rd party as I am intending to ship to another place for setting. Well, I am from Singapore so shipping directly to me is another challenge for their strict international shipping policy. Really thought this sapphire could be considered, but too bad is not possible.

Having said that, as a full-time Photographer myself, is unfortunate that they considered their photos good enough for decisions to be made on such hefty purchases, especially for overseas customers like us. Even by today normal devices' standards, better clarity and more angles of photos/videos would not have been much more difficult to implement. Until then, I guess they are fine to continue getting requests for additional photos or videos and standing by their principles turning them down.

 

[qubitasaurus]

How about this one?

https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/...ylon-sapphire-oval-14?ref=shop_home_active_29

It is a tiny bit grey too, but I think it looks pretty none the less. Check the shipping policies, as I think there is a cap on the international shipping insurance (I have never heard of a shipment not arriving, but it is worthwhile making sure you are happy with everything before purchasing).

You want to aim for a bit lighter tone than your ideal shade, as the stone will look darker once you set it. lol sorry this sentence is totally leaving me tongue tied, hope it makes sense.

 

[chrono]

Icecap,
I get you 100% and agree. Let's keep looking.