Thoughts on these two unheated pear Ceylon sapphires?

[Brockodilus]

Sapphire 1: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/2.09ct-ceylon-pear-blue-sapphire-b8320-/

Sapphire 2: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/2.17ct-ceylon-pear-blue-sapphire-b8311-/

Fiancé-to-be likes the darker, wider pear cuts and that's why I've chosen #2 but I want you guys who know so much more than me, to tell me if this is a good stone. Sapphire 2 seems to meet so much of what I *think* she would love. Sapphire 1 is a little lighter but has a better cut and sparkle. I've had a hard time finding sapphire I like from other vendors as the 360• view is so helpful.

Thanks for any input. Please keep in mind I'm getting some other work done with them and getting about 20% off the price of the stone.

 

[chrono]

The 2.09 ct sapphire is better than the 2.17 ct in all categories.

1. Cut: 2.17 has a gaping window, uneven girdle and funky pavilion, which affects sparkle and potentially challenging to set

2. Tone: 2.17 looks to be extremely dark and has the potential to black out once set

3. Memo: both are listed as unheated, but I would prefer it to be either from AGL or GIA.

 

[Brockodilus]

Yeah I agree with you, and I'm afraid of blacking out. She does prefer the darker stone I know for sure, and I think 2.09ct is about the lightest she'd want to go.

If only I could find an exact compromise between these two sapphires....been looking for months and months. Do you think 2.09 in a setting will make it much darker, that would be nice?

Thanks a lot for your input,
Brock

The 2.09 ct sapphire is better than the 2.17 ct in all categories.

1. Cut: 2.17 has a gaping window, uneven girdle and funky pavilion, which affects sparkle and potentially challenging to set

2. Tone: 2.17 looks to be extremely dark and has the potential to black out once set

3. Memo: both are listed as unheated, but I would prefer it to be either from AGL or GIA.

 

[chrono]

The 2.09 will darken a bit once set.

 

[Arkteia]

I would definitely choose nr 1 over nr 2. Nr. 1 has violet-ish color, nr 2 is indigo-colored and there is no juiciness, no glow to it. I myself prefer darker colored sapphires, but a stone like this will have to be set as high as possible, to be maximally open, you will spend a lot on custom setting for the stone to not look dark. Plus, it is not a "wider" pear cut.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Definitely No. 1.
It is even surprising that they both run in a similar price-range?

 

[Brockodilus]

My problem is that she loves the dark sapphires. She loves all the ones she looks at (loose) like number 2. I have really looked around and these are the best two I can find that fits what she likes, except number 2 is closer to what she likes color-wise, number 1 is the superior sapphire. I don't know what to do.....

Definitely No. 1.
It is even surprising that they both run in a similar price-range?

 

[Keeliamira]

They are only different in shade by a degree or two so I really wouldn't get too fixated on No. 1 not being as dark as No. 2. Sapphire No. 1 will likely also darken a little once set and be even closer to her ideal color but I'm won't black out as much as no. 2 may be prone to. That said, the comments that have been made in this string about the lower quality, wonky cutting, and lackluster sparkle (comparativelyl) of stone 2 should really be taken into strong consideration. I don't consider anyone who has responded to you to be merely a hobbyist. They are nothing less than afficionados, and some even experts, imho. I agree that sapphire no. 1 is far and above the better of the two (disclosure: I am by no means an expert).

If you really are struggling, have both sent to you so you can compare them in-hand and then decide.

 

[normanintheskywithsapphires]

Mainly I have a problem with the window in Number 2.