Thoughts on this pair of Sapphires...

[GregS]

I just bought these, and I'm awaiting delivery. They are 4.5mm rounds, heat only, .80 ctw and I paid around $225 ppc. I was told they're dark but don't black out. I'm planning on having them set into stud earrings as a gift. I could get the ball rolling and have my jeweler order the w/g semi-mounts while I await their arrival, or I could wait, make sure they are acceptable for the price paid, and push myself dangerously close to a dead line. See my dilemma? What say you?

 

[dk168]

I like them, good find!

DK

 

[dk168]

I like them, good find!

DK

 

[katharath]

I love these... Based on what I'm seeing, I personally would be very happy with this pair.

But if you have any concerns then maybe you should wait until you see them in person. Is it a vendor you trust? If so, then I would probably just go right ahead and buy the settings...but then I'm quite impatient, I admit it.

The good thing about this size is that they're smaller, so even if you do see something you don't really like, it won't be that noticeable.
(I own several prs of CS studs in this size range - and more specifically, I own two round pairs of step cut Ceylon blue sapphires in the 4.25-4.5 mm range). These look lovely to me . I must admit that I'm curious who the vendor is...just in case I need another pair for myself, lol!!

 

[minousbijoux]

In this pic they look to be of excellent color, but what concerns me is that the vendor described them as dark. If it were me, I would wait as I'm not a big fan of dark stones. But its really your tolerance, you know? The other thing I worry about is real life saturation compared to the vendor's photos. So often, intensely bright lighting overstates the saturation.

 

[MollyMalone]

The jeweler is insisting that you will pay for the semi-mounts regardless of your decision re these particular sapphires?

 

[katharath]

Minous- Good point re the "dark" comment. I guess I was trying to say that when I asked if Greg "trusts the vendor" - I partly meant does he trust when the vendor says that they're not too dark, and does he trust that the photo is a good representation (but I really didn't state that very clearly!! I think you got the point across much better).

You definitely don't want them too dark, especially with earrings, IMO.

 

[pregcurious]

Worst case, present the stones and get the setting later?

 

[GregS]

The jeweler is insisting that you will pay for the semi-mounts regardless of your decision re these particular sapphires?

I haven't asked. But it's a good bench that's local, I'd hate to irritate them in any way.

The vendor is Jeff Davies, so yes, I definitely trust him.

The word "dark" has been bothering me too. I'm not well versed in the world of Sapphires...

 

[minousbijoux]

The jeweler is insisting that you will pay for the semi-mounts regardless of your decision re these particular sapphires?

I haven't asked. But it's a good bench that's local, I'd hate to irritate them in any way.

The vendor is Jeff Davies, so yes, I definitely trust him.

The word "dark" has been bothering me too. I'm not well versed in the world of Sapphires...

Okay then! Knowing that its a Jeff photo, and that he says the stones are on the dark side, that is absolutely enough for me to recommend you wait. I will be very curious too, to hear what you think of the saturation level as compared to the pic.

 

[MollyMalone]

I haven't asked. But it's a good bench that's local, I'd hate to irritate them in any way.

It's very thoughtful of you to have their concerns in mind, Greg, but 4.5 mm, white gold earring settings aren't an exotic or high ticket item; consumers themselves can buy the nicer, cast ones for under $100/pair via, e.g., eBay. So unless your bench is struggling to stay afloat, they might be happy to keep the semi-mounts in inventory if you end up not having use for them presently. No harm in asking....

 

[OTL]

Jeff's video is usually pretty accurate, don't rely on photo. His photos tend to show the best looking of a gemstone.

 

[chrono]

They don't look dark at all in the photo so I am curious to see the video. But I am too lazy to go find it.

 

[GregS]

They don't look dark at all in the photo so I am curious to see the video. But I am too lazy to go find it.

There's no video.

He assured me they are bright, have a nice blue color (which I feel the picture conveys) and that I'd like them...after I made this thread of course, maybe he read it. I also received a quote from him for having them set in 18k four prong Martini studs which was less than the quote I received for 14k basket ones by my local jeweler. I'm going to roll the dice, and trust Jeff on this. Sorry Minou, your suggestion to wait was probably the safest/best bet, but no risk no reward I guess.

 

[JewelFreak]

They look very nice in the pic, but considering it has a lot of light on them, I'd wait to see them, Greg. Depends on what the giftee likes, if you know, but against an earlobe where they get fairly low light, they might be quite dark. I do love the cutting, though, too.

I had the same thought as MollyM. -- the settings you want aren't rare & would be in good demand if you don't like the stones, so your bench might be willing to order them in. I don't know how close your time frame is, but they also should be able to receive them quickly if you wait till you see the sapphires.

Looking forward to hearing what you think of them in hand.

--- Laurie

 

[GregS]

I appreciate all the replies, I will update this thread with pictures when they arrive.

 

[minousbijoux]

They don't look dark at all in the photo so I am curious to see the video. But I am too lazy to go find it.

There's no video.

He assured me they are bright, have a nice blue color (which I feel the picture conveys) and that I'd like them...after I made this thread of course, maybe he read it. I also received a quote from him for having them set in 18k four prong Martini studs which was less than the quote I received for 14k basket ones by my local jeweler. I'm going to roll the dice, and trust Jeff on this. Sorry Minou, your suggestion to wait was probably the safest/best bet, but no risk no reward I guess.

Why that's a horse of a different color! If Jeff says they are of good color, then I'm sure they are. Also, the cost savings of having him set them for you is totally worth the risk. Fwiw, I would've done the same.

 

[GregS]

Update: Minousbijoux, you were right. They arrived and were not what I expected. I was extremely disappointed to say the least. I'm going to return them.

I just ordered a pair (requested matching) of calibrated 4mm Tsavorite Garnets from AfricaGems. Normally I'd never buy stones without at least seeing a picture, but maybe I will get lucky, and everything is 25% off until Monday.

 

[minousbijoux]

Crap. I hate that for you, especially since you asked him. How disappointing. Good luck on the tsavs. If karma has anything to do with it, they should be exactly what you seek.