To go custom or not, searching for the holy grail

[Lovebirdy]

Hey Pricescopers!
Unfortunately I have a very specific stone in mind like so many others have posted before. My perfect stone would be very pale lavender/blue sapphire. Rectangular or square (preferably radiant), 1.5-3 carats. I have found something that is close and wondering if I should take it or look into going custom. My fear with custom is I will be stuck with a stone I don't love. Here is what I am debating on, my only concern is that it may be too saturated for my taste. Any advice?

 

[lovedogs]

I think if you have something so specific in mind, then acquiring the stone first is important. I usually buy stones first and then find someone to set it afterwards, especially when I am particular about color or shape, etc. I think order this one and see what you think in person, and then go from there

 

[Acinom]

I think if you have something so specific in mind, then acquiring the stone first is important. I usually buy stones first and then find someone to set it afterwards, especially when I am particular about color or shape, etc. I think order this one and see what you think in person, and then go from there

I understand from her post that the OP wonders if she should go custom with the stone. The stone in the photo is her inspiration stone which is very close to what she is after

 

[Anne111]

If you 'go custom' that should mean you do NOT get stuck with a stone you don't like. Or, positively said, 'going custom' is the way to get a stone you personally like.
As for your choices, that will always be the same problem, you need to see the gem in person to know. Check return policies and if that's OK, have a look at the stone. From what you describe, it might be good, or good enough.

 

[Hivona]

I found these:

https://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-94-carat-light-violet-colorless-montana-sapphire/

https://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-05-carat-pale-blue-montana-sapphire/

I’ve only had one stone custom cut and I had to pay a small deposit. Once the gem was completed I could opt to pay for the rest of it & purchase it or refuse it but I would lose out on the deposit. If I wanted to try with another piece of rough I would have to pay another deposit. Definitely ask the vendor their policies prior to having a piece of rough cut for you.

 

[Hivona]

I found these:

https://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-94-carat-light-violet-colorless-montana-sapphire/

https://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-05-carat-pale-blue-montana-sapphire/

I’ve only had one stone custom cut and I had to pay a small deposit. Once the gem was completed I could opt to pay for the rest of it & purchase it or refuse it but I would lose out on the deposit. If I wanted to try with another piece of rough I would have to pay another deposit. Definitely ask the vendor their policies prior to having a piece of rough cut for you.

 

[Acinom]

I had stone custom cut 5 times. In 4 cases I was thrilled. In 1 case the heated stone turned from bright and sunny yellow to a yuck colour. This happened a few days after heating. As I worked with a trusted vendor, it was no problem at all to return the stone.

A custom cut stone may be gorgeous but still come out differently than expected. For me it did not pose a problem as I was open to several outcomes, but for others it could pose a problem. Example: my blue green tourmaline came out more stunning than I had anticipated but also much larger (I made other plans regarding the setting I had had in mind). My natural topaz was much lighter than the large motherstone had been. I loved the outcome though.

Since you are very very specific in what you are looking for, I would first investigate existing stones

 

[qubitasaurus]

I don't know the answer to your question, but what you are describing sounds like a montana sapphire. They are notoriously shifty (in fact there are threads about it here. I'll come back and post a link if I can find them.) Even if you find your dream stone, its going to drastically change appearence as the light shifts throughout the day. I feel if you have something very specific in mind then you'll appreciate the ability to return any unsuccessful candidates.

Dont know if youll like these but I thought id link them anyway
https://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-49-carat-pastel-violet-blue-montana-sapphire/
https://www.etsy.com/sg-en/listing/...nel-vietnamese-spinel?ref=shop_home_active_72

 

[qubitasaurus]

Not a tone of pics, but you get the idea
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ire-pictures-daylight-vs-indoor-light.210919/

Also another one to consider (just in case there is any leniency in your plans.)
http://www.precisiongem.com/gemstackpage/gems.php?product/page/1546/Gem+2008+-+Sapphire

 

[lovedogs]

I understand from her post that the OP wonders if she should go custom with the stone. The stone in the photo is her inspiration stone which is very close to what she is after

Aha, thanks for clarifying! Totally misunderstood sorry, OP!

 

[peacechick]

Found this Etsy cutter with a lot of pale sapphires and spinels. This one is described as lavender blue but it looks pale blue to me:
https://etsy.me/2N6Nb3N

Some other options:
https://etsy.me/2KQbWEG
http://etsy.me/1aPPPQF

For what it’s worth, I think the one you are considering is beautiful. If you want something even closer to your ideal, I do think you would have to go custom because a square radiant precision cut isn’t really common to begin with, and the color requirement is very specific.

 

[Lovebirdy]

Thank you so much for all the replies! I think for now I will order the one I have in mind and if it is not what I want then look into going custom.
I appreciated the links to other stones and checked them all out. Aside from the stone I posted, these were my favorites:

I found these:

https://www.earthstreasury.com/product/1-94-carat-light-violet-colorless-montana-sapphire/

Found this Etsy cutter with a lot of pale sapphires and spinels.

Some other options:
https://etsy.me/2KQbWEG

 

[Arkteia]

I ordered custom once (the second time it was a recut) and was so not thrilled with the stone that I eventually sold it at half the price. (At that time i did not know one could return custom cut stones). I know other people bought great stuff from the cutter, but the main thing - our color preferences are different, and ordering custom, you rely on another person's eye. No matter how good the cutter and the vendor, it may not be your color, that simply. Also, if any vendor tells you "it is the best sapphire/emerald/spinel I ever saw", it never hurts to be skeptical.