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Unique Sapphire Ering Questions

SouthernSunset

SouthernSunset

Rough_Rock
Joined
Nov 24, 2013
Messages
97
Hi everyone! I've been a casual lurker very recently and decided to finally join and now post! I've read and reread the sticky threads, a few old ones and a few links here and there. I'm by no means at all experienced especially since I don't have the eye many of the regular posters here have! But I think I could confidently say I'm a solid first grade level. :D

I have a slightly unique situation than most of the ering shopper threads I've read, in that I can't actually shop! My boyfriend is very particular and wants everything to be a surprise, when he proposes, the way he does it and especially the ring. So I've been tasked to collect information to give back to him, cutters, dealers, ect but I don't now when he will actually be buying and I know how lurkers can snap recommendations! But as particular as he is, I'm even more and here's why.

I want a sapphire, but only violet/purple/some Padparadscha.
My absolutely FAVORITE shape is marquise.
But since there's less of those as sapphires than there are dodo birds alive, I've learned to love cushion, radiant and oval, but never round.
I want a sizable carat, preferred around 4-5, but realistic around 3.

I could get even more fussy, but since clicking like a mad woman through as many vendors that I could find on here as possible, I'm learning how difficult it is to find my desired color, in a good cut and with sizable carat weight.

And in terms of more info, the total ring budget is around 10,000, but he's the type where if he could spend another 4-6,000 to get something one level up he will especially since he wants the ring to be something unique and special. (Though obviously we'd want the most bang for our buck). I'm a size 5.5 and As far as millimeters, I'm not sure since I'm willing to be flexible to get the right color and a decent cut. And though I want a big stone with a petite setting, if its smaller I could make up with a bigger setting.

I'll stop here since I'm a pretty verbose person and could go on and on. I'm attaching some collages I put together to show my favorite colors and setting styles ranked most to least. And in short (sorry so long!) If anyone can recommend a cutter or supplier that tends to produce more of this color and size range or maybe someone that has rough recently, any info for me to pass on and how to go about buying stones and settings online, it'd be a great help especially as my boyfriend is very wary of ordering something so important and costly online.

Thank you again for taking the time to read this and replying if you do! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it and this board just for being here. :twirl:

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Since you're not sure when you're buying, I won't bother putting links to particular stones.

If I were you, I'd have your boyfriend look at the sites of major gem vendors and cutters here, and if nothing suitable comes up, he should email the vendors with a description of the stone you're looking for, and see if anyone has a stone in stock or if they can cut one for you. Especially if they're cutting, they may be able to give you a marquise if their rough permits.

To make it easy on him, you might send an email with the websites of the vendors and their email addresses, or ask him to join the site himself.
 
That being the case, I would limit him to only 2 or 3 "safe" vendors to choose from, in order to maximize his chances of getting a nice stone that you would love. Unfortunately, inventory comes and goes with no rhymme or reason, and no one vendor tends to stock a particular gem more than another vendor.

1. Marquise is a very uncommon cut in coloured gemstones. Your likelyhood of finding a nice one in the 3 ct range is extremely low. Compound that difficulty by a factor of 100 if you further limit it to violet sapphires. Ovals will be the most common shape, followed by cushion. Radiant is quite uncommon.

2. Your chances of finding a violet or purple sapphire is good. Padparadscha not so, especially in the 3-4-5 ct range. You have not mentioned treatment at all. Untreated? Heat only? Colour and treatment have a significant bearing on the cost of the sapphire.

AfricaGems: Cut and colour quality varies. A bit on the expensive side but has one of the largest inventory
http://www.africagems.com/orpa.html
http://www.africagems.com/lavender-sapphire.html

Gemfix
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_blue.html (a few 4 to 5 ct violet sapphires further down the page)
http://www.gemfix.com/sapphire_pink.html (some peachy ones here but doesn't seem to match your inspiration pictures)
 
@Indylady, yeah I didn't want psers to spend time on the hunt for the perfect stone and their work go to waste if someone else scooped it up. If the stars lined up and a cutter actually has rough in matching and the stone would make a strong sizable marquise I'd probably faint!I'm trying to not get my hopes up though since like chrono said you don't find them too often and the ones I have seen have been either a bit too fat or too skinny, not a lot with the ideal ratios. I'll start going back through the cutters again. I know quite a few mentioned having stones or rough in inventory not pictured online, but I was like a kid on Christmas the first time through and didn't take notes and names down haha. I mentioned him joining, and he wasn't opposed to the idea but he knows me too well, said he knew I'd spy on him. -_-

@Chrono, yes treatment! I forgot. I'd be okay with heated, I would like unheated but I know that might sacrifice size a lot in terms of staying in budget so I'm trying to be realistic. And even though he can be a softie when it comes to what I want I don't want to stretch him to thin with budget. I wouldn't want any other treatments though. Africa gems was at the top of my list actually since outside of The Natural Sapphire Co (which you might have noticed quite a few inspiration pics were from and I've read many disappointing threads about their service and cutting) they had the largest color inventory.

I wish I could stone shop for real! It's killing me having to do it halfway, but the excited look on his face makes it worth it. Plus I told him the longer it takes for him the more time that gives me to start a collection like the other PSers! Hehe.

Also, we're headed to a gem show in a few weeks. Unfortunately the best one in the area is a trade only show, and the other we just missed by a month so this will be a much smaller, mineral/fossil/gem show. Aside from certification and treatment, is there anything in particular we should be asking or looking for? I'm trying to learn how to see windows and extinction. And I can when it's obvious. But I notice that I'm having an especially tricky time finding the smaller extinction or inclusions that the more experience eyes around here catch.
 
First off, welcome! On behalf of all of us, can I just say thank you for doing your homework! The fact that you have read all the threads, including the pinned educational threads, is awesome and makes it so much easier for those of us who offer to help you, so yay!! :appl: :appl: The good news is that you are not seeking a highly saturated stone, and you are willing to be flexible in color so that there should be more options available to you. Your budget is also healthy enough so that you could work with a cutter such as Jeff White to get the color and cut you seek.
 
SouthernSunset|1386174224|3567389 said:
Also, we're headed to a gem show in a few weeks. Unfortunately the best one in the area is a trade only show, and the other we just missed by a month so this will be a much smaller, mineral/fossil/gem show. Aside from certification and treatment, is there anything in particular we should be asking or looking for? I'm trying to learn how to see windows and extinction. And I can when it's obvious. But I notice that I'm having an especially tricky time finding the smaller extinction or inclusions that the more experience eyes around here catch.
Click to expand...

Basically, the best advice is to trust but verify and to look at it and be happy with it in various lighting situations. Breaking down extinction and windowing, what I would suggest is that you want a stone that looks consistent re color, light and clarity along its top surface. You want to avoid stones that have great color around the edges with a less attractive lack of color in the center (usually due to problems with the cutting), eye visible smootchems and other stuff that distracts from the color, stripes or visible differences in color, etc. it sounds to me like you know enough to avoid these issues. :))
 
OK so i know posting stones is a waste but still when you're post came it reminded me of this.

uploadfromtaptalk1386177256122.jpg
 
I haven't read all of the replies, and this might not be helpful at all, but I think this is the exact color you like, just not a Sapphire.

http://www.bespoke-gems.com/SacredGeometrics_Gemstones_RoseDeFranceAmethyst.php


It IS only a 7 Mohs, but maybe you could get him to cut you a Marquis to your specs and set this until you find your dream stone?

I know he has plenty of rough, as I've already contacted him regarding doing some Princess Leia cuts for me. :D

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Thank you minous. :) I've been devouring new and old posts on here to help train my eye.

@Niel, I LOVE the color. Its the perfect blend between me and my bf. He loves those bright popwow colors and I like the lighter flowery pastels. And I do love the concave look, however, I'm not certain I'd like it enough for an engagement stone. Were hoping to not change the ring ever, a sentimental preservation thing, so I'd worry I might tire of the cut for daily wear.

@Aprilmay, amethyst has always been a favorite of mine, but it doesn't seem to have quite the same sparkle as a sapphire. I think I've also read that sometimes the stone can wear after a decade or so after daily use? But those big stones give me pendant ideas. :D

Fingers crossed our schedule will allow us to go to a small gem/mineral show Friday. I also managed to find a supposed sapphire specialist jeweler on the other side of town we are going to try to swing by. My bf has changed from original plan and we're seriously shopping! But we're trying to take it slower to get finances in order and look around a little more. We are trying to be cautious and not jump into buying something out of excitement.

We're also very interested in the idea of precision commision cutters, but he's very hesitant since its not something you can return and online in general makes him nervous. I was going to make a new thread but since this one has popped back on pg1 I figured I'd just update here.
 
I agree the concave cut is different. But I've seen halos where they looked super cool. And that color.

But just thought I'd pass it along :)
 
You could ask Richard Homer if he has anything similar in his magical bag/box/etc of rough.
 
If considering concave cut, it is best to see how it "moves" in person. It seems people either love it or hate it, with few in-between. There are some who have concave cut stones as e-ring stones. I agree that commissioning a stone isn't for everyone. Most are returnable but there is often a non-refundable fee as well. Richard Homer charges a premium for his cuts and is one of the more expensive precision lapidary on the recommended list. It is great that you are going to view some gems in person. This will give you a feel of colours, availability and pricing.
 
nrs061000|1386828522|3572607 said:
How do you feel about more of an orangey pink?

http://wildfishgems.com/inc/sdetail/13262/16451

This is a very beautiful stone. Not a normal cut either
Click to expand...

I would be extremely surprised if this stone was orangey pink. This vendor knows prices and would not hesitate to take advantage of the padparadscha name if he thought he could call it such. The fact that he hasn't says to me that for sure it has brown in it. In fact, I see brown and he calls the stone "golden orange peach," which is often used to describe a tannish cast to stones.
 
As to concave cut stones, I would agree that its largely a love em or hate em situation. There are very few concave cut stones that I've liked, so I would caution you to see multiple concave cut stones in hand before you consider having one cut.
 
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