Urgent advice needed re: loose sapphire

[pichu]

Hi all!

I need some urgent advice. My wonderful husband agreed to buy a loose sapphire for me as a gift. We recently had a baby boy, so the stone will have some sentimental meaning to us. However, without me knowing, he had already purchased a loose sapphire from the Natural Sapphire Company. Their return policy allows for only 5 days!

I know I would like an emerald cut stone, or possibly radiant cut, but I am now having second thoughts about the stone he picked. I'd love your expert advice on which stone you would pick. Our budget for this is roughly $6-7k.

This is the stone he bought:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4802/Emerald%20Cut/stoneid=B4802

I am wondering if this might be a better choice:
http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4822/Emerald%20Cut/stoneid=B4822

What do you think?

Alternatively, what are your thoughts about this radiant-cut sapphire: http://www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com/Sapphires/Blue/B4803/Radiant/stoneid=B4803

Just as a side note, I really like this gorgeous stone from RWWise, but I am sure it's waaaay beyond our budget: http://www.rwwise.com/products/id|625

Thank you in advance!!

 

[GemFever]

Hopefully you'll get some good advice from the sapphire pros here, but to start the discussion I wanted to ask how set you are on the shape. When picking a sapphire, the most important factor usually is the color, and I believe the emerald and radiant shapes aren't best for showing color. An oval is more likely to display color favorably. Are you willing to consider ovals and other shapes, or are you pretty set on the emerlad & radiant?

Cheers to getting a beautiful stone to mark such an important occasion!

 

[FrekeChild]

1 is nice, but very expensive and looks quite dark
2 gives you better spread, but it looks to be pretty windowed on top of being dark
3 is definitely better cut than the previous 2
4 is glorious

Do you have to have unheated for some reason?

 

[VapidLapid]

I do no think the inclusions in the first one are insignificant. I suspect there is a surface reaching feather to the girdle in one end. There also seems something amiss in the polish. And zoning that I expect shows more in person and straight through the table. I just looked again and think there is a massive cloud-like veil in there too that will look like a drop of cream diffusing into water. As Freke said the second one is a dark window. the third one is ok, a bit weak on the saturation and far from flawless; watch the video. As it starts focus under the crown at the 11 - 12 o'clockish position. Watch this area through the entire rotation. I think I could 3 feathers and or veils that will light up in sunlight. the rwwise stone is likely per carat your total budget. Have you looked at gemfix?

 

[pichu]

thank you for your replies!

GemFever, I was looking for an emerald or radiant, but I would consider an oval... I have a cushion cut e-ring and even though the cushion is my absolute favorite cut, I was hoping to get a different shape for this particular occasion for the type of setting I had in mind.

FrekeChild, we just like the idea of an unheated stone... it's just one of those particular preferences that we have no reason for.

VapidLapid, we did briefly look at GemFix but a majority of the stones were oval and as I was writing to GemFever, I was looking for an emerald or radiant cut.

It looks like the decision would be to accept the current NSC stone that we have (and knowing that it is small, I would need to get my head around a more dainty look) or consider a heat-treated stone for more impact for the buck?

 

[LD]

Hope this helps .........

1. Very dark (and will darken when set) but not a bad pick for a novice husband! Unless you want a very dark stone I'd not go with this.
2. Very dark again so same comments as above AND this has an enormous window - steer clear.
3. Love this but it's not as velvety blue as the two above but the play of light will be more interesting, you can already see how the facets will reflect the light much more than the two above so will have a much more glamorous look. Also because it's slightly lighter, once set it will look good - would need to see this in person to make sure it doesn't have too much grey. The video suggests it won't but the photos says it does. I would send the one back he's got you and ask to see this one. You could always swap back if you needed to.
4. Don't bother - his pricing is stupid - and this is very dark.

NSC is fairly expensive and actually doesn't have a good reputation on this board (that's putting it mildly - do a search) so I would suggest shopping around. Try www.simplysapphires.com John should be able to help you. Good luck and let us know what you do.

 

[SB621]

Hope this helps .........

1. Very dark (and will darken when set) but not a bad pick for a novice husband! Unless you want a very dark stone I'd not go with this.
2. Very dark again so same comments as above AND this has an enormous window - steer clear.
3. Love this but it's not as velvety blue as the two above but the play of light will be more interesting, you can already see how the facets will reflect the light much more than the two above so will have a much more glamorous look. Also because it's slightly lighter, once set it will look good - would need to see this in person to make sure it doesn't have too much grey. The video suggests it won't but the photos says it does. I would send the one back he's got you and ask to see this one. You could always swap back if you needed to.
4. Don't bother - his pricing is stupid - and this is very dark.

NSC is fairly expensive and actually doesn't have a good reputation on this board (that's putting it mildly - do a search) so I would suggest shopping around. Try www.simplysapphires.com John should be able to help you. Good luck and let us know what you do.

LD I seriously spit out my coffee all over my poor lab who was sleeping at my feet when I read this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I always think the same thing about his pricing but I don't think I ever could have put it like that!

 

[LD]

Hope this helps .........

1. Very dark (and will darken when set) but not a bad pick for a novice husband! Unless you want a very dark stone I'd not go with this.
2. Very dark again so same comments as above AND this has an enormous window - steer clear.
3. Love this but it's not as velvety blue as the two above but the play of light will be more interesting, you can already see how the facets will reflect the light much more than the two above so will have a much more glamorous look. Also because it's slightly lighter, once set it will look good - would need to see this in person to make sure it doesn't have too much grey. The video suggests it won't but the photos says it does. I would send the one back he's got you and ask to see this one. You could always swap back if you needed to.
4. Don't bother - his pricing is stupid - and this is very dark.

NSC is fairly expensive and actually doesn't have a good reputation on this board (that's putting it mildly - do a search) so I would suggest shopping around. Try www.simplysapphires.com John should be able to help you. Good luck and let us know what you do.

LD I seriously spit out my coffee all over my poor lab who was sleeping at my feet when I read this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I always think the same thing about his pricing but I don't think I ever could have put it like that!

Tee hee! Well, if you look in his book on page 5,748,629,413 you'll see a bit on pricing! (Christmas festiveness deserts me for a bit ).

Poor lab, hope he recovers from the coffee outburst but glad to have made you chuckle x

 

[chrono]

NSC sapphire 1: I would make sure none of the inclusions break the surface. It is a little difficult to tell. The location is also a bit worrying since it is close to the edge. It's not a deal breaker unless it breaks the surface or is too large. I have no idea how NSC can consider this VVS in clarity. Also, the polish doesn't seem fine. Instead of looking reflective, it looks matte, which impacts the final look of the sapphire. Colour-wise, it's actually quite pretty. Not much gray although strong lighting could have been used to make it look brighter.

NSC sapphire 2: Too dark and definitely windowed. What is with the polish of NSC's stones? This one looks equally poor as the first sapphire. The cut lacks enough facets so it's not going to be a flashy or lively stone. In addition, with it being shallow, it's going to leak light and colour through the center. Again, I don't understand how this stone with two fine lines across the crown can be considered IF/VVS.

NSC sapphire 3: colour looks a bit drab and grayish in the video but cut looks fabulous. Yes, it is deep and the girdle is frighteningly thick but this helps deepen the colour, I suppose. My only concern is the rectangular shape coupled together with the cut design could make this sapphire show a darkening in exactly half the sapphire (half is a darker blue, half is a lighter blue).

RW sapphire: extremely dark, extremely deep (faces up very small for the ct weight) and pricing will be way out of budget. Expect it to cost at least $20K or more from his store.

 

[LD]

NSC sapphire 2: Too dark and definitely windowed. What is with the polish of NSC's stones? This one looks equally poor as the first sapphire. The cut lacks enough facets so it's not going to be a flashy or lively stone. In addition, with it being shallow, it's going to leak light and colour through the center. Again, I don't understand how this stone with two fine lines across the crown can be considered IF/VVS..

Those two lines are really worrying. For me, they spoil the look as the light catches them. I also agree that I have no idea how NSC can consider this to be IF/VVS.

 

[Rosebloom]

How about this one from Gemfix?



Sapphire Modified Brilliant Cut Oval
Weight: 3.71 cts
Measurements:10.6x7.9mm, depth 5.7mm
Clarity: VVS
Origin: Sri Lanka
Enhancements: Heat only
Price: $ 5850.00
Order/Stock No.: sapphire_blue_997
Description: Truly one of the most fantastic sapphires I have ever seen. Perfect medium color, not too dark, brilliant and flashy, well cut. If you are looking for the sapphire of a lifetime, this is IT! (Cut by Andrew Gulij)
(AGL lab report included).
Pantone 2728C & 2747C

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I understand the appeal of no heat, but when I really looked at sapphires, I just wouldn't overpay for a stone that is unheated unless it was really perfect in color and cut and excellent clarity. In my own search, I just found prettier stones that had the typical low heat. I couldn't justify buying a stone I liked less just because it had no heat. So do really think about that. The advice you have been given is good. The prices are too high consiering the problems they have identified in the NSC stones, I believe.

 

[pichu]

Thank you for each of your thoughtful replies!

I have been reading and re-reading all your comments and have been feeling very torn.
On the one hand, I really want the emerald cut itself which seems to be difficult to find. Looking at the stone, the color is pretty to my novice eye in good lighting, but as you have all brought up, hubby probably overpaid for what the stone is (he got a discount and the stone was something like $6200).

I agree that we need to reconsider buying a heated stone.

So, he will try to return the stone today. It is day #5 so hopefully it can be returned. If not, we will chalk it up to a learning experience and I will still cherish the stone since he bought it for me. Either way I appreciate all your responses!!!

If we are able to make the return, I will definitely post here and ask for your expert advice in selecting a stone next time (before buying!). Thanks again!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

There is no excuse for them not to take it back since this is day 5. Hopefully there is someone to answer the phone but it should be able to be sent back today. Even if it turned out to be the best stone after you search more, that's fine. But I feel like you can do better and get a larger stone for that kind of money.

 

[Sapphire1]

@ pichu

You shouldn't have any problem returning the stone, as it is day 5.
I believe you can even get an extension regarding more time to review the stone, if you call NSC, let them know you need more time, get a name and confirmation email. I'm in NYC and recently had 14 days to review the stone, although I returned it on the 4th day.

As for heated vs no heat, I also am searching for a Round Sapphire, without Heat treatment or any other treatment.
Makes the search more difficult for the 'right' stone , but well worth the time to find it.
I prefer no heat, if only because they are more rare than heated stones, and are all Natural.
Of course I wouldn't sacrifice Beauty in order to find an Unheated stone, hence the additional time it takes to find the right one for me.

 

[stargurl78]

I am no expert but I actually like the one your husband purchased the best. #3 is my second choice and I don't like #2 or #4 at all. #2 is too dark and #4 is too purple to me (at least on my monitor)...

 

[slksapphire]

hi pichu,

i've been away from pricescope for a little while ... busy chasing my kids around but i am catching up now! in case you are still looking for a sapphire, i just wanted to chime in with my thoughts on emerald cuts in sapphire (full disclosure -- i happen to own one!). as others have said, corundum rough naturally favors oval and cushion cuts. but for me, there is just something very compelling about the subtle flashes of a step cut sapphire. not to say i don't like faceting but it is just a very different look and ultimately, comes down to personal preference. good luck in your search -- based on what i've read it sounds like a heated stone may best meet your budget/color parameters.

 

[springerspaniel]

I've been searching for an emerald cut sapphire for years now--there is definitely something about a superb one that really grabs me. Unfortunately, the superb ones really cost a lot. The RWW last I checked was upwards of 10K per carat. My Springer Spaniels were both solid white when I got the news and now they are each a lovely coffee color!!!