What do you think of this Pad?

[jdljbt]

I’ve been looking for a pad for a long time. What are you thoughts, opinions and recommendations on this one?

Padparadscha Sapphires | The Natural Sapphire Company

With the largest selection of padparadscha sapphires in stock, you can find these exotic beauties in any hue and tone. Search today to find your perfect sapphire!

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

Thanks!

 

[T L]

One of their better cut and lively crystalline stones, so it gets an A for those attributes, but it’s one of those colors that would disappear on pale skin. It would look great against darker skin tones. It’s a bit too peachy for my taste, but it’s pretty.

 

[jdljbt]

One of their better cut and lively crystalline stones, so it gets an A for those attributes, but it’s one of those colors that would disappear on pale skin. It would look great against darker skin tones. It’s a bit too peachy for my taste, but it’s pretty.

Thank you so much for your input! Do you think this is a true pad? I would prefer if the Gia rated it as one.

 

[T L]

Thank you so much for your input! Do you think this is a true pad? I would prefer if the Gia rated it as one.

I would require an AGL lab report specifying it was an untreated padparadcha from Sri Lanka, before purchase. Origin is also important. I suspect it is a padparadcha, but that doesn’t mean it’s optimal color for one. I have a spinel in a very similar color, and I’ve seen garnets that color, so If you like that color, there are other gems out there, but if you have a 10k+ budget, then maybe only the sapphire will do.

ON HOLD Platinum/14K Rose Gold Malaya Garnet and Diamond Halo Ring 5.50 Carats

Stone: Malaya Garnet Stone Weight: 5.50cts Stone Color; Peach Natural Untreated Stone Clarity: VS2 Stone Cut: Oval Stone Size: 8.9 mm wide by 12.3 mm long by 6.7 mm deep, Stone Origin: Tanzania Accents: 138 prong set round brilliant cut diamonds, F-G color, VS2-SI1 clarity, with a total weight...

www.moregems.com

 

[jdljbt]

I would require an AGL lab report specifying it was an untreated padparadcha from Sri Lanka, before purchase. Origin is also important. I suspect it is a padparadcha, but that doesn’t mean it’s optimal color for one. I have a spinel in a very similar color, and I’ve seen garnets that color, so If you like that color, there are other gems out there, but if you have a 10k+ budget, then maybe only the sapphire will do.

ON HOLD Platinum/14K Rose Gold Malaya Garnet and Diamond Halo Ring 5.50 Carats

Stone: Malaya Garnet Stone Weight: 5.50cts Stone Color; Peach Natural Untreated Stone Clarity: VS2 Stone Cut: Oval Stone Size: 8.9 mm wide by 12.3 mm long by 6.7 mm deep, Stone Origin: Tanzania Accents: 138 prong set round brilliant cut diamonds, F-G color, VS2-SI1 clarity, with a total weight...

www.moregems.com

This is great information! I am going to look into garnets (I don’t know anything about them). I did ask the NSC to send the stone to the GIA for grading, and they said they would but I would be responsible for the cost since there is already a 3rd party cert.

 

[T L]

This is great information! I am going to look into garnets (I don’t know anything about them). I did ask the NSC to send the stone to the GIA for grading, and they said they would but I would be responsible for the cost since there is already a 3rd party cert.

I would prefer AGL for colored stones.

 

[icy_jade]

On my screen it looks like a classic pad color.

Dunaigre is a fairly well recognised lab by the way.

 

[jdljbt]

I would prefer AGL for colored stones.

Thanks! I didn’t realize they were best for colored stones.

 

[jdljbt]

On my screen it looks like a classic pad color.

Dunaigre is a fairly well recognised lab by the way.

Excellent! Thank you.

 

[Rfisher]

I like it for the reasons already stated - the cut /proportions and clarity.
TNSC regularly run sales - so i do wonder what they’d negotiate on price for.
I’d agree with icyjade about not ‘needing’ another 3d party report from the one it already has.

If not being on the !pink! side of the pad spectrum doesn’t bother - then I think it’s a great option. If it were me - I would want to know up front if the pink ever mostly/completely disappears (from compared to the photos) in any lighting , just so I knew what to expect before hand.
It is designated as pinkish- orange on the lab report……

If skin color is a hesitation - white diamonds halo/cluster make a great separation point!

 

[jdljbt]

I like it for the reasons already stated - the cut /proportions and clarity.
TNSC regularly run sales - so i do wonder what they’d negotiate on price for.
I’d agree with icyjade about not ‘needing’ another 3d party report from the one it already has.

If not being on the !pink! side of the pad spectrum doesn’t bother - then I think it’s a great option. If it were me - I would want to know up front if the pink ever mostly/completely disappears (from compared to the photos) in any lighting , just so I knew what to expect before hand.
It is listed as pinkish- orange……

If skin color is a hesitation - white diamonds halo/cluster make a great separation point!

Thank you so much! You guys are all giving me such great info and I really appreciate it.

 

[jdljbt]

I like it for the reasons already stated - the cut /proportions and clarity.
TNSC regularly run sales - so i do wonder what they’d negotiate on price for.
I’d agree with icyjade about not ‘needing’ another 3d party report from the one it already has.

If not being on the !pink! side of the pad spectrum doesn’t bother - then I think it’s a great option. If it were me - I would want to know up front if the pink ever mostly/completely disappears (from compared to the photos) in any lighting , just so I knew what to expect before hand.
It is designated as pinkish- orange on the lab report……

If skin color is a hesitation - white diamonds halo/cluster make a great separation point!

Do you know approximately the % off TNSC has during sales?

 

[Rfisher]

Do you know approximately the % off TNSC has during sales?

You can find past years easter sales on IG that state 15% (even though that’s no guaranty of them having it again)
I thought I had remembered seeing higher% before, but not quickly seeing anything in print to back that thought up - I’m hesitant to say what I thought.

 

[LilAlex]

Price per ct is not bad for unheated. It is pale and deep (almost 90% = a lot of the iceberg under the waterline). The extra depth can enhance the appearance (I can't tell) -- especially with a pale tone -- but this will face up like a significantly smaller stone.

It may make a gorgeous ring. It is not the stone I would pick. I prefer a tone that is less pastel, a pink-er hue, and a shallower cut.

 

[jdljbt]

Price per ct is not bad for unheated. It is pale and deep (almost 90% = a lot of the iceberg under the waterline). The extra depth can enhance the appearance (I can't tell) -- especially with a pale tone -- but this will face up like a significantly smaller stone.

It may make a gorgeous ring. It is not the stone I would pick. I prefer a tone that is less pastel, a pink-er hue, and a shallower cut.

Thank you for pointing the smaller size out. I didn’t notice how small it faces up for its size. This is a definite con for me.

 

[Rfisher]

Oh!
And if you aren’t meaning to set it east/west
I’d be asking for photos showing it in north/south orientation (on back of hand - not studio glamour)

As for its depth -
Not trying to talk you into choosing a smaller face up stone at all - but I’d pick this over a wonky pavilion that created a super tilt window in one( or more ) viewing angles or straight up having a sizeable window.
That is the find in the majority of Pads out there that are not astronomical in price and not saying this is a budget one either.

 

[jdljbt]

Oh!
And if you aren’t meaning to set it east/west
I’d be asking for photos showing it in north/south orientation (on back of hand - not studio glamour)

I’m just realizing how small this stone will face up. Closer to a 1 carat than 3!!!

 

[maru8888777]

It's a pretty stone, very sparkly and subtle, at least from what the images show. It will face up small, but the depth, as @LilAlex said, might enhance the color.

On pad-colored spinels, HiGems on IG has a good selection, though they all seem more pink:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

He can source pads I'm sure too. I'm a repeat buyer, so I'm biased, just fyi. However, for a major purchase (of a pad sapphire and not a pad-colored spinel), you likely want the option to return it, and he's overseas which might make things difficult.
CDGemstone on Etsy has pad colored spinels too. Have never interacted with them.
I've been working with Inken at Enhoerning for a ruby, but she specializes in pads if you are still looking after this, and the experience has been wonderful. Maybe she can help if you're not satisfied with this stone?

 

[Rfisher]

Yes! Inken/Enhoerning has had some Pad beauties if you don’t want to veer towards closer/to-the-source-IG-seller land.

 

[jdljbt]

It's a pretty stone, very sparkly and subtle, at least from what the images show. It will face up small, but the depth, as @LilAlex said, might enhance the color.

On pad-colored spinels, HiGems on IG has a good selection, though they all seem more pink:

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

He can source pads I'm sure too. I'm a repeat buyer, so I'm biased, just fyi. However, for a major purchase (of a pad sapphire and not a pad-colored spinel), you likely want the option to return it, and he's overseas which might make things difficult.
CDGemstone on Etsy has pad colored spinels too. Have never interacted with them.
I've been working with Inken at Enhoerning for a ruby, but she specializes in pads if you are still looking after this, and the experience has been wonderful. Maybe she can help if you're not satisfied with this stone?

Thank you so much! I will definitely check out the spinels and contact Inken if this one doesn’t work out. I was 90% sure about it, but I am not thrilled it only looks like a 1 carat. I assumed it would still be closer to the look of a 2 for some reason. I’m thankful you guys are pointing out all these details for me!

 

[LilAlex]

but I am not thrilled it only looks like a 1 carat

I would not go so far as that but it faces up smaller than expected.

Note that corundum is about 15% denser than diamond and so the same ct-weight will be ~ 15% less by volume or face up (in area) ~ 10% smaller than an identically-sized (in ct) and -cut diamond.

 

[CBianco]

The stone from OP isn't the deepest I've seen, and keep in mind that sapphires are denser than diamonds and will always face up smaller. I personally would rather choose a deeper stone than a shallow one with a window, which a lot of pads have.

Going with Inken is definitely a good option too, I have worked with her in the past and had a very good experience

 

[Avondale]

I’m just realizing how small this stone will face up. Closer to a 1 carat than 3!!!

No, I wouldn't say that at all. 1 carat is 7x5, this one is closer to 9x6.5, which is often around, what, 2.3-2.5ct? I have a 2.11 sapphire which is roughly 8x6. My 1ct one is a little over 6x5.

If you think 9x6.5 is 1ct, I'm curious what face up size you'll need for it to look like a 3ct stone to you. And frankly, I'm a little scared of the price tag such a gem will come with.

 

[jdljbt]

No, I wouldn't say that at all. 1 carat is 7x5, this one is closer to 9x6.5, which is often around, what, 2.3-2.5ct? I have a 2.11 sapphire which is roughly 8x6. My 1ct one is a little over 6x5.

If you think 9x6.5 is 1ct, I'm curious what face up size you'll need for it to look like a 3ct stone to you. And frankly, I'm a little scared of the price tag such a gem will come with.

I was looking at the specs of a 1.3 carat oval from diamond database and the pad is similar to that. So closer to a 1 carat than a 3.


Pad: 8.83L x 6.53W x 5.81H

1.3 oval measurement according to diamond database:

8.87×5.91×3.61mm)​

I was focused on the length. I assumed the pad would face up close to a 2 carat oval, so it is much smaller face up than I thought, that’s all.

 

[Avondale]

That's why I gave you example measurements of sapphires. Because as others stated above, sapphires are denser than diamonds and for the same weight will be smaller. In addition to that they're cut differently, the bottoms are rounded up, and the goal is to preserve carat weight. If you're coming from diamonds, you need to adjust your expectations of size because in order to achieve the same face up you'll have to buy more weight.

With that said, the depth of this particular stone doesn't worry me, personally, that much, and the reason is a good portion of it is concentrated in a high, puffy crown. I like the look of those a lot. The depth from girdle to culet isn't at all that terrible.

 

[jdljbt]

That's why I gave you example measurements of sapphires. Because as others stated above, sapphires are denser than diamonds and for the same weight will be smaller. In addition to that they're cut differently, the bottoms are rounded up, and the goal is to preserve carat weight. If you're coming from diamonds, you need to adjust your expectations of size because in order to achieve the same face up you'll have to buy more weight.

With that said, the depth of this particular stone doesn't worry me, personally, that much, and the reason is a good portion of it is concentrated in a high, puffy crown. I like the look of those a lot. The depth from girdle to culet isn't at all that terrible.

This makes sense. Thank you for helping me and providing that info!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I’ve been looking for a pad for a long time. What are you thoughts, opinions and recommendations on this one?

Padparadscha Sapphires | The Natural Sapphire Company

With the largest selection of padparadscha sapphires in stock, you can find these exotic beauties in any hue and tone. Search today to find your perfect sapphire!

www.thenaturalsapphirecompany.com

Thanks!

I have a ‘pad’ spinel and a ‘pad’ garnet that look the exact same color as this one and while I do love them both l, they can sometimes look a bit beige in color depending on the lighting. I think it’s likely this one will do the same based on the photos.

 

[T L]

Here’s my spinel, it does have a peachy tone to it, but I wouldn’t call it brown. Most people when asked,say “pink.” It sparkles like crazy even though it’s windowed.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I think that sapphire you posted has lovely proportions. Padparadschas are often dead shallow so that they'll face up bigger, leaving a hideous window that you can drive a truck through. This one has a nice cut.

Preferred padparadscha colour is very subjective and I find this tone lacks pink for me but in saying that I think my preferred padparadschas are probably too pink and too bright for some. So it's a matter of whether you love it.

Do get videos of the stone facing north south though if you are planning to set it north south. Just to see what it will look like.

My bestie bought this from the same vendor as you and she loves it (haha I love it too). Their videos were very accurate.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Here are some photos of my pad spinel (ring) and pad garnet (loose). They look identical in person and both are usually peachy-pink but can look champagne-beige in certain lighting.

I do love pastel colored gems because of their sparkle.