What do you think of this sapphire?

[AmeliaG]

As you all know, I'm looking for an approx. 2 carat blue sapphire cut into an Asscher. Jeff White and Roger Dery are looking for me and Roger just sent me a photo and stone specs for a recent cut.

1.58ct @ 6.2 x 6.2 x 4.50mm
Untreated, Umba River Valley, northeastern Tanzania

It's a bit smaller than I was looking for and it looks a bit darker but I'm rather new at this and would like to get some expert eyes.

What do you all think?

 

[bluebirrrd]

Size matters, lol. 6mm is right in my range, but how far off is it from what you're looking for?

 

[AmeliaG]

I was looking for a 6.5mm.

 

[distracts]

I like it - for square shapes, my personal size preference is around 6mm. Most of the ones I actually own are 5.7ish. I think it's a really pretty stone. If you are not going to be satisfied with the size though, by all means do not go for it. But if it was me, I would.

 

[AmeliaG]

Actually I saw some sapphire rings about 1.5 carats at a craft fair today and the stones looked really small. You wouldn't believe it but after that trip I was thinking of going up to 7.4 or something - that's right under 2 carats.

What do you think of the color and the cut of the first stone? The stone may just not photograph well, but I'm having a hard time seeing the steps and seeing the steps is REALLY important for me.

 

[0-0-0]

I think it looks close enough to your requirements to be worth a look in person. Sapphires are rarely cut into Asschers and it can take a long time to find suitable material to get something custom cut into your exact color and size requirements.

 

[AmeliaG]

Good point, thbmok. This specimen came rather quick but there's no guarantee others will.

 

[chrono]

I own a 6.5 mm 1.75 ct pink spinel JW asscher and have no problems seeing the beautiful steps and windmill. Without knowing the light condition when both stones were photographed, it would be unfair to say they look different because it mIght look similar in person. I too think its worth ordering the RD stone to see if you like it. It looks a tad sleepy but with it being magnified, this might not be noticeable in real life.

 

[AmeliaG]

Thanks Chrono. I think I'll order it. Oooh, lots of stones coming in! I'm excited!

 

[chrono]

Here's a faraway handshot so you can decide if the steps are clear enough for you in a 6.5 mm stone.

 

[LD]

6mm is too small for me BUT it won't look much different from a 6.5mm so if that's what you were looking for then I would go ahead. You've said you can't see the step cuts. They'll be more visible in real life I would think because that photo is not square on (as the reference sapphire is).

I love the colour of the sapphire you've posted. It has a very violet tone - is that what you want? It's not too grey looking either so it's yummy. You can make this look bigger with the right setting BUT you will have to be creative to get a bigger look. If that's ok with you then I'd pull the trigger.

Just one thing ........ check if the inclusions are visible to the eye. In the photo they're quite obvious but that could also be a fingerprint so ask the question!

 

[AmeliaG]

Thanks Chrono and LD. Chrono, the pink spinel looks amazing!

LD, Roger said it was eyeclean but not loupe-clean. We talked about the size and I asked him about a 7.4 mm stone and he said that size would be hard to find in an Asscher. If I had wanted a cushion, it would have been easier but I have my heart set on an Asscher.

I pulled the trigger and will receive it tomorrow. I'll have a few days to review it before committing so I'll post pictures tomorrow.

 

[CharmedOne]

Very pretty stone!

 

[AmeliaG]

The sapphire just came in! here are the pics. I have less time to view this stone so your feedback is much appreciated.

More pics to come. There is a limit of 4 attachments to one post.

 

[AmeliaG]

More pics

 

[chrono]

The stone looks violetish blue. How does it compare to the vendor's picture? Is it eye clean enough for you? Are you happy with how the steps look to your eye?

 

[AmeliaG]

Hi Chrono,

I'm VERY pleased with the color. The steps and windmills are very distinct in full sun. Roger said there was a cloud in the stone but I'm not seeing it. I dont have a loupe or magnifying glass though. He did say it was eye clean without magnification.

So far, I'm liking this stone a lot.

 

[chrono]

Taking your not so good photography into account, it looks like the colouration is good. Your pictures are too blurry for me to make out any steps though.

 

[minousbijoux]

Are you taking the pictures of the stone in its box through the glass lid? If so, you'll be losing a lot of the stone's magic. I think we'd get an even better sense of it on a dark background if you could take it without any glass between the camera and the stone. I love the color against the black, but would love to be able to see its detail and light return.

 

[Starzin]

I think this is as close in size and colour as you'll get to your inspiration picture. Is it something of a colour changer? I actually love the colour and if you're happy with the cut and it's eyeclean, I'm definitely in the "go for it" camp

 

[AmeliaG]

Is this better? If not, I may have to invest in a better camera. I see 3 small steps at the top and the four windmills. Is that what you all see?

 

[0-0-0]

Pictures are too blurry for me to see the cut, but I think the color looks nice.

 

[Arkteia]

The color is bright and lively. Congratulations!

 

[chrono]

Much better; I can see a few steps and the colouration looks good. How is the colour shift from outdoors to indoors? Is the colour shift acceptable to you?

How are you planning to set the stone? For stones like this, often, how you set it has an impact on the stone's colour.

 

[AmeliaG]

Thanks ladies.

Chrono, I'm glad you could see the steps. I was beginning to believe my eyes were playing tricks on me.

The color change between incandescent and natural daylight doesn't seem so severe. Below are some pics in my bathroom under both conditions.

I haven't decided on the setting but for this stone, I think the pavilion needs to be open. In the box in low light with the pavilion covered, the stone looks a lot darker and you miss the play of light. Exposing the pavilion makes the stone look LOTS more lively.

 

[chrono]

Beautiful stone - the type of sapphire I like is a blue outdoors to violet shift indoors. I try to discourage buyers from getting the blue outdoors to inky or grayish blue shift indoors. I agree with you on the setting for the asscher. I left the pavilion on my asscher spinel totally open and the steps stand out better that way.

 

[AmeliaG]

Thanks Chrono and everybody. I'm KEEPING it! My first colored stone purchase. WOOHOO!

Now off to the fun part.

First, this purchase was advertised as untreated and cost around $1000. At this pricepoint, is it worth it to to get it tested? I believe there is an AGTA report - yes, here it is that TL and Pandora mentioned when I first started looking at saphhires last year.

http://www.aglgemlab.com/Services/FastTrack.aspx

To get such a report for an unmounted stone costs $55.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Congrats! It's a TOTAL keeper!

 

[chrono]

If it has an old AGTA memo, that's certainly good enough.

 

[AmeliaG]

If it has an old AGTA memo, that's certainly good enough.

I don't know if it has. I just shot off an email to Roger. I think the AGTA office is here in New York so it's not that big of a deal to get it tested. At least, I think.