What do you think of this sapphire?

[MillieLou]

Loose 4.31ct Oval Natural Unheated Sapphire with IGI lab certificate | eBay

Species: Natural corundum (Sapphire variety). Shape: Oval mixed cut. What you see is the actual item you will receive. All coloured gemstones and diamonds are carefully sorted and examined by a team of gemmologists before they are again sent and certified by renowned gem laboratories for more...

www.ebay.co.uk

Thoughts welcome! I am in the UK too so this is a big advantage.

 

[chrono]

The stone is most likely not eye clean. Are you ok with that?

 

[LilAlex]

I don't think it is really gem-quality. Pale, poorly cut (too deep and wonky), very included and on many different scales, too: small, obvious dark and light inclusions, big cloud under the table, and an overall overly-sleepy look. I would bet -- maybe not my house but at least my car -- that it will look way worse in person. eBay is a horror show for gems, imo.

For $2000 US, I would think you could find a much more attractive sapphire. The only thing this one has is: 1) it's blue; 2) carat-weight; and 3) close to home.

 

[Lilith112]

Eh...I wouldn't go for it. The color doesn't look that great even in studio lighting. I think you can get much better quality at a better price point elsewhere. Also, it's eBay so....I'd advise against it for any gems.

 

[lovedogs]

I agree--it just doesn't look great. It will look greyish in real life, and is poorly cut. I think you could do much better.

 

[Bron357]

A few points to consider
For its carat weight it “faces up small” because it has a huge belly.
This big belly is going to mean a fairly high set ring AND because it’s a native cut The shape is wonky.
It has noticeable inclusions including a big fingerprint across the top.
It is very pale, has a grey tone, has colour zoning and a window. A window is seeing through to your finger underneath.
However the price is fair for the size, it’s just not a great sapphire.
It’s whether you want to give up some size and maybe consider “heated” to get a better shade of blue and a nicer sapphire.
What is the sellers return policy for “change of mind”? Can you buy it and return it for a full refund if you don’t like it in person?
I’d check this before buying.

 

[MillieLou]

Thank you everyone, that's been really helpful - I will steer clear!

 

[Anne111]

M, you seemed to have made your decision, but I still wanted to add that this IMHO is a typical case of 'killing' a stone on PS without considering Price/quality/budget of the OP. (having read the FB Dan Stair drama)

The opinions you got are all qualified and true, but if you want to find a 4 carat unheated sapphire for 1500 (of, its pounds), anyways, let's say you can negotiate this gem to $1500, I don't think it's a bad deal. A fine 4ct sapphire will be 20.000. Unless you have 6000 to 10.000 available you'll have to accept many flaws. You can go smaller, change variety, search for different flaws, take heated gem, etc etc.(as Bron pointed out) but for 400/ct and assuming you like the gem when you see it in person, it's a pretty good deal. no window, certified (I guess there is a refund option), some OKish color, not a terrible cut....

What I wanted to say is, if I were that seller on eBay, I'd pull my hair and curse PS, and try to block my gems from being shown here, if that is techically possible and I imagine it will be some day, blocking certain sites from access, or something like that.

Could we not be a little more considerate? Instead of pointing out the many flaws, first ask could you find a much better 4 ct at the budget somebody has?

I know it's a consumer-oriented forum, but if it were for PS, the gemtrade would be dead in a few months or limited to the top 10% quality. .

Can anybody make sense of my stream of consciousness?

 

[chrono]

Hence I asked the OP whether he is ok with it not being eye clean. The OP has not mentioned size, time, and budget constraints. Another mentioned $2K (the same price) can net a better stone, albeit smaller. Others also mentioned checking the sale/return policy and seeing it in person.

I don't think any of the above is without merit.

 

[lovedogs]

M, you seemed to have made your decision, but I still wanted to add that this IMHO is a typical case of 'killing' a stone on PS without considering Price/quality/budget of the OP. (having read the FB Dan Stair drama)

The opinions you got are all qualified and true, but if you want to find a 4 carat unheated sapphire for 1500 (of, its pounds), anyways, let's say you can negotiate this gem to $1500, I don't think it's a bad deal. A fine 4ct sapphire will be 20.000. Unless you have 6000 to 10.000 available you'll have to accept many flaws. You can go smaller, change variety, search for different flaws, take heated gem, etc etc.(as Bron pointed out) but for 400/ct and assuming you like the gem when you see it in person, it's a pretty good deal. no window, certified (I guess there is a refund option), some OKish color, not a terrible cut....

What I wanted to say is, if I were that seller on eBay, I'd pull my hair and curse PS, and try to block my gems from being shown here, if that is techically possible and I imagine it will be some day, blocking certain sites from access, or something like that.

Could we not be a little more considerate? Instead of pointing out the many flaws, first ask could you find a much better 4 ct at the budget somebody has?

I know it's a consumer-oriented forum, but if it were for PS, the gemtrade would be dead in a few months or limited to the top 10% quality. .

Can anybody make sense of my stream of consciousness?

I think the issue here is that we want to make sure that OP knows the stone just is not going to be an ideal (or even particularly nice) color or cut. I think the pics are decieving and designed to look better than it will look IRL, and think OP should know and understand that. Obviously if he or she still wants to buy it, that's totally fine. No judgement here. But again, it's important that OP knows that.

 

[Lilith112]

M, you seemed to have made your decision, but I still wanted to add that this IMHO is a typical case of 'killing' a stone on PS without considering Price/quality/budget of the OP. (having read the FB Dan Stair drama)

What I wanted to say is, if I were that seller on eBay, I'd pull my hair and curse PS, and try to block my gems from being shown here, if that is techically possible and I imagine it will be some day, blocking certain sites from access, or something like that.

Could we not be a little more considerate? Instead of pointing out the many flaws, first ask could you find a much better 4 ct at the budget somebody has?

I know it's a consumer-oriented forum, but if it were for PS, the gemtrade would be dead in a few months or limited to the top 10% quality. .

I strongly disagree that the Dan Stair drama should prevent us from "killing a stone"-- if OP still loves it and buys it, great!

But to be very frank, I highly doubt you're going to find a high-quality 4ct stone at any budget under USD8000. In fact, I'd be very leery of a 4ct at USD400/ct, particularly off of Ebay. Moreover, it's not even graded by a reputable lab for sapphires (Lotus, GRS, GIA, AGL, etc.).

If opinions like this result in us getting blocked, then so be it-- the market is big, and there's a ton of sellers out there. To be very frank, for her budget, I think OP would be much better served going for something heated in the 1.5-2.5ct range with a big face-up size. For wholesale price, you can still get a nice colored sapphire that will look much nicer once set.

 

[MillieLou]

Thanks for the further comments, they are much appreciated. To clarify, I'm not looking for a 4 carat stone by any means - I was hoping for a 8x6mm face up size oval, or similar, which seems to equate to about 1.5-2 carats depending on spread. I prefer the lighter colours which aren't trade ideal, so was hoping to spend up to around 1200 USD. The trouble is that I'm in the UK and there are so few options over here. So I was idly browsing eBay and came across it, and thought hmm this might be a solution. I appreciate the honesty

I found a lovely one at DBL and was emailing about it but it seems to have fizzled out, very understandably, with the current crisis. Plus I would be particularly worried about buying from overseas at the moment with everything shut down at both ends. I think I will wait a few months until things settle down (hopefully...) and then look to buy from the US.

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks for the further comments, they are much appreciated. To clarify, I'm not looking for a 4 carat stone by any means - I was hoping for a 8x6mm face up size oval, or similar, which seems to equate to about 1.5-2 carats depending on spread. I prefer the lighter colours which aren't trade ideal, so was hoping to spend up to around 1200 USD. The trouble is that I'm in the UK and there are so few options over here. So I was idly browsing eBay and came across it, and thought hmm this might be a solution. I appreciate the honesty

I found a lovely one at DBL and was emailing about it but it seems to have fizzled out, very understandably, with the current crisis. Plus I would be particularly worried about buying from overseas at the moment with everything shut down at both ends. I think I will wait a few months until things settle down (hopefully...) and then look to buy from the US.

DBL is great--I"m sure they are just really overwhelmed. Mail isn't shut down, so you should be ok if you want to order it. But of course there is nothing wrong with waiting given the current crisis.

 

[Oneys mom]

I would consider sapphiresource on Etsy. I bought my sapphire there. I like lighter colors and he has them. I had my stone checked by my local jeweler and he said it was exactly as described. Just another site to check out.

 

[MillieLou]

Ooh Sapphire Source on Etsy has some lovely items. Was the shipping from Sri Lanka OK?

 

[qubitasaurus]

Ebay is actually suggesting that this as a similar item. It has some potential if you can get to see it in person before buying -- ofcourse it is a bit of a wildcard as there is no information about the seller.


Otherwise you could ask about this one. As again it is close to you (relatively speaking).

All these sales are probably final sales -- which should be taken into account when purchasing (but the prices are suitably discounted as well).

 

[Oneys mom]

Ooh Sapphire Source on Etsy has some lovely items. Was the shipping from Sri Lanka OK?

It took just short of two weeks if I remember correctly. They kept me in the loop the whole time. You can also ask for a video. I asked a many many questions. They answered each one thoughtfully and were very nice. They will also take returns.

 

[icy_jade]

I do get tempted by cheapie buys so honestly don’t think the price is terrible for the stone. Not top color and not precision cutting but I think that comes with the price. Depends on intent for getting the stone? It is a 4 ct unheated stone right... But if it’s going to be the one and only, then you may want to think about getting one with better color.

Also I don’t like heated stones (personal pref as I just prefer untreated sapphires if possible) so this being an unheated stone is a big plus for me.

Referring back to the whole vendor discussion thread, I’m one of those who get “won’t be PS approved” stones pretty often. Figured that if I’m happy with the stone (wonky cut and all), that’s what matters most. And ultimately, that’s my advice too. If this stone will make you happy, go for it.

 

[Oneys mom]

I do get tempted by cheapie buys so honestly don’t think the price is terrible for the stone. Not top color and not precision cutting but I think that comes with the price. Depends on intent for getting the stone? It is a 4 ct unheated stone right... But if it’s going to be the one and only, then you may want to think about getting one with better color.

Also I don’t like heated stones (personal pref as I just prefer untreated sapphires if possible) so this being an unheated stone is a big plus for me.

Referring back to the whole vendor discussion thread, I’m one of those who get “won’t be PS approved” stones pretty often. Figured that if I’m happy with the stone (wonky cut and all), that’s what matters most. And ultimately, that’s my advice too. If this stone will make you happy, go for it.

Same for me! YOU have to love your stone. I have an 8x6mm emerald cut violetish blue sapphire and I put it into my engagement ring. I stinkin' love it! Many think its a tanzanite (which I also love but would be too fragile for my accident prone self). Its got a slight window...and would def not be PS approved but I don't care.