What should I do about my padparadscha?/decision making

[Shijitake]

I'm having second thoughts on my pad. I really like it. Nice shape, intense color. The off center culet doesn't bother me that much because at a certain angle the color comes through very nicely. It shows up on my slightly tan skin.

But the second thoughts I had before are coming back up. I thought maybe I'll keep this one for its nice intense color, then buy another one later one with a better cut (color can be anywhere from pastel to also intense). I don't mind having two pads. In fact, two would be great.

But because they are so expensive, maybe I should just have one "ideal" pad and save my money for the costlier one? It's twice the price of the current one.

My budget started off at 2k, and increased to 4k. The best ones I found are 8k. It's going to take a while before I can save up that much. By then they may be sold off. They are also at medium saturation, which may or may not show up well on my hand (light-medium from Gemfix didn't show up too well).

The seller offers no payment plans.

I know there will always be more, but it may cost more than 8k or prices may go higher, pads become rarer, etc.

Thoughts, advise, comments, anecdotes?

My last day to return is Thursday but I can go to NYC to return it over the weekend. I don't have much time during the week and I'm not in the mood to spend another costly return shipping so I do have too make a decision in a short time.

Poll:
Do you think that pad prices and demand will go up because of Princess Eugenie?


How long does it take you to make a decision? Did you have second thoughts past the return date? What's the longest, and more complex decision you've made?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

I think most of us who love colored gems would suggest you save for the stone you really yearn for and do not settle. Many of us have sold our "good for now" gemstones at significantly less than we paid for when we obtained a stone closer to what we originally wanted. Pads may go up in price but I have seen more than one end up on Ebay for half the price the buyer paid. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Shijitake]

As much as I don't want to lose money, I see money lost as the cost of having something nice for the time I had it. I guess my biggest loss if I decide to get the 8k would be the the intensity of the color or possibility of not having a pad with an intense saturation.

 

[qubitasaurus]

If you are already having missgivings then they will probably grow with time. If you don't love it, and are already comparing it to other things out there then it isn't the right stone. I don't think any of us can assess this situation as well as you -- because you're the only one who can fully appreciate what you are feeling.

 

[Acinom]

Based on your post I would return it.
It’s clearly not your dreamstone...
And it’s too expensive to keep it at a learner stone that might not be set

 

[bludiva]

i think the popularity of these stones may ease off but a nice one has always been expensive. how about saving for your ideal stone and looking for a peachy pink tourmaline or malaya garnet as a placeholder? those would be orders of magnitude cheaper.

 

[Shijitake]

I really like the stone, I just don't want to regret spending half of the cost of an "ideal" stone only to buy it later. My compromise is either the cut or color. Maybe if I was paler the color wouldn't be an issue.

Which would you choose?

Maybe I should check if it can be set.

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

I like Bludiva's suggestion of returning it and buying a much more affordable stone now until you can get your ideal stone. Look at this one. I will admit it am a spinel lover over all other CS's, so I may be biased. But that's some intense color!

https://ivynewyork.com/collections/pink-spinel-1/products/orangy-pink-spinel-0-94-ct

 

[voce]

I think the color looks quite nice. A more intense saturation may not qualify as "padparadscha" by GIA since they mostly use the descriptor for stones on the lighter side of saturation.

If this is *almost* your ideal stone, I would send Jerry Newman an email and see if it can be recut to an ideal cut without too much of a loss in size. He will generally respond within a day. A recut from him would probably cost you $200 or so, and is way better imo than spending another $4k on a ready-to-go ideal cut stone. This is ONLY if you're completely happy with the color of your stone, though.

If you know you will want a more saturated color, you definitely have to return this sapphire and save up more money. No amount of recutting will improve the padparadscha color.

 

[ChanterelleJ]

Padparadscha is a difficult color....and very much a matter of personal taste. I would not keep one that I don't love with all my heart

 

[Shijitake]

I like Bludiva's suggestion of returning it and buying a much more affordable stone now until you can get your ideal stone. Look at this one. I will admit it am a spinel lover over all other CS's, so I may be biased. But that's some intense color!

https://ivynewyork.com/collections/pink-spinel-1/products/orangy-pink-spinel-0-94-ct

Very pretty! I'd rather not have a stand in just for color though. I want a pad because 1. Sapphires are my birthstone and I want something other than blue (still on the market for a small blue one though) 2. I like the color, it's very intersting. 3. It's the rarest color of sapphire, that's a plus for me. So I can't compromise on the variety

Recutting is an interesting suggestion voce! I looked him up- is his website the gemstone project?

Chanterelle, I feel like a pad that I would love with all my heart is out of reach because of how rare and expensive it would be

 

[voce]

@Shijitake No, his website is http://www.gemartservices.com/

 

[Shijitake]

@Shijitake No, his website is http://www.gemartservices.com/

Thanks!