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Would you buy any of these?

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Shijitake

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Sep 1, 2018
Messages
498
Mostly looking for a simple yes or no for each. Just wondering if any of these are worth my $. Feel free to point out any "flaws" and why you wouldn't buy it. These are all unheated.

1.
$100
.20 ct
4.08L x 3.21W x 1.74H
That's not a window, it's reflecting light and just a bad picture
upload_2018-9-3_11-41-23.png
another angle
upload_2018-9-3_11-42-33.png

2.
$1795
asymmetrical culet
.88 ct
6.29L x 5.04W x 3.21H
upload_2018-9-3_11-48-13.png

3.
$447
.31 ct
4.36L x 3.72W x 2.76H
upload_2018-9-3_11-56-40.png

4.
$1500
.69 ct
5.37 - 5.47 x 3.16 mm
0.69padsapp_1.jpg


5.
$2840
1.46ct
8.20 x 6.28 x 3.31 mm
1.46-pad-1.jpg
 
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I like the color of stone 2 and the cut of stone 4, but am not sure I would purchase either because the prices seem high.
 
I don't like the brown modifier seen in stones 1 & 2 (would not consider those to be Pad in color). Plus, those are awfully small in face-up size: 4.36mm -- the length dimension of the somewhat larger of those 2 ovals -- is less than 1/5 of an inch. For a more graphic sense, print off -- without Scaling to Size -- this Blue Nile size chart;
https://bnsec.bluenile.com/bnsecure/assets/chrome/pdf/diamond_carat_size_0810.pdf
you could also then cut out the ones that are the shape(s) & size closest to the sapphires you are considering (ignore the carat weights shown on the BN chart, which is geared towards diamonds) & put the cut-out on your finger.
Granted, any stone will have at least somewhat more of a visual "punch" once set -- even more so if the stone is, e.g,. surrounded by a halo. But seeing lots of blown-up pics can unwittingly distort your expectations of the size of the stone, especially when you're a newbie. ;))
 
IMHO the "pad" label isn't as important as the color actually being pleasing to the eye. Stones 1,2,5 are poorly cut, and I think will be disappointing in person.

I think you should consider going for a great color instead of requiring the official "pad" label.
 
2Neezers said:
Are you more looking for the pad look, or do you need the stone to officially be a pad? Here are a couple of well cut peachy pink sapphires to consider if you don’t need the pad label. Make sure to watch the videos =)2
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-536
https://gemfix.com/gems/sapphire-pink-13-537
Click to expand...
Seems she's ruled those out because neither was denominated Padparadscha by GIA:
Shijitake said:
As it turns out, the first two are not pads according to the GIA :/
Click to expand...
 
The only one I like out of those is stone 4. $1500/.69ct = $2174/ct. That seems too high for my budget on a per-carat basis, see if you can bargain down a little.

And, FWIW, I think for pads the GIA designation is overrated. I have seen stones with more vivid saturations of both pink and peach that didn't make it as GIA pad simply because they're too colorful. I personally prefer more saturated color as opposed to paler "official" pads, because pale stones would get lost against my hand.
 
To my eyes, 4 out of 5 stone you posted are poorly cut and have insipid coloring. However, #4 looks to have a decent round cut and an appealing & pad-like coloringv- that one I'd go for, if there is a decent return policy.
 
From your other thread:
Shijitake said:
I didn't know about the GIA/AGL cert until just last night. Some of their pads have GIA certs, but they're way over my budget *sigh*. I'm still looking for a pretty one though, but I'm not paying a good price unless it's GIA cert. Now that I know none of these are "real pads" I guess this thread is moot.
Click to expand...
Are you facing a deadline that appears to you to be inflexible? It seems like you're in a rush, but I'm thinking that if you give yourself more shopping time to see more listings, you'll be better able to gauge what you can get for $2000 or less... and adjust your priorities-expectations as needed.

Colored gem shopping isn't a breeze because it's not like buying a pair of boots from Zappos or even making an online, round diamond purchase. There are lots of variables not readily accounted for & availability of whatever particular gem is desired isn't guaranteed, even for those with big budgets. And unfortunately for you, nicely cut Pads worthy of that nickname aren't plentiful. The sapphires which a reputable, independent lab is able-willing to characterize as Padparadscha or Padparadscha-like** are rarer still. And there may be an uptick since early this year in the already high demand because of Princess Eugenie's engagement ring.

So you're looking for a unicorn... but it's more likely that you'll need to settle for a nicely bred pony. ;))

** Some folks (like my late father-in-law who was "in the trade") believe that Padparadscha should be limited to unheated ones of appropriate color from Sri Lanka/Ceylon, although GIA, for one, isn't that restrictive.
 
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Thanks for the input 2Neezers, and MollyMalone. I didn't even notice the brown modifiers! I've seen those two pad-color stones- so tempting. But if I'm going to spend big bucks I want the real thing. I'm joining sides with the purists. I know I may not get exactly what I want, but if I'm going to spend my hard earned money, I want the overrated label and everything. But then again, I was always all about the real thing and never settled for less. Sorry for being difficult :(
#4 is definitely on my radar. The problem is, where is it from? It doesn't list on the site. Regardless of pads from Madagascar are real pads or not, I like to know where they're from (and prefer origin from Sri Lanka.
I am in a bit of a rush since as you mentioned, there's been an uptick because of Princess Eugenie. I want to get one before it's too difficult or expensive, if that will happen. I always wanted one.
 
So the GIA rejects orange-pink sapphires because they have too much color and are overly saturated, is that right? Do they reject for any other reasons?
 
I am stretching out my budget a little more because I am seeing some nice ones in the $4000-5000 range. Would you accept this certificate from a seller? I'm guessing it's the Swiss version of CIA.
PA3025_AGTA_WEB.jpg
 
Which would you choose out of the three?
upload_2018-9-3_17-5-14.png
 

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Shijitake said:
So the GIA rejects orange-pink sapphires because they have too much color and are overly saturated, is that right? Do they reject for any other reasons?
Click to expand...
I have seen some stones that GIA has classified as Natural Pradparasdcha Sapphire that were "deeper"/more intensely colored than I would buy for myself. I thought I'd bookmarked several years ago a webpage that had a visual aid showing what GIA considers to be within its range for Padparadscha classification, but I'm not able to put my hands on that now. If I can quickly find it again, I'll post the link.

Christian Dunaigre is not "a stranger" here on the CS forum. If you do a search, using either the in-house Search function or Google, you'll see threads about him. Here's one from several years ago to get you started:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/have-you-ever-heard-c-dunaigre-certificate.209904/
It seems he still doesn't have a website, but he apparently isn't relying on a website to generate business but rather word-of-mouth amongst those in the trade.

Re origin: Here are the fee schedules for colored stone lab reports from AGL and GIA; you'll see that both labs (understandably) charge more for assessing geographical origin:
http://aglgemlab.com/pricelist/
https://www.gia.edu/doc/GIA_ColoredStoneServices-20171001-USD.pdf
 
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MollyMalone said:
I have seen some stones that GIA has classified as Natural Pradparasdcha Sapphire that were "deeper"/more intensely colored than I would buy for myself. I thought I'd bookmarked several years ago a webpage that had a visual aid showing what GIA considers to be within its range for Padparadscha classification, but I'm not able to put my hands on that now. If I can quickly find it again, I'll post the link.

Christian Dunaigre is not "a stranger" here on the CS forum. If you do a search, using either the in-house Search function or Google, you'll see threads about him. Here's one from several years ago to get you started:
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/have-you-ever-heard-c-dunaigre-certificate.209904/
It seems he still doesn't have a website, but he apparently isn't relying on a website to generate business but rather word-of-mouth amongst those in the trade.

Re origin: Here are the fee schedules for colored stone lab reports from AGL and GIA; you'll see that both labs (understandably) charge more for assessing geographical origin:
http://aglgemlab.com/pricelist/
https://www.gia.edu/doc/GIA_ColoredStoneServices-20171001-USD.pdf
Click to expand...

I see, I didn't know he was an independent certifier. I thought that was a certification from some institute like GIA.
 
I prefer not heated :) I'm actually torn between two now. One is from gemfix.

My logic and wallet says to get the pear, because it has good color and almost the same size, the cut is very nice. Cost-wise it's the better choice. Also better clarity. The second one my heart wants. The shape I want, the orange-pink percentage I like. Costs a bit more (and that's a sale price!) but the cost is less per carat. Clarity is only VSI and has a large inclusion. the cut above the "neck" (I can't remember what it's called) is a bit off center. Is it worth buying both and returning one, at the cost of some insane shipping price?

upload_2018-9-3_19-27-45.png
1.68cts
8×6.1mm, depth 4.3mm
VVS-VS
$3,995.00
This pic doesnt make it look as nice as it is
upload_2018-9-3_19-30-51.png

2.09 cts
8.24L x 5.38W x 5.58H
VSI
$4,441.25
 
I'm not enthusiastic about the NSC oval, especially 'cause the color zoning I think I'm seeing -- even in the video -- would, coupled with the inclusion, bug me. But I think you should nevertheless order it because (a) I've realized that the $1100 reduction in the price is going to expire in a few hours (which may be why you're so antsy about making a decision), and (b) it's clearly captured your fancy. So if you don't see it for yourself in person, I imagine you'll always (well, maybe not forever) be wondering, "What if I would have liked that NSC oval better?"

I'm posting the diagram from the website in the hope that @chrono, and others who are more savvy than I am about making such assessments, will let you know if they foresee any problems with designing-fabricating a ring for this stone.
Screen Shot 2018-09-03 at 7.59.48 PM.png
 
Ha @MollyMalone you beat me to it. I would be concerned about setting it. I just screen shotted the same picture. I do think chrono would be a very valuable resource here
 
P.S.
Shijitake said:
Is it worth buying both and returning one, at the cost of some insane shipping price?
Click to expand...
Are you in the US? NSC offers free shipping to US customers & I don't consider Gemfix's shipping charge to be "insane"; think it's what I paid several months ago to send something via FedEx 2nd Day Express -- and Gemfix is covering the insurance.
 
Sabrina31 said:
Ha @MollyMalone you beat me to it. I would be concerned about setting it. I just screen shotted the same picture. I do think chrono would be a very valuable resource here
Click to expand...
Great minds think alike -- and think highly of @chrono :D

That fact that it's off-axis and has a big belly doesn't prompt eyebrows to shoot up in Colored Stone Land, as they would in Diamond World, 'cause, e.g., a potbelly should reduce, if not eliminate, a window. But the girdle and table seem, um, "challenging" to my amateur mind.
 
@MollyMalone
Can you please post the link to the stone? I’m on mobile and can’t search on my own properly. I’d prefer to view the video too but can sort of give my opinion on the potential setting challenges based on that one chart.

1. Wavy girdle
2. Off center culet
3. Off center table
4. Deep stone

It is definitely going to need a custom setting due to the depth(4). The off center culet(2) and table(3) are probably a non issue because the depth of the setting gives a lot of room for that to fit.

The wavy girdle (1) might be a challenge depending on where the setter puts the prongs. Depending on the thickness/thinness and location, it could appear lopsided from the top or side view. There’s also the potential of needing rather long looking prongs in order to have a bigger “seat” for the thick side. This one is more difficult to predict based on one profile view of the stone.
 
Appreciate the call out and link @MollyMalone

This one is worth calling in to view in person. I’m surprised the face up looks good. The lapidary kept the weight while minimizing face up appearance detractions.

I can’t see the other girdle where the 2 prongs will go but the unevenness is my biggest concern. I generally don’t go for deep stones but the colour is quite something to the point I’ll overlook it at the right price, especially an unheated padparadscha.
 
Thanks for all the input! Very helpful. So chrono, what would you say is the right price? Does anyone know if NSC is flexible with their price (doesn't seem so). At the current sale cost, would you say it's worth it?
 
I hear NSC accepts offers? But the sale price is good too, especially if the video is accurate. Please call to reserve quickly. I recommend exercising haste due to the time limited sale and I’ve forced an “outing” of the stone to lurkers.

There’s nothing like seeing it in person to make sure it’s the right one for you. It’s not perfect but it doesn’t have to be, as long as it’s perfect in your eyes.
 
chrono said:
I hear NSC accepts offers? But the sale price is good too, especially if the video is accurate. Please call to reserve quickly. I recommend exercising haste due to the time limited sale and I’ve forced an “outing” of the stone to lurkers.

There’s nothing like seeing it in person to make sure it’s the right one for you. It’s not perfect but it doesn’t have to be, as long as it’s perfect in your eyes.
Click to expand...

I was able to buy them without lurkers getting in the way :) I did buy them both to take a look at them. I will be updating on the thread below if anyone's interested. Thanks again for all the help!!!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/stuck-between-two-sapphires.243366/#post-4405990
 
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