Sapphire Gem Rooster or Hen?

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

is it barred and I'm just not seeing it?

Barring is really hard to see on blue
An adult rooster might be easier to see since their neck and tail feathers will be more flashy?

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Here’s a picture of the chick the day we got it. I didn’t know to look for the barring, but I still can’t see the spot on ‘her’ head.

I agree. From that picture, it would indicate a sex link pullet.

My mom used to have some sapphire gems (I think they were "new" at the time. This was over a decade ago.) We always ended up with some cockerels even though she only bought pullets.
I didn't know they were supposed to be a sex-link until recently.
We'd kept a few of the roosters, and either they weren't barred at all, or it was literally impossible to see. So I'm not sure if they've made changes to their stock, or if they have poor barring genetics?
Such sweet birds, though. Some of the nicest ones I've been around.