Blues anyone?

[Imdanny]

If you are lucky, they are irradiated real diamonds. If you are not lucky, they are blue topaz or zircon.

Considering that a fancy NATURAL blue diamond, such as the one linked here, goes for $40K for 0.2 carat, I seriously doubt that even the Saudis pass them out like chiclets. I've dealt with Saudis, they don't usually think like that. Why would they, when they could make some earrings for one of the wives?

http://www.fancydiamonds.net/view_diamonds/4544.htm

Falls into my "too good to be true" category.

Send them to the GIA and for $200, you will know for sure. http://www.gia.edu/lab-reports-services/index.html

Why does the header say "Rocky Talk" when I am in hangout?

$38,400 for a .2 ct diamond. Wow.

 

[rosetta]

Sothebys sold a 6.7 ct blue for $35 million

If they are irradiated then they are not even worth the $30k you thought CUSO.

Do you see why we are urging you to verify?

Please let us know what you find out.

Good luck!

 

[CUSO]

Well I'm going to disagree with folks.

I wouldn't waste 200 bucks for a certificate for a stone that might a poorly cut zircon, a stimulant, or just glass. I would post on Rocky Talky for a recommendation of good shop local to you with a good bench that has nice gemstones. Then I would go and tell them that you were told these might be irradiated diamonds, synthetic sapphires, or zircons and you were wondering what the shop thought. Skip the Saudi story, keep details to a minimum, just say that they were inherited.

Honestly I would not even mention anything about natural blues because the chances that these are natural blue diamonds are in the billions. If the shop says that they might be diamonds (irradiated or not)... then I would send it to the GIA. I wouldn't spare them any additional effort unless they are diamonds or sapphires and not sims.

I wonder if people read my posts. I said it was checked twice and verified as diamonds. Look at my short history her, I have not posted any fakes on some very expensive items. Rather than me being frustrated with people suggesting I am full of crap, I am refraining from any more posts on these.

 

[Fly Girl]

Well I'm going to disagree with folks.

I wouldn't waste 200 bucks for a certificate for a stone that might a poorly cut zircon, a stimulant, or just glass. I would post on Rocky Talky for a recommendation of good shop local to you with a good bench that has nice gemstones. Then I would go and tell them that you were told these might be irradiated diamonds, synthetic sapphires, or zircons and you were wondering what the shop thought. Skip the Saudi story, keep details to a minimum, just say that they were inherited.

Honestly I would not even mention anything about natural blues because the chances that these are natural blue diamonds are in the billions. If the shop says that they might be diamonds (irradiated or not)... then I would send it to the GIA. I wouldn't spare them any additional effort unless they are diamonds or sapphires and not sims.

I wonder if people read my posts. I said it was checked twice and verified as diamonds. Look at my short history her, I have not posted any fakes on some very expensive items. Rather than me being frustrated with people suggesting I am full of crap, I am refraining from any more posts on these.

I think this is a case of trust, but verify, CUSO. You said the grandfather checked and they were diamonds. If these were mine, I'd want to check for myself.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

I would definitely have GIA grade these stunners! You'd be remiss to not have proper paperwork on something as substantial as these.

 

[waterlilly]

Well I'm going to disagree with folks.

I wouldn't waste 200 bucks for a certificate for a stone that might a poorly cut zircon, a stimulant, or just glass. I would post on Rocky Talky for a recommendation of good shop local to you with a good bench that has nice gemstones. Then I would go and tell them that you were told these might be irradiated diamonds, synthetic sapphires, or zircons and you were wondering what the shop thought. Skip the Saudi story, keep details to a minimum, just say that they were inherited.

Honestly I would not even mention anything about natural blues because the chances that these are natural blue diamonds are in the billions. If the shop says that they might be diamonds (irradiated or not)... then I would send it to the GIA. I wouldn't spare them any additional effort unless they are diamonds or sapphires and not sims.

I wonder if people read my posts. I said it was checked twice and verified as diamonds. Look at my short history her, I have not posted any fakes on some very expensive items. Rather than me being frustrated with people suggesting I am full of crap, I am refraining from any more posts on these.

Ummm, this post wasn't even remotely "suggesting" you are full of crap. It was ADVICE from someone on the path they would take towards getting them verified. No reason to take it personally!

 

[charbie]

Well I'm going to disagree with folks.

I wouldn't waste 200 bucks for a certificate for a stone that might a poorly cut zircon, a stimulant, or just glass. I would post on Rocky Talky for a recommendation of good shop local to you with a good bench that has nice gemstones. Then I would go and tell them that you were told these might be irradiated diamonds, synthetic sapphires, or zircons and you were wondering what the shop thought. Skip the Saudi story, keep details to a minimum, just say that they were inherited.

Honestly I would not even mention anything about natural blues because the chances that these are natural blue diamonds are in the billions. If the shop says that they might be diamonds (irradiated or not)... then I would send it to the GIA. I wouldn't spare them any additional effort unless they are diamonds or sapphires and not sims.

I wonder if people read my posts. I said it was checked twice and verified as diamonds. Look at my short history her, I have not posted any fakes on some very expensive items. Rather than me being frustrated with people suggesting I am full of crap, I am refraining from any more posts on these.

CUSO: I think you have some things to learn from the posters here on PS, and honestly about PS in general. First, this is a community of very smart and educated consumers. This isn't your typical forum of random people, this has a lot of people extremely educated on a subject and includes prosumers who know a great deal about diamonds. Going out a limb, but based on your short posting history, you have come in here like gangbusters posting about all of the wealth you have and people can become a bit sceptical. The members here know one another quite well, and maybe instead of accusing people you can get to know the other members. In a community of annonymous members, many who have posted for years, we learn to trust and support each other. If you don't want the authenticity of a mulitmillion dollar stone to be questioned, don't post it. Especially a crappy grainy photo that shows the windows and absolutely no fire what so ever. Seriously, those rocks look like the fell out of someones head.

 

[charbie]

And also, keep in mind this is a public forum, and you've now posted pictures of your children and yourself. Coupled with the fact that you've now said you have these multimillion dollar stones and all the other expressions of wealth you've talked about, id be mindful of your safety. You have no idea who may troll luxury item forums looking for a house to clean out.

 

[partgypsy]

I don't care if you say you are not selling them, you need to get them graded. Why? You need to find out their value. If they are untreated diamonds you need to protect yourself by having them insured. Otherwise it is like leaving a million dollars in your home asking someone to rob you.

 

[bebe]

Cuso, yes we are reading your posts.

Seeing that this is an educational forum (mostly) we'd love to hear the results from a second grading.
We all learn from each other's posts here and that's what makes this place a great place to learn.
Now that you have heard our opinions and suggestions, how could you not feel the need to get a
second opinion of the stones? If nothing else, don't you want to know, for the knowledge and peace
of mind?

 

[MonkeyPie]

I would hate to think I was leaving something all valuable for my kids only to find out they were topaz or zircon. And I think that is what they are. They don't seem to be refracting light like a diamond would (even in the horrible picture). Also, I can't recall the last time I saw windows in a diamond...is that even possible? The color is lovely, but too sharp for most blue diamonds. Even the Hope has a totally different color range, and the ones you can find nowadays to purchase are more of a steely blue.

Our opinions are just that, OURS, but if this many people told me I better double-check, I would do it.

 

[Burberrygirl]

I would hate to think I was leaving something all valuable for my kids only to find out they were topaz or zircon. And I think that is what they are. They don't seem to be refracting light like a diamond would (even in the horrible picture). Also, I can't recall the last time I saw windows in a diamond...is that even possible? The color is lovely, but too sharp for most blue diamonds. Even the Hope has a totally different color range, and the ones you can find nowadays to purchase are more of a steely blue.

Our opinions are just that, OURS, but if this many people told me I better double-check, I would do it.

I was confused when I saw the window too. I know the Wittelsbach has a huge window but the Wittelsbach was discovered in the 1600s and was 35.56 carats before Graff had it recut.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Like as was stated by another poster, the skepticism radar is going off for some of us. I've been here nearly 8 years and usually can see where these types of stories go...

The 18K/year elementary education vs. the $700K house threw me for a loop.
The saudi story is what blew this one. Defense contractor stuff? Who would post stuff like that on a public forum?

Sorry!

Whatever floats your boat though.

 

[motownmama]

OP has walked away from this discussion.........

 

[bebe]

I would hate to think I was leaving something all valuable for my kids only to find out they were topaz or zircon. And I think that is what they are. They don't seem to be refracting light like a diamond would (even in the horrible picture). Also, I can't recall the last time I saw windows in a diamond...is that even possible? The color is lovely, but too sharp for most blue diamonds. Even the Hope has a totally different color range, and the ones you can find nowadays to purchase are more of a steely blue.

Our opinions are just that, OURS, but if this many people told me I better double-check, I would do it.

MonkeyPie, exactly. This very thing happened to my H and his sister. For years (40+) their mom wore a blue sapphire ring and she also had a yellow one. Both large stones. Their dad bought them while he was in WWII and brought both stones home to his bride. H's mom wore them with great pride for many years. I heard the story over and over about the stones and how they were purchased. After his mom's passing, I took the stones to a jeweler. After I was able to see them up close, I was suspect that they were even real. The stones were scratched and looked "off". Sure enough, they were both fake. Those stones were listed on their homeowners insurance (how I don't know) but it was sorta sad for all of us to think these stones were not what his parents thought they were. But at least the rings had great meaning to my husband's mom for all those years.

sorry for the hijack - but a story that relates to knowing what you have - maybe?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

OP has walked away from this discussion.........

I'm confused...it it really that big of a deal if they're NOT diamonds? Haven't others here posted about family stones that they hoped were diamonds that ended up being other stones? Someone recently posted about that happening. I don't understand the overly defensiveness over this topic and the need to drop the topic. Seems like running away from this thread is the easy way out of telling us if they're natural or not!

 

[LGK]

The oval cut with the "windowing" sure looks more like the type of cutting you see in colored stones. Also, yes, they did irradiate diamonds a few decades ago- you see plenty of estate jewelry with irradiated diamonds c.1980s. Oh and FYI, if a jeweler or some person behind a jewelry counter doesn't know how to use the little electronic tester thing for diamonds, you can mis-set the thing to make everything beep like a diamond would. (It has a dial that you need to have turned far one direction, and if you have it turned totally the opposite way, it will mis-identify everything you set it against as "diamond".) So it is totally possible someone tested them, the tester beeped and they were all "ooooh diamond!" without having the first clue what they were doing , (I actually once caught a new staff person at the antique mall I work at do that to a customer after mis-reading the directions on the diamond tester once.)

And in terms of family always being right about provenance/identification? Totally, totally not. My grandmother, for example, will swear to the moon and back her huge 5 carat synthetic alexandrite is the real deal. If it was, it would be an exceptionally valuable stone. It isn't- it's synthetic corundum like all the zillions of others just like it from the '50s; but she's quite sure it's real (and I'd hardly tell her otherwise of course) but unless you are in a position to *know* otherwise, you'd totally believe it too listening to her. And I can't tell you how often I see somebody carry some random object up to me at work, at and swear up and down grandma got it in 1900, when it's clearly marked Fenton c.1980 on the bottom. They're not lying- they believe it- it's just that people's memories get garbled, things get lost in translation, and people *want* to believe the more exciting story.

Just for your info of course

Actually, oddly enough, I was raised on stories too about how my maternal grandfather acquired all this awesome jewelry in Saudi Arabia when he was working for an oil company there in the '60s/'70s- in fact I inherited one of these fabled rings a year or so ago, and it was colored glass. (Why on earth the family believed these rings were anything was pretty funny- he was a giant cheapskate and told my grandmother that "diamonds were for drill bits, not rings", so she only had a plain gold wedding band her whole life.)

 

[iLander]

I think they might be diamonds, irradiated.

Here is a larger stone, 2 carat, at Ross-Simons for $1500.

http://www.ross-simons.com/products/589705.html (I would grab the photo, but it won't let me)

It does have that funky blue color . . .

I suspect that's what we're looking at here.

 

[kenny]

Speaking of "blue diamond" pics . . . I love these . . .

http://elitechoice.org/2007/10/08/world’s-most-expensive-gemstone-blue-diamond/

Talk about a steep-deep!!!

 

[SLCDJ]

To further answer the question on treatments--YES, the possibility of them being treated during the 70's or 80's is entirely possible. Treatments have been carried out since the late 1950's, with it gaining some traction in the 60's. In fact, I wouldn't doubt at all if some Russian dealer passed them off to the Saudi's as natural blues, even though they were treated. Certain unscrupulous guys did the same with reds back then and turns out there are only like 8 natural reds of significance in the world! If grandpa got them tested in Dubai and Dallas and they proved to be diamonds, my first response would be that they are treated. Remember that light blue diamonds are typically type IIb, these stones have much more interesting properties than usual, one being that they are electrically conducive. Electrical conductivity tests, such as any available for free at your local jewelers, may be accurately used for white diamonds, but will give false positives for most blue diamonds. Should they test negative on the majority of testers out there, I would run these to the GIA immediately. And if they are, My bet is that the other "nicer" stones that the other family member inherited, pale in comparison to these--they would be far more valuable than any 12 ounce golden chalice too.

I would spend a few hundred bucks to get them certified, either way it substantiates the value. If it is zircon or anything else, well you got a pretty cool story and some pretty gems that would be a fun family hand-me-down. And now you also have a story about a diamond community trying to uncover the truth behind these too to add to the story.

Please don't take any of this unsolicited advice negatively--I hope they are naturally blue for your sake..That would be one of the best stories of the year. But of just as much worth, and certainly more than a few bucks, would be the perpetuation of truth.

 

[athenaworth]

Speaking of "blue diamond" pics . . . I love these . . .

http://elitechoice.org/2007/10/08/world’s-most-expensive-gemstone-blue-diamond/

Talk about a steep-deep!!!

I want the job of polishing that bad boy.

 

[Gypsy]

Well I'm going to disagree with folks.

I wouldn't waste 200 bucks for a certificate for a stone that might a poorly cut zircon, a stimulant, or just glass. I would post on Rocky Talky for a recommendation of good shop local to you with a good bench that has nice gemstones. Then I would go and tell them that you were told these might be irradiated diamonds, synthetic sapphires, or zircons and you were wondering what the shop thought. Skip the Saudi story, keep details to a minimum, just say that they were inherited.

Honestly I would not even mention anything about natural blues because the chances that these are natural blue diamonds are in the billions. If the shop says that they might be diamonds (irradiated or not)... then I would send it to the GIA. I wouldn't spare them any additional effort unless they are diamonds or sapphires and not sims.

I wonder if people read my posts. I said it was checked twice and verified as diamonds. Look at my short history her, I have not posted any fakes on some very expensive items. Rather than me being frustrated with people suggesting I am full of crap, I am refraining from any more posts on these.

You know what, I was trying to save you money and I was sincere. Clearly it was totally lost on you. You really are not worth my time though, thanks for clarifying that beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

[Pandora II]

Well I'm going to disagree with folks.

I wouldn't waste 200 bucks for a certificate for a stone that might a poorly cut zircon, a stimulant, or just glass. I would post on Rocky Talky for a recommendation of good shop local to you with a good bench that has nice gemstones. Then I would go and tell them that you were told these might be irradiated diamonds, synthetic sapphires, or zircons and you were wondering what the shop thought. Skip the Saudi story, keep details to a minimum, just say that they were inherited.

Honestly I would not even mention anything about natural blues because the chances that these are natural blue diamonds are in the billions. If the shop says that they might be diamonds (irradiated or not)... then I would send it to the GIA. I wouldn't spare them any additional effort unless they are diamonds or sapphires and not sims.

+1. Or maybe find an appraiser that has a refractometer so they can calculate a refractive index, so that will at least tell you if they're diamonds or not. If they ARE diamonds, it's up to you whether you want to send them to GIA, given that the chance of them being natural blues is miniscule.

No-one who values their refractometer will put anything that even might be a diamond anywhere near it - quickest way to wreck the thing.

A refractometer won't measure the RI of anything over around 1.79/1.80 as that is the RI of most contact liquids. Diamond has an RI of 2.42 (CZ - 2.15; Zircon - 2.05) so well over the limit.

Diamonds are singularly refractive - unlike zircons, cz etc and that should be pretty obvious with just a x10 loupe (zircon, cz will show strong doubling of the back facets when viewed through the table).

CUSO - they look like very pretty stones. I'd love to see pics of the 12ct ruby!

 

[jstarfireb]

Thanks, Pandora...I had no idea refractometers didn't go high enough to measure the RI of a diamond! Just figured that would be an easy way to tell it apart from zircon or topaz.

CUSO, we're not trying to offend, just saying it's worth checking again.

ETA: While the color could be that of an irradiated diamond, the cut makes me and a few other posters believe they might not be diamonds, because it's pretty hard to give diamonds a window, and the faceting pattern looks more like how non-diamond colored gemstones are cut. YOU personally haven't verified that they're diamonds - your wife's grandfather was the one who did. There's no shame in taking them to a gemologist/appraiser and at least getting that checked out.

Either way, they look like they'd make a fabulous pair of earrings that I wouldn't turn down.

 

[Dancing Fire]

this thread reminds me of the guy with the 7ct red diamond. ..

 

[clgwli]

Diamonds are singularly refractive - unlike zircons, cz etc and that should be pretty obvious with just a x10 loupe (zircon, cz will show strong doubling of the back facets when viewed through the table).
CUSO - they look like very pretty stones. I'd love to see pics of the 12ct ruby!

That's actually incorrect. CZs are indeed isotropic so they will not show the "doubling effect" that a sapphire or moissanite will show.

To the OP, I don't doubt that you were given this information. I just doubt the person who gave them to your family in the first place. I would get them tested as diamond and then go from there. One of the stones shows some serious windowing (can see through the stone to what is behind it) and that makes me wonder if it is zircon. They are pretty, but I just dont' trust those giving the stones away in the first place.

 

[AGBF]

I've been following this thread carefully. I don't know if CUSO has really dropped out of it or not. I thought that Gypsy's idea was a good one, since it would cost nothing and would elicit an opinion from a jeweler without the prejudice that telling him a backstory might give him. I regret that CUSO found it offensive; I have no doubt that Gypsy did not mean to offend with it!!! If one wants information, one gives as little information as possible and asks for as much as possible.

No matter what CUSO has heard before, it would be good to get the opinion of another, impartial, jeweler before paying GIA. After all, whom would it hurt? Information is a wonderful thing to have!

Deb/AGBF

 

[kenny]

Here's my 2 cents.
The reason I'd not bother with anyone but GIA is I'd worry that there is about a million reasons for them to not tell the truth.

If in my mind I felt there was even a tiny chance they were of natural color there would be a lingering doubt if the local jeweler told me they were only treated, or topaz, and "generously" offered me $2000 for them.

With perhaps millions of dollars at stake, parting with a few hundred to be as certain as possible seems to make sense.
Any lower authority may leave a tiny doubt in the owners mind.

Also, if I was Cuso, I'd not care how knowledgeable and perhaps right a bunch of strangers on an Internet forum are when they say they are not natural blue diamonds.
There is just too much potential money at stake.

 

[y2kitty]

Here's my 2 cents.
The reason I'd not bother with anyone but GIA is I'd worry that there is about a million reasons for them to not tell the truth.

If in my mind I felt there was even a tiny chance they were of natural color there would be a lingering doubt if the local jeweler told me they were only treated, or topaz, and "generously" offered me $2000 for them.

With perhaps millions of dollars at stake, parting with a few hundred to be as certain as possible seems to make sense.
Any lower authority may leave a tiny doubt in the owners mind.

Also, if I was Cuso, I'd not care how knowledgeable and perhaps right a bunch of strangers on an Internet forum are when they say they are not natural blue diamonds.
There is just too much potential money at stake.

+1. Send them to GIA (the authority in this matter) and be done with it.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Here's my 2 cents.
Also, if I was Cuso, I'd not care how knowledgeable and perhaps right a bunch of strangers on an Internet forum are when they say they are not natural blue diamonds.
There is just too much potential money at stake.

Can't he find a reputable jeweler who will test them for free regardless of what they are? My mom purchased two green sapphires for a great price and was told they were worth quite a bit of money. She gave them to me to sell and I called around and found someone to test them *for free* to see, if in fact, they are sapphires and it turned out they are. They also aren't worth anything. lol

I don't understand why someone would post here saying stones are such-and-such and then not follow through and let us know what the deal is unless they already do know the answer