eBay Sapphires?

[bigfatzombie]

I was just wondering... why are some sapphires on eBay so cheap?
The vendors I am looking at have great reviews, their sapphires do look nice, the clarity is usually very good, it is natural but heat treated. The prices are less than $100, even $20 for starting bids?

Is there something wrong with them?
Are they worth buying to put in a nice diamond setting?
Why is there the huge price difference?

 

[chrono]

A few possible reasons:

1. Treatment not properly disclosed. For those who gave good reviews, did anyone verify that the stone is natural but heated only? Was the stone sent to a reputable lab like AGL?

2. The stone possibly be photoshopped or flooded with light so a dark stone looks not too shabby with good flash.

3. A starting bid might be low but there is a minimum threshold set, so if it doesn't hit that mark, the vendor will not sell the stone.

Do you mind posting an example or two of the links? I'd like to see if there's any picture tampering, if the stones are truly nice, etc.

 

[bigfatzombie]

A few possible reasons:

1. Treatment not properly disclosed. For those who gave good reviews, did anyone verify that the stone is natural but heated only? Was the stone sent to a reputable lab like AGL?

2. The stone possibly be photoshopped or flooded with light so a dark stone looks not too shabby with good flash.

3. A starting bid might be low but there is a minimum threshold set, so if it doesn't hit that mark, the vendor will not sell the stone.

Do you mind posting an example or two of the links? I'd like to see if there's any picture tampering, if the stones are truly nice, etc.

Yes sure thing.
I do not think most of these stones are sent to a reputable lab, but I wouldn't mind sending one myself to check out that it is real and not synthetic. But that might be a reason as to why they are so cheap?

Now, I am an informed buyer and am swayed more by negative reviews so I wouldn't buy these particular stones as it only has one picture or two pictures but these are example links of what I'm seeing:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/6-36ct-HUGE-CORNFLOWER-BLUE-SAPPHIRE-OVAL-VVS-GEM-ovale-saphir-bleu-FREE-SHIP-/200771015260?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item2ebee2925c#ht_2603wt_1139

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-80-CT-OVAL-NATURAL-BLUE-SAPPHIRE-AFRICA-/251080785285?pt=Loose_Gemstones_1&hash=item3a7594bd85#ht_2102wt_1139

 

[chrono]

In the first one, the vendor clearly stated that the sapphire is diffused. Interestingly enough, the word Chathum was also mentioned and they are well known for making synthetic stones. I wonder if it means the stone is both a synthetic AND diffused?

Stone 2 is an unattractive stone. Very dark, extinct and windowed.

 

[bigfatzombie]

In the first one, the vendor clearly stated that the sapphire is diffused. Interestingly enough, the word Chathum was also mentioned and they are well known for making synthetic stones. I wonder if it means the stone is both a synthetic AND diffused?

Stone 2 is an unattractive stone. Very dark, extinct and windowed.

Hmm Well there goes my dreams of finding the perfect sapphire on eBay
I shall go research and learn more.

Are there any eBay vendors that you would recommend for a sapphire?

This link http://www.ebay.com/itm/CERTIFIED-NATURAL-5-45ct-UNHEATED-BLUE-SAPPHIRE-OVAL-VVS-GEM-/160820590092?pt=AU_Loose_Gemstones&hash=item2571a7760c#ht_653wt_1139 says it is certified, but doesn't state what it is certified by... I'm guessing it's no good as well.

 

[chrono]

I highly doubt it has been certified by an independant reputable lab. Colour is too good, size too big and stone too clean for 1 cent. Red sirens and flashing lights are going off all over the place on this one.

I am not too familiar with eBay vendors and corundum are one of the most highly treated stones sold. I've purchased from Tan who runs 3 separate shops (VVSgems and some others). It's been a while since I've purchased from him but you can find his email links in the recommended vendor sticky at the top of the CS page. Any reason why not non-eBay vendors?

 

[bigfatzombie]

I highly doubt it has been certified by an independant reputable lab. Colour is too good, size too big and stone too clean for 1 cent. Red sirens and flashing lights are going off all over the place on this one.

I am not too familiar with eBay vendors and corundum are one of the most highly treated stones sold. I've purchased from Tan who runs 3 separate shops (VVSgems and some others). It's been a while since I've purchased from him but you can find his email links in the recommended vendor sticky at the top of the CS page.

I agree. Thanks so much for the responses. I'm just going to have to research a lot more

 

[Lee Little]

My bet would be that all three of those Sapphires are Flame Fusion synthetic Sapphires. Just because they say heated, no heat, diffused, Chathum, natural, certified, etc does not always mean much. They look like Flame Fusion and they are selling at Flame Fusion prices.
Claiming to be 'Chathum diffused' is a huge stretch of the imagination and basically only says that the seller knows little English.
Best regards, Lee

 

[innerkitten]

A few possible reasons:

1. Treatment not properly disclosed. For those who gave good reviews, did anyone verify that the stone is natural but heated only? Was the stone sent to a reputable lab like AGL?

2. The stone possibly be photoshopped or flooded with light so a dark stone looks not too shabby with good flash.

3. A starting bid might be low but there is a minimum threshold set, so if it doesn't hit that mark, the vendor will not sell the stone.

Do you mind posting an example or two of the links? I'd like to see if there's any picture tampering, if the stones are truly nice, etc.

Or that it's synthetic.

 

[minousbijoux]

Stick with the recommended ebay vendors on the sticky list above, until you feel knowledgable enough to branch out...