feedback on this yellow sapphire

[Candice]

Hi,
I need some feedback on this sapphire. I'm looking for something without brown tones, a bit on the lighter side but still bright.
https://www.ajsgem.com/sapphire/yellow-sapphire/yellow-sapphire-1.03-carats.html

thanks!
Candice

 

[Novel]

Hey Candice,

How do you feel about treatments? I know the stone has a really great price, but its also lattice diffused (http://www.ruby-sapphire.com/vampire_blues.htm), which is basically chemical dyeing a color layer into the top of the stone (as I understand it). Otherwise, IMO, the stone has some brown to it but is still bright.

 

[Candice]

Hi Novel,
thanks for replying. i'm okay with treatments this is for an inexpensive ring i'm making. feedback on the colour is what i'm wondering about. I much prefer when theres a video accompanying the picture it's IMH much more accurate!

edited to add: does lattice treatment to add colour to the top of the stone mean it could come off over time?

 

[Gailey]

I imagine that it's a bright lively little stone. Here's Lattice diffusion 101, so you understand what you are getting.
http://reviews.ebay.com/Bulk-or-Lattice-Diffusion-of-Sapphires_W0QQugidZ10000000004488975

Kudos to AJS for disclosing the treatment. As we know, so many don't.

One last thing, If you chip your stone, it will not be the same colour underneath.

 

[Liane]

edited to add: does lattice treatment to add colour to the top of the stone mean it could come off over time?

It won't wash off or scratch off (the way a mystic topaz's coating can scratch off), but if it gets abraded so much that the surface is actually eroded off the stone, then yes, color provided by BE diffusion can come off. It doesn't go all the way through the stone, it's only about half a millimeter deep -- or probably a little less, since BE-treated stones have to be repolished after heating.

If you're normally careful with your stones then it should be a permanent treatment. If you're the kind of person who puts jewelry through a lot of heavy wear and tear, then it's possible you'll notice color loss over time as the facets and surfaces get worn down.

 

[Michael_E]

edited to add: does lattice treatment to add colour to the top of the stone mean it could come off over time?

It won't wash off or scratch off (the way a mystic topaz's coating can scratch off), but if it gets abraded so much that the surface is actually eroded off the stone, then yes, color provided by BE diffusion can come off. It doesn't go all the way through the stone, it's only about half a millimeter deep -- or probably a little less, since BE-treated stones have to be repolished after heating.

There is some confusion here. The article on the ruby-sapphire website deals with diffusion of blue sapphires with titanium dioxide which is very shallow due to the large size of the titanium atom. The "lattice diffusion" referred to on the sapphire described above is diffusion using beryllium and it does go all the way through the stone and so can not be worn or cut off. If a yellow, ( or pink, reddish or orange), sapphire has in it's description "lattice diffusion" is is the same thing as "beryllium enhancement".

 

[Aoife]

To my eye this sapphire has a fair amount of brown, but that may not be an issue for you. I'm so impressed that the treatment is fully disclosed, and the price reflects the treatment. I wish all vendors would disclose treatments.

 

[Candice]

thanks for the replies!

I have decided to not go with this stone, I agree that as long as treatments are disclosed i'm ok with it, the price reflects the stone and the seller isn't trying to make it out as something higher end than it is. but in the end I have decided to go with a cushion shaped stone instead.

instead of opening another thread regarding a semi mount, I have decided to ask here and hopefully I'll receive responses!

the stone is am looking at is described as an oval but the measurements are 7.2mmX 6.9mmX 3.8 to me this seems more like a cushion shape. am i wrong? should I be looking for an oval or cushion shaped semi mount!?

thanks again!
Candice

 

[Novel]

edited to add: does lattice treatment to add colour to the top of the stone mean it could come off over time?

It won't wash off or scratch off (the way a mystic topaz's coating can scratch off), but if it gets abraded so much that the surface is actually eroded off the stone, then yes, color provided by BE diffusion can come off. It doesn't go all the way through the stone, it's only about half a millimeter deep -- or probably a little less, since BE-treated stones have to be repolished after heating.

There is some confusion here. The article on the ruby-sapphire website deals with diffusion of blue sapphires with titanium dioxide which is very shallow due to the large size of the titanium atom. The "lattice diffusion" referred to on the sapphire described above is diffusion using beryllium and it does go all the way through the stone and so can not be worn or cut off. If a yellow, ( or pink, reddish or orange), sapphire has in it's description "lattice diffusion" is is the same thing as "beryllium enhancement".

Michael, thanks so much for the correction! I'm still trying to understand all these difference enhancements!

 

[Liane]

Aha, okay. I didn't realize the distinction between different colors. Thank you for the clarification!

 

[chrono]

Lattice diffusion means the dye permeates throughout the stone evenly; the treatment is permanent, stable and cannot be scratched off. If chipped, the colour of the inside is also the same as the outside. I think it's great that AJS has disclosed treatment on this sapphire and the colour is very bright.

 

[LD]

Years ago BE and lattice diffusion was only surface coating. NOW (as with everything else) it's progressed and it's more permanent and right through the stone (as Michael and Chrono have stated).

Unfortunately lattice ad BE diffusion can be applied to give you any colour sapphire.