getting AGL or GIA report to confirm no heat treatment of sapphire?

[bluebonnet04]

Hi,
I'm considering purchasing a 2.3ct unheated purple-violet sapphire (square cushion, 7.0mmx6.8mm and 5.6mm depth) for $4250. It doesn't have a report or certificate, so I'd want to get it evaluated by AGL or GIA to confirm no heat during my evaluation period after purchase. (I don't really mind heat but don't want to pay the unheated price premium if it's heated.) Any opinions on which kind of report I should get? The costs seem similar, but AGL's turn-around time seems a couple weeks longer. Also, is there any reason to get an origin report or would just a colored stone identification report be sufficient?
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Sagebrush]

Treatment is of first importance, but you might as well add origin just for your own information, doesn't cost much more. You may find that GIA is more liberal than AGA when it comes to heat treatment.

 

[bluebonnet04]

Thanks! So by liberal, do you mean that GIA is more likely to say that a stone is heat treated?

 

[T L]

AGL is the premier lab for colored stones.

 

[Sagebrush]

Just as the gem trade itself is only just beginning to emerge from its vail of secrecy, gemology too is something of a secret science. Laboratories certify stones, but nobody certifies laboratories. While there is a vast amount of shared knowledge, much of the information and many of the techniques used to differentiate treated from untreated stones is proprietary and the labs do not share that information. Labs make lots of mistakes. GIA is more likely to call a gem unheated than AGL. Particularly if the gem may or may not have been subjected to low temperature heating. AGL may simply unwilling to make a call beyond "undetermined which, in the gemworld, is not much better."

In our search for scientific certainty, w'e ignore a fact that is part of the gobbledygook printed on every lab report, namely that the report is only an opinion. Things really become dicey with important, e.g. high value gems where buyers often insist on multiple certificates. Treatment, country of origin, six and seven figure rubies often come with GIA, AGL, SSEF and Gubelin certs and God help the dealer if any of the four disagree in any important respect.

 

[MollyMalone]

Does this vendor have a "no questions asked" return & refund policy, so you could return it, and get your money back, simply because it doesn't grab your heart in real life, under a variety of lighting conditions? My default setting is that I always anticipate I will have to return a colored gem. Even when the vendor strives mightily to post pics-video that accurately capture, on their end, what they see in real life, those are still only snap shots; plus, odds are that your screen/monitor is not color-calibrated exactly like theirs.

Honestly, it irks me that a vendor expects you to hand over more than 4 grand for a sapphire touted as unheated, yet cannot produce a report from a reliable, independent lab that supports his/her say-so.

So I personally would walk away for that reason alone. But I certainly understand that you may not be inclined to do so. Still, were I in your shoes, I'd make the sale contingent on a "no evidence of heat" report from AGL with the additional mutual understanding that if the stone "flunks," the vendor bears the expense (and keeps the report) in addition to not getting your $$$$, unless you two then negotiate a lower price.

You two could use David Wolf (Just Appraisers). a highly reputable independent appraiser in Manhattan as the intermediary. His office is super convenient to AGL, so he can walk the stone there & back. And neither you nor the vendor should feel iffy about his honesty-integrity. I don't know what DW is charging nowadays for this kind of service, but you could call to find out his suggestions along these lines & his fees before making a proposal that would involve him.
https://justappraisers.com/about-us/#davidwolf
https://www.yelp.com/biz/just-appraisers-new-york?sort_by=date_desc

 

[kenny]

For a Fancy Colored Diamond GIA is the only lab that can get me to pull out my VISA card.
For any other colored gem, it's AGS.

 

[MollyMalone]

Pssst, @kenny the AGS lab doesn't issue reports on colored gem stones, only diamonds:
https://www.americangemsociety.org/page/agslabsfaqs
But maybe you meant to type AGL.

 

[kenny]

Pssst, @kenny the AGS lab doesn't issue reports on colored gem stones, only diamonds:
https://www.americangemsociety.org/page/agslabsfaqs
But maybe you meant to type AGL.

Thanks, yes.
I meant AGL!

Old brain. ... actually, old and crappy brain.

 

[MollyMalone]

Don't be so hard on yourself, @kenny ! You've been such a faithful, longtime contributor on Rocky Talky, it's perfectly natural that AGS, not AGL, is what's foremost in your mind : - )

 

[kenny]

Aww, shucks.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I'd only send it to AGL. Sure, it might take a couple more weeks but I trust their reports for colored stones much more. I'd get it in writing (via email is fine or comments in PayPal) that the sale will be contingent on AGL finding the sapphire to be unheated. If they find otherwise, the seller will be responsible for reimbursing you the cost of the report and of course the price of the sapphire.

I think a GemBrief would be sufficient. It's $90 after everything's said and done because shipping is $25. Their Prestige Origin reports are $220 (for your size), plus $25 shipping, so I'd say there's a big difference in price.