GIA Certification of my 13.3ct Cuprian/Paraiba Tourmaline

[Tourmaline]

I sent my 13.3ct cuprian tourmaline (from Mozambique) to GIA for certification, and I just got the results. Surprisingly (in a good way), the stone was not heated. Surpringly (in a not-so-good way), the stone was clarity enhanced. I've looked into it and it seems that many cuprian/paraiba tourmalines are now filled like most emeralds. I know this affects the value, but the stone has to have some value anyway. What do you think would be a fair price for this stone? The stone and report are being returned to me now, and it's not yet available on the GIA site. Here are a couple of screen shots of the PDF of the report, and my pictures of it.

In case the images of the cert don't show up, here are the stats (the italicized comments are mine):

DETAILS:
Shape: Cushion (though I think it's an oval)
Cutting Style (crown): Brilliant Cut
Cutting Style (pavilion): Step Cut
Transparency: Transparent
Color: Blue-Green

RESULTS:
Species: Tourmaline
Geographic Origin: Not Requested (it's Mozambique)

TREATMENT:
Clarity Enhanced

Item Description: One loose stone
Weight: 13.30 carats
Measurements: 17.45 x 13.71 x 8.36 mm
Comments: This copper and manganese bearing tourmaline may be called "paraiba tourmaline" in the trade. The name "paraiba" comes from the Brazilian locality where this gem was first mined, however today it may come from several localities.

 

[lambskin]

Beautiful.

 

[shinyrocks]

Beautiful color! Sorry to hear about your bad surprise. I have no idea about how this might affect value, but it is disgusting to hear that undisclosed oiling has made its way into the Paraiba tourmaline business. Hopefully others could advise on the value impact.

 

[ExoticGems]

I have had several tourmalines also come up with clarity enhancement and this isn't a new thing, its been in the trade for a while now especially being used in stones from Mozambique. the big question here is what type of product was used to enhance it! based on the box I might be wrong, this original came from a shopping network which puts a label saying cuprian on the back correct.

 

[Tourmaline]

I have had several tourmalines also come up with clarity enhancement and this isn't a new thing, its been in the trade for a while now especially being used in stones from Mozambique. the big question here is what type of product was used to enhance it! based on the box I might be wrong, this original came from a shopping network which puts a label saying cuprian on the back correct.

It did come from a shopping network - good eye. I didn't buy it from there (I bought a collection of gemstones, secondhand), and I didn't trust the paperwork that came with it (it appraised for $27,000), which is why I sent it to GIA.

 

[ExoticGems]

Yes I've gotten several of these they all come back as clarity enhanced, I don't think from my experience that they are enhanced with anything detrimental, they stand up to wear and time. I believe they are just oiled like a emerald would be. in pricing I have sold these for $200-600 a carat for smaller sizes. it think this one because of the color and size could get $600+ per carat even with the enhancement. hope what I said helped . these are usually really good deals when you see them in collections/ estate sales.

 

[Tourmaline]

Yes I've gotten several of these they all come back as clarity enhanced, I don't think from my experience that they are enhanced with anything detrimental, they stand up to wear and time. I believe they are just oiled like a emerald would be. in pricing I have sold these for $200-600 a carat for smaller sizes. it think this one because of the color and size could get $600+ per carat even with the enhancement. hope what I said helped . these are usually really good deals when you see them in collections/ estate sales.

Thank you!

 

[chatoyancy]

It’s a very pretty gem. What do you plan to do with it? Your adorable cat seems to like it.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Generally a good idea of what a stone is worth is what you paid for it. Most gemstones dealers know what they have and what stones are worth.

 

[minousbijoux]

Wait, based on the box you could tell it was from a shopping network?!! That box looks like a standard gem box to me! SMH...

 

[ExoticGems]

yes based on the gem box , they all come in that same exact box. and they are all clarity enhanced

 

[minousbijoux]

But those gem boxes are everywhere! They are sold at gem shows, they're all over ebay, and many of the recommended lapidaries send their gems out in them. Am I missing something that makes them distinctive to you?

Tourmaline: sorry for threadjacking...confusion and curiosity are a terrible pair!

 

[ExoticGems]

it is the combination of the box and the clarity enhancement which lead me to the conclusion these came from a shopping network. although the picture may not show it these boxes are very specific and not like the majority seen out there, these have the crease you see in the picture and the majority of boxes I have encountered don't. the bottom of this box is also hallow as opposed to being a pillow or cushion. I am the Sherlock Holmes of stone boxes.

 

[minousbijoux]

it is the combination of the box and the clarity enhancement which lead me to the conclusion these came from a shopping network. although the picture may not show it these boxes are very specific and not like the majority seen out there, these have the crease you see in the picture and the majority of boxes I have encountered don't. the bottom of this box is also hallow as opposed to being a pillow or cushion. I am the Sherlock Holmes of stone boxes.

 

[Tourmaline]

Generally a good idea of what a stone is worth is what you paid for it. Most gemstones dealers know what they have and what stones are worth.

I did not get the stone from a gemstone dealer. The idea that "generally" it's worth what you've paid for it, does not apply here.

 

[Tourmaline]

It’s a very pretty gem. What do you plan to do with it? Your adorable cat seems to like it.

I'm not sure. I go back and forth between wanting to set it in a ring, and wanting to sell it.

 

[PrecisionGem]

$220 to $500 per ct.

Just to clarify, GIA or for that matter any lab doesn’t certify anything. They issue a report of their findings.

 

[Tourmaline]

$220 to $500 per ct.

Just to clarify, GIA or for that matter any lab doesn’t certify anything. They issue a report of their findings.

Thank you for your opinion on the valuation. That is helpful. I'm not sure what you are saying about GIA. Surely, people will trust GIA's "findings" more than a layperson's, or even a jeweler's.

 

[chrono]

Gene is distinguishing the difference in definition between findings and certifying. Labs do not certify but verify.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Often people on PS will say; “ I have this GIA certified sapphire....”. No labs “certify”. What you have is a report. The lab will not certify that their report is 100% correct, they simply report their findings. Look at your report, do you see the word “Certify” or “Certificate” anyplace? What you do see is “REPORT”

The image on the GIA report shows the stone with less tone and saturation from your images. If the stone looks like the GIA image, then price wise you would be at the lower end. If it’s more like yours than the higher end of the price and maybe more. It’s hard to evaluate a stone from photographs.

 

[Tourmaline]

Often people on PS will say; “ I have this GIA certified sapphire....”. No labs “certify”. What you have is a report. The lab will not certify that their report is 100% correct, they simply report their findings. Look at your report, do you see the word “Certify” or “Certificate” anyplace? What you do see is “REPORT”

The image on the GIA report shows the stone with less tone and saturation from your images. If the stone looks like the GIA image, then price wise you would be at the lower end. If it’s more like yours than the higher end of the price and maybe more. It’s hard to evaluate a stone from photographs.

Ok, I feel like you are splitting hairs here, but if you enjoy it, carry on.

I have never seen a stone image on a GIA report that looks much like the actual stone. I feel like those images are scans rather than photographs, but I don't know the process there.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Not really, there is a big difference between certifying something and reporting something.
I’m just trying to help you get the jargon correct so you sound better informed. It’s just like the word saturation is most often used incorrectly when the person really means tone.

 

[whitewave]

Using the word certified is something we have to be careful of here on PS.

 

[Tourmaline]

Ok, thanks.

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Thank you Tourmaline for updating and educating us on your Paraiba tourmaline. I think it is a beautiful gem.

 

[T L]

Never put it in an ultrasonic cleaner, and if you have it set, instruct your jeweler not to use one. They can have a detrimental effect on clarity enhanced stones. Many cuprian tourmalines are clarity enhanced, a rather common treatment nowadays for these stones.

 

[Barrett]

Huh...clarity enhanced, you say??? I wonder what with......????

 

[Tourmaline]

Huh...clarity enhanced, you say??? I wonder what with......????

I gather that many cuprian and paraiba tourmalines are treated in the same way as emeralds are treated. They are filled with oil and/or resin. This stone does not feel like resin. It feels like stone. I don't know if that means anything.

 

[T L]

I gather that many cuprian and paraiba tourmalines are treated in the same way as emeralds are treated. They are filled with oil and/or resin. This stone does not feel like resin. It feels like stone. I don't know if that means anything.

You will not be able to feel the resin. It is negligible in weight. It's primarily used to treat surface cracks that penetrate the stone.

 

[chrono]

You won't be able to feel it because it goes inside all the cracks.