Got sidetracked... pink sapphire clarity help please

[shelly1170]

I am considering a pink sapphire and diamond e-ring. The ring I tried on was a 1ct emerald cut pink sapphire with white diamond trilliant shoulders. Sapphire was a natural pink.

When I turned the sapphire on certain angles, I could see what looked like little crystals in the stone. This was under the bright lights of the jewellery store with the diamonds flashing like crazy (think they were E VVS).

I admit I know very little about coloured stones. Is this normal? Or is this a poor quality stone?

 

[colormyworld]

Hi Shelly, a large percentage of the pink sapphire I have seen have this type of inclusions in them. I think it is pretty common in pink sapphire. Regards Doug

 

[Kaleigh]

Emerald cuts are not forgiving as far as inclusions are concerned. I have an oval pink sapphire and I see no inclusions even when I loupe it.

 

[shelly1170]

So it''s common but more noticable because of the cut? Makes sense...

I will have another look at it next week, unless I find something else in the mean time!

 

[Richard M.]

Date: 11/10/2005 7:23:42 PM
Author: shelly1170
So it''s common but more noticable because of the cut? Makes sense...

Corundum (sapphire and ruby) are rated Type II stones by the GIA, which means they usually have inclusions of some kind. Clarity-grading of colored gems is very different than for diamonds.

As Kaleigh pointed out, cut has a lot to do with how noticeable inclusions may be. Emerald cuts feature long, rectangular facets called ''step facets.'' They''re a lot like window panes that make inclusions easier to see. Inclusions are less noticeable in stones with trianglar "brilliant" facets like rounds, ovals and some other shapes. These facets, if correctly cut, break light up into many rays that bounce around inside the stone before emerging back to the eye. That brilliance often makes inclusions much less noticeable.

These days with so many man-made colored gems being sold, it''s desirable to have some minor internal inclusions that prove a gem''s natural origin.

 

[shelly1170]

Thank you Richard! Exactly what I wanted to know.

I asked the manager of the store if he could see the inclusions but he said it was most likely the reflection from the diamonds. To me, they almost looked like faint, tiny faint snowflakes inside the stone, quite deep.

Like you said, it''s a nice reminder that the stone is natural.

In your opinion, is it better to have a more faceted cut? Is the emerald not the premium cut for this type of stone? Or is just a matter of preference.

I quite liked the geometric balance of the emerald cut with the trilliants.

That pink sapphire in your gallery is just beautiful! I could live with that!!!

 

[valeria101]

Date: 11/10/2005 8:27:34 PM
Author: shelly1170

In your opinion, is it better to have a more faceted cut? Is the emerald not the premium cut for this type of stone? Or is just a matter of preference.

Well... considering that I'd rather have even the ice cubes step cut

As far as I know rounds come at a premium, but not because this is the (technically) best cut for sapphire; it just so happens. Any fine (brilliant, not windowed, decently symmetrical face up and large for weight etc.) cut would be valued higher regardless of shape. Well cut step cut sapphires seem to be harder to find than other shapes and it may be that cuts with smaller facets are preffered for the usual reasons (hiding inclusions, enhancing color and brighteness... whatever else). Of course this doesn't change my idea of the perfect cut, but it is just a matter of taste.

As far as I know, as usual

 

[maxspinel]

Date: 11/10/2005 8:27:34 PM
Author: shelly1170

To me, they almost looked like faint, tiny faint snowflakes inside the stone, quite deep.

Like you said, it''s a nice reminder that the stone is natural.

If you can see the inclusions unaided easily, then the stone is not eye clean. For some of the eye clean stones, you can only tell the inclusions under magnification. Inclusions are acceptable so long as it does not distract from the beauty of the stone. Location of the inclusions are very important. If they are very noticeable under the crown, then they are less desirable compared to those that are located near the edge. It does not hurt to shop around.