Heated vs Unheated Sapphire

[Double E]

I also got a quote sometime ago from a Sri Lanka based vendor, a business run by a western man, for a 1.3 ct Sri Lankan ruby for $900. Not any sort of vivid red or blood red by any means, instead more of a intense to vivid purplish pink in my eye, that you may call it pink sapphire. But similar to the pricing of Starlanka, still sounds contradictory to what’s generally expected for high unheated prices.

 

[Double E]

I also got a quote sometime ago from a Sri Lanka based vendor, a business run by a western man, for a 1.3 ct Sri Lankan ruby for $900. Not any sort of vivid red or blood red by any means, instead more of a intense to vivid purplish pink in my eye, that you may call it pink sapphire. But similar to the pricing of Starlanka, still sounds contradictory to what’s generally expected for high unheated prices.

Forgot to add, it’s very eye clean to loupe clean.

 

[icy_jade]

I also got a quote sometime ago from a Sri Lanka based vendor, a business run by a western man, for a 1.3 ct Sri Lankan ruby for $900. Not any sort of vivid red or blood red by any means, instead more of a intense to vivid purplish pink in my eye. But similar to the pricing of Starlanka, still sounds contradictory to what’s generally expected for high unheated prices.

Prices are not as high as you keep making it out to be. I got a small 1 ct ruby for 1k or so too. As mentioned, some vendors have fairly high mark-up or could be due to where they source the gems from. Personally I find that buying closer to source through fewer change of hands helps. Each time the gem goes through another middle person, expect the price to go up.

 

[voce]

I don't think the palette is constrained by heated vs. unheated; there are unheated deeps, royals, cornflowers, pastels, and of all degrees of vividness.

The palette isn't constrained by heated vs unheated. However, the RARITY and AVAILABILITY, thus price, of unheated sapphires is constrained by the color desired, all else being equal.

Low heat vs no heat is not a 10x price difference. Usually between 1.5x-2x. For ruby, the red color of corundum for which heated vs unheated seems to affect price the most, you can expect about 3x-5x, depending on ct size of the gem, assuming non-melee. At the 1ct size the unheated send to carry a 3x premium, whereas if you go above 3ct, you can expect the unheated to carry a 5x premium.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Prices are not as high as you keep making it out to be. I got a small 1 ct ruby for 1k or so too. As mentioned, some vendors have fairly high mark-up or could be due to where they source the gems from. Personally I find that buying closer to source through fewer change of hands helps. Each time the gem goes through another middle person, expect the price to go up.

I think the issue is understanding the quality of a stone. Ruby is very difficult, as slight differences in hue and tone can dramatically increase the price. Most people never see an upper extra fine stone. These are very rare.

Take a no origin specific heat treated ruby 1 to 1.99 ct. The price ranges from $36 per ct $8100 per ct. Most stones you will see fall in the commercial area and will be $300 to $400 per ct. You could hunt for days at the Tucson show and look at hundreds of stones and not see an upper extra fine stone.

Certainly from a photo, the average well informed consumer (Pricescoper) could not determine if the stone is a Fine ($1900 per ct), or Extra Fine. Most jewelers couldn't tell you by looking at the stone in person.

This same stone, if from Burma, and no heat could be $25,000 to $35,000 per ct.

This is why people looking for really high end stones, often pay and expert to select the stone for them. This is commonly done when buying single stones in the $50,000 to $400,000 range. Not the type of thing we see here very often.

 

[icy_jade]

I think the issue is understanding the quality of a stone. Ruby is very difficult, as slight differences in hue and tone can dramatically increase the price. Most people never see an upper extra fine stone. These are very rare.

Take a no origin specific heat treated ruby 1 to 1.99 ct. The price ranges from $36 per ct $8100 per ct. Most stones you will see fall in the commercial area and will be $300 to $400 per ct. You could hunt for days at the Tucson show and look at hundreds of stones and not see an upper extra fine stone.

Certainly from a photo, the average well informed consumer (Pricescoper) could not determine if the stone is a Fine ($1900 per ct), or Extra Fine. Most jewelers couldn't tell you by looking at the stone in person.

This same stone, if from Burma, and no heat could be $25,000 to $35,000 per ct.

This is why people looking for really high end stones, often pay and expert to select the stone for them. This is commonly done when buying single stones in the $50,000 to $400,000 range. Not the type of thing we see here very often.

Agree that we are not discussing prices for a Mogok pigeon blood here. Just average unheated rubies. Not “trade ideal” ones so prices aren’t that scary.

 

[Double E]

Agree that we are not discussing prices for a Mogok pigeon blood here. Just average unheated rubies. Not “trade ideal” ones so prices aren’t that scary.

I doubt if I will ever be willing to spend that much on a stone Better for us all to stay in a more realistic market.

 

[caolsen]

I doubt if I will ever be willing to spend that much on a stone Better for us all to stay in a more realistic market.

Exactly. As as we’re staying in the realm of the real, that’s what I’m a fan of heated for certain colors, like deep royal blue. I refuse to pay the mark up for an very fine, very clear (diamond equivalent of a VS) unheated one of the same color.