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HELP! I bought this blue sapphire, and I am not sure if I should have!

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melissacyruseid

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 23, 2008
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Hi! My name is Melissa and my boyfriend and I purchased a sapphire for my engagement ring. Diamonds are out of our price range, and I love the history of Sapphires, so it was a very natural choice for us. Thing is, I know much more about diamonds than I do sapphires. Below is a picture of the sapphire and the AGL card that came with it. What do you think? Good investment, bad investment??? It is unheated, which I know is good. But the color is not super uniform. Does that matter if the stone is unheated?

card.JPG
 
Stones like this are never a good INVESTMENT.So it isn't smart to think of them that way. As for a stone for a ring, if you love it that is what matters. But you sound unsure. Do you have closer pictures of the cut/zoning? And how much did you pay for it?
 
The stone is form Madagascar. I paid 150.00 for it. I thought that was a SUPER deal since it is an untreated stone. I have heard that untreated stone fetch a much higher premium, so I thought 150.00 was more than reasonable. I guess now since I have looked at what other non-treated stones typically cost, I am worried that there MUST be something wrong with it! Call me a pessimist, but in my experience, if it is too good to be true, it most likely is....

Link to pic

http://imagecloset.com/view12/ef6f56ce67616b67df36206ea54ec255/sapphire.JPG
 
Date: 5/23/2008 10:49:38 AM
Author: melissacyruseid
The stone is form Madagascar. I paid 150.00 for it. I thought that was a SUPER deal since it is an untreated stone. I have heard that untreated stone fetch a much higher premium, so I thought 150.00 was more than reasonable. I guess now since I have looked at what other non-treated stones typically cost, I am worried that there MUST be something wrong with it! Call me a pessimist, but in my experience, if it is too good to be true, it most likely is....


Link to pic


http://imagecloset.com/view12/ef6f56ce67616b67df36206ea54ec255/sapphire.JPG
Click to expand...

$150 is nothing in the scheme of stones, but I also agree it probably is treated in some way. But who cares? This is NEVER going to be worth anything other than sentimental value, so really, if you love it, that is what matters!!!

If you want you can take it to an appraiser who *specializes* in colored stones, but that''ll cost you around $100. Otherwise just enjoy it.
 
I see that you got this on ebay, right? Do you have a link to the stone listing?
 
The AGL certification states that it has not been treated. I called AGL and verified the card number and authenticity. The stone matches the card description, as far as weight and measurements. So, I am thinking that the stone is in fact not treated. However, I think my question is, what else should I be looking for in a good quality sapphire? Does the second picture have zoning? What is Zoning and how does it effect the value of the stone. What could I expect to pay in a retail setting for this stone?

Also, why should I not consider the stone an investment? If I got an unheated good quality stone for 150.00, when I could expect to pay much more in a retail setting, I would consider that a good investment. I am not really planning to resell, I don'' think??? But, there is a return policy that ends in a couple days. I have tried to track down a gemologist, but they are hard to come by here apparently. And the jewelry store I did find one at snubbed me! I did not buy the stone from them, so they were unwilling to be of any real help. I took it to a chain as well, and the lady helping me was completely unaware that sapphires were usually heated! Ugh...

Thanks for your help with all my silly questions!

Best
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=320252696467&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:PIC&ih=011

link to ebay.
 
All I am saying is that people usually don''t sell on ebay what they could make much more $ on selling through different channels. So, while $150 may have been a good price, I doubt that you have a stone worth thousands of dollars on your hands KWIM? And stones are hardly ever an investment. I think if you tried to sell this yourself you could probably make your $ back, but I don''t think you could make thousands on it as an *investment*. But I am not an expert here.


As for the stone...it does look like it has color zoning, but it''s hard to tell with such small pictures. That will decrease the value a lot. Something else to look for are windows. Looking at the stone from the top, can you see clear through to the bottom of the stone at all in any direction? Those are windows and are a sign of poor cutting.

And last, the stone looks like it might be milky looking with inclusions? Is that true or is the stone nice and clear? That also can affect the price.

Once again, I would try to view this not as an investment, but for what it is, a sapphire for an engagement ring. If you love it and it makes your heart sing, that is all that should matter.
 
AND the certificate doesn't say it's unheated...it says no HIGH temperature heating. It does have low temp heating it appears? I might clarify with AGL on that.
 
Oh and if you want an appraiser, you can send it off to Richard Sherwood in FL. He knows his colored gems and if you really want to know if this is an investment he''d be the man!
 
Here are a couple more pictures...

Thanks for all your advice. Would you keep it or save the 150.00 to put towards a better stone? I am willing to spend up to 500.00 Which is what Jared quoted me for a 6mm round that will fit in my ring...

I called AGL again. They said that they could not 100% rule out that low temp heating did not take place. Otherwise it would have stated "none", she is going to look over the paperwork and call me back. I had no idea there was high and low...So thank you for the heads up. I have yet to actually get to see the ring...As I will probably receive it this afternoon or Monday...

He did email me a couple more pictures though and I appreciate your feedback!

http://imagecloset.com/view12/9f1a04c8f1f5e20c7166dc702438eae9/stone%202.jpg
http://imagecloset.com/view12/9f1a04c8f1f5e20c7166dc702438eae9/stone%202.jpg

Thanks again!
 
OOps! Thaey are both the same....Here is the other~

http://imagecloset.com/view12/3cfd03aae935e2dd998174a7a719f9e8/stone1.JPG
 
So hard to tell without better pictures...is it really important to you to have unheated or do you just want the nicest stone you can get?

And what are your color preferences?

A good place for unheated stones is The Natural Sapphire Company.
 
I really like darker stones. I am not a big fan of the lighter blues. Unheated would be nice, just because they are so rare...I would rather have something rare, than a dime a dozen sapphire from a chain jewelry store....I think? lol...This is why I took the risk and went the ebay route...I figured I would get the stone, have it looked at, and return it if I was unhappy.

I just don''t feel as if I am educated enough to make a proper decision...

What I hear you saying...Is that value is not as important as the way I feel about the stone. But, the way I feel about the stone is dependent upon value. I could find a pretty man-made gem in our budget... But, I guess I want something "special" as this is a special ring for me...

Am I making any sense?

Maybe I will know when I see it? Maybe I will take one look and think it looks uneven, and return it???

I guess i should just wait, and try to take it somewhere in person...

I feel slightly stupid for thinking I might have found the deal of a lifetime on ebay...
7.gif


Where would you go for the best value? And what are the most important things to look for when purchasing a sapphire???

I should be paying you....seriously. lol
 
Oh don''t worry Melissa! It''s happened to all of us.

So there are a lot of variables when buying sapphires. Unfortunately, you won''t get anything that is RARE and beautiful for under $500. The rare sapphires are in the thousands of dollars per carat, it is a misconception that they are cheaper than diamonds, at least at the nicest colors and clarities.

The best value certainly isn''t going to be an unheated stone, but that is a personal preference. Especially if you like the "rarer" color blues, heated will get you more bang for your buck. But buying colored stones is hard, you really just need to see a TON of them in order to determine what your personal preferences are and what you are comfortable spending.

But you are not going to get a super beautiful true blue, unzoned, unheated, sapphire from a reputable company for $150. So for the price if you love it, it certainly wasn''t a bad deal assuming it''s real.
 
Check out Natural Sapphire Company for fair prices on unheated.

For heated you can check:

AJS Gems

multicolour.com

wildfishgems.com (also unheated stuff)

acsstones.com

simplysapphires.com


Now all of these stones won't be winners, but it will give you a good gauge for price. Price varies WILDLY by color and clarity, so you'll need to know what you have first before you can compare correctly.
 
If you want something rare, natural, and affordable, why not go spinel? Spinel is, to the best of my knowledge, practically as durable as sapphire, comes in pretty much the same range of colors, is rarely treated, and is both rarer and cheaper.

For what it''s worth, I think your sapphire looks pretty.
 
I personally like your new acquisition from the pictures. But it really depends on what you think of it in real life.

Knowing all that I do from Pricescope and personal experience, I would never ever buy something from Jared. They don''t know squat as far as gemstones go, and they are just another B&M Maul store from what I can tell. Seriously, I have never walked into a store that has more arrogant employees with slick sales technique and hardly any real knowledge. They made me feel dirty-like I needed to go home and take a shower after I walked out. They had absolutely no idea what I was talking about when I asked about London or Swiss Blue topaz-they only carry Sky-and they didn''t know that was the color.

Honestly, I''d tell you to start over from scratch and run fast and far away from Jared, unless they are the only ones who carry the setting your looking for. Which I highly doubt. I''m so glad you joined PS. We''ll take care of you.
 
Well, look at the stone and see if it speaks to you. Buying stones on ebay is tricky, it''s often better to buy from smaller retailers or to buy say, an old pendant and have the stone re-set. If you want a round sapphire, try this one, or if it''s just the deep blue you like, look into iolite, also called water sapphire. It comes in a range of colors, is well saturated and affordable.

Good luck!
 
Iolite is definitely both attractive and affordable, mercoledi, but would you reccomend it for an engagement ring? It is, after all, only slightly harder than quartz, so I imagine that in a ring you wear every day, the stone might end up looking rather worn.
 
Good point, I''m not sure. The iolites I have are studs, so they don''t take as much wear and tear. Definitely something to consider.
 
That is one nice looking stone Mercoledi! (It''s weird to see a stone on NSC that doesn''t have a totally deep or wonked out cut-that one makes me happy!
 
Date: 5/23/2008 2:47:23 PM
Author: mercoledi
Good point, I''m not sure. The iolites I have are studs, so they don''t take as much wear and tear. Definitely something to consider.
Click to expand...
Iolite is slightly softer than aquamarine (and other beryls). Well, my grandmother had a pair of aquamarine rings, one of them huge, and she was also an avid gardener. She loved gardening, and she loved jewelry, and one certainly did not exclude the other.

As a result, her aquamarines now have worn facets, which goes to show that daily wear can take its toll on even relatively hard stones. Some stones are better reserved for special occasions, or, like you said, for studs or pendants.

And sorry for going off topic! :)
 
Date: 5/23/2008 11:14:20 AM
Author: neatfreak
AND the certificate doesn''t say it''s unheated...it says no HIGH temperature heating. It does have low temp heating it appears? I might clarify with AGL on that.
Click to expand...


I picked up on this immediately as well. The definition of "high" temp is anyone''s guess. At this price range, however, it''s all about how the stone looks. If the color, clarity and size please you, you''ve done well.
 
What should I look for in cut, and clarity, and color?
 
You should look for something you love. There aren't specs for gemstones the way diamonds have them. Color is totally subjective-what you want is totally different than what I want-but certain colors are going to be super expensive. Dark ones (like at maul stores) that are almost black are going to be less expensive (and less desirable) than others. Stones that are more purple or green will be cheaper. Cut is going to be the most difficult-because most gemstones are cut fat and deep so that their color will be darker. As for clarity-you want eye clean-there are inclusions that could potentially threaten the safety of your stone-you need to stay away from those. If you see a stone that you love but it has slight inclusions, don't let that concern you unless you think it will bother you to see those inclusions.

Basically it is ALL subjective.

I personally like the one that mercoledi posted, but would prefer a more off color (like more green) and bigger. But those are my preferences.
 
Date: 5/23/2008 5:45:19 PM
Author: melissacyruseid
What should I look for in cut, and clarity, and color?
Click to expand...

Just something you love...in your price range that is what you should be most focused on!

Did you check out the stone Mercoledi posted? That one is a beauty!
 
You''ve got great advice so far.

Just to add a couple of things:

Rule out iolite - far too soft for an e-ring. I wouldn''t risk it myself.

Ebay bargains - I have found a few amazing deals. But, it was buying old pieces where the seller truly did not know what they were selling - I think I''ve had about 5 in the last 4 years and I spend a LOT of time searching ebay. You won''t get an amazing deal on any stone that comes with so called ''certificates'' or from a vendor who knows what they have. You will pay a fair price if you are careful.
 
Hi...thought I would share my .02, since I have bought many sapphires, some on ebay, and have learned EXTENSIVELY the hard way.

First off, I am concerned that the seller took the step to get the stone ''certified'' using a gem brief, but then promoted the stone incorrectly. The seller stated that the stone was ''unheated''. The cert says no evidence of ''high temperature heating''. Based on the cert, the lab NOT saying its unheated. Almost all sapphires, unless they are described as ''Unheated'' are subjected to low temperature heat treatment to ''clean up'' the stone so it has better clarity and removes silk (personally, I like the silk because it gives a stone that ''sleepy glow''). High temperature treatments are generally 1500 to 1800 degrees and are usually associated with the addition of other color enhancement processes including diffusion, where beryllium is added to change or enhance the color. The ONLY definitive way to check for that is with laser ablation where a tiny part of the sapphire is vaporized and that is chemically analyzed. Other than that, the decision is based on their judgment viewing the inclusions for evidence of healing and melting that are typically associated with high temperature treatments.

Beyond the science of treatment, as said above, it becomes a VERY personal journey. While I agree that no one in their correct mind is going to sell a stone worth thousands on ebay in a no reserve or low reserve auction, it is possible to find pleasing material, and you may have done that. Sapphires, particularly most blue African, are going to have elements of green and blue in them. The presence of green gives the sapphire that teal color. If oriented correctly during cutting, you won''t see that. When you receive the stone, viewing it from different angles will allow you to see this. Look at your stone in a variety of light sources, both inside, florescent and incandescent, and outside cloudy, in the shade and in the sun. I am continually amazed at how different lighting conditions affect the way a sapphire looks. From the look of the pictures, it looks like a nice stone.

As far as cutting, in smaller gems, round brilliant or portuguese faceting produce the most flash. Native step cutting, as this stone is maximizes weight at the expense of face up appeal, and can produce a small window. Recutting may not be an option here due to the stone.

The sapphire posted from the Natural Sapphire Co. is a nice stone.

All the best in your sapphire adventure!
 
Date: 5/23/2008 1:56:54 PM
Author: mercoledi
Well, look at the stone and see if it speaks to you. Buying stones on ebay is tricky, it's often better to buy from smaller retailers or to buy say, an old pendant and have the stone re-set. If you want a round sapphire, try this one, or if it's just the deep blue you like, look into iolite, also called water sapphire. It comes in a range of colors, is well saturated and affordable.

Good luck!
Click to expand...
Good fiind on this sapphire mercoledi!

m. This stone is much nicer in color and cut that the one you selected, in my opinion (and you did ask)... but if you love the one you bought, keep it and wear it well. For $150 bucks, you aren't going to get something "perfect" by gemstone standards, but you can still get something special that you adore.
 
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