Looking on how to grade a sapphire

[Wantooplay]

Hey everyone,

You might remember me from the other forum where I was looking for information on black diamonds as an engagement ring. Well after reading and checking on them for the past month, I've decided I'm going to go with her birth stone as the main stone for the ring.

I don't know much about sapphires, other than I want to get her a blue one. However, I know there are a lot of different names and hues for the blues, so could someone tell me what I'm looking for exactly.

I want a sapphire in the range of 5 ct. Other than that, I don't know what I'm looking for exactly where it comes to grading them. Which hues are better, which tinges are better, etc. I've heard of A-AAAA grade, but again, no clue on how you grade it.

I want to be able to go to my local jeweller here and not be taken for a ride due to not knowing what I need. Could someone here tell me the grades, types, and how everything is rated so that I can choose what I want exactly.

Thanks everyone.

 

[slksapphire]

a good place to start is with the pinned thread above, "New to colored gemstone buying"

unlike diamonds, "grading" of colored stones does not generally exist in the marketplace.

the only grading i know of is the prestige report with grading by agl lab (the preferred lab for grading colored gemstones). they objectively grade the color, cut and other factors and provide origin as well if it is discernable.

your first decision should be whether you will accept treatments (heat, other) for your stone, and your budget. also, sapphire "weights" are not comparable to diamonds, so make sure you know what size you want (mm).

good luck and i look forward to tracking your progress.

 

[minousbijoux]

So LD wrote two helpful threads - one generally on colored stones and terms associated with them (Silksapphire just linked to it), and then a follow up thread devoted solely to blue sapphires. [URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-blue-sapphire-start-here.185711/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/looking-for-a-blue-sapphire-start-here.185711/[/URL]

Between these two, you should be covered, though you may have to refer to them more than once to get it all. Just know that there is no real "magic bullet"; its not like once you've mastered all the terms and stats that you will find the one. it will always be more an exercise of the eyes than of the quantifiable components.

Once you've read these, please come back should you have more specific questions. We love to help.

 

[chrono]

There's a lot of reading and you aren't going to be able to grasp everything at once. Take your time and ask as many questions as you like.

 

[minousbijoux]

And of course, you'll need to know your maximum budget - which will likely be somewhat hefty if you want a 5+ ct blue sapphire.