Ok question about another sapphire!

[Macky]

So based on the feedback I received on this site, I have decided to stay away from heated sapphires. I have been offered today the following sapphire: it is unheated and it is 1.7. It does, however, look awfully dark and the vendor has told me that there is a slight scratch on the surface. Does anyone here think that the scratch can be polished out? And is it too dark? Thank you!!!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Finding a good sapphire is quite a task. This one is very dark in the middle in fact the only color I see is just on the very edges. IMO it is too dark, I would want to see that pretty blue on the edges throughout the stone.

Have you tried Multicolour.com? That is where I found my sapphire although it is heated. They have a very large inventory in every color you can think of. If you love the thrill of the hunt it might be worth a look.

 

[Macky]

Thanks for your feedback! TBH, I actually don't mind the colour as much as I mind the scratch. I kind of like dark blue sapphires. :O How bad do you think the scratch is though???

 

[YadaYadaYada]

I haven't had a scratch polished out, wouldn't think it would be a problem but maybe some of the more experienced folks can chime in.

There's this saying with colored stones "buy with your eye" for example my sapphire has a hazy sleepy look, would drive some crazy but I like it. So go with what you personally like, just be aware that stones will sometimes be photographed under very bright light and will look darker in person. Also it will darken when you set it as well.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Why are you staying away from heated stones? For the same money, typically you will get a nicer looking stone with a heated stone. By only looking at unheated stones, you are limiting yourself to a very small percentage of stones.

 

[Macky]

Because earlier this week I discovered that it's very difficult to tell if a stone has been heated to a high temperature or had additional thermal enhancements (berrylium treatment, diffusion, etc.). I don't want to worry about additional treatments that a sapphire may have had and I don't want to pay for the additional be testing for every stone I purchase. For me, buying non-heated removes much of that worry!!!

 

[Macky]

I haven't had a scratch polished out, wouldn't think it would be a problem but maybe some of the more experienced folks can chime in.

There's this saying with colored stones "buy with your eye" for example my sapphire has a hazy sleepy look, would drive some crazy but I like it. So go with what you personally like, just be aware that stones will sometimes be photographed under very bright light and will look darker in person. Also it will darken when you set it as well.

StephanieLynn I really like the colour of Kate Middleton's sapphire. Is that one a lot darker than this one?? I know her sapphire is considered darker than the ideal colour.

 

[Antonowsky]

Because earlier this week I discovered that it's very difficult to tell if a stone has been heated to a high temperature or had additional thermal enhancements (berrylium treatment, diffusion, etc.). I don't want to worry about additional treatments that a sapphire may have had and I don't want to pay for the additional be testing for every stone I purchase. For me, buying non-heated removes much of that worry!!!

How do you know that a stone is unheated? It can be heated AND "modern" treated. Same with heated (only) actually. Look for stones with certificates.

 

[Macky]

All of the stones I have bought so far come with certificates. And each stone I receive I get independently appraised.

 

[Antonowsky]

So, what's the problem with heated only stones then? It is said in certificates: "Additional treatment: None" or similar.

 

[Macky]

Because it could technically say treatment- heat- and technically be correct without disclosing any additional diffusion treatments. Diffusion treatments are a form of heat. I would want an only heated stone.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

StephanieLynn I really like the colour of Kate Middleton's sapphire. Is that one a lot darker than this one?? I know her sapphire is considered darker than the ideal colour.

Kate Middleton's is definitely a dark blue but it is also obviously blue from a distance as you can see in this picture. The concern I would have with this sapphire is that from a distance it will look black because that it what is most dominant in this stone.

I don't know your budget but obviously an unheated royal blue stone is going to command a premium. Color is everything in a colored stone so even if this stone is a great deal if it's not going to get you the desired effect then it's not worth buying.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Yvonne Raley has a nice sapphire oval in shape, 1.40 carats, the color is very consistent in this stone but it is heat treated. The nice thing about Yvonne is you can buy the stone and try it in different lighting and if it's not what you're looking for you can return it.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/204802...earch_query=Sapphire&ref=shop_items_search_23

 

[Antonowsky]

Never saw such certificate in 30+ years. If a stone is diffused then it is indicated in certificate. Actually without saying "heat treatment," just "diffusion." There are many other inappropriate treatments for corundum; lead glass filling for instance is widely used ($10 per ct for such stone is way too much). But unless a lab is located in Ukrainian village it is always revealed. The worst certificate I saw was Thai one that says: "Treatment: Heat. Additional testing if foreign elements were introduced is required." Obviously such certificate is nothing. But normally certificates - even briefs - say "Evidence of heat treatment has been found" or "has not been found" and this means in case of "found" - "but that's it."

 

[Macky]

Exactly. Many certificates say indications of heat. I was told on another thread on here that unless it is from an esteemable lab like AGL or GIA one should stay away from certificates that say indications of heat. It could still be diffused for example but just say indications of heat without mentioning the diffusion. This is why I turned down the purchase of a heated sapphire earlier this week. A certificate such as this one may not be accurate in stating whether or not a gem has been diffused or had berrylium treatments.

 

[Macky]

Yvonne Raley has a nice sapphire oval in shape, 1.40 carats, the color is very consistent in this stone but it is heat treated. The nice thing about Yvonne is you can buy the stone and try it in different lighting and if it's not what you're looking for you can return it.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/204802...earch_query=Sapphire&ref=shop_items_search_23

Omg that's a gorgeous stone StephanieLynn. Unfortunately, that is wayyy out of my budget.

 

[minousbijoux]

Macky: you are correct. In most circumstances, the more invasive treatments go undetected without the use of sophisticated and extremely expensive equipment. Most gem labs cannot afford this equipment and do not have it to test the stones. The big, well known labs have it, AIGS in Bangkok has at least some of it, and there may be one or two others that have subsequently secured it. But it is the exception rather than the rule, which is why for corundum, most of us here would only use the big gun labs. And umm, some of us have learned the hard way (points finger at self ) and there are ample threads here to prove it!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Macky you might want to check Pristine Gemstones on Etsy, they have some dark blue sapphires, you would need to check with them on treatment though:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PristineGemstones

I can relate about budget, I think the most surprising thing i didn't know is that the setting can be even more than the stone! I paid around $165 for my sapphire and $795 for the setting

 

[Macky]

Macky: you are correct. In most circumstances, the more invasive treatments go undetected without the use of sophisticated and extremely expensive equipment. Most gem labs cannot afford this equipment and do not have it to test the stones. The big, well known labs have it, AIGS in Bangkok has at least some of it, and there may be one or two others that have subsequently secured it. But it is the exception rather than the rule, which is why for corundum, most of us here would only use the big gun labs. And umm, some of us have learned the hard way (points finger at self ) and there are ample threads here to prove it!

Thank you! I was schooled the other day by experts on this forum. I try to take on board what I learned.

 

[Macky]

Macky you might want to check Pristine Gemstones on Etsy, they have some dark blue sapphires, you would need to check with them on treatment though:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/PristineGemstones

I can relate about budget, I think the most surprising thing i didn't know is that the setting can be even more than the stone! I paid around $165 for my sapphire and $795 for the setting

I actually prefer to buy my gemstones at auctions because I LOVE the bidding process. It's part of the appeal for me lol. May I see a picture of your stone please? And wow- that's quite a lot for a setting!!!! :O

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Ah, I can appreciate that, I'm not an auction person but I do love a bargain!

Here is the thread with pictures of the stone and ring, I worked with someone on Etsy and she did a great job with it.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-new-pink-sapphire-ring-from-julia-b.234282/

 

[Macky]

Omg I love that! It's beyond gorgeous. Thank you so much for showing it to me.
Ok I just won the sapphire above for 100 dollars. What do you think? Should I get it? Will it look completely black when set?

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks for the nice compliment!

So you won the auction yay! I mean, I'm assuming it's yours now so get it and see what it's like in person and then we will have to work on finding a setting if you decide you love it

 

[Macky]

Thanks for the nice compliment!

So you won the auction yay! I mean, I'm assuming it's yours now so get it and see what it's like in person and then we will have to work on finding a setting if you decide you love it

Thank you! The best thing about this vendor is that he accepts returns no questions asked. So when I receive it I will decide what to do. Thank you again!