Ordered a CC Sapphire on 14 day approval...now what?

[keen]

Hello,

I pulled the trigger on an online purchase of what looks like a nice native cut color change sapphire. It comes with a AIGS brief cert showing it as an "unheated" stone.

So, it should be here on Thursday or Friday of this week, the question is...then what?

Clearly, I will take a look at the overall quality of the stone and if the cut, color change, tone, color, clarity, etc are eye pleasing and this is a stone I would consider keeping. If it fails to my eye, then back it goes...but what if it look good to me?

Should I be sending it for another Cert? (GIA or AGL) or should I send it to an independent appraiser? If so any suggestions as to who to send it to?

If an independent appraiser is all that is needed is there one in the San Francisco Area that folks specifically recommend? (Blazens, B. Voltarie, Nancy Stacey, Carole Richbourg, or ???) I am a few hours from SF but could make the trip for piece of mind.

I will post pics and details of the process as it moves forward...

Thank you all for your help in advance.

 

[LD]

Personally I wouldn't bother getting another report - AIGS is a reasonable lab.

As for an appraisal - why do you want this? If it's for insurance purposes then first you need to decide whether you're keeping the stone or not. An appraisal is typically for insurance not to tell you whether the sapphire is worth what you paid. Some appraisers will give you an indication of value but if you feel you've paid a fair price in the first instance, why bother spending money to be told that it's a fair deal? Posting on here will give you a similar indication BUT you need to post what you're happy with and looking for - ie you've said it's not precision cut and that's not a problem for you. Make sure you say that!

When the stone arrives take a few days to view it and make sure you see it in all lights. This is especially important with a colour shifter. Some stones are love at first sight, others are a slow burn BUT if you don't love it then please send it back (if you can). A good test is to put the gem on your hand (palm down) between two fingers. This is close most of the light around the stone and will give you a good indication of what the stone will look like when set. If you love the stone then please don't bother with what anybody else thinks. Some of us on this forum can only tolerate top class stones, some can only tolerate precision cuts and others just look for colour. Honestly, this is about what you love!

 

[chrono]

The AIGS report is sufficient. There is no need for a second memo in this case.

Things to observe:
1 Colouration under various lighting conditions. Does it lose intensity or gain? How strong is the shift? Is the shift complete or partial? Is the distribution of colour even?
2. How is the cutting? Pay attention to how widespread any dark areas might be, possible windowing, off symmetry, bowties and more.
3. Clarity should be eye clean. Make sure no inclusion breaks the surface.

What is the purpose of the appraisal? Is it for insurance purposes? If so, make sure the appraiser notes the colour quality (hue, saturation, and tone) in the paperwork so that the insurance company knows it must replace it with a stone of the same stats.

 

[FrekeChild]

Looking forward to pics!

 

[Justin_Cutter]

Is heat treatment a deal breaker for you? If you do like the stone and heat treatment is really important to you then you might want to consider another report. AGL preferably. An AGL Gem Brief would be sufficient.

AIGS has been proven wrong when it comes to heat treatment in the past.

~Justin

 

[chrono]

Justin,
Was this before, during of after their change in management? I can certainly believe it happening during the change phase. Customer service was evasive and memos took to forever to be issued.

 

[Justin_Cutter]

Justin,
Was this before, during of after their change in management? I can certainly believe it happening during the change phase. Customer service was evasive and memos took to forever to be issued.

The cert in question was issued in May of 2009.






~Justin

 

[chrono]

IIRC, 2009 was when AIGS was running without good direction during a management changeover. I do agree with your suggestion though that if the OP cares about wanting an untreated stone, the AGL brief is the best way to go. The problem is that not all Thai vendors offer that option.

 

[Justin_Cutter]

IIRC, 2009 was when AIGS was running without good direction during a management changeover. I do agree with your suggestion though that if the OP cares about wanting an untreated stone, the AGL brief is the best way to go. The problem is that not all Thai vendors offer that option.

Good point. I am glad to hear that the management has AIGS on a path for success. Its nice to have another reliable lab on the list. Thanks for the info Chrono.

~Justin