Royal Blue VVS Sapphire Help UNHEATED or HEATED?

[gemvalue]

Dear Colored Stone Lovers,
I own a Sapphire Stone that I think the value of the stone is tens of thousands $$$, The color is outstanding, VVS clarity, it's weights 5.04 Ct, i am attaching pictures of it I just made with my camera, the question is is it possible to find by my own is the stone has been treated in any way, I need to find if the stone is untreated, unheated, is there any testers for that, I am afraid to send it to GIA or any other labs because there are no such labs in my country and I do not want to risk sending very valuable stone by mail. Please advise.
Thank you

 

[T L]

What country do you live in?

If there's absolutely no inclusions, it may be difficult to tell if high heat or regular heat were used, let alone unheated/untreated. High heat is used in the diffusion process. You may need to send it to a lab.

Sometimes if you see a needle, some silk, or a crystal inclusion with sharp edges, you can at least rule out high heat.

 

[gemvalue]

I am in Bulgaria

 

[T L]

I am in Bulgaria

I would then recommend SSEF or GRS, which are Swiss gemological labs. I really don't know what other option you have. I would contact them and ask them the best way to send a gemstone of potentially high value.

 

[gemvalue]

It will not work for me sending it to Switzerland, because Switzerland is not in European Union, so have to write custom form, they should pay duty taxes, VAT and maby some other fees, then I have to pay these fees again when they return the stone back to me to our customs as well

 

[T L]

It will not work for me sending it to Switzerland, because Switzerland is not in European Union, so have to write custom form, they should pay duty taxes, VAT and maby some other fees, then I have to pay these fees again when they return the stone back to me to our customs as well

I really don't know what other options you have then. It might need specialized equipment to determine if its not diffused. Regular jewelers do not have this equipment, as it's highly expensive.

Besides, I personally wouldn't take a jeweler's word for it about the treatment. A professional and highly reputable lab is the only place that the trade takes seriously for corundum, in determining treatment, and hence potential value.

 

[minousbijoux]

How far is it by train or plane? Can you take a weekend trip to Switzerland to drop it off and then the same to pick it up some time later? Or maybe work it out in advance for them to provide a quick turnaround so you only have to make one trip? Seems a reasonable way to go. Pretty blue - good luck.

 

[minousbijoux]

It will not work for me sending it to Switzerland, because Switzerland is not in European Union, so have to write custom form, they should pay duty taxes, VAT and maby some other fees, then I have to pay these fees again when they return the stone back to me to our customs as well

I really don't know what other options you have then. It might need specialized equipment to determine if its not diffused. Regular jewelers do not have this equipment, as it's highly expensive.

Besides, I personally wouldn't take a jeweler's word for it about the treatment. A professional and highly reputable lab is the only place that the trade takes seriously for corundum, in determining treatment, and hence potential value.

I absolutely concur - please skip going to a jeweler/appraiser until you've gone to a reputable lab.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

It will not work for me sending it to Switzerland, because Switzerland is not in European Union, so have to write custom form, they should pay duty taxes, VAT and maby some other fees, then I have to pay these fees again when they return the stone back to me to our customs as well

Look into regulation concerning temporary exportation - it is meant to cover things like sending art work to an exhibition, equipment for repair, etc. It needs the correct documentation both ways but you would only pay taxes and duties on value added, not the base value.

 

[ramil]

I have the same issue and i am thinking of sending it to IGL Labs in London. What do you guys think of them are they reputable lab?
Thank you in advance.

 

[T L]

I have the same issue and i am thinking of sending it to IGL Labs in London. What do you guys think of them are they reputable lab?
Thank you in advance.

If they do not have access to an LIBS, or a LA-ICP-MS, that may be an issue. Otherwise, I know nothing of them. Smaller gem labs usually do not have access to such equipment, and while heating may be determined, one cannot determine advanced diffusion treatments, which need such equipment to detect.