Sapphire Purchase- what do you think?

[Lovesparklesparle]

Hi first time posting in coloured gemstones. I have just purchased a natural sapphire as per the ad, and have asked if it has been enhanced in any way and they said no. The price was very good.

What do you think of it? 10k gold, 3.5cts apparently bought from a local store.

I will loupe it etc when it arrives but now I’m wondering if I’ve made a mistake... the dreaded buyer’s remorse...

 

[Bron357]

It’s lovely. Did it come with a lab report? The reason being that 9 times out of 10 when it comes to lower carat gold rings, the gems are most often lab grown.
The problem can be that people use a gem tester (a $20 off eBay one or a $300 Presidum) and when it registers as “sapphire” they assume that means it’s natural. Lab grown sapphires are the same composition as natural so you can’t use any type of gem tester. You have to use a loupe / microscope to identify inclusions that means it from the ground vs no inclusions except tiny gas bubbles and curve striae that mean it’s lab grown.
hopefully if once you get it you can have a better look and if it’s not actually a natural sapphire you can return it.
theres nothing “wrong” with lab grown, they have the same attributes as natural except of course you only want to pay like $20 for a synthetic.

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Thanks for the reply! It’s funny, I saw it and so searched ps for sapphire threads. I stumbled upon your amazing $200 eBay sapphire halo score from 2016! I got a little excited and pulled the trigger on this lol.

It doesn’t have a lab report (I was considering having it tested at GSL when it arrives) which will set me back $100 odd. They said it was confirmed to be natural sapphire and gold, but not by whom. The low gold content was a bit of a flag, but I ignored it of course. Now I’m equal parts excited to see what it is and nervous I’ve let my heart rule my head!

If it’s natural terrific, but if not I’ll just wear the certificate cost.

What did you do with your sapphire?

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Also what do you think of the colour? It’s a bit darker and less
Vivid than what seems to be ideal... I’ve only ever owned one other blue sapphire which looked like ink

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Oh and also, what xmagnification loupe will I need to tell if it’s natural? Thanks

 

[arkieb1]

The stone looks suspiciously even in colour (suggesting synthetic) and the low carat gold usually indicates man made or synthetic sapphire... So yes, send it to a lab to be checked.

 

[VividRed]

How “good” was the price?

I agree with the comments above, it looks synthetic, which is perfectly fine by the way, although there are different types. A flame fusion synthetic sapphire won’t cost more than $1-2 carat on e-bay. Add the setting and you’re looking at a few hundred $ for the whole piece, no more.

A Chatham synthetic on the other hand easily cost $1000 for a 3.5 ct. stone if not more, so you’d be looking at a price of at least $1200-1300 for the whole ring.

By the looks of it I would be tempted to say your sapphire is created via flame fusion so you basically only paid for the setting. This should help you assess your purchase from a price perspective

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Thanks guys. What makes you say flame fusion?

So... When I say good, I mean like they asked$150 and accepted $75 plus it will cost another $80-$90 in taxes and fees. Ok so now I feel like a fool lol...

Why on earth would they tell me it’s natural and untreated..? They aren’t a store so maybe they were deceived. Should I try to cancel?

 

[lovedogs]

Thanks guys. What makes you say flame fusion?

So... When I say good, I mean like they asked$150 and accepted $75 plus it will cost another $80-$90 in taxes and fees. Ok so now I feel like a fool lol...

Why on earth would they tell me it’s natural and untreated..? They aren’t a store so maybe they were deceived. Should I try to cancel?

It is not natural for that price. No chance. And it looks synthetic to me. I would cancel, my guess is that it's worth like $5.

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

I tried to cancel but they insist it is natural and untreated. They had a local jewelry store test it. They said they weren’t 100% sure that’s why it was priced so low. I said it would be best to mutually cancel as they can’t be sure. They said they are sure they meant they didn’t have paperwork...so I’ll contact eBay when they open and see where I stand

 

[Bron357]

I tried to cancel but they insist it is natural and untreated. They had a local jewelry store test it. They said they weren’t 100% sure that’s why it was priced so low. I said it would be best to mutually cancel as they can’t be sure. They said they are sure they meant they didn’t have paperwork...so I’ll contact eBay when they open and see where I stand

if the seller doesn’t want to cancel the sale prior to posting, and they aren’t under any obligation to do so, you would need to receive the ring, pay for it to be tested by a gem lab and if not natural then raise a “not as described” case through ebay or Paypal. You then supply to eBay / PayPal a copy of the lab report to support your case. eBay or PayPal then finds in your favour and you return the ring and then get your money back EXCEPT of course for the money you spent on the lab report.
A lot of sellers on eBay selling lower priced jewellery rely on the fact that because it costs $$$ for gem testing their buyers will just accept what they say it is and be happy with their purchase.
If the seller thought it was a natural 3.5 carat sapphire, why didnt they spend the $100 to get a lab report so they could then sell it for $1,000 plus?
A jeweller with a Presidium can say “yes it tests as sapphire” as opposed to CZ or irradiated quartz or topaz but no gem tester can differentiate between natural and lab grown.
On eBay unless there is a lab certificate or the seller accepts returns for any reason, you have to consider that the gem might be man made, highly treated or not even the gem the seller believes it is.

 

[Bron357]

Thanks for the reply! It’s funny, I saw it and so searched ps for sapphire threads. I stumbled upon your amazing $200 eBay sapphire halo score from 2016! I got a little excited and pulled the trigger on this lol.

It doesn’t have a lab report (I was considering having it tested at GSL when it arrives) which will set me back $100 odd. They said it was confirmed to be natural sapphire and gold, but not by whom. The low gold content was a bit of a flag, but I ignored it of course. Now I’m equal parts excited to see what it is and nervous I’ve let my heart rule my head!

If it’s natural terrific, but if not I’ll just wear the certificate cost.

What did you do with your sapphire?

My sapphire ring for $200 had absolutely nothing to do with my eBay prowess or experience or knowledge, it was pure luck.
I only bought the ring for the setting.
I gave “the blue gem” no thought, I just assumed it was synthetic and was delighted to be getting a 14kt gold setting with a wee diamonds, in my ring size, to fit a 9mm cushion loose white sapphire I have.
Im currently wearing and enjoying the ring instead of my diamond engagement ring. Im now thinking of putting this sapphire into the huge diamond setting instead of one of my 9mm rounds. I’ll still put the white sapphire into this ring setting.

 

[VividRed]

Thanks guys. What makes you say flame fusion?

So... When I say good, I mean like they asked$150 and accepted $75 plus it will cost another $80-$90 in taxes and fees. Ok so now I feel like a fool lol...

Why on earth would they tell me it’s natural and untreated..? They aren’t a store so maybe they were deceived. Should I try to cancel?

Thank you for the additional information. You may want to shop gems on ebay only as an educated buyer and see through these “great deals”. Rule number 1 in gemstones: there are no bargains (or very few, but neither you nor I will have access to them without exclusive access and lots of luck).

It looks flame fusion because the crystal lattice looks dull and the cut isn’t great. I have both FF and Chatham blue sapphires - you can 100% tell the difference. Also, Chatham sapphires are not dirt cheap like FF ones (about 400$ per carat).

Overall you are paying for the gold setting but I think what you really want is a natural sapphire. Be aware that in that size and color you will have to spend a lot (and I mean, a LOT) more.

in your situation I would not have it tested: you will have to spend anywhere between 80-100$ ex. Shipping for the cheapest lab report. Not worth it considering how much you are paying. By the way: $80-$90 in taxes and fees? Which taxes and fees exactly? i would honestly push them on this because these charges don’t make any sense, I would rather expect 10-15$ in taxes, if any.

Tell them you will give them negative feedback and complain with ebay and see how they respond.

Best of luck and please keep us posted

 

[VividRed]

I tried to cancel but they insist it is natural and untreated. They had a local jewelry store test it. They said they weren’t 100% sure that’s why it was priced so low. I said it would be best to mutually cancel as they can’t be sure. They said they are sure they meant they didn’t have paperwork...so I’ll contact eBay when they open and see where I stand

Send them to us, we would like to know where they find natural and untreated sapphires at these prices lol!

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Thanks guys. So after back and frothing and consulting eBay, the ring is on its way to me ... lol. Despite explaining I was trying to save us both time and money (they will lose international postagex2 and my import and customs fees- I thought this would be enough to question the authenticity of the sapphire). If the sapphire is treated or synthetic it will cost the seller more than what I actually paid for the entire ring, for an item not as described.

BUT if it is natural then I have the deal of a lifetime!

Sorry - re the extra fees I was talking in aud - Pitney bowers charge around 20% through eBay plus postage.

I highly doubt I’ll ever be able to replace the stone with a genuine 3.5ct lol...

GSL in Australia can test it- I think they said around $100 aud for my diamond so probably similar. Although eBay did say I could also provide a document from a Jeweler stating the sapphire was fake and that would do. Maybe an appraisal, maybe just a hand written note.

Oh dear, I could see this happening but I couldn’t help myself

 

[Bron357]

Bill at GSL with do a “gem brief” for $20 or so I believe if you just need a report saying “natural sapphire” vs “synthetic sapphire”.
Are you in Sydney?

 

[Lovesparklesparle]

Oh wow great tip! No I’m in Newcastle, I would just post it down to them. That’s greats news thanks!

 

[Stevie G]

It is not natural for that price. No chance. And it looks synthetic to me. I would cancel, my guess is that it's worth like $5.

How can you tell it's synthetic? I thought it was impossible to tell unless under examination by a gemologist?

 

[lovedogs]

How can you tell it's synthetic? I thought it was impossible to tell unless under examination by a gemologist?

Because no one would sell it for $75 if it weren't. Just common sense. There are no magic deals with gems, especially not on Ebay. Every great once and a while someone might accidentally not know what they have and sell cheap, but its rare

 

[Stevie G]

Because no one would sell it for $75 if it weren't. Just common sense. There are no magic deals with gems, especially not on Ebay. Every great once and a while someone might accidentally not know what they have and sell cheap, but its rare

Yeah, that price is ridiculous for the real deal !

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

i have no problems with lab grown gems even though i only own 2 pieces as such - i still see these as real sapphires or diamonds compaired to say paste or glass as they have the same chemical make up as the mined, natural, from the actual earth version
but i have a problem with it being sold as natural when it isnt

good luck and fingers crossed for you

 

[Stevie G]

i have no problems with lab grown gems even though i only own 2 pieces as such - i still see these as real sapphires or diamonds compaired to say paste or glass as they have the same chemical make up as the mined, natural, from the actual earth version
but i have a problem with it being sold as natural when it isnt

good luck and fingers crossed for you

Yes, agreed. That is misrepresentation and is immoral if not illegal!

 

[Lisa Loves Shiny]

Sorry this happened to you. You see these type of rings at pawn shops selling for well under $100. IMHO $75 is not a bad price for a 10k gold fashion ring but the taxes and fees makes your purchase a bit harder to swallow. You take a huge chance on Ebay and sometimes you do very well and sometimes you don't. I got burned on Ebay on a used item from an international seller and did not even bother to return it because I was sure the seller (dishonest, no ethics) would not pick it up from customs and claim they never received it. I just wanted to put it behind me, not drag it out for weeks on end, and take it as a lesson learned. Now I only buy from US sellers on Ebay.