Sapphire ring on its way! Feel free to opine.

[CaseyLouLou]

Geez, that would be unusual for a jeweler to use a mix of natural and synthetic diamonds (even by mistake). If that's true, it could be that, as they fell out, a prior owner began replacing them with synthetics. But, truthfully, I'm not confident in that assessment, especially since this new jeweler did not have a diamond tester on-hand to check them. So I wouldn't worry about that for now. But how lovely that another set of eyes felt your sapphire was genuine!

I understand your frustration with regard to wanting to know for sure. And I'm going to sound like a broken record here, and probably quite annoying, but the only way to be absolutely certain is to send the piece to a reputable lab for testing. It's a tedious and sometimes costly experience, but it's worth it to be "mind clean."

I agree about the lab but since I’m still in the return window I was hoping to at least verify that it’s not entirely synthetic. The fact that two supposed gemologists think it’s a real sapphire is probably enough to justify keeping it and sending it off but now that the diamonds are in question I might just try to find someone with a diamond tester.

I thought the same thing about replacement stones but under a loupe they all look identical. However, they almost look too perfect - no inclusions. So now I think maybe she could be right. If the diamonds were real then I would have more confidence in the sapphire and in keeping the ring.

It’s nice to finally have it in hand though. I took some photos in low, indoor, morning light today and the sapphire still looks like a nice blue and doesn’t black out.

 

[demantoidz]

'Salting' or 'peppering' refers to undisclosed mixing of natural diamond melee with synthetics/color treated melee and is unfortunately not uncommon.
GIA and Rappaport have discussed it multiple times. Hopefully not the case with your ring.

This trade alert is form 2013: https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=44905&ArticleTitle=Synthetic,+Lab-Grown+Diamonds+Being+Mixed+With+Natural+Parcels+of+Melee,+Pointers

Some more details, on yellow melee.

Analysis of Yellow Diamond Melee for Color Treatment and Synthetics | Gems & Gemology

A parcel revealed to contain natural, treated, and synthetic diamonds reinforces the importance of identification.

www.gia.edu

 

[CaseyLouLou]

'Salting' or 'peppering' refers to undisclosed mixing of natural diamond melee with synthetics/color treated melee and is unfortunately not uncommon.
GIA and Rappaport have discussed it multiple times. Hopefully not the case with your ring.

This trade alert is form 2013: https://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=44905&ArticleTitle=Synthetic,+Lab-Grown+Diamonds+Being+Mixed+With+Natural+Parcels+of+Melee,+Pointers

Some more details, on yellow melee.

Analysis of Yellow Diamond Melee for Color Treatment and Synthetics | Gems & Gemology

A parcel revealed to contain natural, treated, and synthetic diamonds reinforces the importance of identification.

www.gia.edu

That’s interesting. I just checked the diamonds under UV and none of them fluoresce which isn’t definitive but I would have expected one or two to be fluorescent if they were real. My wedding ring has a couple that fluoresce.

 

[Mreader]

If you do go with a lab, send it to the GIA. I wouldn't bother with AGL, because if they deem that a "fancy mounting," they double their fee. GIA charges the same for loose or mounted gems. You're looking at $70-$85 depending on the weight of your sapphire.

This. I think it's worth the $85 to send to GIA. Then you will know.

Edit - just saw the other posts. If you get back as synthetic or diamonds as synthetic then you could always return after the period (I think) for "not as described".

 

[CaseyLouLou]

This. I think it's worth the $85 to send to GIA. Then you will know.

Edit - just saw the other posts. If you get back as synthetic or diamonds as synthetic then you could always return after the period (I think) for "not as described".

I was in a low end mall with a jewelry store today and asked if they had a diamond tester. They also had a microscope and had no doubt the sapphire is real and the diamonds too. The tester lit up for diamonds so I’m satisfied now. They told me I got a steal so that’s comforting!

I may still send it to GIA anyway. I’m a little curious if it’s a heated sapphire too….probably is but who knows.

 

[Avondale]

they almost look too perfect - no inclusions

I just checked the diamonds under UV and none of them fluoresce which isn’t definitive but I would have expected one or two to be fluorescent if they were real.

I don't know much about diamonds, so correct me if I'm wrong, but blue fluorescence was an undesirable trait, wasn't it?

I just thought of what the seller told you when you asked for more information: "Another sign is that there is very high end diamonds surrounding that gem. They wouldn’t do that for a $5 sapphire."

If the seller did their due diligence to confirm the diamonds are natural, then all should check out.

 

[Autumn in New England]

I don't know much about diamonds, so correct me if I'm wrong, but blue fluorescence was an undesirable trait, wasn't it?

I just thought of what the seller told you when you asked for more information: "Another sign is that there is very high end diamonds surrounding that gem. They wouldn’t do that for a $5 sapphire."

If the seller did their due diligence to confirm the diamonds are natural, then all should check out.

Generally speaking, fluorescence is undesirable in diamonds, However, blue fluorescence can sometimes make an off-color diamond (i.e. K color) optically appear more white. So in some cases, it can be a good thing.

I will agree that it is unusual for a mixed set of diamond accent stones to all be uniformly non-fluorescent. But it's not out of the realm of possibility. OP mentioned a jeweler with a diamond tester has since confirmed that they're genuine. Some testers will show false positives for moissanite too, but newer testers are much more sensitive. As you said, Avondale, they could simply be very high-grade diamonds set with an equally high-grade sapphire!

 

[LD]

It's a very pretty ring and so much nicer than Diana's which was actually almost black!

I think sending to the GIA is the way forward because I'm wondering if the sapphire has been heavily treated (BE perhaps)? If not, what an amazing find!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I did a photo shoot today to try to capture the blue color. It’s impressive. The white paper looks blue in the photos for some reason so the color may be off slightly but it’s close. The one on my hand is probably accurate. I am probably going to send it off to GIA soon.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

In low indoor natural light. It is velvety blue. As long as there is some indirect light in the room it stays blue. Sending it off to GIA tomorrow. I’m really loving it so hopefully it comes back with a good report card!

 

[Ellipses]

In low indoor natural light. It is velvety blue. As long as there is some indirect light in the room it stays blue. Sending it off to GIA tomorrow. I’m really loving it so hopefully it comes back with a good report card!

Where is the 4 leaf clover emoji when you need it to send luck. Anyways, GL!

 

[Cinders]

It is SO pretty! I can't wait to hear what GIA has to say about it.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

This. I think it's worth the $85 to send to GIA. Then you will know.

Edit - just saw the other posts. If you get back as synthetic or diamonds as synthetic then you could always return after the period (I think) for "not as described".

Generally speaking, fluorescence is undesirable in diamonds, However, blue fluorescence can sometimes make an off-color diamond (i.e. K color) optically appear more white. So in some cases, it can be a good thing.

I will agree that it is unusual for a mixed set of diamond accent stones to all be uniformly non-fluorescent. But it's not out of the realm of possibility. OP mentioned a jeweler with a diamond tester has since confirmed that they're genuine. Some testers will show false positives for moissanite too, but newer testers are much more sensitive. As you said, Avondale, they could simply be very high-grade diamonds set with an equally high-grade sapphire!

The GIA report came back today and it is indeed a natural sapphire from Madagascar. It is heated and doesn’t list any other treatments. It says it’s transparent with a brilliant cut crown and step cut pavilion. It has the dimensions as 7.45x5.80x3.95. I don’t think GIA gives color names so it just says blue. I think it is between cornflower and royal to my eye. I can’t wait to get it back now!

I don’t know anything about origins but I was expecting Sri Lanka so Madagascar was a surprise.

I’m so excited and relieved. I’m a little curious now what the ring might be worth. I’m guessing at least $2k? Doesn’t really matter since I’m not selling but would be nice to know.

 

[Mreader]

The GIA report came back today and it is indeed a natural sapphire from Madagascar. It is heated and doesn’t list any other treatments. It says it’s transparent with a brilliant cut crown and step cut pavilion. It has the dimensions as 7.45x5.80x3.95. I don’t think GIA gives color names so it just says blue. I think it is between cornflower and royal to my eye. I can’t wait to get it back now!

I don’t know anything about origins but I was expecting Sri Lanka so Madagascar was a surprise.

I’m so excited and relieved. I’m a little curious now what the ring might be worth. I’m guessing at least $2k? Doesn’t really matter since I’m not selling but would be nice to know.

I’m glad you got confirmation!

 

[CaseyLouLou]

I’m glad you got confirmation!

Me too and I was just thinking that the stone must be extremely clean under a scope because neither of the two gemologists in my town that viewed it could tell if it was natural.

 

[CBianco]

The GIA report came back today and it is indeed a natural sapphire from Madagascar. It is heated and doesn’t list any other treatments. It says it’s transparent with a brilliant cut crown and step cut pavilion. It has the dimensions as 7.45x5.80x3.95. I don’t think GIA gives color names so it just says blue. I think it is between cornflower and royal to my eye. I can’t wait to get it back now!

I don’t know anything about origins but I was expecting Sri Lanka so Madagascar was a surprise.

I’m so excited and relieved. I’m a little curious now what the ring might be worth. I’m guessing at least $2k? Doesn’t really matter since I’m not selling but would be nice to know.

That's great news, very happy for you!

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

The GIA report came back today and it is indeed a natural sapphire from Madagascar. It is heated and doesn’t list any other treatments. It says it’s transparent with a brilliant cut crown and step cut pavilion. It has the dimensions as 7.45x5.80x3.95. I don’t think GIA gives color names so it just says blue. I think it is between cornflower and royal to my eye. I can’t wait to get it back now!

I don’t know anything about origins but I was expecting Sri Lanka so Madagascar was a surprise.

I’m so excited and relieved. I’m a little curious now what the ring might be worth. I’m guessing at least $2k? Doesn’t really matter since I’m not selling but would be nice to know.

Woohoo! That's great news. Toootally worth having it sent to GIA.

 

[CaseyLouLou]

Where is the 4 leaf clover emoji when you need it to send luck. Anyways, GL!

The four leaf clover thought worked! It’s real.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Woohoo!! I'm so happy for you, Casey!!

 

[Autumn in New England]

I don’t know anything about origins but I was expecting Sri Lanka so Madagascar was a surprise.

I just also wanted to say that some very fine blue sapphires are coming out of Madagascar these days. They used to be considered overly dark, but not so with the newer material. I think I read on SSEF's blog or something similar that they have found "Kashmir-like" qualities in Madagascar. So, it sounds like you did really well!