Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

What does CMT Type 1 mean?

lmyracle

lmyracle

Shiny_Rock
Premium
Joined
Feb 8, 2018
Messages
420
42524C73-5268-4CD9-842C-4CB821C67371.jpeg My last sapphire ring didn’t pan out so I’m still searching!

I found a 4.08 unheated Ceylon sapphire and the GIA report shows CMT Type 1. What exactly does that mean? So far, this stone looks promising.

The stone is in the bottom right (not that ring though). I’m considering the other 3 settings (favoring 3 if it’d look ok)....but first doing my homework on the gem. Reputable wholesaler who will FedEx it to me for approval but I have to pay first. They’ll refund if I end up not liking it.
 
Video is on IG elevating_your_expectations - just about 5-6 pics prior to today’s post.

The vendor is in Los Angeles. Thank you for the info Molly! E5D1531B-C100-4D47-B9DD-F4214C872A85.jpeg
 
MollyMalone said:
It's a code that GIA used at one time to indicate source type, but GIA hasn't included it in reports since March 2013:
https://www.gia.edu/corundum-report-cover-source-type
Here's a larger, easier to read version of the chart on the page I linked above:
https://www.gia.edu/doc/GIA_CorundumSourceTypes_2013_020416.pdf

Just as a FYI in case you're thinking you're getting a special deal: a "wholesaler" who sells to consumers like us is not a wholesaler ; - )

Is the vendor overseas?
Click to expand...
 
Also, he’s asking $13k. For untreated, coupled with the color and clarity, it seems like a fair price. He said it’s not overly heavy as to the cut. He felt it is a really nice stone for the value.....but I’m sure everyone says that. I’m super cautious - but he seems to be decent. Lazar Diamonds in CA. Any advice is hugely appreciated!
 
From your photo at that angle the stone appears to have a bit of silk. I really like the color! Can you have them send you a few more photos?

What do you think of the color?
 
lmyracle said:
Also, he’s asking $13k. For untreated, coupled with the color and clarity, it seems like a fair price. He said it’s not overly heavy as to the cut. He felt it is a really nice stone for the value.....but I’m sure everyone says that. I’m super cautious - but he seems to be decent. Lazar Diamonds in CA. Any advice is hugely appreciated!
Click to expand...
I myself wouldn't do business with him, but you may feel differently.
Here is the Statement of Information filed in July 2008 by Lazar Diamonds, Inc. in Los Angeles (at exactly the same address as on the Contact Us page of the current web site). You'll see that Moshe Lazar is listed as the CEO.
Lazar Diamonds corporate Certificate of Information July2008.png
At the time, Mr. Lazar stood indicted for his role in a tax evasion-money laundering scheme spanning the US and Israel:
https://www.dailynews.com/2008/01/07/federal-tax-fraud-case-arraignment-set/

His lawyer negotiated a plea agreement whereby Lazar pleaded guilty in August 2009 to a lesser offense
https://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/cac/Pressroom/pr2009/093.html
and was sentenced in December 2009 to 4 months in prison, 1500 hours of community service; Lazar also agreed to forfeit nearly $150,000 to the US government:
https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/losangeles/press-releases/2009/la122109.htm

This past November, the corporation filed its most recent Statement of Information with the California Secretary of State that attested there had been no change in the information set forth in its last, fully completed [2008] Statement.
Lazar Diamonds corporate Certificate of Information Nov2017.png
 
Ugh. Good find, Molly.

Dang I’m frustrated. I was dealing with a Michael Lazar but perhaps that’s his father. Regardless, close enough related given the same address.

I have $10-16k to spend on a sapphire e-ring. So many hopefuls and let down again.

Anybody know a good place to start?
 
@lmyracle -- I''d be willing to bet that Michael is a son, not Moshe himself (which is whom I thought you'd been dealing with). I just read through the December 2007 application for a search warrant (which was granted) of the business premises & there is nothing in the FBI Special Agent's 70-page affidavit that suggests Michael was involved in any way with the diamond business or the money laundering-tax evasion transactions -- or even seen in the office --during the months in question (FBI began this particular investigation in 2004). Given that Moshe just turned 70, it's not outside the realm of possibility that Michael was still in college or grad school while his dad was engaged in "outside activities." I certainly understand that the comfort level has dropped for you; on the other hand, I know of more than a few families where the sins of the father shouldn't be attributed to the sons or daughters.

As for another starting point: where do you live & have you decided whom you'd like to fabricate the ring (or are you hoping to find a "ready-made" ring)?
 
Thanks so much, Molly.

I’d just feel so much better if he took a credit card. It appears he’s in the downtown diamond district in Los Angeles and I’m all the way over here on the east coast, in Baltimore, MD. He said he had another individual that makes the finest jewelry and they would actually make what I want.

My husband and I just got into an argument over it all. Ugh. He says why is a wholesaler dealing with me? He doesn’t understand that here aren’t any reviews and I feel that because he’s a wholesaler, that’s why. Too many questions still. If only I could pay by credit card....
 
It does seem that Lazar Diamonds, Inc. is usually "to the trade"; I see on their home page that they will be exhibiting at the big JCK show in Vegas. So I'm curious... how did you happen to come across this stone?

I too will not make a gem stone purchase with anything other than a credit card
 
MollyMalone said:
It does seem that Lazar Diamonds, Inc. is usually "to the trade"; I see on their home page that they will be exhibiting at the big JCK show in Vegas. So I'm curious... how did you happen to come across this stone?

I too will not make a gem stone purchase with anything other than a credit card
Click to expand...


Through a search on instagram for #sapphireengagementring - posted the link up above somewhere. I saw one he shared and it was $37k, well over my budget but he and I spoke on the phone and he said he would let me know if he came across anything that fit hat I was looking for. I spoke to his gemologist for a good 45 minutes and he seemed nice....but that doesn’t necessarily equate to fair and honest practices. Seems he just started posting on Instagram in December. My antennae are up and unless I can do a credit card, it’s not going to happen.

I feel defeated. I’ve been looking hard for about 6 months. Maybe I’m too picky. :confused2:
 
MollyMalone said:
It does seem that Lazar Diamonds, Inc. is usually "to the trade"; I see on their home page that they will be exhibiting at the big JCK show in Vegas. So I'm curious... how did you happen to come across this stone?

I too will not make a gem stone purchase with anything other than a credit card
Click to expand...

https://instagram.com/p/BgCFUPwFAqA/ - this was the video I saw on Instagram by searching for #sapphireengagementring -- so that's how I found him.

I've asked if he would ship the ring to a local jeweler without me pre-paying and the jeweler would then allow me to see the sapphire. If I like it, then I'd transfer the funds; if not, the local jeweler would return it....or to pay by credit card. I actually prefer the first scenario and my local jeweler can view the stone too. Then I could play them off one another with getting the best price for a setting? He said he'd come up with some options today to make sure I felt secure in the transaction and was happy going forward.

I've read through some articles and I do think it was his father but it's still a scary thing so I have to make sure my money is safely spent! I truly appreciate all of the feedback!
 
lmyracle said:
42524C73-5268-4CD9-842C-4CB821C67371.jpeg My last sapphire ring didn’t pan out so I’m still searching!

I found a 4.08 unheated Ceylon sapphire and the GIA report shows CMT Type 1. What exactly does that mean? So far, this stone looks promising.

The stone is in the bottom right (not that ring though). I’m considering the other 3 settings (favoring 3 if it’d look ok)....but first doing my homework on the gem. Reputable wholesaler who will FedEx it to me for approval but I have to pay first. They’ll refund if I end up not liking it.
Click to expand...

Hi! The stone is gorgeous. I love Ceylon sapphires and your color and cut look really good. I would get it. Just make sure you have the stone in hand before you transfer the funds.

I have worked with direct dealers and cash only is very common. I recently purchased a stone in the same price point and it was cash only (I wrote a check) and the dealer said he wanted to save some money and avoid credit card fees. For this dealer, it seems it was his father and not the son.

I have seen a lot of sapphires and that Ceylon, unheated is gorgeous. Get it!
 
By the way, on mounting, I have had a mounting custom made for a Burmese ruby and it was a disaster. The quality was not all what I expected so just FYI.

Custom-made does not equal quality.
Have you considered a pre-mount? I love JB Star and my sapphire is in one of their mountings. You can see their designs at jbstar.com. I think they are top quality, a little pricey but your stone is a nice stone and is fitting. They have styles similar to yours as well and can custom adjust.
 
Miki Moto said:
Hi! The stone is gorgeous. I love Ceylon sapphires and your color and cut look really good. I would get it. Just make sure you have the stone in hand before you transfer the funds.

I have worked with direct dealers and cash only is very common. I recently purchased a stone in the same price point and it was cash only (I wrote a check) and the dealer said he wanted to save some money and avoid credit card fees. For this dealer, it seems it was his father and not the son.

I have seen a lot of sapphires and that Ceylon, unheated is gorgeous. Get it!
Click to expand...


Thank you. So how did you get your stone first without writing a check?
 
Miki Moto said:
By the way, on mounting, I have had a mounting custom made for a Burmese ruby and it was a disaster. The quality was not all what I expected so just FYI.

Custom-made does not equal quality.
Have you considered a pre-mount? I love JB Star and my sapphire is in one of their mountings. You can see their designs at jbstar.com. I think they are top quality, a little pricey but your stone is a nice stone and is fitting. They have styles similar to yours as well and can custom adjust.
Click to expand...


Illche k out he premounts, thank you! I am not opposed at all.
 
lmyracle said:
Thank you. So how did you get your stone first without writing a check?
Click to expand...

I was at a gem show and he asked if it was possible to do a cash transaction to save on credit card fees and I said yes. This is not the first time I've paid "cash" to a dealer which cash could be real currency, check, cashier's check, money transfer, etc.

You could do the same and have send it to a local dealer which then you would get the mount from the local dealer, so everyone wins. I see you live in the Baltimore area... have you heard of Mervis? They have nice mounts, and okay.. because I am a total JB Star fan, they are also an authorized dealer of JB Star. Here are some of their sapphires: https://www.jbstar.com/collections/precious-color-rings
This company also does premounts. For me, I like big stones and big rings, and if you don't mind a blingy-look, their mountings and quality is gorgeous. Just a thought. But regardless of JB Star, check out Mervis. They have 3 stores in the DC/MD area.

I think your stone is gorgeous, and... "gorgeous, large, untreated, Ceylon" do not always come in the same phrase when describing a sapphire.

And lastly, if you really love the stone and can't get it transferred, then go to your dealer When it's all said and done, the cost of a flight is nothing as part of the total price. I have traveled to purchase stones/jewelry and it was money well spent to get what I wanted. It will be quite memorable also.
 
Oh... and speaking of flying... I live on the East Coast, and I flew to a gem show in Tucson specifically to purchase a stone. So if you decide to go that route, I say go for it. The cost of the trip is minor compared to the total cost of your ring.

Good luck to you! Buying stones and mounting it is so thrilling. And for your ring, you will have such good memories on the backstory of how your ring came to be. :-)
 
I think it would be rash to fork $13,000 over in some form of "cash" directly to Lazar in order to examine the stone, see how it performs under various lighting conditions. So I hope he accepts your proposal of your local jeweler serving as the intermediary; also ask him to send the GIA report (ETA oops, I forgot you already posted a copy of the GIA report) so your jeweler can compare the stone in hand with the GIA report. Something you yourself are not well suited to do (me neither).

No use in attempting to engage Lazar and your local jeweler in a bidding war on settings. Unless you've decided upon a particular model offered by a brand or designer & ask for price quotes on that, you can't make an apples-to-apples comparison in terms of price and quality. Also, please know that as a wholesaler, Lazar is not an authorized retailer of any brand. So even if he could somehow readily source a J.B. Star semi-mount [the term the trade uses, not premount, for rings missing only the centerpiece stone(s)] -- or any other brand semi-mount to fit that sapphire (which I think is unlikely for several reasons) -- it will not be covered by the brand's warranty.
 
Last edited:
P.S. Whether you decide to go with a brand or commission an individual bench to fabricate the ring, this will be a custom order -- or should be. You'll want the head to be created specifically for your sapphire.
 
MollyMalone said:
P.S. Whether you decide to go with a brand or commission an individual bench to fabricate the ring, this will be a custom order -- or should be. You'll want the head to be created specifically for your sapphire.
Click to expand...

Miki Moto said:
By the way, on mounting, I have had a mounting custom made for a Burmese ruby and it was a disaster. The quality was not all what I expected so just FYI.

Custom-made does not equal quality.
Have you considered a pre-mount? I love JB Star and my sapphire is in one of their mountings. You can see their designs at jbstar.com. I think they are top quality, a little pricey but your stone is a nice stone and is fitting. They have styles similar to yours as well and can custom adjust.
Click to expand...

Molly, thank you for such great advice! He said he would reach out today and let me know other methods to ensure I’m comfortable and satisfied - hopefully that lets my local jeweler act as the intermediary. It makes sense to me. I just can’t thank you enough for your advice. I’ve been reading so much and clearly, I know nothing. Excellent point about having my jeweler measure to make sure it matches the report. I’ll update when I know more. I’m hesitant to get excited because so many previous leads ended up being let downs. We will see.
 
David Klass' store is just the other side of Hill St from Lazar. Maybe you could work something out with them.
 
My local jeweler says there’s “a nasty cloud just below the table at 10 o’clock”......anyone else have an opinion? Here’s the video link again.
https://instagram.com/p/BgCFUPwFAqA/
 
So I see the cloud he mentioned. Unheated stones do have inclusions but. Don’t know if it’s worth it to buy this one with the cloud? 13k for unheated 4ct Ceylon is a good price from what I’ve seen, but it’s likely because of this cloud.

My local jeweler says he’d rather have a heated not included beautiful sapphire than heated with such a nasty inclusion.

My head spins. Maybe he is right?
 
It’s a decision only you can make.
My 5 cents worth - unheated sapphires are reasonably rare because the temptation to heat the stone to remove the “flaws” is compelling. Your jeweller even said would rather have a “perfect” but heated stone.
Me, I say go for the natural, flaws and all.
It’s natural, it’s real, it’s just as nature created it. If you are after perfect colour and perfect clarity, buy a synthetic for $50. The chances of buying a 4 carat good colour unheated sapphire and “clean” at around $13,000 are slim. It might be a long search.
That said, if you are going to be irritated and focused on the silk cloud, don’t buy it, it will severely impact your “enjoyment” of the gem.
 
Inclusions can be an issue and especially if they are not able to be 'hidden' such as behind a prong in a setting. I agree with your jeweler because I would 'see' the inclusion every time I looked at the stone--that's how I am....details are like magnets. Good catch on your jeweler's part. Also, if too many things add up as concerns but you still like this gem......you could make a lower offer with knowledge of these issue's---the inclusion is the teeter totter so far!
 
Last edited:
Thank you to all who have commented.

I don’t think the inclusion will be all that noticeable....so I’m going ng to get the stone and look at it. The seller and I have agreed to use escrow.com so I’ll have time to seethe stone (and allow my local jeweler to verify the stone matches he GIA report, etc). My jeweler was expecting me to pay $1k finders fee if he fondness the stone. He’s very critical but I know he wants the money too....so here’s another dynamic.

Long story short, I’m proceeding through the escrow company to see the stone. If I like it and keep it, the funds get released to the seller. Seems like a win for all.

I spoke to the gemologist at the sellers location and he said all nice things but that the cloud was silk rutiles and only really stood out when blown up, that overall, it’s a gorgeous stone for that price, with it being unheated. ..that consignment to a jeweler would be significantly more. He’s been there 34 years. He said they’re just starting to branch out to private customers and this is fairly new for them but it’s the direction the company is going. I asked wouldn’t his local jewelers be upset if a wholesaler began selling to public? He agreed they wouldn’t be happy and it’s decisions that need to be made as to the direction their company will go.

Anyway, I’m going to proceed and at least see this stone in person.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP

Featured Topics

Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top