Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

What is my fiances sapphire ring worth?

Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
G

Glenmerle

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 2, 2008
Messages
22
I bought a lovely sapphire stone from the Natural Sapphire Company (NSC) recently. I dealt with Steven Bliss (he is fabulous by the way). For insurance purposes I had a local jeweler examine the stone (now set in a simple platinum setting). He valued the sapphire at $3,000. I paid $5,250 for the stone. Needless to say, I am puzzled by the discrepancy. Let me provide some additional specifics:

Weight: 1.50 ct
Dimensions: 7.01x6.92x3.91
Shape: Round
Cut: Brilliant
Origin: Ceylon
Enhancement: none, no indications of heating
Clarity: IF, VVS1
Color: Cornflower Blue
Inclusions: None visible under 10 power magnification

I realize that there is some measure of subjectivity to valuing gemstones; nevertheless, I am trying to determine whether I need to get a GIA or AGL evaluation. Essentially I am trying to determine definitively if there is any heat enhancement. Am I right to assume that this pivotal to the real market value of the stone? Owing to the overwhelming positive reviews for the NSC would I be wasting my money on another report?

Since this is my first post I hope I am following protocol. Thanks for any insight.
 
How familiar was your local appraiser with colored stones? Because there is a LOT to know about them...much more than diamonds, and if they didn't know that much their guess as to what it might be worth could be way off. Also, was this person an independent APPRAISER? Or a jeweler? That makes a BIG difference with whether they are at all qualified to judge the value of something...

If you're uncertain about it I would send it away to an appraiser like Richard Sherwood who has a lot of experience with colored stones.

But the NSC has a great reputation-so I doubt you got ripped off.
 
I had a similar experience with a stone we purchased from NSC, only I took it to an independent appraiser rather than a jeweler. It appraised for less than we had paid by roughly the same factor as yours, which I chalk up to the fact that NSC puts a (big) price premium on the lack of heat treatment. We insured it for the appraised value rather than the purchase value. Also, you are right in that colored stone appraisal has many more subjective factors than diamond grading, so it is harder to get consistent results from appraisals. My appraiser noted specific things about the stone that indicated it had not been heat treated, such as the presence of "silk" or fine lines within the stone. I believe that between this appraisal and the reputation that NSC has, I could be confident it was in fact not heat treated, and I did not think it was worth having it checked/certed (not sure of the correct term in the case of colored stones) by GIA.

I would definitely recommend researching and finding an independent appraiser who is very familiar with colored stone appraisal, to set your mind at ease about the heat treatment. There is a list under the resources link at the top of the page here.
 
I am not sure which "title" best applies. I called Markmans (areas best "high end" store) and was referred to this gentleman. We discussed treated vs heated. I do know that he considers heated sapphires to be natural sapphires. I don''t think he gave me any credit for the "unheated" designation because he didn''t believe it was unheated. I am rambling - so to circle back - I don''t think that he specializes in colored gemstones. Indeed the valuation he gave was only verbal, after a few minutes of review.
 
I would just say that the appraisal didn''t mean much since this appraiser apparently doesn''t specialize in colored stones or just is not familiar with the pricing structure. We have seen this on here before with colored stones not just from NSC. If you love the stone, I sincerely wouldn''t worry about it another minute. I''d insure it for the purchase price regardless of any appraisal.
 
Thanks for your story, although I still hold out hope that an appraisal will reflect my purchase price. If it doesn''t I suppose that I would leave the whole experience feeling taken advantage of. Disappointment is already starting to creep in. Again, thanks.
 
Let me see if I can find the thread where this happened before. I am thinking it was a ruby.
 
Date: 1/2/2008 8:52:19 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
I would just say that the appraisal didn''t mean much since this appraiser apparently doesn''t specialize in colored stones or just is not familiar with the pricing structure. We have seen this on here before with colored stones not just from NSC. If you love the stone, I sincerely wouldn''t worry about it another minute. I''d insure it for the purchase price regardless of any appraisal.
Click to expand...
You offer encouragement. Thanks. I feel like a ping-pong ball, all over the place. My sentiment is somewhat effected by viewing several stones today at a local store. I wasn''t sure that I got $2,000 in value. They were heated stones and under natural light I thought mine was superior, but superior enough to justify my purchase price?
 
Date: 1/2/2008 8:59:43 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Okay, here it is. Read through the replies carefully. Two appraisers give their opinions. I suspect you are in the exact same situation as Timmy!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/appraisal-woes.55836/
Click to expand...
Great thread. Seems, based on their experience with NSC, that my stone is worth what I paid for it. I may still follow through with a lab report. Which is the best for color stones? GIA, AGL, etc. ?
 
I understand the disappointment aspect, I was shocked and disappointed when I found out my appraisal was lower than the purchase price. I should have gone to a second appraiser, in hindsight (probably would have gone with Richard Sherwood). But from what you''ve said about the appraisal you got, it was quite cursory, and not a true insurance appraisal. Did you get any kind of evaluation report? An independent appraiser will do a thorough exam of the stone, can determine that there is no evidence of treatment, and will take that into account in the appraisal. That may make up the difference.

Also, I''m not sure whether you know that a lab certification is NOT the same as an appraisal. I assume you are considering it so that you can go to another appraiser armed with the evidence of no heat treatment? I believe AGTA and AIGS are highly trusted, but I''m not sure how necessary a step it is, and it could be costly. Then you''d still need an appraisal anyway. I think you''d be better off getting the independent appraisal first.
 
Id send it too Richard Sherwood rather than one of the large labs.
I trust him 200% when it comes too colored stones, diamonds too for that matter but he is my go too guy for anything colored.
 
Date: 1/2/2008 8:43:11 PM
Author: Glenmerle
I am not sure which ''title'' best applies. I called Markmans (areas best ''high end'' store) and was referred to this gentleman. We discussed treated vs heated. I do know that he considers heated sapphires to be natural sapphires. I don''t think he gave me any credit for the ''unheated'' designation because he didn''t believe it was unheated. I am rambling - so to circle back - I don''t think that he specializes in colored gemstones. Indeed the valuation he gave was only verbal, after a few minutes of review.
Click to expand...
Telling heated from unheated in a clean stone takes high magnification(60x-100x) and a lot of skill.
Telling a clean natural stone from synthetic requires the same.
Something like the SAS2000 can help some there too.
Send it too Richard.
 
I have seen his posts several times and went to his website last night. I will take your advice. Thanks.
 
Date: 1/2/2008 11:36:43 PM
Author: Selkie
I understand the disappointment aspect, I was shocked and disappointed when I found out my appraisal was lower than the purchase price. I should have gone to a second appraiser, in hindsight (probably would have gone with Richard Sherwood). But from what you''ve said about the appraisal you got, it was quite cursory, and not a true insurance appraisal. Did you get any kind of evaluation report? An independent appraiser will do a thorough exam of the stone, can determine that there is no evidence of treatment, and will take that into account in the appraisal. That may make up the difference.

Also, I''m not sure whether you know that a lab certification is NOT the same as an appraisal. I assume you are considering it so that you can go to another appraiser armed with the evidence of no heat treatment? I believe AGTA and AIGS are highly trusted, but I''m not sure how necessary a step it is, and it could be costly. Then you''d still need an appraisal anyway. I think you''d be better off getting the independent appraisal first.
Click to expand...
You are right - my first evaluation was cursory and completed in minutes. And yes, I was thinking of "arming" myself with a lab report before going to an appraiser. It seems that Mr. Sherwood is highly regarded. I will call his office today. Thanks.
 
It sounds like a beautiful stone, by the way. Congratulaions on your engagement!
 
I'd get a report from one of the major labs in addition to whatever appraisal you decide on. If determining unheated/natural is important to you, an AGTA report at about $135 is sufficient and probably what I'd get. For "quality" information, then AGL. If there turned out to be a disagreement with a seller after a purchase, an AGTA report backing you up would help you out more than an independent appraisal.

I'd also go back to the appraiser and ask what he's using as comparable stones if possible, what 'quality' he thinks the stone is, and what 'The Guide' currently says for a stone like yours, heated and unheated. Ask him what is the range of prices for 1.5 carat blue sapphire at Pala. Show him similar stones at NSC. None of this produces an absolute result but you're basically wanting to discuss how he arrived at a value, and see if it makes sense to you.
 
Status
Not open for further replies. Please create a new topic or request for this thread to be opened.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP

Featured Topics

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