GEM BUYING GUIDE
There are several intrinsic factors that decides the value of a gem stone such as weightage, colour, type (precious or Semi-precious), clarity, cut, purity, brilliance and others like market value per carat, reputation of the seller, origin of the stone, beliefs, value in the sight of the buyer simply because of the overwhelming magnetism with the wearer of the jewel.
Most of the inexperienced buyers usually request for Gem lab Report which provides crucial information about the stone that lists the weightage, colour, cut, clarity, indication of heart treatment ,some even indicate dimensions, origin., whether the stone is natural or synthetic or inconclusive in the case of too clean stone where the gem technicians cannot make any judgment.
SAPPHIRE BUYING GUID
Sapphire generally occurs in different colours, Blue being the popularly known among all other colour varieties include Yellow, Pink, Pinkish orange (Padparadscha), Purple, Orange, Lavender, Green, colour less. Each of these colour have their own classes based on their colour intensity and saturation. All sapphires are from the same family of corundum (Al2O3). The Red coloured corundum are called Ruby (Ratna Raj) meaning Kings of Jewells long associated with royalty for its intense red colour and rarity. Sapphires hardness makes them scratch resistant and it the second hardest mineral next to Diamond.
The value of a sapphire is decided on qualitative factors such as Carat (weightage), Cut, Clarity, and Colour. There are instances where mineral inclusion in the crystals can create different types of sapphires called star sapphire created asterism (six rayed star) effect. These qualitative factors can have differing values which can change person to person making the values derived from these appraisals subjective. Generally value of these sapphires varies every day in different market. This is because the actual price of sapphire or any gemstone is decided by seller who is willing to sell at price and the price buyer willing to pay. This can change drastically from one person to another or market to market. However the underlying qualities that principally decide the price of a gem stones rarity, carat, cut, colour and clarity which should be sought before purchasing any sapphires. This is merely a guide and actual buying is not simple as buying gold or platinum where setting standards are relatively easy.
SPOTTING NATURAL, SYNTHETIC, AND TREATED STONE
Naturally occurring sapphires are extremely rare. There rarity and beauty makes them as the highly valued minerals from the earth. The demand for these sapphires are so great where synthetics (artificial stones) are common in the market. Sapphires are heat treated under different techniques to obtain clarity for Geuda (milky stone) and to enhance colour saturation to receive higher price per carat. Therefore an inexperience buyer should always request for a gem laboratory report before purchasing sapphires.
Untreated sapphires naturally demand higher price compared to heat treated stones in all nations without exception. Therefore a buyer should be aware whether the stone is treated before the deal is finalized.
COLOUR
Blue sapphires, Padparadscha (Pinkish sunset orange) are highest priced sapphires by it colour. Since sapphire occurs in many colours the pricing differs market to market and according to the colour taste of by individual buyers. Generally coloured sapphires with saturation is commands higher price than “Steely” light coloured stones. The saturation can be in blue which has its own sub categories referred as Royal blue, Peacock Blue, Corn flower blue, velvet blue, indigo which are more favoured flavours in the blue sapphire category.
The Padparadscha can colour tone is more complicated to describe. Thought it appears in various colours actual that attracts individual varies person to person. Ideal colour of Padparadscha is the combined colour of pinkish sunset orange. The stone having this colour and having Sri Lanka origin can value even $30,000 per carat. Some laboratories provide certification as Padparadscha although pinkish tone dominates the stone. Therefore, a buyer need to exactly know what colour tone in Padparadscha he is looking for.
Other colour in the sapphire family are called fancy tones and the value of these are not fixed due to its rarity and less popularity
CLARITY
Transparency is related with the ability of light to travel through the sapphires. Since the sapphire belong to Type II category meaning the stones appear naturally with inclusion. If a buyer is looking to buy sapphires besides star sapphires. He or she should ideally look for the stones without inclusion. Eye clean well cut sapphires will higher market price for stones compared to that with inclusions.
Gem stones like blue sapphires with darker tone are not highly valued compared to deep blue brilliant lustrous blue sapphire. Finding good clarity in the blue sapphires can be challenging requiring equipment and lights sources directed and the stone and eye kept in different distances.
Clarity in light coloured stones such as yellow sapphires, Pink, Padparadscha, Purple plays a significant effect on the prizing as their lower colour intensity easily reveals the inclusion making the stones less desirable among the customers.
WEIGHTAGE
Similar to rubies and sapphires also rare. Although Sri Lanka produced the world’s largest sapphires it is scarce to find high calibre sapphires without inclusion. Price increases hikes can be multiple times provide the sapphire meet the qualities such as lustre, free from inclusion, vivid colour, and translucence and well cut.
Therefore, multiple characteristic must be considered before purchasing a sapphire as mentioned above. However if the buyer is to purchase star sapphires the asterism effect occurs mainly due to inclusion in such case the clarity of the stone become irrelevant.
