In the video above, I compared the prices between one unheated (100% natural) and two heated GRS certified 4 to 5 carat, Vivid ‘Royal Blue’ Sri Lankan Sapphire.
All three sapphires are 4 to 5 carat each, are GRS certified, vivid ‘royal blue’ from Sri Lanka. The cost difference is between unheated stone and two heated – The unheated sapphire cost is US$8,000 per carat while the two heated stones cost is US$3,500 per carat
The method I use to determine the value of any gemstone is by first categorizing the stone based on the 4Cs + OT method.
The six criteria I have summarized in bullet form are below.
All three stones have similar criteria as indicated in GRS certification:
HOW TO DETERMINE A VALUE OF A SAPPHIRE?
We use the 4C’s + OT method:
- Color
- Carat Weight
- Clarity
- Cut
- Origin
- Treatment levels
All three sapphire’s GRS Certificate copies are provided below, which states four criteria like ‘carat weight, color grade, origin, and treatment level.’
- Color –
- GRS grade – Vivid Blue “Royal-Blue” which I completely agree with in my eyes
- Carat Weight –
- Above 4 carats to 5 carats (4.06 carats, 4.14 carats & 5.12 carats)
- Origin –
- Sri Lanka
- Treatment levels –
- No Indication of thermal treatment which means 100% natural unheated sapphire (4.06 carat stone)
- H – which means normal heat treatment (for two stones – 4.14 carats & 5.12 carats)
Clarity and cut grade must be determine by the naked eye as the labs does not provide this detail. This will effect the gemstones brilliance, sparkle and scintillation.
- Clarity (Two criteria) –
- Inclusions – 90 to 100% Eye-clean or ‘Very Slight’ Inclusions
- Transparency – 100% Transparent and not cloudy (not translucent or opaque)
- Cut Grade –
- Very Good to Excellent for all three sapphires
PRICE BREAKDOWN:
- 4.06 carats – unheated sapphire – US$8,000 per carat or US$32,480
- 4.14 carats – heated sapphire – US$3,500 per carat or US$14,490
- 5.12 cates – heated sapphire – US$3,500 per carat or US$17,920
TYPE OF NATURAL INCLUSIONS SRI LANKAN SAPPHIRES HAVE – UNHEATED VS HEATED
UNHEATED – No indication of heat treatment inclusions in Sri Lanka Sapphire
- Intact, fine, needle-like Silk (rutile needles) intersecting at 60 degrees angle.
- Unaltered mineral inclusions, crystals, and needles
Video shows all the above inclusions. Also, I have provided some images of these inclusions below.
HEATED – Normal Heat Treatment inclusions in Sri Lanka Sapphire
- Broken silk or partially “reabsorbed” rutile needles
- Inkspots from the heating process
I have provided some images of these inclusions below.
Other resources to see typical Sri Lankan inclusions I recommend checking the following websites:
- https://www.aigsthailand.com/viewgallery.aspx?catid=2&title=Inclusions%20in%20Sapphire&Ins=1
- http://www.lotusgemology.com/index.php/library/inclusion-gallery
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