Genuine investment sapphires never lose value, but fakes never have value. Understanding the characteristics and history of genuine Sri Lanka White Sapphires are the tools of a smart investor.

It’s a diamond by any other name, a colorless and pure precious gem, it’s the hardest gem next to Diamonds on Mohs scale 9 to 9.5. White Sapphires are rare, beautiful and of a great value. These Sapphires are usually appreciated and desired by gem collectors and Sapphire Connoisseurs, because it is more affordable than a Diamond.

White sapphires can be one the most expensive gems, with prices similar to those fetched by fine white diamonds. But buyer beware – it takes an expert to determine if a white sapphire really is in the category that competes with fine white diamonds. A conservative investor would look for white sapphires priced in line with other colored sapphires, and anticipate a very good return for the find. Prices for white sapphires are difficult to determine because some sources value them in the range of a low grade pink diamond, at $4000/carat, whereas others value them in their own category of up to $80,000/carat.

WHITE SAPPHIRES ARE ONLY FOUND IN SRI-LANKA

Sapphires and Rubies are mined in many different places of the world. There is a wide range of colors, for example: the White Sapphire, which is found only in Sri-Lanka. The White Sapphire was not well known in the gem trade until about 20 years ago. When a diffusion process was introduced to turn the colorless White Sapphire to Cobalt Blue, this process drove the price of these white gems to its maximum limit. Large pieces became unavailable, and prices suffered an increase of almost 8 to 10 times higher than normal value. Suddenly, natural white sapphires had found a global market.

WHITE SAPPHIRE IN WEDDING RINGS

White Sapphires have been replacing Diamonds in wedding rings. Round Brilliant White Sapphires, with a large sized center, were set in Platinum or Gold, as the new Diamond of the Millennium.

HEAT TREATMENT AND DEEP DIFFUSION SAPPHIRES

While heat treatment today is an acceptable practice in the gem trade, deep diffusion is not respected and considered as an unethical practice, especially if misrepresented or not disclosed to consumers. By using iron and titanium powders heated up to 2000 degrees Celsius, deep diffusion process change artificially the natural white sapphire color to unnatural blue color. Diffused sapphires can easily lose their artificial color if chipped, re polished or re cut. Heat treatment, simply finishes what nature did not accomplish. Heating does not change the natural look of a Sapphire. It simply enhances its color and clarity by adding vividness and purity. Since the vast majority of rough rubies and sapphires are heated soon after they are mined, dealers assume, unless there is a substantial amount of proof to the contrary, that all Rubies and Sapphires have been heated. Most consumers today accept heating as a reality. Heat treatment is durable and stable. Heat treated Sapphires, never fade in their color while deep diffusion sapphires are quire unstable.

At the Tucson 2003 gem shows, a closed-door meeting yielded an agreement among American dealers, manufacturers, and jewelry retailers that the treatment should be disclosed as diffusion. Members of the Thai gem industry were present at the discussion, and while no formal commitment was made at the shows, the dialogue was carried back to Thailand.

On February 20, the Chanthaburi Gem & Jewelry Association (CGA) announced through representative Thaigem.com that they would disclose the treatment — not as diffused, but as heated with beryllium. While only the CGA has committed to disclosing that way, its membership includes many of the heat treaters who are performing the beryllium diffusion.

Disclosure among other Thai dealers is still hit or miss.

Since value is based on rarity, unheated sapphires are usually sold, if found, with 4 to 5 times the price of a comparable heated Sapphire. When investing in such rare gems, you should request a certificate to guarantee the condition. At Eternal Pearl, we are always happy to certify the natural condition of our gemstones. Any reputable dealer will allow enough time for a return for a buyer to get a gemstone(s) appraised if the buyer desires more information before a sale is final.