Sapphires remain America’s #1 selling colored gem. While not as expensive as rubies, the price for a fine quality sapphire can be higher than that of a diamond. First a few things about sapphires. Not all sapphires are the same and buyers should be aware that the quality of any gemstone (sapphire or otherwise) should equal its value. What should you look for when buying a sapphire? Color!

Sapphires are identical in every way to a ruby, except for color. Found in a wide variety of colors – the main true color that we are all familiar with is the Blue sapphire.

However, sapphires are also available in pink, yellow, green and purple. These sapphires are aptly named “Fancy Sapphires”. In addition there are other sapphires, which are extremely rare and collectible termed as Padparadscha Sapphires.

Colors of blue sapphires can range from a light blue to the darkest of blue (we call it black/blue). However, the middle of the road in the sapphire gem group appears to be the most expensive (and the most sought after gem). Good rule of thumb to follow is that light colored and very dark colored sapphires will cost less and the mid range in color sapphires will cost more. Then again, never shop by price but, by the color and the color of sapphire, which appeals to you the most. Many sapphire buyers love a light colored gem and many others prefer a midnight (almost black/blue in color) sapphire.

If you can find 2 carat sapphire, which is light color and that color appeals to you - then that may be the gem for you!

Back to Padparadscha Sapphires. This sapphire combines three colors – purple, pink and orange! A sapphire displaying these colors is known as Padparadscha Sapphire and the cost of such a gem can costs thousands of dollars per carat!

Pink Sapphires – are a highly prized gem by many collector’s and consumers.  Pink sapphires can resemble that of a ruby (so be careful as you can’t go by color – only by description). Again, Pink Sapphires can go from light pink to a very dark pink termed “hot pink”. Can't afford a pink sapphire? Search around for a Pink Topaz! They're reasonably priced (usually flawless) and come in a range from light pink to a "Hot Pink".

Yellow Sapphires – can be had at a very reasonable price, as they are found in extremely large crystal formations. They range in color from a very light yellow (canary yellow) to a dark yellow. Looking for a Canary Yellow Diamond but, can't afford the price? Buy a Canary Yellow Sapphire, set it into a white gold setting (get the platinum look with a white gold setting!) and many will ask if the gem is a canary diamond! Keep the gem size down (under 2 carats), as Canary Yellow Diamonds of high quality are very expensive and anything over 2 carats might not be believable!

Green Sapphires – Another bargain hunter’s find is the Green Sapphire as they the least desirable of all sapphires and range in color from a very light green (like Peridot) to that of the darkest green.

Purple Sapphires - Of all the sapphires purple sapphires stand out as what we term a “middle of the road gem” with a great price and a nice color range.

Star Sapphires – This is a gem you either like so much you buy every one you can find or this gem is just not your cup of tea. They come in various shades of blue. The outstanding feature of this gem is the six or twelve ray star effect, which seems to dazzle it buyers. This gem is not that expensive and can be had for less then many of the sapphires in the group mentioned above.

Color Change Sapphires – For those who love the color change effect of Alexandrite but don’t like the price. A color change sapphire is your best buy! The gem will change color in various lighting.

Declasse Emeralds - What are They?

As a jewelry and gem seller, I'm surprised to see that there are those who still insist on hawking declasse gems. They are purchased at gem shows for a few bucks a piece (the huge profit margins are the driving force that keeps them on the market). In fact, they can purchased by the bucket load.

A declasse gem is NOT hard to identify (nor is a smashed glass diamond) however, a picture is worth a thousand words...

Below is a picture of a Declasse Emerald Ring...

Notice that the Emerald has absolutely NO LIFE! The color is flat and the stone is NOT highly polished).

It looks like a mottled piece of stone (which is what it is).  However, there are those who buy these stones (that's really what they are) and set a few nice diamonds around them, set them in 18KT. gold and can use the description - 18KT. 3 Carat Emerald & Diamond Ring.

Okay, here's what an Emerald should look like set with two high quality diamonds....

You can clearly see the difference between both the top and bottom emerald rings. The same applies to rubies and sapphires. If a ruby or sapphire has the same mottled look as the emerald ring (as the declasse emerald - first picture) - then you're getting a declasse stone. Bring the ring to the appraiser and he'll tell you the score (if he or she is honest). 

The argument in the industry is "but, it's still a emerald" and the argument would hold weight (to a degree).

However, what proliferates the sale of these Non-Gems is the use of Gem Cards as a selling tool...

Gem Cards - A Questionable Practice:

What's more disturbing than those selling declasse gems are the labs that are willing to grade them at such high values. Gem Cards seem to be the new wave in selling jewelry and gems. They are usually offered for free and look like a plastic credit card. These cards may have a picture of the item, carat weight and some type of grading information. If it's a diamond and emerald ring, which has been graded and there's a declasse emerald, you'll see the word "Fine" or "Extra Fine" or "A", "AAA" or "AAAA" in the grading of the emerald.

If there are many diamonds in the piece, the piece may be graded as VS-1 to I1. In other words, if it's an Emerald Ring with a pave setting you're being offered (which may contain 5 pointer diamonds) this means that one diamond (out of the entire group) may be VS-1 however, the remaining diamonds may be all I1's.

The Gem Card is the next great selling tool, as this little card can carry a message of "high value".  In the case where the diamonds are graded VS-1 to I1 - the term "VS-1 is what catches the buyer's eye. VS-1 is the grading which "sells" the piece. However, once you receive the item and find crusty white I1 diamonds and one VS-1 diamond with a Declasse Emerald- you'll be sorely disappointed  - as in many cases, the one "good" diamond stands out amongst the crusty white "smashed glass look" of the I1 diamonds.

It's not by accident that a VS-1 diamond is set into the piece. Put in a VS-1 diamond and the seller can use the grading however, it's a slippery slope upon which they sell such goods - as if one diamond is a VS-1 and the remaining diamonds are I1's - the quality of the piece and the high value attached via a Gem Card - becomes questionable.

Gem Cards should NOT be given any weight when purchasing a finished piece of jewelry or loose gem as they set a bad example for the entire industry. They bring into question the validity of value and this has far reaching implications for the entire gemological grading industry.

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