Genuine investment sapphires never lose value, but new fakes are always on the rise. Understanding the characteristics and history of genuine Yellow Sapphires are the tools of a smart investor.

Yellow Sapphire is the color of wealth and richness. In Indian Culture, Yellow Sapphire has the hint of power over human destiny. Fine yellow and golden orange sapphires are rare. This was not really the case until the early 1980’s. There was a time when jewelers did not know or recognize any other color but blue sapphires. In 1980, some dealers in Thailand began experimental heating of pale Yellow Sapphires. They had nothing to lose at the time because yellow sapphires were cheap and available. The experiments were successful and the Sapphires were transformed by heating from soft pastel shades to what we call canary color or pastel color, or to the bright vibrant golden and orange yellows.

Yellow sapphires range in price with the upper end similar to those fetched by fine diamonds and rubies. Prices for yellow sapphires between a yellow diamond, at $7000/carat, whereas others value them in their own category of up to $120,000/carat.

There is also the yellow sapphire of Shri Lanka, commonly called pushparaga in Singhalese. The term pushpa means flower; as raga is colour and also means pollen, hence pushparaga is the "colour of pollen." Although pollen can be brownish yellow or yellow in colour, the Shri Lankan gem trade from ancient times to the present, has always referred to pushparaga as a yellow variety of corundum.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN YOU BUY YELLOW SAPPHIRE ?

* The color is a personal preference. The natural pastel light yellow and lemon yellow is beautiful. The deep orangy yellow or the golden colors are magnificent but you must assume that the deeper the color, the more likely the stone is heated unless a proof of the contrary is provided.

* At least 1 carat sizes are the most desirable. However, larger sizes are more rare and highly priced.

* Look for clarity even though eye-clear stones are extremely rare. Flawless Sapphire will sell for much more, along the lines of 300% to 500% more for the stones. Flawless sapphires that are cheaply priced are almost surely fakes. You are better off with a heat treated orange included sapphire that looks real than an eye clear, bright yellow sapphire that is eye clear, and obviously laboratory created.

* The beauty of a Gem is represented by its cut. Larger sizes may be imperfect because no cutter will sacrifice the weight of a precious Gem. However, an over all good proportions are acceptable. Smooth finish is actually more revealing of the stone’s interior than a faceted cut. Faceting actually draws the eye away from flaws, while s a smooth cut and finish reveals the gemstones natural lines and interiors.

INVESTMENT GRADE

Investment grade yellow sapphires are usually the largest in size. The bigger stone you can buy, the more likely your investment will increase because big natural yellow sapphires are getting scarce. Today, even 5 carat sizes are hunted by gem collectors.

Ceylon Yellow Sapphires are comparable to Burma Rubies. Today, Tundouro mine in Tanzania, Africa produces yellow sapphire mostly with a greenish yellow tone, which sometimes are sold as Ceylon Sapphire. Real Ceylon yellow sapphires do not display this greenish overtone. Yellow Sapphire mixes well with blue, white diamonds, white gold and platinum. Many jewelers design beautiful jewelry using the color combination of yellow, blue and even white sapphire.

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.