hlmr
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2004
- Messages
- 2,872
Well it also depends a lot on treatments as well. Sapphires routinely undergo gentle heat to imprive their color, as well as some unscrupulous treatments like Beryllium Heat treatment (dying the stone).
For retail pricepoints, the NaturalSapphireCompany.com, can provide some values for unheated blue sapphires in various sizes. The more vivid the color, the better.
Thanks t-l, I was just having a look over at the NSC, and there are a wide range of prices for a stone that size. The pictures certainly show the stones in a much better light.Date: 7/21/2009 7:24:52 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Well it also depends a lot on treatments as well. Sapphires routinely undergo gentle heat to imprive their color, as well as some unscrupulous treatments like Beryllium Heat treatment (dying the stone).
For retail pricepoints, the NaturalSapphireCompany.com, can provide some values for unheated blue sapphires in various sizes. The more vivid the color, the better.
Well, I call it "unscrupulous" because most of the time, these treatments are not disclosed, and the general public is often taken advantage of due to their lack of knowledge on gemstone treatments. I do not think it is unethical to sell a BE-treated stone, or any kind of treated stone, as long as the treatment is fully disclosed, and the customer understands the extent of the treatment. In fact, treated and synthetic stones allow people to afford a color of a stone they otherwise would not have, and there''s nothing wrong with that. My big issue is the non-disclosure of these treatments and synthetics and even worse, charging "non-treated" and/or natural stone prices.Date: 7/21/2009 7:50:19 PM
Author: Pink Tower
TL,
Maybe this is a dumb question, but here goes.
When you say the unethical use beryllium treatments, what would be so bad about the treatment if it was disclosed?
I will never be in the market for a stone of that type; I don''t know if I have ever even seen one IRL.
But, if a person knew what they were buying, and they were fine with that knowledge, is there some reason for them not to buy the Beryllium treated stone?
Will it fade with time? Will the stone be more likely to crack?
Will it peel off?
I know, it's just difficult to describe how it's done, and when you cut open the stone, it typically has a rim of blue towards the edges, that makes it look like it's been dyed. Bad terminology on my part.Date: 7/21/2009 8:19:23 PM
Author: Lady_Disdain
Be heating isn't really dyeing. It consists of heating a stone until the atoms in the crystal structure are as far apart as possible (without melting! I believe it is around 2.000C, but I could be way off) and then ontroducing Be atoms into the structure, to give it colour. Originally, this was quite a superficial treatment, but more modern techniques are able to get the Be pretty deep in a stone. The colour is stable, but the stone can get quite brittle from this treatment.
This should never be assumed. Take for example all the overpriced pathetic excuses for jewellery sold on tv shopping channels - looking at the prices one would think the main stones are quite nice, eventhough it''s obvious they''re nothing special even by looking on your tv screen. So, for that price it should be a nice stone, but I''d never say it must be.Date: 7/21/2009 6:05:32 PM
Author: hlmr
Yes, maybe a bit.....I guess it''s hard to tell from those pictures, but for that price I was thinking it must be a pretty good stone.
Oh, I am well aware of all the pathetic jewellery, at outrageous prices for sale out there.Date: 7/22/2009 2:37:12 AM
Author: ma re
This should never be assumed. Take for example all the overpriced pathetic excuses for jewellery sold on tv shopping channels - looking at the prices one would think the main stones are quite nice, eventhough it''s obvious they''re nothing special even by looking on your tv screen. So, for that price it should be a nice stone, but I''d never say it must be.Date: 7/21/2009 6:05:32 PM
Author: hlmr
Yes, maybe a bit.....I guess it''s hard to tell from those pictures, but for that price I was thinking it must be a pretty good stone.
But eventhough the stone doesen''t hit me as something great, the ring itself (the craftsmanship, especially how the melee is set) is pretty spectacular.
You can still be a reputable seller and overcharge for quality, labor, etc. . .Date: 7/22/2009 9:16:48 AM
Author: hlmr
Oh, I am well aware of all the pathetic jewellery, at outrageous prices for sale out there.Date: 7/22/2009 2:37:12 AM
Author: ma re
This should never be assumed. Take for example all the overpriced pathetic excuses for jewellery sold on tv shopping channels - looking at the prices one would think the main stones are quite nice, eventhough it''s obvious they''re nothing special even by looking on your tv screen. So, for that price it should be a nice stone, but I''d never say it must be.Date: 7/21/2009 6:05:32 PM
Author: hlmr
Yes, maybe a bit.....I guess it''s hard to tell from those pictures, but for that price I was thinking it must be a pretty good stone.
But eventhough the stone doesen''t hit me as something great, the ring itself (the craftsmanship, especially how the melee is set) is pretty spectacular.
Signed Pieces is a reputable seller who has priced this ring for sale.
Definitely!! And also buying something that you really like, and can feel confidence about the quality. That's why some prefer to shop at places like Tiffany, Cartier, etc.Date: 7/22/2009 9:23:07 AM
Author: tourmaline_lover
You can still be a reputable seller and overcharge for quality, labor, etc. . .Date: 7/22/2009 9:16:48 AM
Author: hlmr
Oh, I am well aware of all the pathetic jewellery, at outrageous prices for sale out there.Date: 7/22/2009 2:37:12 AM
Author: ma re
This should never be assumed. Take for example all the overpriced pathetic excuses for jewellery sold on tv shopping channels - looking at the prices one would think the main stones are quite nice, eventhough it's obvious they're nothing special even by looking on your tv screen. So, for that price it should be a nice stone, but I'd never say it must be.Date: 7/21/2009 6:05:32 PM
Author: hlmr
Yes, maybe a bit.....I guess it's hard to tell from those pictures, but for that price I was thinking it must be a pretty good stone.
But eventhough the stone doesen't hit me as something great, the ring itself (the craftsmanship, especially how the melee is set) is pretty spectacular.
Signed Pieces is a reputable seller who has priced this ring for sale.
The important thing is to get the best value for your $$$. That's why I would never shop at a place of Tiffany, although they do have a very esteemed reputation.