Date: 2/27/2009 8:14:34 PM
Author: shaunrice
enough said
I just sent my 2 alexandrites to GIA, and a couple of sapphires, and an unknown... Are you saying GIA isn't secure? That is beyond terrifying
It may very well be a tourmaline with copper in it, but it may be a very light one, and the photo is probably enhanced (the dark background is a giveaway). Therefore, the GIA (if the cert isn't forged or swapped to another stone) would have correctly stated this is a natural tourmaline with copper in it. However, that doesn't mean it's worth a great deal. The only thing that this particular GIA lab report can tell you is that it is a natural stone with copper in it. It doesn't tell you anything about tonality, color, clarity, or the prime factors that help you to determine if it's a stone of good quality.
Did you see the feedback remark where the lady paid around $3000 for a GIA certified "paraiba" from this dealer, and she said it looked nothing like the color in the photo.
As far as your stones, you don't have to worry about your own GIA certs that you have requested for your own stones. It's a bit more tricky when you get certs from non-reputable dealers like this one.