A small crack in a gem affect it's value with photo

[venus08]

Hello,

I am fairly new to this board, so first hello everyone and I have really enjoyed reading and learning from you all while lurking around .

Today, I had an urge to start a post with a question that has been on my mind. I am very curious as to what affects the value of a gemstone. I know there are probably a lot of factors but my main question refers to a particular stone in the photo below.

The stone is beautiful untreated yellow sapphire, 2.46ct, 6.55x8.88x5.27mm

In the photo attached there is a small black coloured crack - circled in red. This small black crack is visible to the naked eye when viewing up close (about half an arms length away or closer). You can also feel the crack when you run your fingers along the edge if you are looking for it, so it is definitely a crack not an inclusion.

So, do you think this crack would/should decrease the value of the stone? Thoughts anyone?

Thank you in advance.

 

[LD]

Depends on the asking price!!!! Sorry I know that's a flippant answer but if the stone is cheap enough it shouldn't affect the value too much. Although it's surface reaching, it's not where a prong would normally go for its probably fine to set.

Generally speaking these things don't affect value too much unless they make the stone unsettable/risky. Just to expand, if you had a very rare/difficult to find gemstone with this, people would tend not to worry too much. If it was in a stone where there are plenty around, then it might make the difference.

Unfortunately this is a little subjective because some people would walk away and never consider a gem with such an inclusion. For others it wouldn't be a problem or a deal breaker. Of course we all want perfect stones but hey, it's not a perfect world!

 

[chrono]

Yes, such a thing should be discounted. Some vendors will discount it more than others. Some consumers are less likely to purchase it than others.

 

[PrecisionGem]

It's hard to tell from the picture, but that looks like it could be a "natural". This is an area of the rough stone that didn't quite clean up when cut. These are often left right at the girdle since this is the widest part of the stone, and often only visible if looking at the stone upside down. It's not going to grow anywhere since it's naturally terminated. If the cutter were to cut this area out, they would would the choice of either making the whole stone smaller at it's widest part, or making the stone somewhat lopsided in face up symmetry. Both of these options, would most likely negatively impact the value of the stone than simply leaving the natural.

 

[venus08]

Thank you for your replies!

Hi LD - this is not a what I would call a cheap stone unfortunately. But, I agree that there is a trade-off between a gem's rarity and clarity etc. I am not looking for a flawless gem, just curious if this small crack would decrease the value of the sapphire.

Chrono - your simple straight forward answer was exactly what I was thinking initially too...

Gene - Thank you for sharing your knowledge and that it might be a "natural". I can see a little bit of it upside down, but I mostly see it face up and on the side with the "natural" on top. Are there any other ways of telling if this is a "natural" or a crack from it being damaged? Your comment suggests that keeping the "natural" in the stone was the best option for the cutter which I understand after your explanation of what would need to happen if they cut it out. But, I am mostly curious if indeed this is a "natural", would this stone be valued less or cost less than if it (exact stone) didn't have the "natural"?

 

[minousbijoux]

Yes, all things being equal, you have an inclusion or natural which you say is eye visible. It is not flawless and would not have the same value as a flawless stone. While *I think* the majority of gem seekers are less interested in flawless and more interested in eye clean, there is nonetheless a premium given to flawless stones. It appears that this stone is not only not flawless, its also not eye clean, so that would make a difference to quite a few potential buyers.

 

[minousbijoux]

Just re-read my post and thought I should add the conclusion: it will have a lower value since it is not eye clean regardless of the whether it is a natural or a healed fracture.

 

[venus08]

Thanks Minou

 

[pregcurious]

I agree that it would not have the same value as an eye clean stone. For stone like emerald or Paraiba tourmaline, I would be okay with inclusions; for sapphires, it would depend. If I were looking for unheated, and looking for this exact shape/size, I might let it go. If I were looking for heated, I might want it to be eye clean.