Dark Blue Sapphire! Help please

[Adigems]

Sir,
I recently purchased a rough piece of Blue Sapphire from Madagascar. After faceting it, it looks too dark, almost black. It is a 5.21ct, Loupe Clean Cushion Cut piece. I paid 2,500 USD for the rough piece. And now, I'm afraid I am stuck with the piece.

Should I try to sell it the way it is? Or, I've heard about Beryllium Treatments, which lightens the colors of Sapphires? I have no clue if I get my gemstone treated, what value will it hold, despite the betterment of it.

Any help would be appreciated.
Best regards.

 

[chrono]

Adigems,
I am sorry that the sapphire rough did not turn out as expected. Should you do decide to go the BE route, how and where do you plan to get it done? Do you have your own oven and know the recipe or do you have the right contact to send the stone off to be treated? I am sure the treating process is not without risks so perhaps it is easiest to try to sell the sapphire as is first?

 

[Adigems]

Hi Chrono,
I don't own a furnace, but I do know how & where to get it done. I understand the risks of treating gemstones too. But, I don't know how the consumers would regard a Be treated Sapphire? I've tried the Natural version, and people find it too dark. Now, I'm wondering whether to get it Be treated? I have no clue about markets price & response towards Be treated Sapphires!

 

[chrono]

There are many different markets when it comes to BE diffusion:
1. Those who are aware of diffusion and avoid them like the plague (probably a very small group)
2. Those who are aware of diffusion but don't mind them as long as it is disclosed because it is affordable
3. Those who are not aware of diffusion but might buy one because the price looks like a steal
4. Those who are not aware of diffusion because that is all that is available to them

The avenue of sale seems to matter as well as your target consumer. I see diffused sapphires on eBay on the cheap but I've also seen more expensive diffused sapphires at better known vendors. I've seen it as low as $40/ct to as high as $500/ct.

 

[kavnadoo]

Lovely sapphire and great size too, I for one love dark sapphires and will take one over a light coloured one any day. All the best with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Michael_E]

Do you have a side view of the stone? It doesn't look like it has any bright reflective areas, is that the case? Did you cut it? If so what does the cut diagram look like? What kinds of light are you viewing it under (some blue sapphires will show much better under LED or high color temperature fluorescents)? I'm just trying to understand why it seems to lack reflections from the pavilion.

You paid quite a bit for the rough and it makes me wonder if you have experience with buying rough or were just captivated by the color and thought that it would turn out well based on the color of the rough. In any case the color is really good, just a bit too dark for such a large stone. Using beryllium does not guarantee a lighter stone and it does have many risks associated with the heating required to do it. It also devalues the stone dramatically and when you balance the cost of having this done, (if you can even find anyone to do it), and the lower cost that the stone would bring, you may be lucky to break even on the deal. I think that the best bet to recoup value is to saw the stone in half, re-cut the halves to the brightest matched pair possible and then either sell them or keep them as suits you. Please don't do this until you find a cutter who understands blue sapphire and have them look the stone over in person, as it may be possible to cut the stone down to a symmetrical square cushion at around 3 carats and still have a stone valued in the $1000 to $2000 per carat range.

 

[Adigems]

@ Chrono: Thanks for the tips.
@Kavnadoo: Thanks for the color appreciation!

@Michael_E: I did cut the stone, and I did buy it myself. I have only limited experience in gemstones buying & manufacturing. This particular piece belongs to a mine known for its deep blue color. Cutting the stone in half, or altering with the faceting won't help. I am only debating whether to get the stone Be treated.

Best regds.