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- Sep 20, 2008
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Chicago Girl|1329842506|3130838 said:Chicago Girl|1329841743|3130831 wrote:
So is it safe to say that the conclusion seems to be......
Heat treated (and no other treatments) sapphires are generally acceptable.
It's nearly impossible to get untreated smaller sized sapphires (such as the sapphires in the picture I posted)
Even if a jeweler tells me the sapphires are ONLY heat treated, there's no way to really confirm that unless I get a laboratory report.
But it's pointless to get a lab report regarding such small sapphires.
To point one:
I will say that diffused sapphires are also acceptable, as any treatment, IF AND ONLY IF you know what you're getting, and you're paying a fair price. I have recommended diffused sapphires in the past to people who are on a strict and small budget, but want a big look. However, plain heat treatment without any other form of treatment is the most acceptable treatment for most gemstone purists/collectors. Also know that sapphires are not just diffused these days, but filled, coated, irradiated as well as heated and diffused.
To point three:
A REPUTABLE lab report is the most proper way to determine that, unless you are an experienced gemologist, or someone who knows the tell-tale inclusions to look for in a non-diffused or unheated stone. However, sometimes diffusion detection requires very expensive machines, such as the LA-ICP-MS, to determine diffusion, or the lack of it, with 99% accuracy.
Your other points are pretty spot on.
In all honesty....am I just SOL then?! What do informed people (like yourselves) do if they want sapphires that are smaller in size like the ones I posted in my pic?
I stay away from sapphire melee to be honest, as well as any tiny corundum. Most consumers don't really care though, and I don't think its a big deal in a few small melee. I've seen some melee sapphire jewelry, such as bracelets with lots of stones, and they're very expensive, and those are a rip off, as the gems are probably diffused (ever see the sapphire "rainbow" jewelry that is common in the marketplace - STAY AWAY!!). For your ring, it probably doesn't make a big monetary difference because there's just a few stones in the band. It's still very pretty, and I wouldn't personally lose sleep over it, as it's not the major piece on your hand and is there to just highlight your diamond ring.