Post subject: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 12:48 pm
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Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:03 am Posts: 191
Out of curiousity, I’d like clarification for the following: 1. Does a 3.5 ct unheated violet blue sapphire cost more than a 3.5 ct unheated violet blue to purple colour change sapphire if everything else is comparable or equal? 2. If the change is weak, then is the stone then just considered a 3.5 ct unheated violet blue sapphire that does NOT hold its colour? 3. If so, then how does #2 affect its valuation compared to a 3.5 ct unheated violet blue sapphire and a 3.5 ct unheated violet blue to purple TRUE colour change sapphire, if everything else is equal or comparable?
Also, in general, supposing that all else is equal, what is the price per carat range difference between these 2: 3.5 ct unheated vB6/4 compared to a 3.5 ct unheated vB6/3 sapphire. Presume that clarity is eye clean, no zoning, extinction or other issues.
Post subject: Re: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:42 pm
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Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 11:10 am Posts: 2698 Location: Rock and Roll Heaven
There is no good answer. It depends on the dealer.
Everything being equal, I'd say the CC Saphire would be more per carat. If it's just a weak shift & not as saturated as the violet/blue, then no, it would probably be cheaper or close to the same price.
Also, depends when the rough was bought & how much it was bought for, & if the dealer raises his prices with time or leaves the original price alone.
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Post subject: Re: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 4:36 pm
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Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 2:39 pm Posts: 3528 Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
In my experience (check out my avatar image), you will pay a premium for a noticeable color change in Sapphire. While certainly no expert, I'd imagine a 10-20% boost for a decently moderate color change. If it were truly striking (think high-grade Alex striking), I wouldn't even know how to value it, but I've never seen that in Sapphire.
P.S. If we're not just talking hypotheticals, I'm always interested in pictures of violet sapphires.
Post subject: Re: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 8:48 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:03 am Posts: 191
Strangely enough, the vendor did not provide a picture of the change and only shows the blue side of the sapphire. It is accompanied by an AGTA lab memo which describes the stone as a violetish blue sapphire and there is no notation of it being a colour change sapphire, hence my questions in the original post. As it is advertised as a colour change sapphire, I was wondering about the premium tacked on to it.
Well the thing is while there are general pricing guidelines for gems, a lot of vendors do not go by them. So what one vendor may charge $1000 a carat for, another may charge $3,000 a carat. Location, their target market, costs of rough or cut gems and other variables will often have more influence on the gem prices than the actual gemstone in some cases.
Post subject: Re: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 4:33 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2006 4:27 pm Posts: 1750
Chrono why not just ask the seller to send you pics of the colour change. This sounds like a pretty big purchase so unless you are sure of their return policy I'd be wary.
If they are genuine then they shouldn't mind taking a few more pics for a prospective purchaser. Remember your the guy with the cash...If they don't satisfy you then you can always walk away...you might be able to find some personal fault with the colour change which you could use to ask for a reduction
Post subject: Re: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 10:36 am
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Joined: Thu Apr 26, 2007 11:03 am Posts: 191
Ah, but this is not for me. Unfortunately, the seller is very well known and reputable, yet refused to take pictures of the colour change. I am asking all these questions in order to give the prospective buyer sound advice.
Post subject: Re: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 11:01 am
Valued Contributor
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:38 am Posts: 142 Location: New Delhi,India
anybody still interested in this topic? i m stuck in almost similar situation.i have got a nice sapphire,which looks almost pure blue in white light,but in day light it shows violet mixed with blue,if put under strong yellow light it shows more violet then blue,and under ultra violet light,blue color completely disappears,and the stone becomes pure violet. i m confused if its a color change sapphire,or a violetish blue sapphire. will submit it to local gem lab in delhi and see what they say. cant post pictures right now as i gave the stone to a friend to study it under his microscope and give me his opinion on its origin and treatment status.to me it looked burma,but his opinion was cylone. stone will be back with me after 1 week i guess. if it comes out to be a color change sapphire,then i m sure this is the first time i have seen such a strong color change in a sapphire. today i also saw a blue sapphire with some violet tone in it.stone is indeed fom kashmir mines,but violet tone is something i have never heard of or seen till date. any opinions or thoughts pls?
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Post subject: Re: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:33 pm
Site Admin
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
You know, I disagree. I think a fine, saturated blue sapphire with a violet modifier will command a higher price because it is universally understood and coveted.
Color changers are collectible curiosities for very special people. True some special people pay top dollar for curiosities but the general public does not.
Post subject: Re: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 3:13 pm
Valued Contributor
Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2007 4:38 am Posts: 142 Location: New Delhi,India
Barbra Voltaire wrote:
You know, I disagree. I think a fine, saturated blue sapphire with a violet modifier will command a higher price because it is universally understood and coveted.
Color changers are collectible curiosities for very special people. True some special people pay top dollar for curiosities but the general public does not.
My 2¢
i agree with you,i m not sure about my sapphire,wether its a color change or a mix of blue and violet.its rainy season in new delhi,though not much rain but sky remains cloudy.i need good sun light to see the actual appearence of this sapphire in natural light. you are very right that collectible cuorisities are for special people and general public dont buy it.in western countries general public may spend couple of thousand dollars on a stone or a ring,but in a developing country like india,general public hardly spend more than 1000 dollars on something they like,so my target customers here wud be collectors only. andi personally also love good stones,so may be i wud keep it in my personal collection if it ocmes out to be something un usual. whatever it is,it looks good to my eyes
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Post subject: Re: Valuation of Blue Sapphire and Colour Change Sapphire
Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 7:08 pm
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Joined: Fri May 02, 2008 11:10 am Posts: 2698 Location: Rock and Roll Heaven
Barbra Voltaire wrote:
You know, I disagree. I think a fine, saturated blue sapphire with a violet modifier will command a higher price because it is universally understood and coveted.
Color changers are collectible curiosities for very special people. True some special people pay top dollar for curiosities but the general public does not.
My 2¢
On second thoughts, a little delayed for months, Barbra, you're absolutely right. A high quality Violetish Blue Sapphire in most cases will be more.
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