Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
I did a google search on a disclaimer which was posted on the forum, you might remember:
Quote:
"Rubies and sapphires commonly undergo treatments (typically heat treatment, either with or without beryllium) to intensify the stone's natural color. These treatments are permanent. We will never sell a stone that was glass filled or otherwise treated with something not permanent".
And found it was posted on the sapphire page by the Shane Co.
Somehow, I don't feel that this is an adequate disclosure. I contacted them and they do NOT individually seperate heat from Be diffusion for their sapphire inventory. Should they?
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
I believe yes it should be disclosed if known. I also see this disclosure as a well crafted "COA" disclosure. When viewed in totality of what is and isn't disclosed, I found that in their sapphire category, an individual without much gem savvy will never know until down the road what the gem has or hasn't been subjected to, as far as enhancements go. I find the term intensify color by heat as the yes and no in my previous responses and think that the disclosure of heat is to improve color or clarity is a better definition. But we know what the industry prefers in disclosures so my personal opinions are just that personal. I also believe it should have been disclosed on the gem container that it was Be treated so any trained staff had ample chance to explain what Be actually is and how it effects value. Sorry for the rambling, simple answer is "Yes".
Clearly beryllium has an effect on value that normal heat doesn't. Seems like anything short of full individual disclosure would be mistreatment of one's customer.
I did a google search on a disclaimer which was posted on the forum, you might remember:
Quote:
"Rubies and sapphires commonly undergo treatments (typically heat treatment, either with or without beryllium) to intensify the stone's natural color. These treatments are permanent. We will never sell a stone that was glass filled or otherwise treated with something not permanent".
And found it was posted on the sapphire page by the Shane Co.
Somehow, I don't feel that this is an adequate disclosure. I contacted them and they do NOT individually seperate heat from Be diffusion for their sapphire inventory. Should they?
Not to go against the flow here, but to the average consumer, do they care much? Most just want a stone that is pretty and maybe they want to know if it is treated. Not exactly what kind of treatment. Those few who do want to know the specific treatment are more refined and will likely not buy from a place that tries to hide a "stronger" type of treatment like beryllium diffusion. Its like a high end food connoisseur caring much whether Mcdonalds adds an Organic tag to their meat paddies.
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
Fraud is fraud no matter how it is disguised. If I were selling a heat treated ruby as a no heat stone for the price of the latter and sometime in the future it is discovered it was heat treated that is fraud, I knowing sold it as a stone natural at a higher value for my profit only. But if explained to the inexperienced buyer why there is a difference they make their own educated decision. Why would there be gemology if it was just left to be everyone for them selves. Many many have over the years invested in protecting gem consumers from these practices in many ways, blood diamonds, child labor, unethical mining and the list goes on. If your selling gemstones to the public, you should educate yourself with some the basic trade guidelines and practices. It can not be expected from all regions of the world to have access to the education some of us have, so there are institutions and protections in place.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
It's always about profit, no? The Shane Co. can certainly afford to get their saphs tested for treatment, by AGL, GIA or SGL. I'm a big fan of "enhancement" when it comes to enhancing the credibility and reputation within our industry.
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
The very reason I said I was dumb founded. I didn't really agree they were very famous but very quickly saw they were not an uninformed industry establishment based only on the online presence.
Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2016 7:58 pm Posts: 1424 Location: San Marcos, CA
We find it usually depends on the customer type (ie) jewelry, custom jewelry, loose stone, etc... (meaning on what a customer cares about). Most likely it comes down to a budget amount when it is about jewelry, most loose stone buyers have some idea of what there looking for. But fully informing any type is paramount!
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:16 am Posts: 239 Location: Germany
It is a little bit like buying a car. If the car had an accident and got repaired you have to declare it. Same here, as in my opinion BE-diffusion is making some cheap stones looking far better as they normally would even with normal heat. So normally they are bought cheap (if right declared), so selling them in the same range like normal heated stones is fraud in my opinion if not declared right. If the customer is looking for cheap sapphires, they are a good alternative if treatment is nothing he is worrying about. But declaration and advisory has to be done in my opinion.
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