Gemstone Appraisals Center

Rubies and Sapphires Question: I am considering the purchase of a loose ruby and a loose sapphire for custom made pieces.

Dictionary of Gems and Gemology

Price: $238.97

I've done a lot of research on quality, origin, treatments, etc. It's a little overwhelming to say the least, but after all is said and done, my question is this: all other things being equal (sort of!) is the better ruby value in a heat treated Burmese, or an unheated one from anywhere else?

Likewise for sapphires, heated from Burma or Ceylon, or unheated from anywhere else?

I'm trying to keep it under the 5 figure range. Thank you.

Answer: G'day Sharon and many thanks for your query.

These days, as you would have found in your own research, most gemstones undergo some form of treatment. In the case of Corundums (Sapphires and Ruby) it has become more the normal - than not.

As long as the treatment is considered to be permanent and irreversible, then as far as value is concerned, tends to make little or no significant difference to the price.

The Origin is much more important.

So in a 'Ball Park' answer to your very specific question, I would personally go with quality. Burma and Ceylon DOES command a premium in the Marketplace - the treatment of those gemstones being a sort of non-event.

At the end of the day you are going to get what you pay for anyway, so trust your supplier, as long as they are reputable. Just don't consider this an INVESTMENT - because it won't be.

You might also like to add this query to our Gemstone Forum where there are more 'Experts' to help you.
http://www.online-jewelry-appraisals.net/jewelry-forum/

I would also ask you to please Vote (below) on this article, and if you have any comments, would be very grateful if you could add some remarks. It will only take a couple of seconds, but the help it would provide to our efforts in answering questions would be amply rewarded - Thank you...

Hope this helps...