What is so special about Montana sapphire?
- One of the most striking differences is their color.
- Sapphires from Montana are unique in that they naturally occur in light pastels, unique blue-greens, and smoky grays.
- So, a Montana sapphire could be a calming leaf green or a sky blue-grey.
How can you tell if a gemstone is heat-treated? Heat treatment is a very risky process as many gems have inclusions that expand at a different rate and cause stress fractures, which then becomes an identifying characteristic of heated gems, particularly sapphire and ruby which can display halos around inclusions within the gem.
Accordingly Are Montana sapphires worth anything? Typical Montana sapphire can cost anywhere from $250-$1500 per carat for under 1/2ct to upwards of $7000 per carat for larger than 5 carats. Price is dependent on the quality of the gemstone (i.e. color, clarity, cut, and carat).
Besides, Are Montana sapphires good quality? Unique colors, high clarity, USA-born status, and great durability make Montana Sapphires shine. Montana Sapphires are part of the larger gem family “corundum.” Corundum is a hard stone, at a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, making it very durable to wear in jewelry.
How do I clean a Montana sapphire? The best way to clean your sapphire jewelry is with warm soapy water and a soft brush, avoiding soaking the stone. Always avoid harsh detergents, and never clean your jewelry with solvents such as alcohol, acetone or paint thinner.
What percentage of sapphires are heat treated?
If a gemstone has been heat treated, it simply means it has undergone some type of thermal process in order to alter or improve its appearance. In this modern era, nearly 95 percent of sapphire gemstones are heat-treated for several important reasons.
What is the difference between heated and unheated sapphires?
Compared to unheated sapphires: Most heated sapphires are eye-clean, with no inclusions visible to the naked eye. Unheated sapphires will have whatever inclusions were naturally created within them.
How can you tell if a sapphire is lab created?
Microscopic visual cues a gemologist may use to distinguish lab created sapphire from natural sapphire include locating bubbles, curved striae, or flux inclusions. Lower quality “flame fusion” lab sapphire glows red under black light.
Is heated or unheated sapphire better?
By appearance, is there a difference between natural and heat-treated sapphires? Yes, but to a trained eye. Generally speaking, natural no-heat sapphires will have a softer luster and smoother surface appeal. Heated sapphires display a glass-like surface that feels hard and unnatural.
Are heat treated gems less valuable?
Heat treatment is the most common treatment and without heat treatment the availability of fine gems would be significantly less. With less gems prices would be dramatically higher only available to the rich. This is the reason untreated gems often command 30% to 50% higher prices.
Are most sapphires heated?
Most people are unaware that almost all sapphires are heated at extremely high temperatures to “enhance” their color and clarity. Very low grade sapphires are also treated with chemicals to alter their color, transforming stones that would not be market grade into saleable pieces.
What does it mean if a sapphire is unheated?
Unheated sapphires and untreated sapphires are one and the same as no treatment can be applied to a sapphire without the help of heat treatment. Unheated sapphires mean the sapphire is natural and it has not been enhanced by any form of heat treatment or any other treatment.
Are heated sapphires valuable?
Heating is an accepted treatment for sapphire. But for fine-quality sapphire, confirmation from an independent laboratory like GIA that there is no evidence of heat adds to a sapphire’s rarity and value.
Can heat damage a sapphire?
While sapphires and rubies can be damaged in various ways during the repair or creation of jewelry, heat is the most common culprit.
Are unheated sapphires worth more?
Heating is an accepted treatment for sapphire. But for fine-quality sapphire, confirmation from an independent laboratory like GIA that there is no evidence of heat adds to a sapphire’s rarity and value.
How can you tell if a gemstone is heat treated?
Heat treatment is a very risky process as many gems have inclusions that expand at a different rate and cause stress fractures, which then becomes an identifying characteristic of heated gems, particularly sapphire and ruby which can display halos around inclusions within the gem.
Which gemstones are not treated?
AR: Some gems are not usually treated, like spinel, garnet and tourmaline.
What color sapphire is most valuable?
Blue Sapphires Color has the greatest influence on a sapphire’s value, and preferred sapphires have strong to vivid color saturation. The most valued blue sapphires are velvety blue to violetish blue, in medium to medium-dark tones. Sapphires with these qualities command the highest prices per carat.
Are blue sapphires irradiated?
Irradiation has been with us since the early 1900’s when scientists like Bordas and Crookes used radium salts to change blue sapphires and diamonds green. In today’s world, irradiation is routinely used to color a number of gemstones.
