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Natural sapphires are graded and valued by a few factors. These include sapphire color, sapphire clarity, and also their cut and carat weight. A sapphire's country of origin is also taken into consideration when determining its value. Different grading systems are used to determine the quality of this precious gemstone, depending on what factor is being graded.
With this system, sapphires are graded according to different ranks. These include AAA, AA, A, and B qualities:
The most important characteristic to consider when determining a sapphire’s price is always its color grade. The best color for a natural blue sapphire is an intense, velvety, deep royal blue. This color of sapphire would be considered AAA quality, the rarest and most valuable. The second best color is a medium rich blue, or AA quality. Any blue sapphires that have a slight gray undertone fit into the A category. Finally, sapphires that have a very dark and opaque blue color are considered B quality grade. The 3 keys to color grading are identifying hue, tone and saturation. Color is graded on these factors face up on a white surface. The hue should be royal blue, the tone should be deep blue and the saturation should be even throughout the gem.
After color, clarity is another important factor that has an impact on a gemstone's price and rarity. There are three types of clarity grade for gemstones such as sapphires: Type 1 stones, Type 2 stones, and Type 3 stones.
Overall, most gemstones do have some type of inclusion, even if it isn't eye visible. Generally speaking, the fewer inclusions a gemstone has, the rarer it is. Thus, the price will be higher for Type 1 stones than Type 3.
Sapphires still fall into the general clarity grading for gemstones categories (Types 1, 2 or 3). However, there are more specific terms that are directly related to the clarity of sapphires. They include: concaves, eye grade, loupe grade and transparency.
There are different types of inclusions that sapphires can have. Needles are long, thin mineral deposits, which are referred to as silk inclusions and are the most common type. Silk inclusions can form interactions within the sapphire, known as the "star" effect. The price of a sapphire drops as it contains more inclusions, which affect the overall stability of the gemstone.
The cut of a sapphire refers to how well the surface is proportioned and polished. If a shallow- or deep-cut sapphire is poorly cut, it will be prone to light leakage. The best cuts of sapphire will always show optimal brilliance. They will look like they have more “life” to them. Sapphires with these cuts are rarer, and they are more expensive than inferior cut sapphires.
In terms of weight, sapphires are weighed the same way that diamonds are. The higher the carat, the more expensive the sapphire will be. Larger sapphires automatically have a higher carat weight, so they will always cost more.
The most common type of sapphire treatments is heat treatments, which are applied to remove inclusions and improve a sapphire's hue and saturation. This affects a sapphire’s color grade, which could considered one specific grade before treatment, but can jump up to a higher grade afterward. Heat treatment is such a common procedure for sapphires that it doesn’t affect their overall value. However, other treatments, such as diffusion treatments (applying a thin layer of color onto the surface of a sapphire) can affect their value.
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There are several factors that are considered when grading a sapphire. Here are some of the most important ones:
1) Color: The color of a sapphire is one of the most important factors when grading a stone. Sapphires can come in a wide range of colors, from blue to pink to yellow, and the intensity and saturation of the color can greatly affect the value of the stone.
2) Clarity: The clarity of a sapphire refers to the presence or absence of inclusions, which are internal flaws in the stone. The fewer inclusions a sapphire has, the higher its clarity grade will be.
3) Cut: The cut of a sapphire refers to its shape, proportions, and overall finish. A well-cut sapphire will have good symmetry, excellent polish, and optimal proportions that allow for maximum light reflection and brilliance.
4) Carat weight: The carat weight of a sapphire refers to its size, with one carat equaling 0.2 grams. Larger sapphires are generally more valuable than smaller ones.
5) Treatment: The treatment history of a sapphire is also an important factor when grading the stone. Natural, untreated sapphires are generally considered more valuable than treated or enhanced sapphires.
Color grading for sapphires is typically done using a combination of visual inspection and instrumental analysis. Here are the general steps involved in color grading sapphires:
1) Visual inspection: The first step in color grading sapphires is to visually inspect the stone under natural daylight conditions. The gemologist will look for any visible inclusions or flaws, as well as variations in color and saturation.
2) Light source adjustment: Next, the light source may be adjusted to simulate different lighting conditions, such as incandescent, fluorescent, or daylight. This can help reveal any color variations or undertones that may not be visible under natural daylight.
3) Instrumental analysis: The gemologist may use a spectrometer or other instrumental analysis tools to measure the stone's color and saturation more precisely. This can provide a more objective measure of the stone's color quality and help to identify any subtle variations in hue or saturation.
4) Comparison to standardized color charts: Finally, the gemologist will compare the stone's color and saturation to standardized color charts or master stones to assign a grade. The color grading system for sapphires typically ranges from "fancy light" to "fancy vivid," with vivid stones being the most highly prized for their intense, saturated color.
Laboratory grading of sapphires is a standardized evaluation of a stone's quality based on a set of parameters, while industry grading is more focused on the practical and commercial aspects of the gemstone, such as market demand and value for trade and sale.
To ensure that a sapphire has been accurately graded, you should have it evaluated by a reputable and independent gemological laboratory like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The laboratory will provide a detailed grading report that includes information about the stone's color, clarity, cut, carat weight, and other characteristics. This report will also provide an assessment of the sapphire's quality and may include a photograph of the stone.