GRADING REPORT BPSS383
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Star Sapphire
- Carat: 3.83
- Shape: Oval Single Cabochon
- Measures: 8.70x7.04x5.35 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Very Good (see comment)
- Tone: Medium Dark 60
- Clarity: Semi-Translucent / Eye-clean
- Ray: Very Good (sharp, centered, well travelling)
- Cutting Grade: Excellent
- Finish: Excellent
- Depth: 76%
- Origin: Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
Treatment: None
Certificate No: AIG G89707418BE
Overall Grade: Very Good
Comment: How does one grade a gem in an unprecedented color? I, personally, have never seen such a star sapphire. Like any pro I have seen dozens or, without bragging, hundreds of blue stars or star rubies, and those I can compare and judge, but what to say about a hue and tone without reference? The tungsten torch (main image) produces an almost padaparadscha-like color. In fact it is brown turned to orange plus pink grading under tungsten light is against grading rules. Colors are graded under natural daylight, here best seen in the side- and hand-shot below (without star). I can describe the color as silvery Bordeaux red (close to ruby), or as a cold 'brownish pink' (as AIG calls it), or as Mahogany pink. BUT: Judging such a unique color as 'Good', or 'Excellent', or 'No-Good', is like judging art or a flower: Not possible, only the eye of the beholder can decide. As hard facts we can offer a perfect cut and ideal shape with just enough under-body volume to allow a solid setting but without any over-weight. The star (under a single light source) is sharp with five flawless straight 'legs', reaches under the surface and moves freely. Add 'eye-clean', unheated and a noble pedigree to allow an overall grade of 'Very Good', despite, or because, of its unique color.
