GRADING REPORT SBS205
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Blue Sapphire
- Carat: 2.05
- Shape: Square Cushion
- Measures: 6.95x6.95x4.73 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Very Good (see comment)
- Tone: L30 to M60
- Color Zoning: Visible (see comment)
- Clarity: Free of Inclusions
- Cutting Grade: Excellent (precision re-cut by Conny Forsberg)
o Brilliancy: 95%
o Depth: 68%
- Origin: Burma
- Treatment: None
Certificate No: AIGS 12021097
Overall Grade: Very Good+
Comment: Proof that Burmese Sapphires are not only dark blue but come in many shades and tones. Though it's hard to see on the pictures, this sky blue gem has a color band of a brighter blue running through its center, from the outer left middle to the outer right (or vice versa). Books may tell you that colour zoning is bad, but I can't see why. I wouldn't argue that colour zoning has no effect on pricing (it does) however, as with anything in a gem that is not ugly but individual, I refuse to call it a 'flaw'; it is just the way this gem was created and you have to like it, or not. I don't like cracks or black spots or windows and I won't buy such gems if it can be avoided but colour zoning (as off-colours, uncommon shapes or silky crystals) are, from my point of view, individual features of the gem, not imperfections. That said, back to this gem: here is a certified unheated Burma Sapphire in a bright sky blue and a terrific precision cut by Conny Forsberg. When photographed directly from the front (see 'more images'), Conny has produced such a perfect mirror-like brilliancy that the gem seems dark but this is only the reflection from the camera. Take a look at the more distanced handshot: there the lens is positioned farther away from the stone so that you can see its brilliancy without darkening the colour too much. Some photographs I have taken from a slight angle to capture the blue more realistically. In those the gem looks askew, but it is of course perfectly symmetrically square. Note also, how regularly and precise the blue triangles are lined up in the back-shot: that is precision cutting at its best. All-in-all a very individual sapphire, clearly nothing you will see twice in a lifetime and surely something that will get attention and raise questions. New lab report can be made free of charge. In case you are new to the gem world: Certified unheated Burma Sapphires over 2 carats are ultra-exclusive and you'll have a hard time to find one that is free of inclusions and precision cut. (I used to offer bets like 'show me another one and get a $1000 voucher' but I always won so it got boring.)
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