GRADING REPORT STARPAD714
- Identification: Natural Unheated & Untreated Padparadscha Sapphire
- Carat: 7.14
- Shape: Roundish Cabochon
- Measures: 11.41x10.78x5.75 (millimeter)
- Color Grade: Excellent
- Tone: Medium 55
- Zoning: Gradually
- Clarity: Translucent / Lightly Included
- Cutting Grade: Very Good
- Finish: Very Good
- Ray: Fair (mobile, short legged, off-center)
- Depth: 70%
- Origin: Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
Treatment: None
Certificates No: CGJ 60901 & PGTL AC179394 & IGI (in process)
Overall Grade: Good
Comment: We are always on the hunt for star padparadschas but have found only two (2) in over 15 years (one 2ct and one 4ct). They are such tough customers because the color-combination of orange-pink does not combine with the type of silk needed to produce a star (say the scientists). The critical eye might ask 'where is the star'? It is hazy and totally unphotogenic. The only image showing the star halfway full, is under the blue daylight torch ('more images'). The gem labs did far better that me, but I don't vouch for their images, not at all in fact. I will try to catch the star in a better setting, perhaps at night. That said, the star here is ALWAYS visible, in any light, only it looks more like a star in the sky rather than the geometric six-rayed perfection we love to find in the very best stars. This one here is always visible as a round shiny spot (main image) from which a ray shoots out here, and another there, to one side or the other, sometimes all six but only rarely. As for its body color, there is little to complain, just as a pad should be: orange pink in medium tones. Without any under-side 'belly' (see side-image) 7ct allows for 11mm round, a serious dimension in an unheated padparadscha. As in most stars the underside is unpolished and left rough. One extra image shows the gems with light shining in from behind where you can study the translucent inner structure with inclusions and color zoning. The two local lab reports suggest its origin, and IGI will probably confirm it officially: Sri Lanka. Padparadscha from Ceylon is like ruby from Burma, the best address on the globe. Appreciate this gem as a giant unheated padaradscha with the star thrown in as an extra.
