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Misrepresentation
Gem Alert – Misrepresentation!
We have come across several colour-changing synthetic sapphires doing the rounds that are being sold as alexandrite. These synthetics have been around since 1902 so people are being told they are alexandrite and believe they must be natural because they belonged to their grandparents.
Most of the “alexandrite” we see are these synthetic sapphires which, unfortunately, make an excellent imitation. Chatham-created gems make an exceptionally good synthetic alexandrite which has the same chemical composition, optical and physical properties as the natural stones. I was also informed that there are some people marketing ruby as red sapphire! Gemstones are named by colour and red corundum is ruby, period! All the other colours are sapphire.
We also had a client who asked us to check a diamond that a private seller was selling before purchasing it. It was apparently a 0.95ct F VVS1 diamond. It turned out to be synthetic moissanite and when I told the seller she immediately told me that I was wrong as a diamond dealer had told her it was a synthetic diamond. Fortunately, we checked the stone in the presence of the buyer and the seller. Could you imagine if we hadn’t? The seller would have been convinced we swapped the stone. By this stage, everyone in this industry should know the difference. Once again, we saved our client thousands of Rands.
I believe according to the law one cannot plead ignorance. If you are in this industry, you should know better than to buy or sell gemstones without having them checked by a reputable lab or QUALIFIED gemmologist.
Take care out there and use us if you’re not sure, that is why we are here!
To connect or for more information, articles and content visit www.gemlab.co.za, you can connect with Jeremy on social media as well:
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By Jeremy RothonGem Alert – Misrepresentation!
We have come across several colour-changing synthetic sapphires doing the rounds that are being sold as alexandrite. These synthetics have been around since 1902 so people are being told they are alexandrite and believe they must be natural because they belonged to their grandparents.
Most of the “alexandrite” we see are these synthetic sapphires which, unfortunately, make an excellent imitation. Chatham-created gems make an exceptionally good synthetic alexandrite which has the same chemical composition, optical and physical properties as the natural stones. I was also informed that there are some people marketing ruby as red sapphire! Gemstones are named by colour and red corundum is ruby, period! All the other colours are sapphire.
We also had a client who asked us to check a diamond that a private seller was selling before purchasing it. It was apparently a 0.95ct F VVS1 diamond. It turned out to be synthetic moissanite and when I told the seller she immediately told me that I was wrong as a diamond dealer had told her it was a synthetic diamond. Fortunately, we checked the stone in the presence of the buyer and the seller. Could you imagine if we hadn’t? The seller would have been convinced we swapped the stone. By this stage, everyone in this industry should know the difference. Once again, we saved our client thousands of Rands.
I believe according to the law one cannot plead ignorance. If you are in this industry, you should know better than to buy or sell gemstones without having them checked by a reputable lab or QUALIFIED gemmologist.
Take care out there and use us if you’re not sure, that is why we are here!
To connect or for more information, articles and content visit www.gemlab.co.za, you can connect with Jeremy on social media as well: