Found 1100+ Carat Raw Sapphire … Need Help!

[jamesheddon]

I am hoping someone can give us sage advice. We found an 1100+ carat raw sapphire in North Carolina.



So … what next? Who do you contact to begin ascertaining what to do with such an enormous raw gem stone? We were told that 60% or so of the weight would be lost in cutting, leaving an approximately 400 carat sapphire. We were also told we would know nothing about color, clarity, etc. until it was cut open. Where do you even begin to get a quote for something like that? How does the process work? We are complete novices and would like to know the process of finding out what, exactly, we have.

Any advice?

 

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[: Michael-Robert.]

Are you sure of what it is?

 

[jamesheddon]

Are you sure of what it is?

Yes, it was verified by the gemologist at the mine we were at, which specialized in rubies and sapphires.

 

[DDancer]

Suggest you get it to a cutter and have it evaluated. If its got a good cut the loss's will be negligible to the worth. Anything else and its a good bit with nice species'. Nothing apparent on the photo so find a cutter. Might be worth some star sapphire or base line goodies. luck.

 

[huntsman53]

My guess is that it is a conglomerate of Sapphire and other compounds! I found similar specimens in a small creek off the backside Chunky Gal Mountain. A friend cut one specimen to see what it was like inside and burnt up two Diamond Saw blades doing so. These types of Sapphire/other compounds conglomerates are extremely heavy for their' size not only due to the Sapphires which they contain but also due to the extreme pressure (compression) exerted on them when they formed. It is doubtful that any of the specimen is truly cutable as in being able to get a decent cut Gem or even Cabochon from it but 1/4 inch slices may make a few decent pieces for Pendants or a the least, conversation pieces.


Frank

 

[BIGSCOTT]

Yes you need to find a cutter that may want to take on the cutting of the stone, he will cut some windows on the stone so he can see inside and look for trash, fractures and clarity.

 

[Eu_citzen]

I can only speak for myself, but when I do cutting jobs usually I only quote when I've seen the piece in question. Sometimes you may get an estimate.

It sure needs to be sawed up to see what's inside, I doubt it'd be worth to have faceted and if so, loss might be slightly less. See link at the end of post.
Of course the cutter must know how to cut and orient any possible optical effects, like a star or cats eye.

I'd also suggest having it cut up into multiple smaller gems, rather then one big.

The alternative to faceting is cabochon cutting:
Fundamentals of Lapidary Part 4, Cabochon Cutting - International Gem Society IGS

Yes, carving is also an alternative if you want to save it as a whole.

 

[yorkiemiki]

So what's the potential for this size gem to be worth?

 

[huntsman53]

So what's the potential for this size gem to be worth?

More than likely, the gem has no real value except to the finder! However, no one really knows until the matrix is cut into and then can see what is on the inside and if the material/gems are cutable and have eye appeal.


Frank

 

[StoneWhisper]

We've found one similar or apporx half that size.. had it faceted and later received a notice of authenticity from two other sorces indicating that our facet cut black Sapphire is worth somewhere between $5,000 - $8,000 dollars.