Patrick Ball's Blog

Some records are made to be broken but it may be a long time before anyone tops this mark: An unnamed bidder paid nearly $3.4 million for a 22.66 carat sapphire at Christie’s New York Auction on April 25, 2007. For those without a calculator that comes to about $135,000 per carat, almost three times the previous highest-known per-carat price of any sapphire—including those owned by kings, princes or maharajahs.

Of course the beauty was NOT just any sapphire—it was a velvety blue Kashmir - which had been part of a pendant fashioned in 1886. The stone was offered at Christie’s by the Minnesota Historical Society with a low pre-auction estimate of $350,000. However, once the bidding began, offers began running thick and quick until the auctioneer, Francois Curiel, brought the hammer down at $3.06 million – U.S Dollars. The ten percent buyers’ premium added another $306,000 to the cost.

The winning bidder declined to disclose any details, and Christie’s isn’t telling. Kashmirs have long carried a premium well above any other sapphire, both for their vivid hue and velvety appearance and the fact that for many years no new stones have been mined in Kashmir province which separates India and Pakistan. For the past six decades that area has been a no-go zone where the armies of India and Pakistan keep squared off at one another.

E-mail your comments to, Patrick Ball, @ - training@gia.edu … you can always call me at our dedicated voice mail line … (760) 603-4101.

Kashmir Sapphire is just one of many fascinating gem materials that make up the world of GIA’s Colored Stones Program. Be part of that world. Visit www.gia.edu today, click on Education --Gemology Course Descriptions--and read down from Colored Stones Essentials to see all we have to offer.

When gem enthusiasts or researchers around the world need answers to challenging gemological, jewelry, mining, or marketing questions, they often contact the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California. The questions come as emails, phone calls, or letters. Then they’re directed to the Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library & Information Center.

Reference librarians and trained gemologists stand ready to respond during the business week from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific time, except on U.S. holidays. GIA reference librarians have recently answered questions on diamond-buying tips, on how cut-quality affects a diamond’s beauty, and on conflict diamonds.

People often ask about identifying colored gemstone treatments and whether those treatments are durable. And they ask about the many types of cultured pearls found around the world. Whenever possible, librarians answer phone questions on the spot, and they’re always attentive to people who visit in person.

For written questions or requests, it’s library policy to respond in two business days, at most. No gemological question is left unanswered. For more information, visit the library Web site at www.gia.edu or call (800) 421-7250, extension 4046 or 4068. You can also fax a question to (760) 603-4256 or send an email to library@gia.edu

You can always call me at (760) 603-4101 or e-mail your comments to, Patrick Ball, @ - training@gia.edu

Are you a GIA Alumnus? If you hold a GIA Certificate or Diploma you qualify as a member of the GIA Alumni Association. As of April 1, 2007 membership is free … no fooling.

We’re calling all graduates to update addresses and contact information. Go to www.gia.edu and click on Alumni Association – look for “What’s new in 2007.” When you register, you will be listed in the GIA Online Alumni Directory and be among the first to receive the new Quarterly Alumni e-newsletter.

Thailand’s gemstone manufacturing industry is in a crisis.

Many gem cutters in Chantaburi have closed or suspended operations.  … And prices for commercial quality sapphires and rubies have skidded. One reason: the controversy surrounding beryllium diffusion treatment of sapphire – which is adding a chemical to improve color of the gem. The treatment, in many cases, is very difficult to detect without an expensive process. In addition, fracture filling of ruby has undermined buyer confidence, even tough the process is much easier to detect than diffusion treatment.The two major trade associations, the Thai Gem and Jewelry Trade Association and the Thai Gemstone Manufactures Association - have petitioned the government for funds to promote gemstones in world markets, and to establish a reasonable, government-sanctioned standard for disclosure of treatments. Government representatives say they will decide what help, if any, to give to the trade by this summer 2007.

Stay subscribed to Inside GIA Education for more industry updates. E-mail your comments to, Patrick Ball, @ - training@gia.edu … you can always call me at our dedicated voice mail line … (760) 603-4101. Are you a GIA Alumnus?

If you hold a GIA Certificate or Diploma you qualify as a member of the GIA Alumni Association. As of April 1, 2007 membership is free … no fooling.We’re calling all graduates to update addresses and contact information. Go to www.gia.edu and click on Alumni Association – look for “What’s new in 2007.” When you register, you will be listed in the GIA Online Alumni Directory and be among the first to receive the new Quarterly Alumni e-newsletter.