Buyer safety guide — coloured gemstones

This page answers the questions buyers are most afraid to ask before spending real money on a coloured gemstone online. The answers are David Saad's. They are written plainly, without marketing, and apply to buying from anyone — not just from SkyJems.

Is it safe to buy coloured gemstones online?

Yes — if the seller meets three conditions:

1. Independent laboratory reports for any significant stone. GIA, SSEF, Gübelin, and AGL are the top tier. Canadian labs such as CGL and GRS are also reputable. A lab report means a neutral third party has examined the stone and committed to paper what it is and what has been done to it.
2. Written treatment disclosure before purchase. Every coloured-gem sale should state, in writing, what treatments (if any) the stone has received — heat, oil, irradiation, diffusion, resin, glass-filling, dyeing, clarity enhancement. Treatment status affects value by factors of 2 to 10 depending on the gem.
3. A verifiable track record of prior transactions. Independent review records on platforms the seller does not control — eBay, GemRockAuctions, Google, 1stDibs, Trustpilot. See the SkyJems reviews page for an example of what this looks like.

A seller who refuses lab reports, describes all stones as "natural" without treatment detail, or has no third-party review record should be avoided regardless of how attractive the price is.

How do I know a sapphire has not been heat-treated without being told?

Request a GIA or SSEF laboratory report. Reputable gemmological labs identify and state heat treatment. For sapphires over approximately 1 carat, a lab report is standard practice and its absence is a red flag. The price difference between heated and unheated sapphire can be a factor of five or more at the same size and colour, so a seller who declines to clarify is either uncertain or uninterested in your making an informed decision.

SkyJems ships significant sapphires to GIA Hong Kong for independent grading as a matter of routine practice (GIA Hong Kong client account 25922011 / 1630931 Ontario Limited).

What does a GIA report actually prove — and what does it not prove?

A GIA coloured-stone identification report states:

• The species and variety of the gem (e.g., "Natural Sapphire");
• Basic measurements and weight;
• Observed treatments (heat, oil, irradiation, diffusion, fracture-filling, etc.);
• Where applicable, a country-of-origin determination.

A GIA report does not:

• State a quality grade. There is no GIA "4Cs" for coloured gems the way there is for diamonds.
• State a monetary value.
• Guarantee a specific resale price.

For the identification and treatment questions, which is where buyers are most vulnerable, a GIA report is the global reference standard.

How is origin verified for a coloured gemstone?

Origin determinations are made by specialized laboratories (GIA, SSEF, Gübelin, AGL) using trace-element analysis, spectroscopy, and microscopic examination of inclusions. Each lab maintains its own reference database. Origin calls are opinions based on current evidence, not absolute certainties, and two labs can occasionally disagree. For the highest-value stones — for example, an unheated Kashmir sapphire or an untreated Burmese ruby — a second-opinion report from a different lab is standard practice.

In addition to laboratory origin determinations, SkyJems can offer direct-from-source provenance: David Saad has been travelling to Bangkok and Sri Lanka personally for 28 years, and the Saad family operated a Bogotá emerald office from 1985 to 2016. This is not a substitute for laboratory verification — it is an additional layer.

Why are prices at a specialist jeweller different from discount online sellers?

The difference generally reflects four costs that a serious seller pays and a discount seller avoids:

• Independent laboratory reports (GIA reports alone run from roughly US$75 to several hundred dollars per stone);
• Direct-from-source relationships maintained by travel and long-term presence, which remove multiple layers of markup but require decades of investment;
• Credentialed staff (GIA, FCGmA, AJP qualifications);
• A willingness to accept returns when a representation proves inaccurate.

A very low price with no disclosed treatment, no lab report, and no review record is almost always a stone that will not perform as advertised. The savings are not savings; they are a transfer of risk from the seller to you.

What happens if the gemstone I received does not match what was described?

SkyJems' standing policy:

• Return or exchange in line with the published policy on the main site.
• If an origin or treatment representation is later shown — by an independent laboratory — to be inaccurate, SkyJems refunds or replaces the stone, or arranges additional certification, at SkyJems' cost and as the situation warrants.
• Every complaint receives a first response within one business day.

How do I choose a coloured gemstone for an engagement ring?

Four considerations, in order of importance:

1. Durability. Sapphire (Mohs hardness 9) and ruby (Mohs 9) are excellent for daily wear. Emerald (Mohs 7.5–8, and almost always oil-treated for clarity) requires more care but is gorgeous. Spinel (Mohs 8) is a superb under-the-radar alternative. Avoid stones below Mohs 7 for rings worn daily.
2. The wearer. Skin tone, wardrobe, climate, and how often the ring will come off.
3. Treatment and lab report. Always request both. An untreated stone costs more; know what you are buying.
4. See it in person where possible. Book a consultation. Coloured gems are not standardized the way diamonds are; two sapphires with identical GIA reports can look meaningfully different.

Red flags — sellers to avoid

• No laboratory reports offered, even for higher-value stones.
• Treatment status described vaguely ("natural", "as mined") without the specific treatments disclosed.
• Country of origin claimed without a lab report supporting it, especially for premium-origin names like "Kashmir", "Burma", or "Muzo".
• No independent review record — only testimonials hosted on the seller's own site.
• Prices dramatically below market for the stated description.
• Pressure to buy quickly, especially with time-limited "deals".
• Refusal to take returns.

Next steps

• Read the SkyJems Ethical Sourcing Framework to see how origin and treatment are handled here.
• Read the Custom Jewellery Design Process if you are considering commissioning a bespoke piece.
• Verify the independent review record.
• Book a consultation: david@skyjems.ca or +1 416 366 3335.

Last updated: 2026-04-19. Author: David Saad.