FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
20 questions about buying, certification, the buyback guarantee, and the sapphire market.
01.How do I purchase a sapphire from The Sapphire Bank?
Browse our collection on the homepage. Each stone has a detail page with specifications, images, and pricing. To proceed, contact us via WhatsApp — details are on the stone page. We will guide you through the process, answer questions, arrange a 360° viewing if needed, and handle secure payment and shipping.
02.What is heat treatment and does it affect value?
Heat treatment is applied to most sapphires (80–90% of Ceylon material) to improve colour consistency and saturation. It is widely accepted in the trade and disclosed in all laboratory certificates. Unheated sapphires — those with no indications of heating on their GRS or GIA certificate — command a 30–100% premium because they achieved their colour entirely through natural processes. We clearly disclose treatment status for every stone we sell.
03.Which certifications do you offer?
We offer stones certified by GRS (Gem Research Swisslab) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America). GRS is our preferred lab for origin determination — particularly for Ceylon, Kashmir, and Burma material. GIA is widely accepted and provides rigorous quality documentation. For some stones we also arrange Gübelin or SSEF certification on request.
04.How does the 80% buyback guarantee work?
We guarantee to repurchase any stone we have sold for at least 80% of the original purchase price, at any time, for any reason. Simply contact us via WhatsApp or email, and we will arrange the process. The buyback is based on the original invoice price, not on any subsequent appreciation in market value.
05.What is cornflower blue?
Cornflower blue is a medium, vibrant blue with a slight violet secondary hue — named after the Centaurea cyanus flower. It is lighter and more vivid than royal blue, performing brilliantly in all light conditions. GRS and GIA use "cornflower blue" as a colour descriptor for Ceylon sapphires displaying this specific hue. It is among the most collectible sapphire colours, with strong demand from both European and Asian buyers.
06.Are sapphires a good investment?
Investment-grade sapphires — GRS-certified, strong colour, unheated, 2ct+ — have historically appreciated 8–15% annually over long holding periods. The key drivers are limited supply (natural formation is fixed), growing demand from Asian and Middle Eastern HNW buyers, and the certified scarcity of fine material. However, sapphires are illiquid compared to financial assets — exit takes 3–12 months via auction or private sale. We recommend a 5–10 year minimum horizon.
07.How do I know my sapphire is authentic?
Every stone we sell comes with a GRS or GIA laboratory certificate. These certificates confirm the stone's natural origin, treatment status, colour grade, and physical characteristics. You can independently verify any certificate's authenticity using the online verification tools on the GRS or GIA websites — simply enter the certificate number. We also offer 360° video of every stone before purchase.
08.What is the difference between Ceylon and Kashmir sapphires?
Ceylon (Sri Lanka) is the world's leading sapphire origin by volume, producing a wide range of colours from cornflower blue to royal blue, padparadscha, and yellow. Kashmir sapphires come from a Himalayan deposit mined ~1880–1900 that is now exhausted — every Kashmir sapphire was mined over a century ago. Kashmir commands 5–10× the premium of equivalent Ceylon stones due to permanently fixed supply. Both origins produce world-class blue sapphires, but they target different buyer profiles.
09.How is price per carat calculated?
A stone's price per carat is the total price divided by the carat weight. For example, a 3.5ct sapphire priced at $10,500 costs $3,000 per carat. Price per carat is not linear — larger stones of the same quality command disproportionately higher per-carat prices because large, fine rough is exponentially rarer than small, fine rough.
10.Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We ship to most countries worldwide using fully insured, tracked courier services (FedEx or DHL). All stones are shipped with their original laboratory certificates. Insurance is included up to full declared value. Customs duties and import taxes at the destination are the responsibility of the buyer. We provide all necessary documentation to facilitate customs clearance.
11.What makes a sapphire investment-grade?
Investment-grade sapphires typically meet the following criteria: (1) GRS or GIA certification with explicit origin and treatment status; (2) strong colour grade — cornflower blue or royal blue for Ceylon, pigeon blood for ruby; (3) minimum 2 carats — smaller stones are harder to resell at a premium; (4) unheated status preferred but not required; (5) eye-clean or near-eye-clean clarity. Stones meeting all five criteria command the strongest resale markets and appreciation potential.
12.Can I see the stone before buying?
Yes. We offer 360° video of every stone — recorded under standardised lighting to accurately represent colour and clarity. For clients who wish to view the stone in person, we can arrange a viewing in Amsterdam on request. The 360° video is available immediately; in-person viewings require scheduling.
13.What payment methods do you accept?
We accept bank transfer (SEPA, SWIFT), PayPal, and major credit cards. Bank transfer is preferred for transactions above €5,000 to avoid processing fees. For international transactions, we issue a formal invoice and provide IBAN and SWIFT details. Payment must be received and cleared before shipping.
14.How long does certification take?
GRS Bangkok currently has a standard turnaround of 4–6 weeks, with priority processing available for 2–3 weeks at additional cost. GIA New York processes most sapphires in 3–5 weeks. For stones already in our inventory, certification is complete and the certificate is included. For newly acquired stones, we communicate the expected certification timeline upfront.
15.What is the difference between GRS and GIA?
GRS (Gem Research Swisslab) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America) are both leading gemological laboratories, but with different strengths. GRS specialises in coloured stones and is particularly valued for origin determination — their "Kashmir," "Ceylon," and "Burma" designations are highly trusted by auction houses. GIA has broader brand recognition globally and is the standard for diamonds. For investment-grade coloured stones, GRS origin certificates are generally preferred. We use both depending on the stone and intended market.
16.Can I resell my sapphire?
Yes. We offer an 80% buyback guarantee on every stone we sell. Beyond this, you can sell through major auction houses (Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonhams), specialist coloured stone dealers, or private sale. GRS-certified stones with strong colour and clean clarity are the most liquid in the secondary market. Auction house consignment typically takes 3–6 months from submission to settlement and carries a 15–25% seller's commission.
17.What is an unheated sapphire?
An unheated sapphire is one that has achieved its colour through natural geological processes alone, without any heat treatment applied after mining. Laboratory testing (UV-Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, microscopy) can detect heat treatment with high accuracy. A "no indications of heating" conclusion from GRS or GIA is among the most valuable statements a gemstone certificate can carry, and unheated sapphires typically command 30–100% premiums over comparable heated stones.
18.How do you source your stones?
We source directly through established dealer relationships at the Beruwala Gem Market in Sri Lanka — the primary trading hub for Ceylon sapphires. Direct sourcing eliminates multiple intermediary markups that typically inflate retail prices by 200–500%. We evaluate every stone personally before acquisition: microscopy, spectroscopic assessment, and face-up evaluation under multiple light sources. Only stones meeting our quality and value criteria are acquired.
19.What is a 360° stone viewer?
Our 360° stone viewer is a video of the sapphire rotating slowly under standardised lighting — typically a combination of daylight-balanced and incandescent sources. It allows you to evaluate the stone's colour from all angles, assess face-up appearance, and observe how the colour behaves in different light conditions before making a purchase decision. We consider it essential for any online purchase of a stone above $1,000.
20.How do I contact you?
The fastest way to reach us is via WhatsApp — contact details are available on every stone detail page and in our footer. We typically respond within a few hours during business hours (CET). For formal inquiries, you can also email info@thesapphirebank.com. We are based in Amsterdam and operate in English, Dutch, and Mandarin.
Still have questions? Contact us via WhatsApp or email.