QuestionI have recently been told that my 20 year old sapphire stone in my engagement ring has become scratched over time. the jeweler said he can polish it to make like new. Is this standard process? I don't want to lose the size of the stone.
AnswerDear Allyn,
Obviously, removing scratches from a gemstone means removing the surface to below the depth of the abrasions. Some weight will be lost, often very minimal, and as long as there are not deep breaks or damage to the surface and specially to the edges of the stone ( the waist or outline of the gem), the dimensions will be essentially preserved. Generally, jewelers are not trained or skilled in facet cutting gemstones. I suggest you ask where the stone will be sent for the work and ask for an estimate from the cutting company on "loss of carat weight" and if the dimensions of the stone will be altered in a noticeable way from the polishing procedure.
A jeweler should have no objection to this request. Also, have the stone weighed as accurately as possible once it is loose(out of the setting) and prior to the polishing process. Depending on the type of setting the gem is now in, you will likely have expense for re-setting the sapphire and possibly costs of repair of the setting depending on how simple or complicated it is to remove the stone so it may be polished.
My experience with skilled gem cutting service companies is quite good. Good companies will have no problem providing an estimate of loss to the stone but certainly cannot guarantee this do to rare unforeseen circumstances.
Best wishes, God Bless and Peace. Thomas.
