Is the Natural Sapphire Company Legit? A Deep Dive

Yes, the Natural Sapphire Company is a legitimate business. They are a well-established vendor specializing in natural, untreated, and ethically sourced sapphires, operating with transparency and a strong online presence. However, like any business, especially in the fine jewelry sector, it’s crucial to understand their specific offerings, policies, and reputation to make an informed purchase.

Understanding the Natural Sapphire Company’s Reputation

The Natural Sapphire Company has built a solid, although not flawless, reputation over the years. Several factors contribute to this:

Extensive Inventory & Transparency

They boast an impressive online inventory of sapphires – one of the largest you’ll find. Critically, they are quite transparent about the origin, treatment (or lack thereof), and grading of their stones. This transparency is a significant indicator of legitimacy, as it demonstrates a willingness to provide customers with complete information.

Ethical Sourcing

The company emphasizes ethical sourcing as a core value. They claim to work directly with miners and sources in various countries to ensure fair labor practices and environmentally responsible mining. While independent verification of every single sapphire is difficult, their stated commitment is noteworthy.

Gemological Expertise

The Natural Sapphire Company employs gemologists who assess and grade their sapphires. They offer detailed descriptions and specifications for each stone, including dimensions, carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. Understanding these details is crucial for any sapphire purchase.

Custom Jewelry Design

Beyond loose sapphires, they offer custom jewelry design services. This allows customers to create unique pieces tailored to their specific preferences, offering a personalized experience.

Customer Reviews & Feedback

Like any business, the Natural Sapphire Company has both positive and negative reviews. While overwhelmingly positive, some criticisms focus on pricing, shipping times, and occasional discrepancies in stone appearance compared to online photos. These issues aren’t indicative of illegitimacy but highlight the importance of careful research and clear communication before making a purchase.

Potential Areas for Consideration

While legitimate, there are some areas where potential customers should exercise caution and do their due diligence:

Pricing

Sapphire pricing is complex and highly variable. Factors like color saturation, clarity, size, and origin significantly impact value. It’s always wise to compare prices with other reputable vendors and gain a solid understanding of the sapphire market before committing to a purchase.

Photography & Online Representation

While the Natural Sapphire Company strives for accuracy, online photographs can sometimes distort the true appearance of a gemstone. Factors like lighting and screen calibration can influence how a sapphire appears. Always request additional photos or videos, and if possible, consider viewing the stone in person.

Return Policy

Carefully review their return policy before making a purchase. Understand the conditions for returns, the timeframe allowed, and any associated fees. This ensures you have recourse if the sapphire doesn’t meet your expectations.

Independent Appraisal

Consider obtaining an independent appraisal after receiving your sapphire. This provides an unbiased assessment of the stone’s value and characteristics, offering peace of mind.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

Here are 12 frequently asked questions about The Natural Sapphire Company to provide you with more clarity:

1. Does the Natural Sapphire Company sell lab-created sapphires?

No, the Natural Sapphire Company exclusively sells natural sapphires. They do not offer lab-created or synthetic sapphires. This is a key differentiator and reflects their commitment to providing genuine, earth-mined gemstones.

2. What does “untreated” mean in the context of their sapphires?

“Untreated” signifies that the sapphire has not undergone any artificial enhancements to improve its color or clarity. Many sapphires on the market are heat-treated to enhance their color. The Natural Sapphire Company specializes in sapphires that retain their natural beauty.

3. How does the Natural Sapphire Company ensure ethical sourcing?

They state a direct involvement with mining operations and suppliers, emphasizing fair labor practices and environmentally responsible mining. However, it is very difficult to trace every stone back to the mine. Transparency is key: ask them specific questions about the origin of your stone.

4. What types of sapphires do they offer?

They offer a wide variety of sapphires, including blue sapphires, pink sapphires, yellow sapphires, orange sapphires, green sapphires, purple sapphires, white sapphires, and color-change sapphires. They also feature rare varieties like Padparadscha sapphires.

5. Can I customize a sapphire ring or other jewelry?

Yes, the Natural Sapphire Company specializes in custom jewelry design. You can work with their designers to create a unique piece featuring the sapphire of your choice.

6. What is their return policy?

Their return policy allows for returns within a specific timeframe, typically within a certain number of days after receipt. There may be restocking fees, and stones must be in their original condition. Always review their specific return policy details on their website before purchasing.

7. How does their pricing compare to other sapphire vendors?

Their pricing can be competitive, but it’s important to compare prices with other reputable vendors offering similar quality sapphires. Factors like origin, treatment, and color significantly influence sapphire value.

8. Do they provide certifications for their sapphires?

The Natural Sapphire Company provides in-house grading reports and certifications for their sapphires. For higher-value stones, they may also offer certifications from independent gemological laboratories like GIA (Gemological Institute of America).

9. How can I verify the authenticity of a sapphire purchased from them?

The best way to verify authenticity is to obtain an independent appraisal from a qualified gemologist. They can assess the stone’s characteristics and confirm its authenticity.

10. What payment methods do they accept?

The Natural Sapphire Company typically accepts a variety of payment methods, including major credit cards, wire transfers, and potentially other online payment options. Check their website for the most up-to-date information on accepted payment methods.

11. How long does it take to receive a custom jewelry order?

The timeline for custom jewelry orders can vary depending on the complexity of the design and the availability of materials. It’s best to inquire directly with the company for an estimated timeframe based on your specific requirements.

12. What should I do if I have a problem with my order?

If you encounter any issues with your order, contact the Natural Sapphire Company’s customer service department immediately. Provide them with detailed information about the problem, and they will typically work to resolve the issue.