Biggest Star Sapphire?
Introduction
In the gemstone world, tales of fortunes made and lost are common. This one? It's about a fortune that slipped through the fingers. And honestly, the dealer might have had it coming.
The Discovery
Back in February 1986, a Texas gemstone broker named Roy Whetstine was browsing the stalls at the Tucson Gem Show. He spotted a stone about the size of a potato that grabbed his attention. The seller claimed it was a lavender agate and asked for $15. Whetstine haggled it down to $10, and the deal was done.
The Announcement
Nine months later, Whetstine revealed his find to the world: a 1,905-carat star sapphire, the largest ever recorded. It dwarfed the previous record-holder, the Black Star of Queensland from 1948, by over 700 carats. He claimed it was certified by the GIA and appraised at $2.28 million.
Expert Scrutiny
By February 1987, Whetstine returned to Tucson, this time to sell his polished gem, renamed 'The Life and Pride of America.' Buyers weren't biting, but experts got a close look. John Sampson White, curator at the Smithsonian's National Gem and Mineral Collection, dismissed it as "an insignificant stone" in The New York Times. Sure, it's technically a sapphire, he said, but to be a true gem, the color needs to appeal. This one? "The color is awful - it's just kind of muddy gray." He pegged its value at maybe a few hundred dollars.
The Unraveling
The Smithsonian's take didn't help sales. Things got worse as more details surfaced. Lawrence A. Ward, the jeweler behind the $2.28 million appraisal, had his American Gem Society membership revoked due to complaints about overinflated values. Court records also showed prior lawsuits against both Whetstine and Ward for similar gem valuation schemes.
The Aftermath
The whole affair started smelling like a scam. The original seller remained anonymous, and reports noted Ward had appraised a stone of the exact same weight years before Whetstine's claimed purchase. Both Whetstine and his sapphire lost credibility. Last we heard, he was still trying to offload it for whatever price he could muster.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a star sapphire?
A star sapphire is a type of sapphire gemstone that displays a star-like pattern due to inclusions, typically in blue but sometimes in other colors.
Who is Roy Whetstine?
Roy Whetstine is a Texas gemstone broker known for his involvement in the controversial discovery and attempted sale of what he claimed was the world's largest star sapphire.
What makes a sapphire valuable?
Value in sapphires comes from factors like color quality, clarity, size, and the presence of special effects like asterism in star sapphires.
Was the stone really the largest star sapphire?
While it was large at 1,905 carats, experts questioned its quality and gem status due to poor color, leading to debates over its true record-holding potential.
What happened to the sapphire?
Reports indicate Whetstine was still attempting to sell it, but its value was estimated far below the initial appraisal, and its fate remains unclear.
