Sapphire gemstones have long been desired for their breathtaking beauty, durability, and deep symbolism. Often referred to as the royal and wise man’s gemstone, sapphires are one of the oldest known gemstones in the world. If you are a gem-lover, a collector of fine jewelry, or someone interested in their astrological properties, sapphires are a gem that sits high in the bookstore.
This is the definitive guide to covering nearly everything you might want to know about sapphires: history, types, properties, and significance, and how to pick the right sapphire for your needs.
Table of Contents
What is a Sapphire Gemstone?
Diverse Types of Sapphire Gemstones
4Cs of Quality in Sapphires: Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat
How to Identify a Real Sapphire
Care for your Sapphire Jewelry
Famous Sapphire Jewelry
Where to Purchase Sapphires
Conclusion
What Is a Sapphire Gemstone?
A sapphire is a gem variety of the mineral corundum, mostly composed of aluminum oxide. Although blue is the color most associated with sapphires, this type of gemstone actually comes in a colossal range of hues- ranging from pink, yellow and green, to almost colorless. Trace elements responsible for the sapphire’s color are iron, titanium, and chromium.
Sapphires are famous for their extreme hardness; their rating on the Mohs scale is 9, just a step below that of diamonds. Due to their hardness, the stone is in great demand for jewelry that will likely be passed down through generations.
Sapphire vs. Ruby: What’s the Difference?
Since both sapphires and rubies come from the same source, corundum, it is really a matter of color. The color scale of sapphires runs the gamut from blue to pink to green to colorless, whereas rubies are merely red, following the chemical composition of chromium that they contain. This fact makes rubies and sapphires almost sister stones, often being found together within the same geological structures.
Types of Sapphire Gemstones
There exist several classifications for sapphires due to color and origin. Here, this list gives the three main types of sapphires that you are likely to encounter:
1. Sapphires- Blue Sapphires
They occur in various shades of blue, ranging from light to dark. The deeper blue color ones are more valuable. Most occur in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Madagascar.
2. Sapphires- Pink Sapphires
Pink sapphires are sought after for their dainty, feminine beauty. Colors can range from pale pink to deep magenta. They’re extremely popular for engagement rings and are much rarer than blue sapphires, too.
3. Yellow Sapphires
Yellow sapphires in Vedic astrology are a symbol of wealth and affluence. Yellow sapphires range in color from pale lemon through to deep gold. Naturally, the price of a yellow sapphire will be more prized the higher the clarity is of the stone.
4. Padparadscha Sapphires
This sapphire is rare and of a precious appearance due to its pinkish-orange color. These gemstones are extremely rare and often much prized by collectors.
5. White Sapphires
White sapphires are colorless. That’s why they are widely used as a diamond alternative in engagement rings. White sapphires are not as sparkly as diamonds, but they do offer great value for money.
6. Star Sapphires
Asterism in star sapphires contributes a six-rayed star pattern across the surface of the stone, providing it with the kind of uniqueness, mainly because of inclusions made of rutile within the stone.
The 4Cs of Sapphire Quality:
When grading sapphires, use the 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight. These determine the quality and value of a sapphire.
Cut
The cut of a sapphire refers to its shape and faceting to maximize its brilliance. The most popular cuts of a sapphire are the oval, cushion, and round. A well-cut sapphire shows even color and great light reflection.
Color
The most crucial characteristic determining the value of a sapphire is actually the color. More vibrant, rich colors are more in demand for blue, pink, and yellow sapphires. Just about any inclusions or uneven coloration can pretty much bring the worth of a sapphire down.
Clarity
Like all gemstones, sapphires have inclusions. The fewer inclusions visible to the naked eye, the more valuable the stone. Sapphires are often heat-treated in order to make them appear closer to eye-clean.
Carat
This is the weight of the sapphire. The heavier the stone, the rarer it is, and, as such, the more expensive. Though weight does count, it usually plays a lesser role in pricing than color and clarity do.
How to Tell a Real Sapphire
In today’s marketplace, one finds many synthetic and treated sapphires. Knowing how to identify a natural sapphire is, therefore, crucial. A few ways of distinguishing real sapphires from the fakes are mentioned below.
1. Look at the Color
Natural sapphires are rich and deep in color with a slight variation. If the color of a sapphire is too uniform or too vivid, then chances are synthetic or enhanced.
2. Inclusions
Natural sapphires have some inclusions, but these should be invisible to the naked eye. Clarity without flaw means that the stone could likely be synthetic.
Care of Sapphire Jewelry
Sapphires are robust gemstones, but they require proper care to maintain beauty and shine. Here are some tips for taking care of sapphire jewelry:
1. Clean Regularly
Wash the sapphire jewelry with a soft brush and mild soap. Never expose the jewelry to chemicals that can damage the metal setting.
2. Store Properly
To put the sapphire jewelry away, place them in pouches or in a lined jewelry box so that they are not exposed to coming into contact with other pieces of jewelry. Sapphires have the nature of scratching softer gemstones; thus, store separately.
3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Even though sapphires are resistant to heat, extreme changes in temperature could still cause damage to the gemstone. Sapphires should not be used during activities that would place them under intense heat or cold.
Buy Sapphires
When buying sapphire gemstones, you are looking for a seller who provides you with a gemological certificate that will authenticate the origin, treatment status, and quality of the gemstone. You can get various sapphire options with treatments in untreated or treated of different sizes and colors from reputable jewelers and online retailers.
1. Jewellers Certified
The best place to buy a sapphire is through licensed jewelers. This way, you will get an authentic, top-grade sapphire.
Online Retailers
There are specific online retailers that sell gemstones. The sapphires the retailer will have will be different. Before buying online, make sure you consider the reviews provided by the people who shopped items online from this retailer. Then, ask for certificates of authenticity.
Conclusion
With rarity, beauty, and utter toughness, sappires have always been one of the most prized gems. Whether you want it as meaningful jewelry or to gain its astrological benefits via sapphires, there is a real need to know the varieties, quality, and care practices.
From ancient history to modern jewelry, sapphires will always be adored by the people around the world. Whether you like them for their extraordinary colors, their astoundingly powerful astrological perception, or just their eternal beauty, sapphires are a gemstone that indeed lasts time.
Through this all-inclusive guide to sapphire stones, you will be empowered to choose the ideal sapphire fit for your style, budget, and astrologically.
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