Sapphire – a gem that’s been cherished for thousands of years. Although the term sapphire usually refers to the blue variety of corundum (ruby is the red variety), this birthstone comes in a rainbow of other colors. Sapphires have been long associated with royalty and romance and are also said to symbolize fidelity and the soul. “Sapphire” comes from the Greek word sappheiros and blue sapphire is one of the most popular colored stones. Read on to learn more about selecting this lovely jewllery.

WHERE IS SAPPHIRE FOUND?

Kashmir, Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Sri Lanka are three historically important sources for the September birthstone. Significant quantities of the September birthstone have also been found in Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar and the United States (Montana), among other countries in Asia and Africa.

At morden time, China became the large importer and processing center of sapphire and ruby raw stones. Besides, China has discovered large sapphire mine, where we can find high quality sapphires economically.

THE FOUR C’S OF SAPPHIRES

Color Is The Most Important Quality Factor For Sapphire

The most highly valued blue sapphires are velvety blue to violetish blue, in medium to medium dark tones. Preferred sapphires also have strong to vivid color saturation. The saturation should be as strong as possible without darkening the color and compromising brightness.

Clarity Refers To The Inclusions

Blue sapphires often have some inclusions. Blue sapphires with extremely high clarity are rare, and very valuable. Price can drop if the inclusions threaten the stone’s durability. Kashmir sapphires contain tiny inclusions that impart a desirable velvety appearance.

Cut Is One Of The Most Important Factors In Appearance

To achieve the best overall color, maintain the best proportions, and retain the most weight possible, cutters focus on factors like color zoning, pleochroism, and the lightness or darkness of a stone.

Carat Weight Allows For Precise Measurements

Blue sapphires can range in size anywhere from a few points to hundreds of carats, and large blue sapphires are more readily available than large rubies. However, most commercial-quality blue sapphires weigh less than 5.00 carats.

Lab-Created Sapphires

While natural sapphires take thousands of years to properly form, scientists have been able to hack the process to create man-made sapphires in much less time.

Lab-created sapphires come from synthetic forms of corundum, used to make synthetic sapphires, and rubies (the other precious gem made from corundum). Since both natural and synthetic sapphires come from the same mineral, lab-created gems are essentially the same as their natural counterpart, with the same visual qualities and hardness. Lab-created sapphires are less expensive, however, due to the reduced rarity and faster creation process.

The easiest way to tell between a natural and lab-created sapphire is the flawlessness. Natural sapphires will have small inclusions or flaws throughout the stone if you look closely. However, lab-created gems are designed without any of nature’s unpredictability and are therefore clean and flawless.

Despite lab-created stones containing no visual flaws, natural sapphires are more sought-after, and thus more expensive (especially rare or high-quality natural sapphires, such as Kashmir sapphires).

SAPPHIRE PRICE

Sapphire prices can range greatly, depending on many factors. Sapphires can come as cheap as $25 per carat, to over $11,000 per carat. A blue sapphire around 1 carat is likely to cost from as little as $450 to $1,600, depending on quality.

The 4 C’s outlined above make a big difference in the cost of the stone, as do the region they originate from. Color is the biggest factor in price. The most valuable sapphires are those with a powerful deep blue hue.

Lab-created sapphires will almost always come at a cheaper cost per carat than natural sapphires, as naturally-formed stones are rarer and more sought-after.

Sapphires from Kashmir, in the Indian Himalayan Region, are particularly cherished, and thus have a higher worth than others. They come originally from mines in the Zanskar range of the Himalayas, which is notoriously hard to access. Sapphires from Ceylon and Burma are said to have a similar appearance to Kashmir sapphires, however not quite the same standard.

In terms of color, pure blue sapphires are the most highly prized, and therefore tend to be the most expensive. This is one of the qualities of the Kashmir sapphire, said to be like “blue velvet” in their appearance.

TIPS & ADVICE

1. Work with a jeweler to understand the difference that color makes.

Look at different colors of sapphire side by side to understand the range of qualities available. Dark colors like navy or midnight blue, and less saturated colors like grayish blue or straw yellow are more affordable than vivid colors.

2. Don’t compromise on cut.

The quality of the cut can make a big difference in beauty and brilliance. Your sapphire should sparkle in a lively way, reflecting light back evenly across the entire gem. Poorly cut gems are much less marketable and sell at a discount.

3. Ask about the type of treatment a sapphire has undergone.

A large amount of the sapphire on the market, both blue and fancy colors, has been treated to alter its color by heat or by lattice diffusion. Sapphire treated by lattice diffusion often has vivid color but is less valuable than heated sapphire. When in doubt, get a lab report.

SAPPHIRE BIRTHSTONE CARE & CLEANING

The September birthstone is relatively hard, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale. It has excellent toughness and no cleavage, which is a tendency to break when struck. This makes it a great choice for rings and other mountings subject to daily wear.

Note, though, that sapphires are often treated to improve their color or clarity. Heat treatment is common – and the results permanent – so it is well accepted in the trade. Less common treatments such as lattice diffusion, fracture filling and dyeing may require special care. In some cases, the color induced by lattice diffusion is so shallow it could be removed if the stone was chipped or had to be recut. Fracture-filled and dyed sapphires can be damaged by even mild acids like lemon juice. Before you buy a sapphire, always ask if it is treated and by what method.

Warm, soapy water is always a safe choice for cleaning the September birthstone. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated and lattice diffusion–treated stones. Fracture-filled or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Click here to see exquisite items of 100% natural sapphire from origin......‍‍‍‍‍