Sapphire Stone

The Sapphire - Origins, Properties and Uses

Sapphire is the gemstone form of a mineral known as corundum, with one important caveat: A sapphire is only a sapphire unless it is red, when it is known instead as a ruby. In fact there is one more stipulation to the rule, in the case of a pinkish-orange variety of corundum called padparadscha (derived from the Sinhalese word for lotus blossom).

Colours of Sapphire

Sapphires come in all manners of colours determined by the quantity of impurities present. Elements such as chromium, iron and titanium all contribute towards shifting the hue of the otherwise transparent mineral to a vast spectrum of colours such as yellow, pink, green, orange and the well known blue variety. Sapphires can also be found in tones of grey and black.

Properties of Sapphire

Sapphire is a very strong and hardy mineral, it not only has a melting point greater than 2000 degrees C but it is also infusible and insoluble. It is also an extremely hard mineral, at five times the strength of glass it is very resilient to scratching and as such has many practical applications other than for use in sapphire jewellery such as sapphire rings. (Read: Uses of Tourmaline)

Practical Applications of Sapphire

Whilst sapphire is a highly sought after gemstone in the jewellery industry (having been used in items such as sapphire rings, bracelets, pendants etc.), uses have also been found for it in fields such as electronics and construction. The first laser ever made was with a rod of synthetic ruby - the red cousin of sapphire. (Read: Uses of Topaz)

Sources of Sapphire

Sapphire comes in two varieties; natural and synthetic. Natural sapphire must be mined... naturally, and synthetic sapphire is grown through a procedure first developed by the French chemist Auguste Verneuil in 1902, later dubbed the Verneuil process. (Read: Uses of Sapphire)

Advancements in the production of synthesizing sapphire mean that today sapphire can be cheaply manufactured on a very large scale, making it all the more valuable for both industrial use and also in the jewellery trade.

The most significant source of natural sapphire is from Australia and Madagascar, although different varieties can be found in deposits all over the world. (Read: Uses of Ruby)

Star Sapphires

A star sapphire is so named due to the appearance of a star-shaped pattern which presents itself when the sapphire is lit by a single top-down light source. This pattern is the result of a phenomenon known as an asterism. An asterism can be found in several types of gem, in star sapphires they are due to intersecting needle-like impurities.

Star sapphire jewellery valuation is dependent on the colour and intensity of the asterism present. (Read: Uses of Peridot)

Sapphire Jewellery

Natural sapphire jewellery is generally more expensive than synthetic sapphire jewellery as natural sapphires are obviously rarer, the problem however being that it can be extremely difficult to distinguish between natural and synthetic sapphires without help from an expert. The cost of the sapphire gems used in jewellery depends on several factors including colour, clarity, size, cut and quality. (Read: Uses of Opal)

As mentioned above, sapphire jewellery exists in a wide range of forms as with any precious gemstone. Highly popular are sapphire rings such as eternity rings and engagement rings.

The blue variety is perhaps the most valued form of sapphire on the market, and so often finding the highest price. Sapphires in the shade cornflower blue are the most prized and valuable, known as the 'Kashmir Sapphire' or 'Cornflower Blue Sapphire'. The pinkish-orange corundum padparadscha however can fetch higher prices than even the finest blue sapphires.

Blue Sapphire Stone

Blue sapphire is the one of the most commonly used gemstones in today's world. The beauty of blue sapphire is such that it creates a mystery about itself. The word sapphire comes from the Latin word "saphirus", meaning blue. Its history dates back to 800 B.C. (Read: Uses of Garnet)

The rulers of Persia thought that earth was embedded in a big blue sapphire and the blue color of the sky was a result of that. Even in the churches blue sapphire is considered holy and is held responsible for the blue color of sky. In many civilizations blue sapphire is considered as the representation of heaven. Sapphire was a hot favorite among the royals too. It was kept as a stone for protection to keep the enemies away. (Read: Uses of Emerald)

Prince Charles proposed to Lady Diana with a sapphire engagement ring , which was the same ring given by his father, Prince Philips to his mother Queen Elizabeth. The Buddhists used it as a stone to check female loyalty. It was believed that the color of the stone would change if the female was unfaithful. Sapphire is considered sacred and divine.

It keeps away illness and brings peace and prosperity to its owner. It's the birthstone of the month of September. It's considered to be a good gift to be given on 20th or 45th wedding anniversary. (Read: Uses of Aquamarine)

Best sapphire stones are found in Kashmir (India), Burma and Sri Lanka. A Burmese or a Kashmiri stone will have more value than a sapphire from Sri Lanka. Kashmir sapphires are highly values but are rare due to the rough terrain that makes it difficult to mine these stones. However there are a lot of mines in Sri Lanka. Other good quality resources are in Burma and Tanzania. Another high quality resource is Yogo Gulch Deposit in Montana. This was regarding the high quality resources of sapphire however the major supply of sapphire comes from Australia. Large deposits have also been found in the island of Madagascar.

The properties of Sapphire make it a hot favorite amongst the traders and the customers. It is durable and hard. It rates 9 on the mohs scale, wherein 10 being the highest, thus making it one of the hardest stones. It belongs to the corundum family. Traces of iron in corundum are responsible for the blue color of the sapphire. Sapphire can also be treated in the gemological laboratories. However, the value of a natural sapphire is higher than the treated sapphire. Blue sapphire is a blessing for the jewelers as its always in vogue and is valuable. (Read: Uses of Amethyst)

Thus sapphire mesmerizes with its beauty and is loved by those who like to adhere to classy and avant-garde style. It truly defines its position in the family of "the big three" in gemstones along with ruby and emerald.

Beautiful Sapphire Rings

Sapphires are one of the most desirable gems, second only to diamonds in hardness. One of their most sought-after characteristics is their color. Although the most popular sapphires used in jewelry are blue sapphires, sapphires actually come in many varieties of color: white, yellow, orange, brown, pink, purple, gray, colorless and multicolored. The gem is composed of Corundum, a mineral that is naturally blue. Hence most sapphires are world wide known as blue. However, if the mineral contains traces of other elements such as iron, copper or magnesium the resulting gem would display a different gamut of color. A sapphire containing traces of iron will result in a very pale yellow sapphire. A sapphire containing traces of chromium will result in a pink sapphire. If the chromium impurities increase the gem's color will be red. A red sapphire is called a ruby; this is the only sapphire that is not called a sapphire in gemology.

Many factors influence the value of the sapphire gemstone. When shopping for the perfect blue sapphire rings there are many things to consider. Light shining through the gem plays a significant role in gem selection and value. Some sapphires are multicolored and depending on how the light is reflected on the stone, the gems appear to be different colors. Color is the primary selling point of the gemstone. Color is determined by hue, saturation and tone. The intensity of the hue determines primarily the market value. How bright or vivid the gem appears affects its saturation, and its range from light to dark affects its tone. Blue is the most desirable of all sapphires if it contains up to 15% of violet or purple hues it is still considered a gem of fine quality. If it contains traces of green or gray its value is reduced, gray reduces the hue's brightness.

When buying estate sapphire rings or antique sapphire rings make sure you select a good reputable dealer. Sapphire rings are always a beautiful stone to look and are always well received as gifts. Many people love the color that the sapphire has to offer and are proud to wear it.

When online, you can find the best prices and widest selection of estate sapphire rings, rare antique sapphire rings, priceless gold sapphire rings and don't forget the most desirable blue sapphire rings in the market. You can shop by style, gem or price resulting in a wide range of designs, cuts and choices.

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