Every girl dreams of adorning her ring finger with a spectacular blue sapphire, the same as in Princess Diana blue sapphire ring. Di’s magnificent ring has always been the talk of the town and even today this ring continues to win hearts by carrying forward the royal legacy. We might not be able to see this masterpiece in person but many of you must have had a glimpse of its replica. It is indeed an overwhelming sight.
In fact, Queen Elizabeth II graced several public appearances with her blue sapphire jewelry suite packed with diamonds. But did this thought ever cross your mind that what’s so great about sapphires that even the British Royal Family has been coveting it for generations? Well don’t fret if you are new to this world since you have clicked the right link to get started. Here’s everything you need to know about natural sapphire stone, their composition and their colorful varieties.
Chemical Composition of Sapphire
Sapphires are multi-colored variants of the mineral corundum. They get their majestic hues from trace elements such as magnesium, lead, titanium, cobalt, vanadium, boron, iron, chromium and silicon. Sapphire mines are located in Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, China, Australia, Thailand, India Jammu and Kashmir, Nigeria, Tanzania, United States, etc.
Sapphires score 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making sapphires the most durable gemstone after diamonds. This means you can wear your natural sapphire necklace or sapphire wedding band day and night without worrying about it getting scratched.
Types of Sapphires: Popular Color Varieties
You must be well-acquainted with blue sapphires. But sapphires are not just blue, their peers are found across the entire color spectrum except red and they are called fancy sapphires. The red color corundum is called ruby and that’s why the exception. The most popular fancy sapphires are black, white, yellow, pink, purple, orange and green sapphires. Then we have teal sapphires and padparadscha sapphires that are exceptionally valued for their rarity and striking colors.
Have you heard of particolored or bi-color sapphires? They display two or more hues in one stone which is an incredible phenomenon. Then you can also find color-change sapphires that shift hues in different lighting conditions, just like alexandrites. Star sapphires are known for their asterism effect displaying star-like patterns. They are often cut as cabochon sapphires and are popular in every jewelry setting.
Lab-Grown & Treated Sapphires
Just like we have lab diamonds, lab grown sapphires are commonplace. You will find them exactly identical to their natural equivalents but at lower prices. You must also have heard of heated sapphires. They are heated at extremely high temperatures to enhance their color and clarity. In most cases, you’ll have to pay a few extra dollars to obtain a naturally untreated sapphire, making the treated ones more affordable. However, sellers must disclose sapphire treatment, if any, to their buyers before finalizing any deal for a fair purchase.
In Demand Sapphire Jewelry
Sapphire wedding bands and engagement rings are extremely popular among both men and women. Men’s sapphire rings have become popular alternatives to diamond and plain metal bands. This is because of sapphire’s high durability and vast color palette. Sapphires are the official birthstones for the ninth month of the year, i.e. September. This gives you another reason to have sapphire jewels in your jewelry box.
Speaking of metal colors, sapphire is one gemstone that complements every metal shade. While some color varieties are best suited with yellow and rose gold, others look better when paired with white gold or platinum, though there are no strict rules for this. For instance, you can pair a white gold sapphire ring with pink, orange and yellow sapphires for a more elegant look. Similarly, dark tones of blue, purple, green, teal and black sapphires can be combined with yellow metal for an aesthetic appeal.
The Bottom Line
So, whether you fancy a purple heart sapphire studded in yellow gold earrings or a natural pink sapphire adorned in a white gold pendant, GemsNY is here to help you pick the best quality natural sapphires at the best price. Visit the brand’s official website for the best deals on loose sapphires and jewelry.
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