A sapphire is a form of mineral called Corundum which technically a ruby also derives from. We mostly think of sapphires as blue but they come in a huge variety of different colours including yellow, pink, orange, teal and Padparascha (a very rare type of peachy pink). Due to their variety in colour they are widely regarded as the most versatile gemstone and able to suit any occasion. They are extremely hard scoring 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness which makes them a very popular choice for a gemstone engagement ring due to their strength. Only a diamond is harder.
Where do sapphires come from?
The most highly prized sapphires are from Kashmir which has now long since been mined out. Today we find sapphires commonly from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) however they can also be found in Thailand, Madagascar, Australia, Africa, Burma and Cambodia.
Are Sapphires natural?
Nearly 99% of all sapphires sold are heated. This process is to improve colour intensity and its distribution within the stone. It is very rare for a sapphire to have an even colour distribution naturally and therefore if completely natural these stones are highly prized and command increased prices than heated sapphire jewellery.
We stock a range of both natural and heated sapphire jewellery.
Sapphires can be certificated but it is very common for them to be uncertificated. We have a range of certificated sapphire jewellery which will state their origin and heating process.
Are Sapphires expensive?
There are a number of different factors that make up the price of sapphire jewellery from origin and heat treatment to colour and quality of cut. Overly dark and too light sapphire jewellery often tend to be cheaper than deep royal blue and sapphires from Sri Lanka which tend to be more expensive than sapphires from Australia. Sapphires of larger sizes with high quality lustres from rare deposits can be just as much if not more than diamonds.
However, generally sapphires tend to be cheaper when compared to the same size of diamond but it depends largely on their unique characteristics rather than a grading system.
Why choose sapphire jewellery?
In recent years we have seen the engagement ring trend enjoying a burst of colour with wearers wanting to be a little different and set their ring apart from others. Due to the variety of hues sapphires have to offer and their durability this has meant a surge in popularity with many people opting for a sapphire engagement ring as well as sapphire jewellery. Moreover they tend to be a cheaper alternative to a diamond engagement ring allowing you to get a larger carat weight for the same budget.
