One of the most recognizable and iconic gemstones ever, sapphire is one of the most versatile and beautiful stones on the market. However, Sapphires can also fluctuate heavily in price and availability due to dozens of different factors. Here we will break down the most important attributes and history of this famous stone to help you navigate and find the perfect one for you.
Source: GIA
History
"How are Sapphires Formed?" "How Long Have We Had Sapphires?"
Sapphires are members of the Corundum family and come in every color of the rainbow (except red, which is ruby) and are even found with multiple colors in one (often called "Parti Sapphires"). Thanks to it's wide variety of colors and hardness (the best only to diamonds), Sapphires have been adored for centuries. Ancient Greeks and Romans wore sapphire for protection, Persians believe the blue sky was the result of sapphires, and doctors in the Middle Ages used the stone as treatment for the plague and poisoning. The stone forms deep in the Earth's crust, with most stones mined today being around 150-200 million years old. Corundum is the crystal form of aluminum oxide which combines with other trace elements to give it a particular color. There are many notable sapphires still on display across the world, many of which well above 50 carats each. While also famously being the September Birthstone, Sapphire is also used for 5th and 45th anniversaries. One of the most important aspects of a sapphire are where it came from, in fact, there are multiple factors that dramatically impact a stones value.
Source: Americut Gems
Aspects of Sapphire
"What Makes Sapphire So Expensive?" "Is Sapphire Treated?" "Where does Sapphire Come From?"
There are multiple different factors that go in a single stone to determine it's inherent value and history, these include;
- Providence - Where it was mined
- Color - Saturation, evenness
- Clarity - Transparency, lack of inclusions
- Treatments - If the stone was treated and how
- Cut - Quality of the cut and it's shape
Some are self explanatory, but we will discuss the important factors below.
Providence
Sapphires come from many different locations and this can usually affect not only their value but how they look. For example, sapphires from Montana are famously uneven in color, found in smaller carat weights (rare above 3 carats), and range in the blue to green color ways. Sapphires from the Kashmir mine in the Himalayas produced some of the most adored velvety blue shades of sapphire in history but the mine was completely depleted by 1889, making them extremely rare and highly priced. Today, most classic gem quality sapphires will be found in Sri Lanka (Sometimes referred to as "Ceylon"), Myanmar or Madagascar with each giving a slightly different look and everyone having their own preference.
Color
Not just the actual color a sapphires is found in but the actual saturation of the stone is also important. For example, blue sapphires can range from sky blue, to cornflower, to deep royal blue and this range of vibrance carries on to all colors. Usually, the deeper the color the rarer/higher value. Some color ways, like the sunset orangy/pink variety called Padparadscha, are extremely rare and command some of the highest prices of all sapphires in the market.
Treatments
Sapphires, like practically all other gemstones, are often treated in some way. If the stone has been treated and what type of treatment can wildly affect the rarity and value of the stone. Heating a sapphire to improve it's color is extremely common, with about 90-95% of all sapphires being heated. While a unheated sapphire can command higher prices due to it's rarity, heat treatment being such a common and permanent treatment means you shouldn't be afraid of it. Less common or accepted treatments for a sapphire can include diffusion (heating with added chemicals to change it's color), irradiation (exposing to radiation to change color) and fracture filling (using different chemicals to fill cracks in the stone improve clarity). These treatments are NOT universally accepted and greatly diminish the value of a stone.
Source: GIA
Certification / Reports
"Should Sapphires be Certified?" "Who Certifies Sapphires?" "What Does a Sapphire Certificate Say?"
After reading all the different important features of a Sapphire above, it's likely the next question is "how can I know all of this about my stone?", that's where a gemstone report comes in. A report from a reputable lab will explain all you'd want to know about the stone from it's providence to treatment and even color and transparency of the stone. While the GIA is the world standard on grading for diamonds and color stones, there are multiple reputable gem labs where you can get certifications for sapphires and not worry about their trustworthiness. These include Gubelin, C. Dunaigre, SSEF and AGL. Sometimes, even for sapphires, a stone may not be certified at all (often to keep cost down or if the stone is small or of lower quality), it's important to have a trustworthy supplier so you know the potential providence and treatments of the stone are true.
Source: Prins & Prins
Natural vs. Lab Grown Sapphire
"Do Lab Grown Sapphires Exist?" "Do Lab Grown Sapphires Look Real?"
Just like diamonds, lab grown sapphires exist and have existed for decades. Lab grown sapphires are chemically identical to natural sapphires. However, an important note is most times people search for perfection in diamonds while they search for character in color stones. Lab grown sapphires will be available in all colors just like a natural but they tend to have extremely vibrant color and high clarity which can make them look "too perfect" for some since it is so uncommon for natural. It's important to see lab grown sapphires in person to make sure the trade-offs are worth it for you.
Shahla Karimi Emerald Cut Cuff with Baguettes
Sapphires x Shahla Karimi
The most exciting part of sapphires is the limitless possibilities. We have ready-made designs incorporating sapphires of all sizes, shapes and colors. We can also custom design something special that represents you and track down the perfect sapphire to go with it. Shop our Sapphire collection below, and reach out to us to learn more about our bespoke process and creating something unforgettable.
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