Color has the greatest influence on a sapphire's value, and preferred sapphires have strong to vivid color saturation. The most valued blue sapphires are velvety blue to violetish blue, in medium to medium-dark tones. Sapphires with these qualities command the highest prices per carat.
You want to look for a sapphire that has no inclusions visible to the naked eye. experts look at the size, location and number of inclusions to judge clarity. The less visible the inclusions are, the higher the grade. Cut: The cut is essentially what makes a sapphire really sparkle.
Sapphire ranks a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, second only to a diamond, so if it leaves a mark when scratched with a harder substance, you will know it is a fake. You can try this by scratching the stone with a diamond, a key or a coin.
Check the gem for air bubbles.
Lab-created sapphires are essentially glass that is put through a process similar to the one that forms natural sapphires. Since they are glass, tiny air bubbles remain in them after they form. If you see any bubbles inside of the sapphire then it is not real.
Fake sapphires have lead glass fillings. These portions may exhibit uneven color concentrations. There could be small and tiny fissures, seams and parting planes that have high concentration of color. These can be more visible in rubies and blue composite sapphires with some level of magnification.
What is the rarest sapphire color? The two rarest sapphire colors are Padparadscha and cornflower blue. The most prized sapphires are Kashmir sapphires of a bright, velvety blue from the mountains in India. The last Kashmir sapphire was mined in 1927.
Everyday Sparkle: Sapphire birthstone jewelry and studs
Diamonds are the only thing to surpass sapphires, meaning they're the only natural material to be able to scratch or cause damage to this gemstone. Thanks to their durability, sapphires are safe to be worn every day.
The density or specific gravity (SG) of the material will also affect the weight. For example, a 6.5 mm round diamond, sapphire, and opal, all cut in the same proportions, will all weigh different. The diamond, with an SG of 3.52, will weigh 1 carat. The sapphire, with an SG of 4, will weigh 1.14 carats.
Color and size or weight are the most important factors that determine the price of a sapphire. The price of sapphires varies greatly depending on its quality. This means a large sapphire of low quality is much cheaper than a small but very high quality sapphire.
Do blue sapphires sparkle? Yes, blue sapphires that are medium or light tone, eye clean, and well cut, sparkle! However, if your stone is too dark, too included, or poorly cut, it will not shine as much. This is because dark stones do not allow for light reflection as much as medium or light tones do.
The durability of this gem-quality member of the corundum family makes it an exceptional gemstone. The rare, blue Kashmir sapphire commands the highest prices, sometimes over $200,000 a carat. Other unheated, pure blues can sell for $2,000 – $10,000 per carat depending on size.
Ceylon stones have a true cobalt blue color, unlike an Australian or Thai stone that has more of a black-blue color. Because Ceylon sapphires tend to be on the lighter side of the color spectrum, they are generally cut very deep in order to bring out the saturation of color. We look for stones with a medium depth.
In terms of the non-linear character of sapphire pricing in relation to the larger carat, when the weight of the gemstone hits and then starts to go past the 1.00-carat mark the prices will increase considerably. In fact, prices can at times or increase exponentially, depending on the increase in carat size.
As with any gemstone, per carat prices increase with overall carat weight. Expect steep increases in the price per carat at the one, three, five, and ten-carat levels. Fine blue, pink, orange, or padparadscha sapphires that exceed fifteen carats are especially valuable and can fetch very high prices at auction.
Vedic astrology says that in general, the people of Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius and Pisces should not wear Sapphire.
You should remove your sapphire ring to bathe or wash your hands. Store it in a safe place so it does not slip down the drain. Avoid wearing your sapphire ring when you are doing housework, gardening or participating in a sport.
Do White Sapphires Turn Cloudy? Over time, any gemstone will collect residue from things like makeup, lotion, household cleaners, and daily exposure to the elements. Because of their colorlessness, white gems like white sapphires tend to get cloudy faster than colored gems.
Blue is the most common sapphire color. Blue sapphires can range from a pale baby blue to a rich royal blue. Trace elements of iron and titanium are what cause those blue colors.
How much are Ceylon sapphires worth? Ceylon Sapphires range from $200 - $9,000. The Sapphire price is determined by the Color, Clarity, Cut, Carat Weight of the gemstone. However, individual Sapphires may have higher prices depending on its qualities.
When comparing sapphires vs diamonds price, diamonds are the more expensive stone. Though sapphires are rarer than diamonds, they are less expensive.
Identical Physical, Optical and Chemical Properties
Sapphires grown in a lab pretty much have the same atomic and optical properties of a sapphire mined from the earth. Unless you're a certified gemologist with a powerful microscope, you won't be able to tell the difference between created and mined gemstones.
Sapphires are very durable, so while they do scratch and can chip, you'll probably get many years of wear. Eventually, you may notice some scratches, and you can always have your sapphire resurfaced. Sapphires come in a rainbow of colors and hues!
Boric acid powder will etch the surface of even untreated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, and dyed stones can be damaged by even mild acids like lemon juice. Warm, soapy water is always safe. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones.