White sapphires aren't as inexpensive as say, cubic zirconia, but they're less expensive than other sapphires simply because they're deemed less attractive than well-known colors like blue or Padparadscha sapphires. However, white sapphires come in all kinds of shapes and sizes at accessible prices.
White sapphires hold the unique honor of being one of the few gemstones with comparative quality to a diamond. If you are one of the many buyers concerned about conflict diamonds or expensive gemstones, a white sapphire can achieve the same level of beauty of a diamond but without the guilt and cost.
White sapphires rank at a 9 on the Moh's Scale, giving it a top 3 spot for hardness. Sapphire isn't as durable as diamond or moissanite, but it's still one of the hardest gemstones. It's a great option for someone looking for a stone from the earth (rather than a cultured lab-grown stone).
White sapphires are one of the cheaper types of sapphire, possibly because they are seen as less beautiful than coloured varieties. Out of blue sapphires, for example, the ones with the purest royal blue appearance are valued the most. Colourless sapphires are considered less desirable.
Because of their colorlessness, white gems like white sapphires tend to get cloudy faster than colored gems. However, regular at-home cleaning is an easy and quick solution to combat a cloudy appearance. You can clean sapphires with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or toothbrush.
A white sapphire does not display any scintillation. However, white sapphires still sparkle in their own right. They tend to look more see-through than diamonds.
Do White Sapphires sparkle like Diamonds? No. White Sapphire's sparkle is a silvery white-gray, whereas Diamond's sparkle is rainbow colored with some white mixed in. This is due to Diamond's high refractive index and dispersion (two measures for how a gemstone handles light).
White Sapphire is the birthstone for Gemini, Taurus and Libra ascendants, and the gemstone bestows them with love, art, luxury and marital bliss to individuals. Virgo, Capricorn and Aquarius ascendant can also wear White Sapphire.
White sapphires are extremely useful for people working in travel and tourism, beauty industry, artistic endeavors, import and export, and hospitality. Nullifying negative energy and negative thoughts, this gemstone fills the mind of its wearer with peace, calmness, and joy.
Check For Blemishes
Natural sapphires have flaws and inclusions which prove that they came straight from nature. If you look at them with a jeweler's magnifying glass or loupe, you will see small spots and blemishes which occur naturally as the sapphire formed thousands of years ago under the earth.
In general one can say that lighter pastel colours are always cheaper than rare intensive sapphire colours. Blue and intense pink sapphires have always been rare and reflect the current and future higher value. Yellow and brighter pink sapphires are inexpensive, as are white and purple sapphires.
The most common cause of the yellow coloration in a sapphire is the trace element iron. Typically speaking, increased iron concentrations will also increase color saturation. Yellow sapphires can also be colored naturally by low-level radiation within the earth or by lab-induced irradiation.
In terms of durability and appearance, moissanite is preferred over white sapphire. In terms of affordability, however, white sapphire is the better option. Ultimately, the choice is based on personal preference.
Blue Sapphires
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.
Sapphires are a hard and scratch resistant mineral, so white sapphire engagement rings are very durable. On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, a sapphire is rated as a 9. This makes it the second hardest natural stone used in jewelry.
The modes of their differences lie in the following: The hardness of cubic zirconia is about 8 to 8.5 according to the Moh scale of hardness. However, it is still prone to scratches, and they wear down faster than white sapphires do. They are less durable than white sapphires.
According to Vedic astrology, individuals born under Aries, Cancer, Leo, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Pisces should generally avoid wearing Sapphire. It is believed that Shani Dev holds animosity towards individuals of these zodiac signs, hence Sapphire does not yield positive outcomes for them.
Do not wear pearls, corals, and rubies with blue sapphires.
Do white sapphires pass a diamond tester? No. White Sapphire does not have high enough thermal conductivity to pass. And, white sapphire looks quite different than diamond, moissanite, and CZ, so using a pen tester is not common.
Moissanites or white sapphires are most comparable to a diamond. While there are visible differences, these gems will look the closest to a diamond while offering a more affordable price. These stones are also high on the Mohs scale of relative hardness, making them suitable for everyday wear.
Tips to Keep Your Sapphire Ring Safe and Sparkling
The best way to keep your precious jewelry safe is by storing each piece in a separate section or velvet case. Storing them all together can harm the gemstone's surface as some are tougher than others.
Appearance: To most people, a white sapphire will look the same as a lab-created, or for that fact a natural, diamond. Both gemstones are colorless and emit remarkable sparkle and shine.
Safest and easiest way to clean sapphire is to wash it in warm soapy water and wipe it with a gem cleaning cloth. Once set in jewellery, use a soft paintbrush to clean through the setting. It is important clean the pavillion of the stone to maintain high brilliance. You do not need to use chemicals to clean your stone.
White sapphires are completely colorless sapphires. A sapphire receives its color from the trace elements present within the earth when the crystal is forming. White sapphires are quite rare; they are completely untouched by trace elements.
Most gemologists would nominate Sri Lanka while others might suggest Montana or Madagascar. Blue Sapphires from Sri Lanka are known as “Ceylon” sapphires. The sapphires from Montana's Yogo Gulch in the United States have an unusual and attractive color of blue that leans into the teal color range.