Sapphire takes its name from the Greek “sappheiros” meaning “blue”. It is a symbol of justice, purity and fidelity. If this gem is closely associated with Sri Lanka (or Ceylon), it’s because almost half of this natural stone comes from this South Asian country. Like ruby, it belongs to the corundum family. It has no cleavage and can be prismatic, pyramidal, barrel-shaped or tabular. It has distinctive characteristics as well as virtues. Planetys, your gemstone jewelry boutique, reveals here how to recognize sapphire with a discerning eye.
Recognizing the characteristics of real sapphire
Sapphire is a member of the corundum family of gemstones. It has a trigonal structure and is formed in magmatic or metamorphic rocks. This gem is composed of aluminum oxide and may contain traces of elements such as magnesium, chromium, titanium and iron. It is usually presented in a beautiful blue hue, which is due to the oxides of which it is composed.
Sapphire is one of the most resistant gemstones. Its density is 4, while its hardness is estimated at 9 on the Mohs scale. This natural mineral can therefore scratch anything except diamond. It is a natural material of choice for jewelry (rings, gem-set bracelets, earrings, etc.). Generally speaking, the more precious the gem, the fewer the inclusions. Inclusions must be invisible to the eye to preserve the stone’s clarity. However, it is possible to observe a few. They must not, however, prevent light from passing through the stone.
Pure sapphires are more valuable and more expensive. Sapphire mines are found mainly in countries such as Myanmar (formerly Burma), Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) and Cambodia. There are also a few deposits in Kashmir, India, Australia, China and the USA.
Properties and virtues of sapphire
Sapphire is used more in jewelry than in lithotherapy. Yet it has many properties. This precious stone from Sri Lanka and Thailand is renowned for its calming and purifying properties.
Wearing sapphire jewelry can calm emotionally agitated or hot-tempered people. It is also said to improve the mood of depressed people. This blue-colored mineral stimulates creativity and concentration. It is also said to facilitate feelings of joy and help eliminate negative thoughts.
On the other hand, wearing sapphire jewelry helps you develop self-confidence and perseverance. This gem is also said to encourage positive dreams.
How to choose a quality sapphire?
Consider the size of the stone, or its carat. A 5-carat sapphire is naturally more valuable than a 2-carat sapphire. The latter is therefore sold at a lower price than the former. Similarly, a 3-carat sapphire can cost between 2,000 and 10,000 euros, depending on the quality of the stone. Whether you opt for a yellow or blue sapphire, it’s best to choose a model with no visible impurities. This is the case with our gems in the Planetys boutique. They have excellent clarity. This testifies to the mineral’s purity.
As for color, the more intense and uniform the color, the higher the quality of blue gemstones. Would you like to buy a piece of jewelry made from this gem? Make sure it’s well cut. A well-cut corundum reflects beautiful nuances and a brilliance reminiscent of a diamond. In fact, it’s not uncommon for jewelers to combine natural sapphires with diamonds to create magnificent, high-value sets.
Finally, be sure to buy from jewelry specialists offering certificates attesting to the authenticity and superior quality of the sapphire used in the manufacture of your jewelry. The most popular sapphires on the market are those from Ceylon, Kashmir in India, Tanzania and Mogok in Myanmar. Kashmir sapphire is reputed to be the most beautiful in the world.
What color is a sapphire?
Sapphire comes in a wide variety of colors, the best-known of which is blue. Rarer hues include pink, green, yellow, orange and violet. Some specimens have a red color reminiscent of ruby. Jewelry such as engagement rings made from sapphires of this hue are particularly popular. Shades of the same color can vary from light to dark.
However, it is rare to find sapphire gemstones that retain their natural color. This rarity increases the value of these gems and consequently their price. This is because sapphire stones undergo heat treatment to remove inclusions. On the other hand, this heating treatment intensifies the gem’s color to enhance its appearance and intensity to suit buyers’ preferences.
Possible confusions and imitations
Sapphire can be confused with other natural minerals such as tanzanite and blue spinel. Yet it is easy to differentiate it from these gems. Imitations of sapphire are rarer than those of ruby.
Differentiating between blue sapphire and tanzanite
Like sapphires, tanzanites are most appreciated for their blue color and superior quality. It is the resemblance of these blue minerals to sapphires that creates confusion. The blue hue of tanzanite is, however, different from that of sapphire. The refractive index of sapphire is 1.77, while that of tanzanite is 1.70. Its hardness is between 6.5 and 7. This means that it is less resistant than sapphire. It also has a sharp cleavage that sapphire corundum lacks.
Differentiating blue sapphire from blue spinel
Blue spinel also resembles sapphire. Its color, however, is darker than that of sapphire. In fact, it has a hue similar to blue ink. It is therefore not comparable to the color of a good-quality sapphire. Only lower-quality sapphire gems can have a hue identical to that of blue spinel. The refractive index of blue spinel is 1.72.
What is synthetic sapphire?
This is a sapphire obtained using the Verneuil process. To detect it, the gemstone must be placed under a microscope. The presence of bubbles and the absence of crystal inclusions are signs that it could be a synthetic stone.
You can also identify it by placing it under ultraviolet light. If it’s synthetic, it will emit a green color. However, if it’s a real sapphire, no green color will be emitted.
