Blue sapphire is a type of gemstone that is mostly blue in color. It is a popular choice for jewelry and has been used in royalty for centuries. The name sapphire comes from the Greek word "sappheiros," meaning blue.
Sapphires are typically found in shades of blue, but can also be found in other colors such as yellow, green, white and sometimes pink sapphires.
Sapphire Stones has long been regarded as a gemstone of nobility and elegance, having been frequently used for jewelry decoration in European royal families since the Middle Ages. In recent years, sapphire has been increasingly prevalent in the sales of graded colored gems, and the buzz has continued to rise.
| MINERAL | Corrundum |
|---|---|
| CHEMISTRY | Al2O3 |
| COLOR | Light - Deep Blue |
| REFRACTIVE INDEX | 1.762 - 1.770 |
| BIREFRINGENCE | 0.008 - 0.010 |
| SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 4.00 |
| MOHS HARDNESS | 9.0 |
When estimating the value of Natural blue sapphire, color is the most important element. While hue does count, the closer to a pure blue, the better, so saturation is more important. The highest quality sapphires have vivid saturation. The tone is also an important consideration. Dark sapphires are too common and don’t reach high values. When evaluating sapphire quality factors, one must consider both saturation and tone.
While blue sapphire gemstones are found in a variety of locations around the world, the finest quality stones come from Sri Lanka and Kashmir. These stones are typically very small, which also contributes to their high price tag.
In addition to being rare and beautiful, blue natural sapphire is also one of the hardest gems, making it perfect for use in jewelry that will be worn daily. If you're looking for a truly unique and special piece of jewelry, blue sapphire is an excellent choice especially for engagement rings after the popularity of the Princess Diana Ring.
Generally, inclusions lower the price of a sapphire gemstone in the gem industry. If the inclusion jeopardizes the solidity of the gemstone, the price drops significantly. However, sometimes inclusions can increase the value of certain sapphires. Many of the most precious Kashmir sapphires contain tiny inclusions that create a velvety appearance. These inclusions scatter light, creating coveted visual effects without compromising the clarity of the gemstone.
The blue star sapphire price is based on the carat weight of the stone. The bigger the stone, the more expensive it will be. The average price per carat for a blue star sapphire is $300. However, the price can range from $100 to $500 per carat depending on the quality of the stone. Sapphires with a higher carat weight are more rare and therefore more expensive.
Sapphires can be found all over the world, but high-quality gemstones are much rarer and happen in fewer locations. These are some of the most notable sources:
Sapphires usually contain some inclusions, but are usually higher clarity than rubies. Blue sapphires of exceptional clarity are rare and invaluable. There are several types of inclusions in sapphire. Among them, the elongated mineral inclusions are called needles. When needles are rutile minerals and intersect in groups, they are called filaments. Sapphire clarity is also characterized by crystals, fingerprint inclusions, color gamut, and color bands.
In addition to their rich color, blue sapphire gemstone often have a star-like asterism. This is caused by rutile needle inclusions that reflect light to create a six-rayed star. Blue sapphires are also very hard, rating a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This makes them ideal for use in jewelry as they are resistant to scratching.
Sapphire is corundum with a dominant blue gems hue, often with violet or green hues. The industry divides the blue color of sapphire into the following grades according to the three elements of color (hue, saturation, lightness)
This visual effect is caused by light scattering through the gemstone when the gemstone contains finely divided grains, short needle-like inclusions or growth lines. Cornflower sapphires were first produced in Kashmir, India. Like "Royal Blue", "Cornflower Blue" is not restricted to origin, and each origin may yield a sapphire with "Cornflower Blue".
Whether you’re wearing your blue sapphire jewelry every day or only for special occasions, it’s important to clean it regularly. Here are a few tips on how to clean your blue sapphire jewelry or Blue sapphire ring at home:
