A sapphire is a precious gemstone from the corundum mineral. They are commonly known for their striking blue color, though they do appear in a number of other color varieties. Sapphires have an incredible history, from drawing fame with the royal family to playing a part in ancient legends. Thus, sapphires are one of the most sought-after gemstones for jewelry (alongside diamonds).
A stone becomes a gem once it has been transformed from its rough mineral form into a cut and polished jewel. The most lavish gemstones on the planet, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, fall into what was called precious gemstones. All other gemstones are referred to as semi-precious. Some are far less valuable than precious gemstones while others can cost quite the pretty penny.
Sapphires are believed to bring peace and calm to those who wear them, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. They are also believed to enhance communication and improve relationships.
To care for a sapphire stone, avoid exposing it to harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, and sudden impacts. Clean it regularly with warm water and a mild soap, and store it in a safe place when not in use.
A unique feature of blue sapphires is their brilliance, thanks to their high refractive index. This means that they have a strong ability to bend light, giving them a sparkling and radiant appearance.
Blue sapphires also have a unique and beautiful asterism, or star effect, which is caused by small, needle-like inclusions within the stone. This effect is visible when the stone is viewed under a direct light source and adds an extra layer of intrigue and beauty to the gem.
Sapphires are a 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which means they are very resistant to scratches and other types of damage. This makes them a great choice for everyday wear.
In addition to their durability, blue sapphires are also known for their brilliance and fire.
In addition to being a popular choice for jewellery, blue sapphires are also believed to have healing and spiritual properties. Many cultures associate the stone with wisdom, truth, and faith, making it a symbol of loyalty and commitment.
Sapphires are a type of mineral called corundum, which is composed of aluminum oxide. The color of a sapphire is determined by the presence of trace elements in the mineral, such as iron, titanium, or chromium. Blue sapphires contain iron and titanium, while other colors, such as pink and yellow, contain trace amounts of chromium.
One of the most important physical characteristics of sapphires is their hardness. Sapphires have a Mohs hardness of 9, which makes them second only to diamonds in terms of hardness. This makes sapphires a great choice for jewelry because they are durable and can withstand daily wear and tear.
Another important characteristic of sapphires is their refractive index, which measures how light is bent as it passes through the gemstone. Sapphires have a high refractive index, which gives them a bright, sparkling appearance. This is one of the reasons why sapphires are so popular in jewelry
Saturn is the Hindu God of Justice, famous as Lord Shani, and is associated with qualities such as discipline, perseverance, responsibility, and longevity. Since it is the ruling planet of an original blue sapphire, wearing neelam stone minimizes the ill effects of sade satti. Hence, every person going through the tragic shani ki sade sati must wear a lab tested 4A blue sapphire stone.
Sapphires are highly prized jewelry stones. Determining their geographic origin and whether they're natural or lab-grown is critical. Fortunately, examining their inclusions, luminescence, and absorption spectra can reveal clues.
Known mostly for their blue variety, sapphires appear in an array of colors including pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, colorless, and black. These stones make fabulous alternatives to their pricier color diamond counterparts, although some types of fancy sapphires can be quite costly as well. That is one of the most attractive aspects of a sapphire; the many color choices.
To achieve the best overall color, maintain the best proportions, and retain the most weight possible, cutters focus on factors like color zoning, pleochroism, and the lightness or darkness of a stone.
Blue sapphires often have some inclusions. Blue sapphires with extremely high clarity are rare, and very valuable. Price can drop if the inclusions threaten the stone’s durability. Kashmir sapphires contain tiny inclusions that impart a desirable velvety appearance.
Blue sapphires can range in size anywhere from a few points to hundreds of carats, and large blue sapphires are more readily available than large rubies. However, most commercial-quality blue sapphires weigh less than 5.00 carats.