Diamonds are often considered to be the most popular stone that people opt for when buying certain types of jewelry, with quite a large emphasis being placed on the purchase of engagement rings and wedding bands, other stones also exist that offer similar beauty to diamonds. When it comes to opting for one of the top stones on the market, there are three stones that are classified as precious gemstones along with diamonds – these three include rubies, emeralds and the sapphire stone.
In this post, we would like to focus primarily on the sapphire gemstone. This stone has a rich history and possess characteristics that make it a truly exquisite piece of stone. Some people prefer to purchase loose sapphire gemstones to add to their collection, perhaps in order to carry down to the next generation or to sell at a later date; thus posing as an investment. Others enjoy wearing quality pieces of jewelry that have been fitted with a sapphire stone. We will consider the colors of a sapphire stone, as well as how these stones are graded by a gemologist before they can be sold or fitted into a piece of jewelry.
The Sapphire Gemstone
Sapphire gemstones are known for their distinct blue color – the blue sapphire is considered the original “sapphire” stone after all. Along with the blue sapphire stone, these gemstones also come in other color varieties. Other colors often include pink, purple, yellow, orange, green and black. There are also colorless sapphire options available, similar to how diamonds are available in a colorless option or a fancy colored option.
A sapphire gemstone also goes through a specialized appraisal process in order to obtain its value, just like a diamond. With a sapphire stone, however, the importance of the 4cs that are utilized to determine the value of a particular stone is not considered to be the same as with a diamond. When a standard colorless diamond is graded, the gemologist will consider the carat weight of the diamond to be the most important. With a sapphire, however, color seems to play a much more significant role than carat weight in many cases.
The sapphire stone has a rich history and is often associated with royalty. The stone is often called a “darling gemstone” and has been extremely popular amongst royal families for many centuries. Today, the stone still seems to be very popular amongst the royal, but has also gained in popularity amongst the average consumer.
Sapphires are relatively durable. These stones rank nine on the Mohs hardness scale, making them just one score lower than a diamond. This means that sapphire gemstones can be utilized in a large variety of jewelry settings, including engagement rings and wedding bands that are worn on a daily basis.
During the appraisal process of a sapphire, the gemologist will not only look at the carat weight of the stone and consider the color quality of the stone, but will also take a look at the sapphire’s clarity and cut quality. Since most sapphire gemstones do have some inclusions, a person should not expect to easily find a completely flawless stone; thus it may be more appropriate to opt for the best quality that is available that does not have any flaws that can be seen by the naked eye.
Conclusion
Sapphire gemstones are classified as precious gemstones, along with the world’s most popular stone, the diamond. These stones are known for their unique blue appearance, but can also be obtained a many other colors. Sapphire stones are graded in a similar way as a diamond, with the 4cs still playing a significant part in allowing a gemologist to determine the value of a particular stone that is being inspected.
About Kevin Lee
Kevin Lee is a former tech advisor who cut his teeth in Silicon Valley. He now spends his time sharing his passion for investing in diamonds and jewelry. You can reach Kevin for any comments by using the contact form on this site. Don't forget to sign up for his free "Investing 101 Guide" by clicking on the button at the top right of this website.