Truth And Certainty about Sapphire Gemstone

Sapphire stones are gemstones that fall under the assortment of corundum. They incorporate aluminium oxide Al2O3, with various components like magnesium, chromium, iron, and titanium.

These average blue crystals are gotten from Greek "sapheiros" and Latin "saphirus," meaning blue.

Sapphires are fancy, beginning from common blue, green, yellow, and purple.

Red corundum is some of the time called ruby, yet it can likewise be a sapphire relying upon the spot and the stone's proprietor.

One more class, known as "parti sapphires," shows at least two tones.

On the Mohs scale, sapphires fundamentally hold a rating of 9 after precious stones and moissanite; this makes them the third hardest substance in mineral rating.

These valuable pearls are birthstones for September and 45th-commemoration gemstones — the sapphire gemstone celebration occurs following 65 years.

In actuality, Queen Elizabeth is the sapphire sovereign.

A sapphire stone is said to involve energy that forms the third eye; individuals who use it for healing purposes claim to experience an incident before it happens.

When cut and turned into jewelry, the stone also does a great piece of jewelry; it gives a huge competition to its romantic cousin, the diamond.

Sapphire symbolizes royalty since it has been worn by kings and queens, including Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

This left speculations that point to sapphires protecting royal families from envy, evil spirits, and harm.

Sapphire gemstone necklace

Synthetic Sapphire

Artificial sapphires were first created in 1873 through a method known as flux; later, they modified the sapphire creation to the flame fusion method later in 1902.

Synthetic sapphires are relatively cheap compared to natural ones. There are two methods used to create artificial sapphire stones, namely:

• Melt processes
• Solution processes

Sapphire gemstone rings

Melt Processes: In this method, aluminum oxide powder, a primary mineral found in corundum, is melted, and a boule ( drops of melted aluminum oxide into a finger-like shape) is formed. 

If other minerals are added, such as chromium, ruby stone can be created. It is so far the oldest and cheapest way of creating lab sapphires.

The melting process that includes such procedures is called flame fusion.

Czochralski also falls under the melting process. It involves using radio waves to aid in melting the aluminum oxide.

In this process, sapphire stanchions are made after infusing a rod with a seed crystal into the mixture and rotated for a particular time.

It is proved to be the fastest way of manufacturing sapphire despite being expensive.

Solution Process: Sapphire creation using this method includes putting the minerals into immense heat and pressure in a suitable tool for such operations.

The process is referred to as Hydrothermal synthesis, which is very similar to the natural way of growing sapphires.

Are lab-Grown Sapphires Considered Real?

Are artificial sapphires genuine stones?

From a manufacturer's perspective, both gems are taken to be authentic. They possess the same crystal system, atomic structure, etc. 

This makes their creators term them "real sapphires."

However, it might be a different story for us, the consumers. Honesty is the key when it comes to business. That is why you have the right to know what you are paying for.

If quality is something, you care about, having your sapphire checked before buying might be the best option if you are not a gemologist or lack any skills in identifying gems.

We all know how disappointing it is to propose to someone with a fake sapphire ring without telling them the truth. If they find it out by themselves at any chance, then there will be some repercussions.

Therefore, as a consumer, artificial sapphires are not genuine sapphires.

How To Distinguish Artificial Sapphires from Natural Sapphires

To a trained eye, sapphires can be easy to distinguish, but to the consumer with little or less knowledge about any of this, then it is daunting. 

When a synthetic sapphire is examined closely, it sometimes has inclusions such as curved growth lines colors, which is not the case with natural sapphires.

These characteristics are common in synthetic stones created using the melting process method.

Nailhead inclusions can also be visible in sapphires created using the Hydrothermal synthesis process. 

Bubbles and smoky inclusions are traceable in sapphires created using the Czochralski process. 

Test for these inclusions for any natural sapphire since such inclusions are hard to be found in them. Some inclusions don't occur at all in natural sapphire stones.

Sapphire gemstone cost

These royal gems can be costly when cut and polished—the price changes remarkably according to your heart's desire.

Natural sapphire price can cost anywhere from $25- $11,000 per carat, and again it depends on the stone's quality. 

Prices can be higher if the stone meets the qualities that gemologists consider high.

Where are Sapphires Mined?

Sapphire deposits can be found in several places globally, but some countries lead in sapphire mining.

In Africa, sapphires are mined in countries like: 

Nigeria — Mined in places like Jemaa District in Antaj mine.

Madagascar — In areas like Manambo in the south of the country.

Tanzania — Found in Tunduru, Songea, and Umba River in the north.

Kenya — The gems are mined in Turkana county.

Mozambique — In places like Zambezia province, Niassa, and Tete province.

In Asia, Sapphires are mined in places such as:

Thailand — Sapphires are mined in Chanthaburi

Myanmar — Found in areas such as Mogok

Afghanistan — Jegdalek area

Sri Lanka — Elahela region

Vietnam — Bai Lai and Na Ha

Sapphire mining countries in Australia:

Queensland — Graves Hill, Middle Ridge, Glenalva, Tomahawk Creek fossicking areas.

New South Wales — The Kings Plains area, Inverell and Glen Innes, 

Sapphires mining in the USA

Montana — Rock Creek, Dry Cottonwood Creek, Yogo Gulch, and Gravel bars

Sapphire Value Determination

Checking a sapphire's quality

Sapphires have a lot to consider when buying them; such factors include color, clarity, weight, the cutting style used, and at times, the stone's origin is determined too.

Other factors such as hue, saturation, and tone are also important when determining a sapphire's value and price.

The best grade is B, the sapphire with a dark and transparent blue color. They are considered high quality than any other type of sapphire.

Sapphires that fall in category A have a grayish undertone, and those that fit in category AA are a medium-rich color which is considered the second-best sapphires.

Category AAA are the sapphires that are rare to get and have a royal velvet blue color. They are the most valuable of them all.

Sapphire Clarity Grading

Color grading

Clarity grading in sapphires is done in three simple steps, and it is the tone they use to grade them. There are gradings of three tones applied to these royal stones— Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 stones.

Type 1 stones have no inclusions that the naked eye can see. Stones under this category are rare to get.

Type 2 stones have inclusions that can be noticed without using any tools. These stones remain valuable since the noticeable inclusions don't affect their beauty.

Type 3 stones have no visible inclusions, and it affects their value remarkably. Here, sapphire gemstone colors are also taken into consideration.

Sapphire Cutting Style and Weight Grading

This factor applies to all gemstones. Fancy cutting and polishing styles that bring out the beauty within a stone will always add value to even low-quality sapphires.

When a sapphire brings out brilliance, it will most likely win viewers' hearts, which means more money.

Sapphires, like other gems, are measured in carats. The heavier the stone, the more expensive it will be. Hefty carats of sapphire are hard to get, so when one is found, it will be costly.

 

Natural Sapphire Grading

Natural sapphires are graded in four categories: AAA, AA, A, and B. 

Category AAA stands for a percentage of 2 among all-natural gemstones, while natural AA accounts for 10% of all the natural gems in the world.

Natural A represents 20% of natural best gems, and Natural B 50%.

5 Sapphires Popular Ever Mined 

1. Napoleon Engagement Ring
2. The Star of Bombay
3. Blue Giant of Orien
4. Stuart Sapphire
5. Rockefeller

 

Napoleon Engagement Ring

This ring had a sapphire gem next to a diamond on the same ring. Speculations say that it didn't bring the kind of happiness anyone would expect from such a noble prize.

As soon as Napoleon proposed to his love Josephine, things didn't go well, and the relationship failed. 

This ring was worth 1.17 million during an auction in France in 2013.

The Star of Bombay

This was a cabochon-cut star sapphire that Douglas Fairbanks presented to his wife Mary Pickford, a silent-movie star by then.

In 1979 before her death, Mary left the ring in the hands of an institute known as the Smithsonian Institute, an education and research center.

The Blue Giant of the Orient

This sapphire weighed around 486 carats, and it was believed to be the largest of faceted sapphires.

It was mined in Sri Lanka in 1907 and was sold to an unknown American collector. The sapphire re-appeared again during the Christies' Magnificent Jewels auction.

Another unknown buyer claimed it, and there is no trace of it until today.

Stuart Sapphire

It is said that the actual owner of Stuart Sapphire was Charles II of England. Many believe it crossed over to England through James VIII.

In 1807, the gem was purchased by King George III, who returned it to England, where it rests with other Royal jewels in the Tower of London.

Rockefeller

This sapphire was cut into a rectangular shape, and it was bought by John D, who gave it to his first wife, Abby.

When Rockefeller's first wife passed away in 1948, the ring was given to the second wife, Martha Baird.

The ring was auctioned in Zurich, and it sold for $170,000 after Rockefeller's death in 1971. It was later sold for $3 million in New York in April 2001 during the Christies auction.

Things you Shouldn't Miss Knowing About Sapphire.

Cool things about sapphire

—  Catholics believe sapphire to be their holy stone. Other religions have also shown a positive mind to this kind of belief. They claim the precious stone represents heaven.

— Christian history believes that while on Mountain Sinai, Moses was given a tablet of laws engraved in sapphire stones.

— Ancient Greeks wore sapphire for wisdom guidance every time they prayed to the Oracle at the shrine of Apollo. 

— Sapphires are sometimes used as a polishing tool since they are one of the hardest minerals on the hardness scale.