Blue Sapphire, 4.17ct

About Sapphires

Sapphires are the gem variety of the mineral Corundum which has every hue except red. It can be found in numerous colors such as blue, yellow, green, pink, purple, white, orange and other fancy shades.

It has a Mohs Hardness of 9 on a scale of 10 which is the same as rubies. Due to the very high hardness, sapphires are generally resistant to scratches and very suitable for daily wear. The refractive index of sapphires ranges from 1.760 - 1.772.

Sapphire is a very popular stone for engagement rings as it comes in an array of hues and shades, whilst being extremely durable and long-lasting. Colors of sapphires which are sought after are cornflower blue and royal blue. These shades represent the finest hues of blue sapphires. While a cornflower blue sapphire has a bright and vivid shade with a moderate darkness/tone, the royal blue shade has the same intensity with a slightly darker tone.

In case of yellow sapphires, the ideal shade is one that has a vivid saturation whilst displaying a tinge of gold. Another category of sapphires which is unique is the Padparadscha Sapphires. The ideal Padparadscha can be compared to the fusion of pink and orange - the colors displayed during a sunset.

Although sapphires of a larger size are more common when compared to rubies, any stone over 5-carats in size with a good clarity is considered rare.

Another factor that greatly influences the price of sapphires is the origin. Sapphires from Kashmir deserve a special mention, as they are highly sought-after by connoisseurs for their velvety texture, and excellent color. Other notable origins include Burma, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, Cambodia, Pakistan, Nigeria, Australia etc.