It's little wonder that the breathtaking blue of sapphire has captured mans imagination from the beginning. Ranging from the deepest midnight to brilliant cornflower blue, Sapphires have long been prized for their intense, velvety colour.
In the trade, “blue sapphire” refers to stones ranging from very light to very dark greenish or violetish blue, as well as those in various shades of pure blue. Large, top-quality stones are rare, but blue sapphires in other sizes and grades are almost always available.
The calming influence of blue has also made it an enduring symbol for loyalty and trust- one reason that women around the world choose sapphire for their engagement rings.
Not all sapphires are blue however, fancy sapphires, as they are called come in violet, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple and intermediate hues. There are also parti-coloured sapphires that show a combination of different colours.
Sapphire is the US birthstone for September.
Major Sources
Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, India, Kampuchea, Kenya, Tanzania, US, Madagascar
Stability
Environmental factor
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Reaction
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Heat |
High heat can cause change is colour or clarity, and can damage or destroy fracture and cavity fillings. |
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Light |
Generally stable, but irradiated yellow or orange stones fade quickly; heat from bright lights can cause oil to leak or dry out. |
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Chemicals |
Can harm fillings and remove oil; soldering flux containing boron, and firecoat made with boric acid powder, will etch the surface of even untreated stones. |
Quality information
C2 - Commercial quality; included; variation in colour
A - Slightly included; medium to dark navy; brilliance; good cut; good polish; little or no colour zoning
A+ - Very slightly included; medium navy; brilliance; good cut; good polish; little or no colour zoning
AA - Eye clean; medium navy to royal blue; brilliance; good cut, good polish
AAA - Eye clean; medium navy to royal blue; brilliance; excellent cut and polish
