Corundum family’s most famous member “Blue Sapphire”

For Centuries, Sapphire Has Been Associated With Royalty And Romance. The Association Was Reinforced In 1981, When Britain’s Prince Charles Gave A Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring To Lady Diana Spencer. Until Her Death In 1997, Princess Di, As She Was Known, Charmed And Captivated The World. Her Sapphire Ring Helped Link Modern Events With History And Fairy Tales.

Blue Sapphire, a gem variety of minerals corundum, occurs in almost all colors of the rainbow, from blue, the most famous hue to colorless, black, Pink, etc. Blue Sapphire ranks 9 on the hardness scale and hence needs to be cut on higher grit; such as a diamond wheel. The gemstone is very typical of color zoning, thereby it has to be cut in the right directions and at the right angles to enhance the best face-up the color. Due to its relatively small sizes and different tones; color matching is a difficult task. Corundum is highly included which can affect its yield, thus affecting its value. It is common to heat-treat sapphires to either improve or enhance its color. Sapphires have the perfect combination of saturated color and high luster, which makes it an attractive gem to own.

Sapphire is one of the hardest materials, raking 9 on the hardness scale, thus making it a very durable gem to wear on a daily basis. Color has the greatest influence on a sapphire’s value, and preferred sapphires have strong to vivid color saturation. The most valued blue sapphires are velvety blue to violetish blue, in medium to medium-dark tones. Sapphires with these qualities command the highest prices per carat. Less valuable blue sapphires might also be grayish, too light, or too dark. The shape of a rough sapphire crystal influences the finished stone’s shape and size. Rough sapphire’s most common crystal form is a barrel- or spindle-shaped hexagonal pyramid. 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 crystal to best determine how to orient the gem during cutting.

Origin Also matters when you talk about sapphire in terms of value. Kashmir serves the highest value also Myanmar, Burma. Sapphire comes from various locations from all over the world which includes Kashmir, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Mozambique, Montana (USA), Australia and some parts of Africa As well.

Author Mr. Nikhil Jain (Gem_narrator) He is an experienced Gemologist From the Gemological Institute of America, with a demonstrated history of working in the reputed companies in the Gems and Jewellery industry. Skilled in Gemstone Buying, Identification, Quality Check, Sales, Jewelry Manufacturing and Purchasing of Gemstones. To explore the formation, mining, rarity and availability is also my keen interest. My passion for Gemstone induce me to express views over and articles are engrossed with gem and jewellery industry.