Jewelry Information

Introduction

Diamonds

Colored Gemstones

Precious Metals

Fine Watches

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Colored Gemstones

Introduction

Emerald

Ruby

Sapphire

Other colored gemstones

Colored Gems - the 4 Cs

  Color

  Cut

  Carat

  Clarity

Colored Gem Certificates

Synthetics and Simulents

Gem Treatments

Fracture Filling

Comparison Shopping

GemQuote™ Shopping Checklist (pdf)

Sapphire

Pure rich cornflower blue is the color usually associated with sapphire. Even its name comes from the Latin word meaning blue. However, the term sapphire actually refers to all gem corundums that are not one of the four hues of red (which are rubies.)

Sapphires also come in a rainbow of colors, including pinks, oranges, rich purple, and magnolia green. Golden sapphire resembles topaz, but its high polish makes it fizz with life. Yellow sapphires with good color are popular.

  

In the corundum Rainbow Bracelet, the red stones are rubies.
All the others are sapphire
  

The typical size range for sapphires is .01 to 5.00 carets, though faceted stones of several hundred carats occur. Sapphire is quite tough and resistant to breakage.

Sapphire Treatments

Sapphires are usually heated to produce or intensify color, to make color more uniform, or to lighten stones. The treatment is perfectly stable and imposes no special care requirements.

If the sapphire is not heat treated, that should be stated in your sales receipt and appraisal, as the value of an untreated stone is greater than that of a heated stone having the same appearance.

Treatments other than heating are becoming more widespread and should be specifically disclosed.

Treatments That Should Be Disclosed

Shopping Considerations and Caveats

Gemstone Treatments