Sapphire is one of the most durable gems on the market, second only to diamonds in hardness. Most people are aware of the common blue variety, but this stone does come in other colors. There is also pink, green, white, violet, yellow and colorless sapphire. The yellow and clear sapphires can have a higher price tag, but their rarity makes them an interesting purchase.
The sapphire, like the diamond, has its quality judged by color, cut and the presence of imperfections.
Blue sapphire gemstone
Sapphire Color
Look for sapphires whose color is intense and deep.
If the stone is too dark or too light, or if the color is muddy and resembles ink, then the sapphire is considered less desirable.
The color of a high quality sapphire will be rich even in settings that are not well lit.
Clarity and Imperfections in Sapphire
Stay away from stones with visible imperfections. The sapphire should be reasonably clean when viewed with the naked eye. Too many inclusions will make the stone less clear and also detract from its color.
It is also advisable to look at the stone using a jeweler’s loupe. If you see long internal inclusions, that is a warning sign. The bigger inclusions the stone has, the more likely it is that it will crack if hit.
It is also recommended to purchase your sapphire loose as you will be able to look at the stone from all sides in order to spot any imperfections that may otherwise be hidden in a mounting.
Shape and Cut of Sapphire
The other main consideration when purchasing sapphire jewelry would be the shape.
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Because of the durability of the sapphire and the way the crystal has formed, it can be carved into almost any form that a person can envision.
A good cut will enhance the light that goes into the stone and make it sparkle.
The most common shapes that are sold for sapphire jewelry are round, oval, pear, square and trillion. Generally, round cuts tend to be a little more expensive.
Treated Sapphire Stones
A lot of the blue sapphires on the market are treated with heat for improved color.
It is worth noting that for high quality stones, untreated sapphires are much more expensive than enhanced ones.
However, this tendency is not observed for low quality grades.
Always ask whether the stone has been treated because this might not be visible to you unless you look at the sapphire under a microscope.
Synthetic Sapphires
Sapphires created in a lab are usually less expensive than natural ones.
You should always ask whether the stone is synthetic.
Artificial stones can be recognized by their very high clarity. They also look more like glass than a real gemstone.
Certification of Sapphires
Ask for a certificate that verifies the jeweler’s claims about the sapphire’s quality, especially if you are purchasing an expensive stone.
The most reliable certification source is the G.I.A. (the Gemological Institute of America).
It is also good to know that the highest quality sapphires come from Sri Lanka and Kashmir, so it never hurts to ask what the origin of the stone is and whether the seller has a written proof of it.
Sapphires from these regions tend to have a very intense blue color, which is considered a sign of top quality.
Cleaning and Caring for Sapphire
Sapphires generally require very little maintenance, but grime does accumulate on and around the stone after frequent wear.
A white gold engagement ring with sapphires and diamonds
No special jewelry cleaners or polishes are necessary for removing the filth from your sapphire jewelry.
All it takes is enough warm water to cover the piece and a little degreasing dish detergent.
Do make sure there are no added moisturizers or abrasives in the soap as these can leave residue.
Gently swish the jewelry in the soapy water and let it sit for 10-20 minutes depending on how dirty your sapphire is.
If needed, use a soft bristled toothbrush to scrub any stubborn or hard-to-reach spots such as underneath the stone or around the setting.
Rinse with warm water and rub dry with a soft cotton cloth. If the stone still looks cloudy, you can repeat the process substituting a splash of ammonia or vodka for the dish soap.
Cleaning the Setting
The metal your sapphire jewelry is set in deserves consideration before you decide how to clean the piece. Some metals react badly to even the mildest of chemicals.
Gold and platinum are fine in soap and water. Just take care to dry the settings thoroughly to avoid loosening the stone and prevent water spots, which will affect how light shines through your sapphire.
Ammonia should not be used on gold very often, but occasional contact will not cause any significant damage.
Silver jewelry tends to be somewhat sensitive and needs extra attention to hinder tarnishing. Instead of soaking, rub you silver down with a professional polishing cloth available at most craft stores.
Unlike the softer metals, silver can withstand mild abrasives, so if your jewelry needs a more vigorous cleaning, you can use baking soda to remove tarnish.
This will not harm your sapphire, but it is best to avoid using abrasive agents on the stone whenever possible.
Simply place aluminum foil in the bottom of a dish with your jewelry on top (the silver must be in contact with the foil), generously sprinkle baking soda over the silver, and then add enough hot water to cover the jewelry.
After a few minutes of soaking, all tarnish should be gone.
Professional Cleaning
If your sapphire is of particularly high quality, it is wise to have it professionally cleaned and examined once every year or so.
Most jewelers will provide this service free if you originally purchased the piece from them.
Usually, they will use ultrasonic or steaming methods, which can cause permanent damage to your sapphire if it has significant inclusions, so make sure the jeweler inspects your stone first.
Your jeweler can also tighten any loose prongs or fix any problems with the setting to make sure your sapphire stays secure and protected while you enjoy wearing it from day to day.
Storage
Store your sapphire pieces separate from the rest of your jewelry as they can easily scratch other stones and metals or be scratched by any diamonds in your collection.
Proper storage will greatly help in keeping your sapphire pieces in good condition between cleanings.
Where to Buy Sapphire?
We recommend James Allen (read review) because you can take a 360-degree look at any sapphire before having it set in a piece of jewelry.
We also recommend Blue Nile and Ross-Simons.
