In the world of colored gemstones sapphires have a special place and so do sapphire engagement rings in the realm of rings. Found in a wide variety of hues, sapphires exhibit unrivaled shine and magnificent allure. In ancient times also emperors and noblemen adorned these bewitching gemstones. Sapphire shares the stage of the ‘Big Three’ precious gemstones with ruby and emerald, making it one of the most valuable gemstones.
Sapphire is the official September birthstone, and millions of people around the world wear it as a symbol of truth, royalty and loyalty. When it comes to expressing love for your closest one, sapphires take the front seat. These gemstones add the flavor of fidelity and devotion in romantic relationships, thereby delivering the most genuine feelings of the presenter. This makes sapphire gemstones a happening choice for promise rings, engagement rings, wedding rings and anniversary rings. In this article, we discuss a variety of sapphire gemstones that are actually prized for being flawed in a certain way.
What are Star Sapphires
Star sapphire is a unique category of natural sapphire gemstones which display a distinct star pattern. This star pattern or asterism occurs when light interact with the rutile silk of sapphire in a specific way. Cabochon sapphires show the asterism effect more prominently than faceted sapphires.
Formation of Star Sapphires
If you are wondering what gives star sapphires their spectacular star pattern then it is all because of the needle-like impurities made up of the mineral rutile inherent in the crystal. It is because of these inclusions that a multi-rayed pattern resembling a star shape is visible on the crystal surface when viewed under a source of light placed overhead. Today, the largest star sapphire is ‘The Star of Adam’ which weighs 1404.49 cts and is blue in color.
What to Look for in a Star Sapphire Engagement Ring?
A good quality star sapphire has a very clear and pronounced asterism. The beauty of this enchanting gemstone lies in its flawed existence. Let us look at five tips for choosing a star sapphire engagement ring for your beloved.
Tip 1: The Asterism Effect
If you are about to invest in a star sapphire engagement ring then the first thing you must look for is the position of the star. Ideally, the star should appear exactly in the center of the stone when viewed from above. The length of each ray of the star should be equal and must reach the bottom of the cabochon dome from the top, without any interruption in the middle. Moreover, each ray should be sharp and brightly visible without appearing blurry. While the number of rays may vary from one stone to another, 6-ray star patterns are the most common.
Tip 2: Star Sapphire Color
You can find star sapphires in almost every color but the rarest of them are green, orange and yellow star sapphires. You can commonly find the asterism effect in shades such as classic blue, pink, purple, black and orangish-pink Padparadscha sapphire or sometimes in colorless white sapphires. Blue star sapphires are the most valuable ones.
In general, stones with vividly saturated colors are more appealing to the eyes since such hues provide a highly contrasting backdrop to the white star pattern. So naturally, brightly-hued stones are more valuable than the ones with muted colors. In a few cases, natural star sapphires may be heat treated to enhance their color intensity without affecting the star pattern.
Tip 3: Clarity of the Star Sapphire
As far as the transparency of the star stones is concerned, those having glassy surfaces with semi-transparent visibility and vivid hues command the highest prices. However, the stone must possess enough rutile silk to form a clearly defined star shape without affecting the transparency of the stone. Talking of opaque star sapphires, they may exhibit wonderful star patterns but might have somber hues making such sapphires unattractive. Additionally, internal cracks or uneven coloring may also negatively influence the stone’s value.
Since it is quite difficult to find a fine star sapphire with a perfectly visible star and high clarity, some natural stones are put to extremely high temperatures to improve their clarity and make them transparent. Such treated stones cost less than their untreated counterparts, making a cost-effective choice for those who do not wish to break the bank.
Tip 4: Star Sapphire’s Cut
Cutting plays a pivotal role in revealing the star effect in a sapphire. Cabochon cut with its dome-like structure gives the maximum surface area for the star to form. And that is why you’ll mostly find star sapphires in cabochon cut.
It also means that you will never find a star sapphire faceted into a round, oval, pear, emerald-cut or any other gemstone cut. So make sure to have a perfect cabochon cut for your star sapphire engagement ring that covers the entire star pattern for your dearest one to admire for life.
Tip 5: Natural Vs Synthetic Star Sapphires
If you happen to come across a flawless star pattern on a sapphire then there’s a high chance that the pattern is lab-made and not naturally formed. If what you are looking for is just an affordable and beautiful star pattern then a synthetic star sapphire will be the best choice for you. However, those who find natural imperfections more attractive must ask their jeweler specifically for a natural star sapphire.
Whether you want to go for an expensive untreated stone or a comparatively affordable treated stone is entirely your take. But you must not fall for an artificial stone if you want a natural one. Be that as it may, man-made star sapphires are difficult to detect unless examined by an expert since these stones also have even color tones and clearly defined star pattern. So, it’s important to take advice from an experienced gemologist before investing in a star sapphire.
Conclusion
Natural star sapphires are rare beauties in their purest form. Though they are full of inclusions, they demonstrate how flaws can be shaped and polished into eye-catching statement stones. Wish to make a star sapphire a permanent part of your life? GemsNY brings you an opportunity to choose your ultimate star sapphire engagement ring. Shop star sapphire engagement rings from our engagement rings section and cherish the exotic visual phenomenon for a lifetime.
