Sapphires are by far one of the most popular color gemstones in the world. Though sapphires come in almost every color of the rainbow, blue is the most popular. Blue sapphire enjoys such a reputation that almost everyone thinks of blue when hearing sapphire. Therefore, it’s natural to talk about blue sapphire color grading than about pink or yellow or white sapphires.
Sapphires are perfect for everyday jewelry, a fact supported by their high hardness score. With a score of 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, they rank next only to diamonds. Since sapphires are cut to maximize their color, they are available in a variety of cuts shape. They surely please anyone who seeks to add vibrant colors to their fine collection. If you’re seeking an understanding of sapphires or looking to add a sapphire to your collection then this article is definitely worth a read for you!
All About Blue Sapphire Color Grading
Sapphires are available in a variety of colors and varying levels of saturation. Likewise color saturation of blue sapphire is instrumental in its color & quality grading. Understand saturation by way of a simple example. When you take a pot of ink, its fully saturated but when you start diluting it with water the color saturation decreases. The more water you add, less the saturation though the color itself remains blue. If you ink has an undertone of green, that will still be there.
If you thoroughly mix the solution, the color distribution becomes even. So, in case of blue sapphire color grading, saturation, intensity and undertone all play an important role. The famous cornflower blue sapphire stands out on all three counts. Different people like different shades of blue, there’s no right and no wrong. We suggest that you refine your search based on your preferred color, undertone and intensity. But you should always check that a gemstone should have a uniform color tint.
Blue Sapphire Jewelry
Since blue is among the most sought-after colors, it’s no wonder you find a whole range of blue sapphire jewelry. Due to varying entrancing appearance and durability of blue sapphires, more couples are seeking sapphire engagement rings instead of the traditional diamond ring. Due to their high demand and popularity, their value continues to trend upward, adding prestige to this precious gemstone.
GemsNY offers one of the largest collections of natural sapphires for sale. We are confident that you will find the color you seek. Here is a visual representation of blue sapphire colors and their corresponding grades.
In our decades of experience of being a trusted dealer of natural color gemstones, we have developed a simplified grading system for the gems we offer. Ranging from A to AAAAA, the gems are assessed based on their cut, eye clarity and color intensity among other attributes. In the chart depicted above, you can see the examples of the varying grades of blue sapphires. Please note however, that there is no standardized grading system for colored stones.
Never Go Out of Style
Sapphires have been synonymous with wisdom and purity throughout history. They have also been thought to enhance creativity as well as calming and focusing the mind. Families of royalty also adorned this stone as a symbol of power, kindness, and good judgment. But make no mistake, this gemstone is far from being a historical relic! Sapphires have come to be known as the symbol of faith and loyalty, making them an excellent representation of the bond between two people, either in an engagement ring or to represent the 45th anniversary of marriage. Many religious and mythological beliefs are also associated with sapphire.
In 2010, the demand for blue sapphire engagement rings soared to new heights when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with an 18-carat blue sapphire halo ring. It was the same ring that belonged to his mother, the late (and great) Princess Diana. She was famous for always pushing the boundaries in her endeavors, and jewelry fashion was no exception.
At the time when Princess Diana wore it in 1981, she was heavily criticized for wearing what citizens believed was a “commoner’s ring”. Today, that same ring is one of the most famous and most replicated rings in the world. It has almost single-handedly been considered to be the catalyst for the modern-day popularity of sapphires. The Princess Diana Halo Ring design has become so popular among our custom ring requests that we have added it as a permanent setting to our collection! You may not be a royal, but you can be engaged like one! Click here to start building your ring today.
Buyer Beware… Or Not?
Diamonds are the hardest gemstones in the world, but did you know sapphires are the hardest natural color gemstones in the world? On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphires score 9 out of 10, which means only a diamond or another sapphire can scratch a sapphire. This makes sapphire extremely durable and ideal for everyday jewelry. We still recommend taking all the proper precautions you would with any fine jewelry such as removing it prior to any vigorous activity, as well as cleaning and inspecting it regularly. But rest assured you are getting a quality gemstone that will last a lifetime.
A big concern for many buyers is whether their sapphire is genuine or not. Unfortunately, there are less than stellar sellers out there who would attempt to pass off synthetic or lab-created sapphires as genuine, natural ones. That’s why it’s always recommended to purchase your gemstones from reputed sellers that have established themselves in the industry.
At GemsNY, we guarantee that our gemstones are 100% natural and NOT lab-created. If you still desire a lab made sapphire due to budget or eco-conciousness, we have a separate dedicated section. Whether natural or lab-made, sapphires available at GemsNY are all real. Most of our gemstones come with independent certifications from internationally recognized organizations such as GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or AGL (American Gemological Labs) which affirm the gemstone’s authenticity. Explore our collection of not just blue sapphire jewelry but also rubies, emeralds, diamonds and more!
