What color is SAPPHIRE and why is sapphire jewelry special?
First, it can be any color of the rainbow, except red, which would make it a ruby! And then there is beautiful science! They can exhibit phenomenal qualities, such as asterism (star sapphire) and pleochroism, which means the color will change when observed at different angles and lighting conditions! Get the skinny and shop a curation of discerning jewelry, thoughtfully designed by women…
ALL ABOUT SAPPHIRES
From our ancient ancestors to royalty, to clergy, the consensus throughout time is that sapphires are “divine”.
Ancient Persians believed the earth rested upon a giant sapphire, whose color is reflected in the sky. To the nobility across multiple cultures, it symbolized peace, virtue, wisdom, and holiness. In the Middle Ages, it signified heaven to the clergy, by which blessings were granted to their “flock”.
We’ve outlined points to help you understand value and what to ask to make an informed decision on a piece of jewelry you will LOVE!
LOOKING FOR SAPPHIRE JEWELRY WITH STAND-OUT STYLE FOR YOU OR A JEWELRY GIFT THAT WILL BE LOVED AND WORN?
Beyond our shop of curated sapphire jewelry, The Brilliant Concierge specializes in pieces that amplify your personal style - and empower you to be seen and taken seriously in any room you walk in. As your fine jewelry guide, I help you find jewelry that was meant for you - or a jewelry gift that she will love and wear!
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DESIGNER SAPPHIRE JEWELRY
3 things to know about sapphire…
…and jewelry designed by WOMEN!
What are the colors of sapphires?
The most prized have a deep, intense, velvety blue. They also naturally occur in nearly every “fancy” color imaginable: violet, purple, green, yellow, orange, and pink. Even gray, black, and brown exist. Colorless (or white) sapphires are a lovely, affordable alternative to diamonds.
The one color they cannot be is red. Both sapphires and rubies are of the mineral “species” corundum. What gives ruby its red color is the presence of chromium in its chemical composition. If the red hue is not saturated enough and appears more pink, the gemstone may be classified as a pink sapphire.
Additional wonders are also possible! One is the star sapphire: an optical effect in cabochon cut (a non-faceted dome shape) called “asterism”, appearing as a six-ray star pattern. Another is “parti-colored”, in which up to two to three colors are present. Finally, another phenomenal quality is color-change, meaning their hues shift color under different lighting!
As is the case for most gemstones when it comes to clarity, fewer inclusions are better. While saturation, tone, and hue factor into “market” value, the color possibilities are boundless for someone seeking something they find uniquely beautiful.
Any stone can be manmade, but natural, untreated gems will always be more valuable - especially larger stones because they are rare.
Discover a “Sparkling Tasting” of colored sapphires paired with chardonnay by women winemakers!
A Sparkling Tasting of colored sapphires and chardonnay by women winemakers
Manifesting your intentions with sapphire
This gemstone attracts wisdom, calm, clarity, and focus.
Just as our ancient ancestors believed gemstones were imbued with special properties, such as protection, wisdom, or courage, today we are empowered by the metaphysical properties of gemstones to manifest what we wish to create.
You may be interested in our guide to visualize your intentions through the metaphysical properties of gemstones and jewelry.
The most famed gemstones are from Kashmir, Burma (Myanmar), and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). To name just a few other countries they are found: Madagascar, Australia, Tanzania, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, India, and the United States (Montana).
The origin of gemstones: TRACEABILITY
The breathtaking gems you see here are courtesy of Nomad’s. Just as we know where our food comes from and who made our clothes, why not jewelry?
Below is an example of their proprietary Provenance Report, demonstrating their commitment to transparency, trust, and traceability. Beyond the descriptive details about each gemstone, the report discloses the history of the origin and a specific gemstone’s journey to the cutting wheel - literally mapping and disclosing the supply chain.
A sample report outlining details of a single Nomad’s gemstone, as well as the history of origin and traceability story.
What does ethically and sustainably sourced jewelry mean?
Women and men at the forefront of this global conversation will have slightly different perspectives, but there is a shared ethos: responsible sourcing.
This encompasses traceability, conflict-free, protecting people, their skills, and the environment - be it land or sea.
An ongoing initiative worth following is the Jewelry Glossary Project.
The purpose is to create shared definitions of key terms within the jewelry industry for use by the trade and the public. The project was launched to increase transparency throughout the supply chain, by building consensus on definitions for key terms and creating accountability for their usage.
As your fine jewelry guide, we help you select:
engagement rings and everyday rings
go-to stud earrings
layering necklaces
cuffs and bracelets
responsibly sourced sapphires
Learn how this specialized service can give you peace of mind.
what to know about heat-treated sapphires
Sometimes natural gemstones have been “treated” to enhance the stone. This practice is commonplace with sapphires, but it is an important question to ask, as this impacts the value.
Gemstones that have been heat-treated will be more affordable than those that are untreated - and equally beautiful. Specific to this gem, heat treatment often improves the color and reduces the appearance of “silk” inclusions, increasing transparency. Again, knowledge is power, as this impacts value and should always be disclosed.
What makes one sapphire more valuable than another?
Sit in as LifesASpritz and I discuss this and wardrobe staples: fashion and jewelry!
The MOHS SCALE:
How hard is SAPPHIRE?
they can scratch any other gemstone, but diamond and ruby
Is sapphire a good option as an engagement ring?
Yes!
The Mohs scale of hardness is important to consider when choosing a particular stone for a particular kind of wear.
It is the degree of mineral “hardness”, measured by the resistance which a smooth surface offers to abrasion: 1 (soft) to 10 (hard). For example, an 8 will scratch a gemstone that is a 7 or below. Simply put, the softer the stone, the more careful you need to be about wearing that stone in jewelry that may be exposed to more wear.
Does sapphire scratch easily?
This is a question you’re most likely to ask when buying gemstones and jewelry. Knowing how hard it is (or any other stone) will help you to determine whether it is an everyday gemstone or an occasional piece.
Sapphire (and ruby) do not scratch easily. They are among the hardest of gemstones at 9 - only diamond is harder. A diamond would leave a scratch on sapphire, but not the other way around. This means it is a gorgeous candidate for everyday rings, versus softer gemstones that can be more susceptible to everyday scratches and damage with accidental bumps.
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How to care for sapphire jewelry
A few jewelry care basics can keep your pieces looking their best, avoid damage and loss of gemstones.
WEAR: When dressing for day or night, jewelry should be the last thing on and the first thing off. Contact with chemicals such as fragrance, hairspray, nail polish remover, household cleaners, and chlorine can harm jewelry.
Remove jewelry when cleaning, gardening, swimming, or playing sports, as contact with hard surfaces can scratch, damage, or loosen stones in prongs.
CHECK SETTINGS AND STONES: Inspect jewelry before wearing it to check if the stones are chipped, loose, or rattle in settings.
CLEANING: All precious metals, gemstones, and pearls should be cleaned regularly, but require different care. For example, ultrasonic cleaners can crack opals, shatter pearls or diminish their appearance. Avoid using steam and ultrasonic cleaners.
● For gemstones on the Mohs scale at 7 or above, a simple cleaning solution is warm water with mild soap and a soft toothbrush. For those at 6 or below, replace the toothbrush with a tightly woven microfiber or other soft cloth.
● A soft polishing cloth will keep any precious metal looking its best.
● Take any investment pieces to a trustworthy professional jeweler once a year for a thorough cleaning and inspection.
● See our full guide to How To Clean Fine Jewelry.
STORAGE: Keep jewelry individually stored in a pouch or box to avoid scratches and abrasions from other gemstones and metal, as well as general tangles and dents.
INSURANCE: For any jewelry of significant value, be sure to have it appraised, file any provenance and gemstone report in a secure place, and be sure to have it insured.
