Sapphire

One of the four precious gemstones – alongside diamond, ruby, and emerald – the sapphire is revered all over the world, thanks to its vivid color and durability. Its name means ‘blue stone’ in Greek, and these naturally eye-catching gems have been mined for thousands of years.

Today, most sapphires come from Sri Lanka and India. These sapphires are desirable for use in fine jewelry because they do not undergo heat-treatment. Sapphires can be found in many countries, however – including Australia, Nepal, Kenya, and the USA. Sapphire is September’s birthstone, and traditionally gifted to celebrate 45th wedding anniversaries.

The Colors Of Sapphire

Sapphires are naturally available in a variety of colors, although blue is the color typically associated most with the stone. A variant of the mineral corundum, sapphires and rubies are actually the same compound. While rubies appear red due to the presence of chromium, blue sapphires get their hue from the addition of titanium and iron.

Pink sapphires are actually very light rubies, as pink is produced simply through a lower saturation of their red tones.

Pink sapphires are most commonly found in Madagascar and Sri Lanka. Their attractive, feminine color makes them a popular and less expensive alternative to fancy pink diamonds in fine jewelry.

Yellow sapphires are typically a sunny, bright yellow but can range from light to dark green-yellow, or to more of a deep orange saturation.

Many yellow sapphires are heat-treated in temperatures up to 2000 degrees Celsius, in order to produce a rich yellow hue. Highly saturated and darker yellow tones are considered the most beautiful and valuable.

Grading Sapphire

As with other precious gemstones, the primary factor that determines a sapphire's value is its color. The purity of their primary hue – be that blue, pink, yellow or other – is an indicator of each gem's rarity. A high saturation and even tone of this color makes the sapphire even more valuable.

Besides color, one should follow the 4Cs of diamond grading to assess a sapphire's value. If there are noticeable inclusions, or if the sapphire is not cut with quality proportions and angles, its value is compromised. Those with eye-clean clarity and a larger carat weight will be prized and used in precious gemstone jewelry. Ritani only sells the finest, hand-selected sapphires.

Sapphire Jewelry

At 9.0 on the Mohs scale, sapphire is a gemstone that is almost as hard as diamonds (10). This makes them a wonderful choice for jewelry that will last through the generations, relatively resistant to wear and tear.

Sapphires can be set in a variety of metals, including white gold, yellow gold, and platinum. Each metal complements the gemstone's unique color in different ways. The cool shine of platinum provides a delightful contrast to a sapphire's vivid blue hue. Pink or yellow sapphires, on the other hand, can look especially warm and vibrant when set in yellow or rose gold.

Choosing Your Sapphire

Every sapphire offered by Ritani is of the finest quality, hand-selected for its beautiful color. For the best value, we recommend opting for those with medium-light to medium-dark tones, and light to moderate inclusions. These criteria will ensure that your gemstone does not have noticeable blemishes that distract from its stunning hue.

Ritani stands by the quality of each of its gemstones, offering free 30-day returns for all orders. Our certified gemologists are available to help you make the right choice.

Caring For Your Sapphire

Because sapphire is a very hard gemstone, it is suitable for everyday wear. This does not mean, however, that it cannot be chipped or scratched – just like diamonds. Care should be taken when storing your sapphire jewelry. Separate it from other jewels to avoid scratches, in its own bag or box.

Natural sapphires can usually be cleaned safely with steam and ultrasonic cleaners, but it is recommended that you try cleaning with a damp cloth and mild soap first.

Shop For Sapphire

Ritani's sapphire selection is curated to offer you timeless pieces that will last through the generations. Each piece is crafted by hand, with the utmost respect for the natural gemstones and precious materials. Ritani and our partner designers strive to retain the organic beauty of each sapphire stone, setting them in the metals and designs that will complement them best.

If you would like assistance selecting a piece of sapphire jewelry, contact our customer service team at 1.888.9RITANI (1.888.974.8264) or chat now.

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