How to Buy Sapphire Jewelry

About Sapphires

Sapphires are actually the single-crystal form of aluminum oxide, also known as corundum. Depending on the different minerals that are included in the stone, sapphires can be the popular blue color or other colors such as purple, yellow, pink, orange, green or even a clear color.

Sapphires without good color saturation are sometimes gray, and red sapphires are more commonly known as rubies. All these different colors, other than blue and red, are considered "fancy" sapphires.

Sapphires that do not have good color saturation are often baked to give them more pure colors. There are several different processes used to improve the clarity and color of sapphires. You can't tell the difference with the naked eye but changes in the structure are often visible under a microscope.

Sapphires that are naturally pure in color are prized, and thus cost a lot more than the less-perfect stones. If you see a great deal on sapphire jewelry, it's likely that the gem was improved with chemicals or heating. That doesn't mean you shouldn't buy such sapphire jewelry, just that the sapphire probably didn't exist in nature the way it does now.

Sapphires are mined in Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Australia, as well as several nations in Africa and a couple of states in the United States.

Sapphires are very hard stones. They are next in hardness only to diamonds. As such, they are prized for their durability. Being quite strong, they require very little care or special attention from the wearer. Hardy and robust, sapphire jewelry provides a lifetime of great value.

Tips on How to Buy Sapphire Jewelry

1. Especially prized among sapphires is the star sapphire. These sapphires are usually cut in a dome shape. What is unique about them is that they display a star shaped inclusion when held up to the light. The better defined the ‘star’, the more expensive the sapphire will be. Look for a star sapphire with clear and well-defined arms. An ideal star sapphire would display six equidistant and clear arms. Star sapphires are quite rare and very expensive.
2. Sapphires are often cut in oval or round shapes. Round shapes are sometimes more expensive than ovals, so keep that in mind when shopping.
3. Sapphires are graded by carat weight, just like diamonds are.
4. If you come across a sapphire that is labeled "created" or "cultured," that means the sapphire was created in a lab and is not natural. If the "sapphire" looks like glass, it probably is.
5. Clear, deep blue sapphires are most prized and also the most expensive. A coveted and expensive variety is the Cashmere sapphire. These sapphires display an intense blue color that has become the benchmark for color grading among sapphires. Other factors influencing sapphire costs are the size and the transparency of the stone. Sapphires with little or no inclusions will cost you much more than sapphires with clearly visible inclusions within. The blue sapphires are the most expensive when compared to the other colors available.
6. Always ask to see the sapphire under a microscope or jeweler’s loupe. This will enable you to clearly see the minor deposits or inclusions that are in the stone. Avoid stones with deep inclusions that reach all the way to the surface. Such stones may split open on hard impact.
7. Being extremely versatile and popular, sapphires are used in many types of jewelry. Sapphire pendants are extremely popular, as are sapphire-studded earrings. You can also buy sapphire rings, bracelets and mixed-gem pieces. They go very well with white gold, platinum and other light colored settings.
8. The sapphires typically available at jewelers are usually smaller stones. It is exceedingly uncommon for a non-collector to see a really stunning rare sapphire of exceptional beauty outside of a museum.
9. If you want a large sapphire, it is often better to purchase it as a loose stone rather than already set in a piece of jewelry. That way you can get a good look at the stone from all angles and make sure you're getting a high-quality piece.

Caring for Sapphire Jewelry

As with all jewelry, treat your sapphire jewelry with care and do not subject it to extreme heat or cold. Also try to avoid sudden impacts and abrasions as much as possible. Sapphire jewelry can be cleaned with ultrasonic jewelry cleaners.

Where to Buy

It's a great idea to buy sapphire jewelry from a local jewelry store if you can. That way you will have an opportunity to look at the gems under a microscope and learn more about where the gem came from and how it was produced that you would just buying online.

Sapphire jewelry can be quite an investment, and photos on the Internet just can't do a piece justice. If you do decide to buy sapphire jewelry online, make sure that the company you buy from has a good return policy in case you don't like the setting or the quality of the stone when you get it home.

Having said that, sapphire jewelry is available from a number of online retailers. Try these places for a good selection and range of offers:

• My Jewelry Source has a wide range of rings, in all the preferred sapphire colors.
• Generous Gems has a good range of sapphire rings, sets, earrings and bracelets.
• Pasarel has stunning designs in white and yellow gold with sapphire inlay.