September might only have one birthstone, but it packs such a beautiful punch that no September baby could complain! Sapphire is a striking, deep blue gemstone that remains one of the most iconic stones in all of jewelry and human history.
The Basics of Sapphires
Sapphires are known for being a gorgeous bright blue shade, and small iron and titanium deposits in the mineral corundum are responsible for their shade. Corundum is also the mineral base of rubies! While the most famous and valuable sapphires are deep blue, depending on the amount of iron or titanium present they could appear to be gray, pastel pink, green, yellow, blue, orange, brown or purple. The most common harvesters of sapphires today include Australia, the United States and India.
The History of the Sapphire
Sapphires are one of the most prized stones throughout the centuries, and they can be traced back to ancient times. They have been associated with truth, faithfulness, nobility and sincerity. They were often worn by royalty and clergy members. In ancient Rome and Greece, soldiers and royals believed that wearing sapphires would protect them from harm and envy. During the Middle Ages, clergy would wear them because they thought the gorgeous blue shade represented the skies of heaven.
One of the most famous sapphires is the Rockefeller Sapphire. This massive 62.02 carat stone is a rectangular cut stone found in Burma. As the name suggests, it was first acquired by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. from an Indian king. Over the years, it has been cut and mounted numerous times. It was first a brooch and then was placed into a ring.
Caring for Your Sapphire Jewelry
Sapphires are fairly hard, and they are a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. It is a perfect stone for every day, so it is a popular choice in rings and other jewelry pieces that see a lot of wear. If you purchase a sapphire, it might have been heat treated to improve clarity and hue. It is very common, so it likely will not ruin the value of your piece. Whenever you are preparing to purchase a sapphire, always check to see if it has been treated and how it has been treated.
Find Out the Value of Your Sapphire
Whether you have a family ring you are interested in learning the value of or you’re looking to expand your collection, SAZ Gem & Jewelry Appraisal is here to help.For more information, give us a call at 425-785-1871.