Sapphires

Sapphire is one of the two Gem varieties of corundum, the other being the red Ruby. Although blue is the most well known hue, sapphire is any color of corundum except red. Sapphire may also be colorless, and it also occurs in shades of gray and black.

As with the other three main Gemstones, Diamond, Emerald and Ruby, Sapphires are graded according to the four C’s of color, clarity, cut and carats. Geographic origin and evidence of any treatment will also affect the value of a Sapphire.

Color in gemstones breaks down into three components,  hue, saturation, and tone. Hue is most commonly understood as the ‘color’ of the Gemstone. Saturation refers to the brightness or depth of color of the hue, and tone is the lightness to darkness of the hue.

Whereas in a Ruby, it is the presence of chromium in the corundum mineral that gives the Ruby it’s red color, in Sapphires, the corundum must contain both iron and titanium to give the deepest blue color. Different amounts of different chemical impurities are what lead to Sapphires being found in colors from yellow to green and right through to orange and pink.

Significant sapphire deposits are found in Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and in the United States at various locations (Gem Mountain) and in the Missouri River near Helena, Montana. Sapphire and Rubies are often found together in the same area, but one gem is usually more abundant.

Having had the opportunity to ‘fossick’ for Sapphires in Australia, where you sift through river sand with a pan, I can tell you it becomes highly addictive when you turn out your sand and pick real sapphires from the deposits that are left.