Sapphire:  Although sapphire means blue in Latin, sapphires can be found in a rainbow of colors. Kings once believed these stones offered protection form harm and envy.  Sapphires are calm and relaxing. Until the discovery of extraordinary stones in Kashmir in 1880, Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) was the standard bearer of sapphire. The Kashmir supply was essentially exhausted by 1930, leaving Sri Lanka as the location of the world's most beautiful sapphires. Sapphires are also mined in Madagascar, Australia and Thailand. Sapphires come other colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink. Colors other than blue are referred to as "fancy sapphires".  Sapphire is the traditional gift for the fifth and forty-fifth wedding anniversaries and the birthstone for September.

Enhancements:  Although cutting is the most basic enhancement method necessary to display the beauty of a gemstone, there are many fascinating methods by which man has demonstrated his ability to draw maximum color, luster, clarity and brilliance from nature's earthbound treasures. A basic understanding of these enhancement techniques will add to your appreciation of the beauty, durability and value of the gemstone jewelry you already own, or plan to purchase in the future. Sapphires are commonly treated with heat to enhance the color and clarity and the treatment is considered acceptable and permanent. Approximately, 99% of sapphires used in jewelry are heated, leaving 1% which are unheated and considered rare.

Buying a Sapphire: All in all, sapphire can be considered the ideal colored gemstone. Besides excelling in color selection, sapphire excels in durability with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness.  Sapphires in sizes of 1 carat and over are considered to be important. Some inclusions are accepted although certainly not as many as with ruby or emerald. Nearly all of the sapphires at MyJewelrySource.com are eye clean and most important, all are pleasing to the eye. We offer a wide range of colors from a traditional Ceylon blue, to rich lustrous royal blue, to many styles with pink, orange, and yellow sapphires.

Care of Sapphires: Since sapphires are tough and durable, they can withstand most cleaning methods. Steaming or ultrasonic cleaners are acceptable. Your sapphire jewelry may be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth with plain or soapy water. Sapphires must not be put in boiling hot water.