Sapphires: Sapphires can be found in a
rainbow of colors. 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 most beautiful sapphires. In the 1990's Southern Madagascar became one of the top sources of good to fine quality
sapphires. Sapphires are also mined in the US (Montana), Australia, Thailand, Cambodia and Northern Madagascar, however these locations don't produce as fine a sapphire and are mainly used to supply "commercial grade" sapphires to the industry. They come other colors such as red,
orange,
yellow, green,
blue, purple and
pink. Colors other than blue are referred to as "fancy
sapphires". Sapphires are the traditional gift for the fifth and forty-fifth wedding anniversaries and the
birthstone for September. Enhancements: Cutting is the most basic enhancement method
used 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 natures earthbound treasures. Most sapphires are also treated with heat after being
mined. Heat treatment of sapphires is a permanent, industry accepted treatment requiring no additional care over
that of unheated sapphires. Approximately, 99% of sapphires
used in jewelry are heated, leaving 1% which are unheated and considered very rare.
You should assume that the sapphires sold at MyJewelrySource are heated unless stated otherwise.Buying a Sapphire: All in all,
sapphires can be
considered the ideal colored gemstone. Besides excelling in color selection,
sapphires excel in
durability with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Sapphires over 1 carat are considered to be important. 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: Your sapphire
jewelry
may be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth with plain or soapy water.
Although sapphires can withstand steaming and ultrasonic cleaning, these methods are not recommended by MJS
as they may loosen the setting, and subsequently, stones may fall out. Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume and chlorine, which can dull gemstones. |