Sapphires: Although sapphire
means blue
in Latin, sapphires can be found in a rainbow of colors. Kings once believed these stones offered protection from
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 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: Although cutting
is the
most basic enhancement method necessary to display the beauty of a gemstone,
there are many methods by which man has demonstrated his ability to
draw maximum color, luster, clarity and brilliance from nature's
treasures. With a basic understanding of these enhancement techniques,
one can better appreciate the beauty, durability and value of the gemstone
jewelry. Most sapphires are 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. Other
treatments are used to enhance the color of sapphires which are not
industry accepted, may not be permanent, and therefore not sold by
MyJewelrySource.com. 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: Overall, sapphires
can be considered the ideal colored gemstone. Besides the amazing
selection of colors, sapphires are highly durable with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of
hardness. Sapphires
in sizes of more than 1 carat are considered to be important. Minor
inclusions are generally acceptable 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 very 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 bubble gum and baby pink,
orange, and
yellow sapphires.
Care of Sapphires: Since sapphires are
tough
and durable, they can withstand most cleaning methods. While steaming
and ultrasonic cleaning will not damage the gemstone, these methods are
not recommended by MJS as they may loosen the setting, and
subsequently, stones may fall out. Your 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.
Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume and chlorine, which can dull
gemstones. |