Although sapphire means blue in Latin, sapphires can be found in a rainbow of colors. Kings once believed that sapphires offered protection from harm and envy. Sapphires are considered to be calm and relaxing. Until the incredible discovery of extraordinary stones in Kashmir in 1880, Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon) was the standard bearer of sapphire. The Kashmir supply was nearly exhausted by 1930, leaving Sri Lanka as the premier location for the mining of the most beautiful sapphires. Today, sapphires are also mined in Madagascar, Australia and Thailand. Sapphires are found in other colors as red (ruby), 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 (5th) and forty-fifth (45th) wedding anniversaries and the birthstone for September.

Cutting is the most basic enhancement method used to display the beauty of a gemstone. There are many other methods by which man has demonstrated his ability to draw maximum color, luster, clarity and brilliance from nature's treasures. One can better appreciate the beauty, durability and value of gemstone jewelry with a basic understanding of these enhancement techniques. Nearly all sapphires are treated with heat after being mined. This 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.

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. We also have a large collection of rainbow sapphire jewelry.

MyJewelrySource recommends cleaning your jewelry with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth with plain or soapy water or jewelry cleaning solution. With routine cleaning, your jewelry and gemstones will look as new for many years to come. Without cleaning, gemstones can begin to look dull since dirt and grime can accumulate on the underside of the stones. 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. Avoid putting your sapphire jewelry in boiling hot water. Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume and chlorine, which can dull gemstones.

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 natures 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. Ruby is often heat-treated to improve the color and clarity. This practice dates back to around 50 AD. The enhancement is acceptable, safe and permanent. You should assume that the rubies sold at MyJewelrySource are enhanced unless stated otherwise.

Always let your taste be the final guide in making your selection. Rubies come in a wide range of tones from stoplight red to crimson. Generally, a red that is low in or free of purple is most desirable. Reds with overtones of orange or pink are fine as long as the gemstones are saturated enough to be called red. Rubies are rarely completely clean and some of the most desirable colors will often have small inclusions. A good guideline is to first select a ruby with the best color you can find and then make sure the inclusions are slight. Rubies in sizes of over 1 carat are considered important and sizes over 3 carats are particularly hard to find. All of the rubies at MyJewelrySource.com are red, and as true red as we could find. Our rubies do not have purple overtones and they are nearly eye clean. Any visible inclusions are subtle and not distracting from the beauty of the gem.

Since rubies 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 ruby jewelry may be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush or a cloth with plain or soapy water. Rubies must not be put in boiling hot water. Avoid exposure to hairspray, perfume and chlorine, which can dull gemstones.