Sapphires, like rubies, are precious gemstones from the corundum family. Although they are most commonly known for their vibrant blue hues, sapphires come in many colours, including pink, yellow, green, orange, and purple. These colour variations are caused by trace elements like iron, titanium, and chromium within the crystal structure. Renowned for their stunning colour, brilliance, and durability (ranking 9 on the Mohs scale), sapphires have been adorned by royalty and noblemen throughout history.
As well as the 4 C’s, geographic origin & treatment play a substantial role in influencing the value of a sapphire (As is the case with most coloured gemstones). Sapphires from Kashmir are extremely rare and command exceptionally high prices, and sapphires from Myanmar (Burma), whilst easier to source are valuable due to their rarity and superior quality. Untreated sapphires fetch higher prices than treated stones. Colour is a critical aspect too; stones exhibiting an evenly distributed royal blue colour generally command the highest prices. Clarity is also important, though some inclusions are acceptable. Larger carat weights will increase a sapphire’s value, and a well-executed cut enhances the stone’s sparkle and overall appeal.
Origins of Sapphires
Sapphires are mined in several regions around the world, with each location imparting unique characteristics to the stones.
- Kashmir: Famous for producing some of the most sought-after sapphires, known for their velvety blue colour and exceptional saturation. Kashmir sapphires are extremely rare and highly valuable due to their limited supply.
- Sri Lanka (Ceylon): Perhaps the most common and popular source of sapphires, Ceylon sapphires are known for a wide variety of colours, including the popular “cornflower blue” sapphire. Sri Lankan sapphires often have lighter tones compared to those from other regions and are prized for their clarity and color diversity.
- Myanmar (Burma): These sapphires are revered for their rich, intense blue colour. Burmese sapphires are renowned for their high levels of colour saturation and purity. Regularly seen in the jewels of royalty, and celebrities, Burmese sapphires often command high prices for their beauty and scarcity.
- Madagascar: A newer source of sapphires, Madagascar has become one of the leading producers of high-quality stones in various colours, particularly blue and pink. Sapphires from Madagascar are known for their clarity and vibrant colours and are generally priced in a similar bracket to Ceylon sapphires in comparable qualities.
- Australia: Australian sapphires are typically darker, often with a deep, inky blue colour that may have a greenish hue. While they are less expensive than those from other regions, they are still prized for their durability and depth of colour.
Treatments of Sapphires
Most natural sapphires undergo treatments to enhance their colour and clarity. These treatments significantly affect the value of the stone.
- Unheated/untreated: Untreated sapphires are highly prized in the gemstone market because they retain their natural colour and clarity without any enhancement, making them exceptionally rare. Their scarcity and untouched beauty often result in significantly higher prices compared to treated sapphires.
- Heat Treatment: This is the most common and widely accepted enhancement for sapphires. When heating the stone at high temperatures, the colour, clarity and general appearance are improved. Heated sapphires are more readily available in the market and therefore command lower prices than unheated stones, often half the price or less for comparable gems.
- Diffusion Treatment: This involves adding elements like titanium or beryllium during heating to artificially change or enhance the sapphire’s color. Diffusion-treated sapphires are less valuable because the colour change is not natural to the stone, and the treatment can be less stable over time. These sapphires are often sold at a fraction of the price of naturally coloured or heat-treated stones.
- Fracture Filling: In this process, fractures or cracks in the sapphire are filled with a glass-like substance to improve clarity. While this enhances the stone’s appearance, the filling makes the sapphire less durable and more prone to damage over time. As a result, fracture-filled sapphires have a significantly lower value than untreated or heat-treated stones. Buyers should be cautious of this treatment as it can drastically reduce the long-term quality of the gem.
- Beryllium Treatment: This is a type of diffusion treatment used to enhance or completely change the colour of sapphires, particularly for yellow and orange varieties. Beryllium-treated sapphires are often much less expensive than untreated or heat-treated stones because the treatment creates colors that are not naturally occurring in the gem. The value is usually diminished as these treatments are seen as less desirable in the gemstone market.
In summary, when buying a sapphire, several factors influence its price. Colour is the most critical, with intense, vivid hues like “royal blue” or “cornflower blue” commanding the highest premiums. Clarity is also important, as fewer inclusions increase the stone’s value, although some inclusions can add charm to certain stones, like Burmese sapphires. Carat weight affects price, with larger sapphires being rarer and more expensive, but colour and clarity can impact value more than size alone. Origin plays a key role as sapphires from regions like Kashmir or Burma are rare and highly sought after. Treatments like heat treatment are generally accepted, but unheated sapphires are far more valuable due to their rarity and natural beauty.
Aziz Gems specialises in stocking and sourcing the finest natural sapphires from all over the world. With a long family history and an extensive global network, we meticulously select each stone, ensuring our clients receive the best suited stones for their tastes and budgets. No matter what your requirements are, Aziz Gems provides an all round service to ensure you find the perfect gemstone for you. We offer a free, personalised consultation service with unbiased advise with a view to educating our clients. Whether for an investment, or a bespoke piece of jewellery, Aziz Gems can you help you with all your fine jewellery requirements.
