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When buying a sapphire, the most important thing to be considered is color.
Color is the single most important factor in determining the value or
preciousness of a sapphire. In case of a sapphire the color of is more
important than its clarity. Sapphires are rarely clean and even very
expensive stones can be slightly included. Subtle differences in color can
make great variations in valuations of fine sapphires. Fine gemstones of
good color and clarity are always rare and valuable. Highly saturated medium
or medium dark tones are best. Sapphires which are too dark or too light are
worth considerably less.
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Because of its divine blue, Sapphire is called the gemstone of the heavens. According to an ancient belief of the biblical times, earth was embedded in an enormous solitaire Sapphire. Although these ravishing gems come in all almost all colors like transparent white, pink, yellow, peach, orange, brown, violet, purple, green and many shades in between, the most popular color of sapphire is deep blue. It can be found in all celestial hues of blue ranging from the seductive midnight blue to the enigmatic ocean blue.
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The word "sapphire" has its descent from several ancient languages: the Persian word "safir" (meaning "beloved of Saturn"), the Latin "sapphirus" (meaning "blue"), and the Greek word "sappheiros" for the island of Sappherine in the Arabian Sea where sapphires were found in ancient Grecian times. In ancient times, Sapphires were believed to possess mystical powers - Priests used these gems to help them decipher Oracles, kings wore sapphire to protect them from wicked thoughts and charm divine favor, the Greeks sanctified this gemstone and because of its divine blue color associated sapphire to their Sky God - Zeus, and more. The gem was regarded as a symbol of truth, candor and endurance. It was believed that if a disloyal lover or spouse wore a sapphire ring, the brilliance of Sapphire would dim.
It is the second hardest mineral found on earth, next only to diamond, which is the hardest mineral known to mankind. It is because of this hardness that sapphires are associated with longevity and endurance.
Sapphire is the birthstone for those born in September and astrological stone for Libra zodiac sign. Sapphire is anniversary gift for the 5th and the 45th wedding anniversary.
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The historical source of sapphire is Sri Lanka. In ancient times, people used to dig the ground hunting for Sapphires and even today Sri Lanka remains to be a popular source of fine sapphires. The particular pinkish orange sapphire, padparadscha, is found only in Sri Lanka. Another major source fine sapphire is Australia. The Australian gemstones are deep velvety blue and dark inky in appearance.
The most beautiful and the most valuable blue sapphires were found in Kashmir in India. In 1880, there was a land slide which uncovered this treasure. The Kashmir sapphire has a pure, intense blue color with a very subtle violet undertone, refined by a fine, velvety shine. According to some specialists, the rich color of this sapphire does not change its hue in artificial light. But due to the tough terrain of the region, this source is not being explored further. The Burmese sapphire has a color close to the Kashmir sapphire, beautiful deep blue.
Other sources of sapphire include countries like Madagascar,
Burma, America, Thailand and Cambodia. |
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From the gemstone mines to the hands of the buyer,
sapphires go through an adventurous journey. In the mines
sapphires of all shapes and sizes are found mixed with the
gravel. Miners swirl water in the pebbly gravel in cane
baskets or screens and pick these precious pieces from the
mud. This is adventurous as no one knows what the next lot
of mud contains. Sapphire mines like the ones in Montana
offer mining for tourists and enthusiasts.
From the mines, the crystal is taken for lapidary. The
crystal is carefully cut into different parts optimizing the
size of each piece for the best color and quality available.
Once this is done, the best suited shape and cut for that
particular piece is determined. The crystal is then shaped
and faceted accordingly. The facets are important as they
help in reflection and refraction of the light from the
inside of gem which gives the gemstone its luster. A skilled
lapidist can transform a rough stone into an exquisite piece
of jewel.
The transparent or the lighter hues of sapphire are most
often faceted. In lighter hues it is important that the
light that enters the gem should reflect back evenly across
the face of the gemstone, making it vivacious and more
lustrous. The darker gemstones look good in all shapes and
cuts. Sapphires are most often cut in an oval shape or in a
cushion shape - a rounded rectangle. Sapphires can be found
in a variety of cuts and fancy shapes including triangles,
squares, emerald cuts, marquises, pear shapes, baguette
shapes, and cabochon cuts (dome shape). Some sapphires with
an unusual kind of tiny needle-like inclusions can be cut in
a cabochon shape to display a six-rayed white star on its
surface. Star sapphires are very rare especially perfect
symmetry stars on deep blue body color.
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Sapphires (AL2 O3) are the non red variety of the mineral
corundum with a hardness of 9 on Mohs scale. Corundum is the
hardest of all minerals only next to diamond, which has a
hardness of 10 on Mohs scale. Higher the level of hardness,
better the chances of the gemstone's resistance to scratches
and abrasion. Also, the chemical structure of sapphire makes
it very tough, helping in resistance to breaking, chipping
and cracking. The hardness of this gemstone combined with
the toughness makes sapphire perfect for daily wear.
Corundum consists of pure aluminum oxide. Trace amounts of
impurities (other elements like iron, titanium and chromium)
when present in the corundum structure, make this crystal
appear in different shades like blue, yellow, pink, purple,
orange or green. Sapphire includes all gemstones of the
corundum mineral family except the fully saturated red
variety, which is instead known as ruby, and the
pinkish-orange variety known as 'padparadscha' (Sinhalese
word for lotus blossom) exclusive to Sri Lanka.
Sapphires, like diamonds, are usually not free of
inclusions. But as compared to emerald and ruby, sapphires
possess higher clarity values. Flawless sapphires are found
rarely and are very valuable. |
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Almost all the sapphires in the world are heat treated to
improve the clarity and color of the gemstone. The heat
treatment is a common practice and is an accepted process
worldwide. This change is within the entire stone, not just
on the outer surface of the stone. The effect on the gem
through such treatment is permanent and treated stones do
not require special care.
New treatments that are used to change the color of the
gemstone or produce a new color in the gemstone are very
controversial. The color is achieved through a process which
includes the addition of foreign elements to achieve the
desired color alteration. With this kind of treatment the
change does not necessarily penetrate the gemstone and it is
not permanent. Such gemstones are not a part of the Angara
collection. |
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| When buying a sapphire, the most important thing to be
considered is color. Color is the single most important
factor in determining the value or preciousness of a
sapphire. In case of a sapphire the color of is more
important than its clarity. Sapphires are rarely clean and
even very expensive stones can be slightly included. Subtle
differences in color can make great variations in valuations
of fine sapphires. Fine gemstones of good color and clarity
are always rare and valuable. Highly saturated medium or
medium dark tones are best. Sapphires which are too dark or
too light are worth considerably less. |
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| Corundum is a tough mineral and can be used in any type or
style of jewelry. Sapphire comes in a spectrum of colors of
the rainbow which makes it even more wearable. Sapphires can
range in color and quality from common and easily
affordable, to good quality and relatively precious, to
rare, highly expensive gems like the star sapphire. This
quality makes sapphires good for all occasions and moods
like every day wear jewelry, evening wear jewelry,
engagement rings, right hand rings, or even collector's
items. These gemstones look good in almost all cuts and
shapes. There numerous ways this gem can be fashioned and
presented is awesome. The immortal queen of hearts, Lady
Diana, had a sapphire in her betrothal ring, which pretty
much explains the fashion and passion associated with
sapphire. |
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| Sapphire gemstones and sapphire jewelry needs to be
cleaned often to keep the luster and lure alive. A thorough,
soft brush scrubbing with a commercial jewelry cleaner or
mild liquid detergent and water is sufficient to care for
your gemstone if done at intervals such as every third or
fourth time you wear it. |
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