What is more expensive: diamonds or sapphires?
Our wonderful planet has given us many mesmerizing things, otherwise known as gemstones, which are rich in color, texture and sparkle. Sapphires are among the most coveted gemstones, which makes sense given the range of colors they appear in and the endless possibilities they present. Sapphire and diamond rings Naturally, many people have pressing questions regarding these enchanting gemstones, which we have attempted to answer in the section “Sapphire Gemstones – Meanings, Colors and Types.” However, many other questions are frequently asked, so we have tried to compile a list of some of the most frequently asked questions about sapphires.
1. What are sapphires?
Sapphires are a type of mineral called Corundum that ranks 9th on the Mohs scale of gemstone hardness, making them the third hardest gemstone after diamonds and moissanite respectively. Diamonds are ranked 10th and moissanite is 9,5th.
2. Where do sapphires come from?
Sapphires are found throughout the globe in alluvial deposits. Countries where sapphires are found include Tanzania, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya, USA, Vietnam and many more. Sapphires from different regions differ from each other in their chemical structure and appearance.
3. What are sapphires made of?
Sapphires are a type of mineral called Corundum, which is an aluminum oxide. Different elements found in sapphires produce different shades. For example, iron causes blue, titanium causes yellow, and chromium causes purple.
4. How are sapphires formed?
Sapphires form beneath the surface of the earth over millions of years. They are the result of several processes that involve high temperatures and pressure. These are ideal conditions for the metamorphic processes in which sapphires are formed. When liquid magma deep within the Earth cools, it allows minerals to crystallize. The purest forms of corundum, otherwise known as sapphires, are the very minerals that were recrystallized through this process, which took millions of years.
5. What types of sapphires are there?
Genuine, unheated sapphires are the most sought after and, like diamonds, are found naturally. Synthetic sapphires, created in laboratories, exist due to the rarity and high cost of real sapphires. Natural, or rather unheated, sapphires come in several colors, with blue being the most recognizable and popular color. Other colors include yellow, purple, orange, pink, brown and green. There are also colorless sapphires that can be used instead of diamonds due to their similarity. Sapphires displaying a combination of multiple colors also exist.
6. What is a star sapphire?
A star sapphire is a sapphire that displays an asterism, which is a phenomenon that occurs inside the stone that resembles a star. The collection of inclusions under the surface of the stone creates a star shape. Star sapphires are in a category of their own because of this unique feature.
7. Is sapphire a mineral or a diamond?
Sapphire is a mineral, but it is not a diamond, although diamond is also a mineral. They are both different types of minerals. All sapphires are a variety of the mineral Corundum. Diamonds are forty times harder than sapphires, which rank 9th on the Mohs hardness scale compared to diamonds.
8. Is a ruby a sapphire?
The simple answer to this question is no. Although Rubies are the red form of corundum, and sapphire is the blue form, and padparadsha is the pinkish-orange form, they are known by different names.
9. Are sapphires rare?
The stones known in the market as sapphires are not incredibly rare, but high quality raw sapphires are extremely difficult to find. This is because most mined sapphires are of such poor quality that they never make it into the gem trade to begin with. Of those stones that do end up in trade, most are processed in one way or another. Sapphire sources are limited for several reasons. If a mine is not profitable enough, it will not be fully mined. In addition, if the source is located in a disputed area, then extraction from it is impossible.
10. What color is the sapphire and what does it look like?
Sapphires come in a wide variety of colors, but are mostly known for their blue variety. They are crystal-like and similar in appearance to diamond in terms of shine and texture. Other sapphire colors include pink, peach, orange, yellow, green, purple, grey, white and black.
11. What color is sapphire as a birthstone?
The classic sapphire birthstone is blue, but the birthstone applies to all sapphires, leaving you with a variety of tempting sapphire colors to choose from. Someone who has a sapphire birthstone can choose blue, green, yellow, brown or pink sapphire. This is one of the most attractive aspects of sapphire; color variability. Sapphire set in yellow gold
12. When were sapphires discovered and who discovered them?
Sapphires were discovered thousands of years ago. They date back to the first temple, 957 BC, as sapphire was one of the twelve precious stones used in the breastplate of the high priest. It is unknown who was the first person to discover sapphires. Wonderful sapphire jewelry Brose from the Sapphire collection
13. How much does a sapphire cost?
A sapphire can cost anywhere from $20 per carat to $450 per carat and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. It really depends on the quality of the stone, whether it was cut, its color, cut, size and shape. A tiny but high-quality sapphire can cost ten times more than a much larger stone. Therefore, each sapphire must be considered and examined individually.
14. Which sapphire is the most expensive?
High quality dark blue sapphires tend to fetch the highest prices, although flawless pink and yellow sapphires are known to fetch quite a bit of money. When it comes to the most expensive sapphires ever sold at auction, there are several stones that have cost millions of dollars. These included Richelieu sapphires, which sold for $8, and an unmounted Burma sapphire, which brought $358.
15. Which sapphire is better – blue or yellow?
The word sapphire and the color blue basically go hand in hand, so it’s safe to say that blue sapphires are one of the most popular varieties of sapphires. However, yellow sapphires have become quite popular, especially because they are a cheaper alternative to the beautiful but expensive yellow diamond. Sapphires are fascinating gemstones, and it’s understandable that many questions arise about them. Other questions may include the stone purchasing process and what to look out for. Always make sure you are buying from a reputable seller and try to take someone knowledgeable with you. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Without a doubt. But if you’re looking to add more color and sparkle to your jewelry collection, you might want to invest in beautiful gemstones too. Speaking of which, emerald, ruby and sapphire are the “big three” that are increasingly becoming as valuable as diamonds, both in terms of value and popularity. These gemstones are amazingly beautiful in different ways. If you are not sure which gemstone to invest in, all you need is a complete guide. Learn all about ruby, sapphire and emerald, what they symbolize and their striking differences.
Understanding the “Big Three Gemstones”
Currently, only ruby, sapphire and emerald are considered precious stones. The remaining gems are classified as “semi-precious”. Gemstones are “high value,” which means their price per carat is higher than that of a diamond. Several factors make gemstones precious. These include rarity, popularity, durability and, of course, beauty.
Ruby
Known for its gorgeous red hue, this stone is a favorite of celebrities and royalty around the world. But what is a ruby really? Ruby comes from the Latin word “Rubens”, which means “red”. The gemstone comes in different shades, from pinkish to the most expensive – the color of “pigeon’s blood”. Ruby was first discovered in 1973 in Kenya by two American geologists. Since then it has become one of the most sought after gemstones. Ruby is one of the most expensive gemstones, but its value is mainly determined by its color. The best rubies are deep red in color with a hint of purple, also known as “pigeon’s blood.” Currently, the largest deposit of high-quality rubies is located in Myanmar, Burma. Ruby is the birthstone of July. For centuries, this beautiful stone has symbolized nobility, courage, purity and passion. Because of its color (close to the color of blood, which carries oxygen to all parts of the body), ruby is believed to help align and energize the body. It is also believed to promote positive energy, spiritual vitality and well-being.
Emerald
Another attractive choice for your jewelry collection is emerald. Like rubies, high quality emeralds can be worth more per carat than diamonds. However, most emeralds on the market have inclusions or blemishes. Emerald gets its radiant green hue from chromium and vanadium. It is difficult to find an untreated emerald without flaws. This is why most emeralds undergo treatment to improve their color and reduce imperfections. This green gem is truly one of a kind. In the US, it is traditionally given as a gift on the 20th, 35th and 55th wedding anniversaries. Considered the “jewels of kings,” emeralds have long been popular with royal families. We saw Princess Eugenie wear the Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara on her wedding day. Even Cleopatra decorated herself with emeralds. But this stone does not just symbolize royal power. It also includes wisdom and love. The ancient Romans and Greeks believed that the stone represented the goddess Venus. Thus, it is considered to represent hope and love. Color, cut, clarity and carat weight determine the value of emeralds. The most expensive emeralds are bright green or bluish green.
Sapphire
If ruby and emerald have only one color, then sapphire can boast different shades. These magnificent stones can be found in many parts of the world, but they mainly come from Kenya, Cambodia, Colombia and India. Like ruby and emerald, color is the determining factor in a sapphire’s value. Generally, sapphires with more intense and uniform colors are the most valuable. The most famous royal blue sapphire is Princess Diana’s engagement ring, which has now been given to Kate Middleton. Those that are not blue are called “fancy sapphires.” Among them are the popular “ruby sapphires” (pink), orange, yellow, green and purple. Sapphires are known to symbolize wisdom, virtue and good fortune. They also mean sincerity, loyalty and holiness (for royalty). In ancient and medieval eras, sapphire (having a sky blue color) signified the pinnacle of heavenly hope and faith and was considered to bring good luck, protection and spiritual healing. That’s why tons of eternity bracelets are made from sapphires and other “members of the three big gems.”
Ruby vs sapphire vs emerald
Now that you know the most important facts about the three big gems, it’s time to make your choice. Let’s look at the differences between emeralds, rubies and sapphires.
Color
Rubies come in different shades of red. But the best quality should not be too dark or red, otherwise it will affect the brightness of the stone. Emerald boasts a brilliant green color, while sapphire is available in a variety of colors (royal blue being the most valuable).
Symbolism
Ruby symbolizes love, passion and purity. Although emerald and sapphire are considered “royal gems”, the latter also symbolizes fidelity and the former hope.
Cleanliness
Clarity (which is one of the 4Cs of diamond and gemstone classification) indicates the relative absence of inclusions (stains, surface defects and cracks). The higher the purity, the higher the value of the gemstone. Of the three gemstones, emerald typically has the most inclusions (99% of emeralds have blemishes). Even type 1 may have visible inclusions. When choosing a gemstone, try to avoid those that have highly visible inclusions.
Value
A good quality ruby is generally more expensive than most sapphires and emeralds, with record prices of up to $1 per carat. Sapphires can cost anywhere from $000 to $000 per carat, but you will find good quality stones ranging from $1000 to $11 per carat. Emeralds cost between $000 and $450 per carat. However, note that the price of a gemstone is influenced by several factors, including color, carat weight, and clarity.
Hardness
Sapphire is the third hardest gemstone (after diamond and moissanite). Thus, jewelry with sapphire stones is extremely durable and ideal for everyday wear. They score 9 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale. Since ruby is made from the same mineral (corundum) as sapphire, they have the same hardness. Although emerald is the least hard of the three, this stone is still very durable, with a hardness rating of 7,5-8 on the Mohs scale.
Popularity
All three minerals are extremely popular and are becoming more popular every day. Just like diamonds, gemstones make great additions to your jewelry collection. The choice of stone for you will depend on several factors, including your lifestyle and personal preferences.
