Sapphire Wedding Rings
&
Engagement Rings
Sapphire wedding rings hold one of the most popular gemstones in the world, and sapphires occur naturally in a rainbow of stunning gemstone colors. As one of the most durable gems, second only to the diamond, sapphire engagement rings, and sapphire wedding bands, will certainly stand up to daily wear and the test of time. To find the perfect sapphire for your wedding or engagement ring, check out the info below including common enhancements of sapphires, what types of sapphires to avoid in rings and extra shopping tips.
Sapphire Properties: Durability = Excellent
Hardness = 9.0
Refractive Index = 1.762 – 1.770
Specific Gravity = 4.00
Sapphires, like rubies, are a form of mineral known as corundum; the difference between sapphires and rubies is color. Rubies are red, and sapphires are all other color varieties of corundum.
Meaning of the Sapphire: The sapphire is the gemstone of truth, purity, blessings, and knowledge. Sapphire rings have been cherished by couples throughout time as the sapphire symbolizes a relationship based on faithfulness and sincerity. Royalty and high priests often used the sapphire in their jewels to symbolize their blessings as divine holders of knowledge and wisdom. The sapphire is the classic birthstone for the month of April and the modern birthstone for the month of September. Sapphire Gemstone Enhancements: Most sapphires undergo enhancements of some kind to improve color; however, some of these enhancements yield poor results and can affect the value of the gemstone and the quality/durability of sapphire wedding rings. - Sapphires are usually heated to improve their color and overall appearance; the stability of this type of enhancement is excellent, and the stone requires no special care after heating. Heat treated gemstones are usually labeled with an E or an H; this treatment is so common that shoppers should assume their sapphire has been treated unless it is otherwise stated. Heat treatment only minimally affects the stone’s price.
- An enhancement known as surface diffusion is only occasionally used on sapphires; this treatment is used to intensify color and it has a good stability rating. Labeled with a U, sapphires which undergo this treatment require special care and should not be re-polished or re-cut or they will lose the quality of their color. This treatment moderately affects the stone’s price.
- Irradiation enhancement, labeled with an R, is occasionally used on sapphires to produce intense yellow or orange colors. The stability for this treatment is very poor as the gemstone's color will quickly fade when exposed to heat or light; irradiation will drastically reduce the overall price of the stone. Avoid purchasing sapphire wedding rings that contain irradiated sapphires.
- A controversial heat/diffusion treatment for sapphires known as Beryllium treatment, or lattice diffusion, will intensify yellow and orange colors, and synthetically produce the rare and highly priced salmon/sunset colors of the Padparadscha sapphire. This treatment has a fair stability rating, but stones can lose their color if they are re-cut or chipped. This enhancement is controversial because not all sapphires which have received this treatment are labeled as “Beryllium-Treated” or “Be Treated,” even though they are supposed to be, and this treatment can only be identified through expensive laboratory tests. As a result, the treatments are reducing the overall value of real sapphires around the world. Heat/diffusion treatments will drastically reduce the value of the stone. It is recommended that you avoid buying sapphire engagement rings or sapphire wedding bands made with these types of enhanced sapphires.
Special Care for Sapphire Wedding Rings:
As the sapphire is a highly durable gemstone, sapphire engagement rings and sapphire wedding bands, made of natural sapphires or heat treated sapphires require no special care.
Sapphires are currently mined in Afghanistan, Australia, China, Kenya, India, Madagascar, Tanzania, and some parts of the U.S. Sapphire Price Guide: Sapphire wedding rings are priced first and foremost on the gemstone’s color, then carat, cut, and clarity; treatments will also have a big impact on the value of the gemstone. All sapphire gemstones display secondary colors or hues when they are exposed to light from different directions. The most desirable secondary hues are purple and violet and the less desirable secondary hues are green, gray, and yellow. Sapphire wedding rings made with sapphires which contain purple and violet secondary hues are valued much higher than those with green, gray, and yellow hues. The most desirable sapphire gemstones are a cornflower blue with secondary purple or violet hues and flashes; a quality cut cornflower blue sapphire that has undergone only heat treatment, and has a good clarity grade, will generally sell for around $1,000 for a one carat stone. Natural sapphires of this color which have received no treatments are quite rare and are priced on average more than $2,000 for a one carat stone. Currently, the most highly valued sapphires are the Padparadscha which are a salmon/sunset orange color. Sapphire wedding rings made of this rare natural gemstone are priced on average at $5,000 - $15,000 for a one carat stone. Pink sapphires have been increasing in popularity in recent years, and as a result they are now fetching prices almost equal to cornflower blue sapphires.
Other colors of sapphires are priced around $500.00 per carat or less. Purples are usually priced higher than greens and yellows. Oranges are moderately priced based on the intensity of their color. The lowest priced sapphires are the browns, gray, and clear sapphires; although a quality cut clear sapphire can sometimes be mistaken for a diamond. Sapphire wedding rings with a quality custom cut which maximize the sapphire’s natural brilliance, fire, and flash of desirable secondary hues, are valued at higher prices than commercial or poorly cut sapphires. Most sapphires have naturally occurring inclusions, and natural sapphires which have a perfect clarity grade are very rare. Sapphires which have minimal inclusions which are not visible to the naked eye are valued higher than sapphires with visible inclusions and/or blemishes. Depending on the color of the sapphire gemstone, the carat size will have a big impact on price. Blue, Pink, or Padparadscha sapphires which are over a carat will generally triple or quadruple in price per carat as they increase in size. Other colors of sapphires increase in value as well according to the carat size, though not as dramatically as the more highly valued colors mentioned.
Shopping Tips for Sapphire Wedding Rings:Buyers looking for sapphire wedding rings need to be able to navigate through a maze of treated sapphires, synthetic sapphires, and color choices. When it comes down to it, the best way to ensure that you have purchased a quality sapphire for the right price is to go through a reputable seller who offers a no-nonsense refund policy and have your sapphire evaluated by an independent laboratory. Looking closely at the price of sapphire wedding rings will also clue you in to any synthetic or treated gemstones. Remember that heat treatments by themselves will only have a minimal impact on the value of the stone, while natural stones of desirable colors are rare and will be valued highly; all other treatments will have a moderate to high impact on the stone’s value. Keep in mind as you shop the minimal prices per one carat stone for valuable colors. For example, if you find a quality Padparadscha Sapphire priced at a few thousand, or even a few hundred dollars, you are probably looking at a Beryllium treated stone. Take your time when you shop for sapphire engagement rings and sapphire wedding bands, beware of deals which look too good to be true, and always deal with a seller which has a good reputation. If you are buying a gemstone through someone who is selling their personal property make sure that the gemstone comes with a certified report or that you have the option of having the gemstone evaluated by an independent laboratory before the sale is finalized.
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