Superlative Sapphires
The second hardest stone known to man, and part of the corundum family, Sapphires have a long and interesting history. Tradition hold that the Ten Commandments were inscribed on tablets of sapphire so strong that a hammer swung at them would be smashed into pieces. Ancient Persians believed the world rested on sapphire and its reflection colored the sky. Sapphire is also recognised by many cultures for its calming and healing properties, and it is a symbol of good fortune, wisdom, virtue and holiness.
Blue is by far the most popular color of sapphire, but there are also orange, pink, purple, yellow, green and colorless varieties of the stone. In recent years the colorless variety has become a popular alternative to diamond engagement ring. In fact Princess Diana received a sapphire engagement ring from Prince Charles.
There are three terms that are used when referring to the color of sapphire:
Hue: This refers to the stone’s basic color. For example, blue, slight pink, dark blue, green.
Saturation: Is the extent to which the hue is masked by brown or grey (color purity and intensity)
Tone: The amount of color in the gemstone ranging from very light to very dark.
Unlike diamonds, sapphires don’t have a color grading system; grading the stone is largely left up to the eye of the beholder, but generally the most desirable stones are medium in color, transparent, and with few inclusions.
Padparadscha sapphires are a medium toned orangey pink color, found in Sri Lanka. They are the most rare and sought after variety often priced at over $20,000 per carat.
Kashmir and Burmese sapphires are also very desirable and are recognised for their superior clarity, hue and saturation. Sri Lanka, Australia, Columbia, Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar, China, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi and Vietnam are all producers of this beautiful stone.
