How To Identify Sapphires
How to Identify Sapphires…
If you think all Sapphires are Blue, you had better think again.
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They are seen in ALL colors including parti-colours and Synthetics.
Better known within the gemstone industry as ‘Corundum‘ they form an impressive array of gemstones, second only to Diamond. So How do we Identify Sapphires - especially when it comes to doing a Valuation Appraisal…
While the general public have heard of Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire and even Golden Sapphire, few realize that Ruby is nothing more than a ‘Red’ variety of Corundum, while a light red, pink or violet shade of the gemstone are usually called Sapphire.
The name comes from the Greek word for ‘Blue’ and as such has been used to describe places like the ‘Sapphire Coast’ or a girl having Sapphire eyes, which has tended to focus people into believing Sapphire is only Blue, which is false.
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There is also a wonderful shade of Orange Pink Sapphire which is called ‘Padparadschah‘, a Sinhalese word meaning ‘Lotus Flower’ and also a parti-colored Sapphire (usually two shades between blue and green) which are both very attractive and valuable.
When a Sapphire cracks or breaks, it tends to show ‘Conchoidal‘ fractures, which is a technical description for ‘Circular rings’ or “Like a Shell’.
This sometimes helps to identify Sapphire from other gemstones, but it should be noted that glass also forms the same type of break, so care should be taken by NOT accepting an identification based on this one characteristic alone.
As usual, our guidance is to search for two or more confirmation tests or seek professional advice.
Remember a Synthetic Sapphire is Identical in ALL ways to a Natural Gem. It is just made by man.
The most sought-after color is a ‘Cornflower’ blue which used to come from Kashmir, but since the Military and Political situation there worsened the supply has ceased to exist. Most so called Kashmir Cornflower Blue Sapphire sold these days usually comes from Burma.
Thailand has two important deposits of Sapphire which produce a variety of colors of good quality, and also a ‘Star’ Sapphire which forms a ‘cat’s eye’ or six pointed star.
Their Blue Sapphire tends to have a tinge of blue-green which is very delightful to look at.
Australia produces some of the largest quantities of Sapphire in the World, but their color is a little dark. The ‘Midnight Blue’ or inky shades come from there. These can look stunning however, especially when set with Diamonds.
Synthetic Sapphires have been made since the beginning of the 1900’s and are quite common in Antique or Vintage Jewelry.
We also have an Online Gemstone Lab Report which is available at our sister website.
Tags: Conchoidal fractures, Corundum, Gemstones, golden sapphires, green sapphires, natural gems, Padparadschah, parti-sapphires, ruby, Sapphire
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November 14th, 2006 at 9:38 am
Wow, greate post. I write about jewels too. I love stones and all around it