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Sapphire Education
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| Origins
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| Sapphire Education
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Origins
Where do sapphires come from? |
| Sapphires
have been prized from antiquity. Some of the very first gems to ever be cut and
polished were sapphires. A member of the highly valued gem species corundum,
sapphires are found in many countries around the world—from Australia and
Malawi to Madagascar and Sri Lanka, and even the United States. Sapphires are
most often thought of as blue, but they actually come in every color of the
rainbow. Another of the world’s most sought after gemstones, the ruby, is
actually a red sapphire. Royal blue sapphires are highly prized and extremely
popular. At Brilliant Earth, we specialize in rich royal blue sapphires, but we
have a variety of other colors to choose from.
Contact us to learn more about what we have to offer. |
Value
Do sapphires offer lasting value? |
| Sapphires
present unrivaled value and quality in precious gemstones. Historically among
the most highly prized gemstones, sapphires are more affordable than diamonds
and offer an almost limitless array of options in color, size and shape—their
brilliant color and intensity have seduced countless generations. As these
enduring gems have long symbolized loyalty, sapphires are increasingly becoming
valued as a modern engagement ring option. Princess Diana was the first iconic
figure to receive a large oval sapphire as opposed to a diamond upon her
engagement, and many others have since followed this path of giving a
distinctive and original pledge. |
Durability
Are sapphires appropriate for everyday wear? |
Sapphires are very durable and
ideal for everyday wear, much like diamonds. Gemstones are rated on their
ability to withstand surface scratching using the Mohs Scale of Hardness. The
Mohs Scale rates minerals specifically on their ability to withstand scratching
and abrasions by other minerals. A diamond, as the hardest mineral known,
receives a 10. According to the Mohs Scale, sapphires are a 9, indicating
excellent hardness. In fact, the only natural gemstone that can scratch a
sapphire is a diamond.
Gems are also rated for durability and stability. Each category receives a
rating of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. Durability represents the
gem’s ability to withstand chipping and breaking while being knocked or bumped.
Sapphires have excellent durability, meaning they are difficult to chip or
break, so they can be worn all day without fear of being damaged. Stability is
used to rate gems on their ability to withstand heat, light, and chemicals.
Sapphires have very good to excellent stability, meaning they are not
particularly sensitive to these factors, also making them ideal for daily wear.
The only gem rated more durable than a sapphire is a diamond. |
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Sapphires have become increasingly
valued as
a modern engagement
ring option and are ideal
for everyday wear. |
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| Explore
Our Sapphires
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