Sapphires are a great choice
- Sapphires are very hard. Most people get many years of enjoyment. While sapphires can scratch or chip, they can be polished or repaired.
- Sapphires come in a rainbow of colors and hues! If you want a blue sapphire, there are many shades of blue, from light dark, some with tones of grey, brown, green, or purple.
- Sapphire engagement rings are unique. A sapphire center or side stones makes a classic design unique!
Image: Sapphire rings, custom made by Fox Fine Jewelry
Sapphire cost
Several factors affect a sapphire's cost. Of course, the size is one of the most important cost factors. Apart from the size, look at:
- Sapphire shape
- Sapphire color
- Sapphire inclusions
- Unheated with a report
Sapphire shape
Sapphires can be cut to any shape, but cutting an elongated cushion or oval sapphire most closely follows the shape of the sapphire rough. There's less waste and therefore, all other factors being equal, an elongated cushion or oval sapphire usually costs less. A round sapphire will cost more, since cutting the round wastes more of the sapphire rough.
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Sapphire Color
Apart from size, color is the most important factor for most people, and has a significant price impact.
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Vibrancy
The more vibrant and intense the color is, generally the more it costs. But the price drops off quickly when the color gets too dark, like the one on the right side, above.
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Hue
Many sapphires have an undertone of grey or brown that makes the color less pure. Depending upon the amount of undertone, especially with blue sapphires, the price can drop dramatically.
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Color Zoning
Color zoning is when a portion of the sapphire has one color and the rest has a different color, often clear. Sapphires with color zoning cost less, depending upon where the color zoning is and how it affects the sapphire's beauty.
Inclusions
While sapphire inclusions affect the sapphire's value, as long as they are moderate and your sapphire isn't very light in color or white, they won't affect the beauty of the gemstone. Therefore sapphire inclusions have a smaller impact on price. But if the inclusions are large and obvious, the price can decrease
significantly.
Image: A heavily included sapphire.
Unheated with a report
The vast majority of all gemstones, including sapphires, have been heated to bring out their color. This treatment is permanent and goes all the way through the sapphire. If you scratch or chip your sapphire and have it repaired, your sapphire will still be the same color.
Unheated sapphires must have provenance and be reported. Beautiful rich colors, like the popular blue sapphires, are much more rare when not heat treated. So expect a significant premium for your desired color, the provenance and the report.
There are many factors to consider when selecting your sapphire. Use exceptional care when purchasing from photos, as color, inclusions, and zoning may be masked.
At Fox Fine Jewelry, all gemstones are selected by GIA Certified Gemologists. We look forward to helping you!