A Guide to Blue Sapphires

Emperors, kings, queens, and collectors have cherished blue sapphires for thousands of years, so it’s no surprise that they’re included in the Enchanted Disney Fine Jewelry Aurora and Cinderella gemstone jewelry collections. Keep reading to learn more about these stunning gemstones including their history, where they’re mined and how to select the perfect piece of blue-hued jewelry.

What is a Blue Sapphire?

Blue sapphires are a popular, classic gemstone that is known for their durability, high value, deep color, rarity and beauty. It’s an ideal choice for fine jewelry because of its excellent hardness (9 on the Mohs scale) and versatile blue color. Collectors and investors search for high-quality gemstones, which have historically increased in value over time.

History

Like today, people from the past cherished blue sapphires for a variety of reasons. Some thought the rare gemstones came from the heavens while others wore sapphires for guidance and wisdom. Others believed the stones offered protection, and some religions used blue sapphires for worship.

Blue sapphires get their name from the Greek word Sappheiros and the Latin word Sapphirus, which translate to blue stone. These gemstones originated from the Kashmir region of India between the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Where are Blue Sapphires mined?

Blue sapphires come from all over the world, including Kashmir, Myanmar, Thailand, Australia, Tanzania, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Montana in the United States. Different locations yield sapphires in specific colors, such as the well-known blue gemstones that come out of South East Asia. Once these beloved stones are mined, they’re cut and polished.

Quality Assessment

As with most gemstones, quality varies and impacts the stone’s overall look. As a result, it’s important to familiarize yourself with cut, color, clarity and carat details.

Cut

Cut impacts the brilliance of the stone and enhances its best features. In addition to traditional shapes, you’ll find unique shapes, such as ovals, pears, asscher, and emeralds.

Color

Generally the intensity of the blue hue impacts its cost. For example, a large, pale blue colored stone costs less than a smaller, deeper, and vivid blue stone. Gemstones that have too dark or too light colors are not as valuable. However, light blue stones have greater brilliance than darker ones.

Sapphires are a naturally blue gemstone but they’re available in a wide range of colors. Sapphires that are not blue are known as fancy sapphires, and may be any color (pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, and violet)—except red (which is a ruby).

Clarity

You’ll see several types of inclusions in blue sapphires, and those with extremely high clarity are rare and valuable. You might find thin mineral inclusions called needles, mineral crystals, color zoning, and color banding.

Carat

Larger stones are more rare and will be more expensive. Gems over 2 carats are rare and prices increase exponentially with carat weight.

What Does Blue Sapphire Represent?

Throughout history, sapphires are a prized and valuable gemstone, with their deep blue allure and meaning. Blue sapphires symbolize energy, mental focus, royalty, and healing.

Lab Created Blue Sapphire vs. Natural Blue Sapphire

Like other gemstones, natural sapphires are formed within the earth’s crust and lab sapphires are grown in controlled environments. Natural stones take millions of years to form while lab-created sapphires can be created in a few days. In addition, lab-created sapphires cost less per carat than natural sapphires, as naturally-formed stones are rarer and more sought-after.

Enchanted Disney Blue Sapphires

If you want to add a blue sapphire to your jewelry collection, Enchanted Disney Fine Jewelry has some amazing options. You’ll find blue sapphire rings, blue sapphire necklaces, blue sapphire bracelets and blue sapphire earrings with dazzling diamonds and a mixture of metals. Blue is a versatile color, so it compliments other colored gemstones and all metals (10K, 14K white, yellow and rose gold as well as sterling silver). Here are a few pieces you have to see:

Best Occasions to Gift Blue Sapphires Jewelry

These popular gemstones provide a classic, stunning stone for any type of fine jewelry and for all occasions–whether you need a gift for a special occasion (birthday, mother’s day, wedding, anniversary, engagement) or a gift for yourself. Men and women can even get matching wedding bands featuring these gemstones. The intense blue keeps this stone as a popular choice for all occasions. You see more sapphires used in wedding and engagement jewelry. It’s also September’s birthstone if you need a birthday idea!

How to Care for Blue Sapphires?

Keep your jewelry sparkling by cleaning it with a soft toothbrush, warm water, and mild dish soap without any abrasives. Periodically monitor the stones in your jewelry to ensure the prongs are holding gemstones in place.

Blue sapphires continue to increase in popularity because of their classic look, pure hue and versatility, and they’re a stunning addition to any collection. They are the perfect option for self purchase or a gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much is Blue Sapphire worth?
Sapphire's worth depends on quality, color, size, etc. The most valuable sapphires have a rich, blue hue.

2. How to determine if a Blue Sapphire is real?
Breathe on your sapphire and note how long the fog takes to disappear. Fog disappears within 1-2 seconds from natural sapphires, but stays longer if it’s a synthetic sapphire. Use a magnifier to look for inclusions or other natural impurities. If you see lines or air bubbles, it’s likely a sign that the sapphire is synthetic.

3. Which is more expensive diamond or blue sapphire?
Sapphires are a valuable gemstone, but diamonds tend to cost more.

4. What does Blue Sapphire symbolize?
Blue sapphires symbolize energy, mental focus, royalty and healing.

5. Are Sapphires naturally blue?
Sapphires are a naturally blue gemstone but they come in a wide range of colors and quality variations. Sapphires that are not blue are known as fancy sapphires, and may be any color (pink, orange, yellow, green, purple, and violet)—except red (which is a ruby).

6. Is a Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring a Good Idea?
Blue sapphires are a durable, unique stone for an engagement ring. They continue to gain popularity in their use in engagement and wedding rings.