September’s birthstone is the sapphire, which occurs to be one among my favourite gems.

Are you conscious that the sapphire is available in a spectrum of colours and is not only the widespread blue?

There may be additionally white (colorless), pink, yellow, inexperienced, orange, purple and black.

The vary of coloration is what makes this gemstone so fascinating. The opposite plus is that sapphire is a tough gem; it registers just under diamond which is a ten (10) on the Mohs scale (The Mohs scale charges the hardness from one to 10 and is a handy system to assist establish minerals, together with treasured gems). The sapphire is a 9 on the Mohs scale. What meaning is it’s an excellent selection for a hoop or bracelet because of its resistance to scratching and its sturdiness. Many different gems comparable to amethyst, topaz and particularly tanzanite are very low on the hardness scale and may present scratches and injury in a short while if worn on a 24/7 foundation.

Let’s get again to having fun with the blues. Most of the sapphires out there to the general public originate from Australia and that supply might be present in a number of shades of blue, blue inexperienced, inexperienced and even black. Probably the most coveted and costly blue sapphires come from Sri Lanka, Kashmir, and Burma (now Myanmar). There are a number of different international locations mining for sapphires and that features the usA. 

The rarest, costliest and extremely prized sapphire is from the Kashmir area (Cornflower blue in coloration, it is usually referred to as “Blue Velvet”), excessive within the Himalaya mountains. The mining course of is only some months a 12 months because of climate situations. 

In my store sapphires are at all times standard and to my amazement I hear from prospects that the darker the sapphire the higher. I have to disagree; a really gentle washed out blue coloured sapphire is simply that – “a washed out blue.” Or going to the opposite finish of the spectrum, an nearly black blue just isn’t essentially the most fascinating. In my view, when you like a black sapphire that has no coloration or brilliance, save your self some cash and buy low-cost black onyx when you want to purchase the identical outcome. The last word coloration for a really beautiful blue sapphire is cornflower blue or the coloured blue bottle of Milk of Magnesia (now I’m displaying my age right here!). 

I not too long ago introduced my spouse with a surprising Burmese blue sapphire for our anniversary. It’s a 4.00 carat oval flanked with two half carat white spherical sensible diamonds. The traditional three stone mounting is the bomb – I name it a “KISS” designed ring (preserve it easy silly!). You need the middle stone to be the principle point of interest and the diamonds merely accent the sapphire and make it pop. Her ring will get a whole lot of consideration and compliments on its measurement and wonder.

Pure sapphire just isn’t a cheap gem. The Padparadscha sapphire is a combination of pink and orange and may be very uncommon and in addition the cornflower blue sapphire; they will price many 1000’s of {dollars} per carat. I not too long ago bought an oval minimize Padparadscha in a single stone 18kt. yellow gold customized setting. This was a really distinctive and particular design. A couple of years again I had a big demand for yellow and pink sapphires; the great high quality stones rival the identical coloration and brilliance as pure or coloured diamonds, simply not as costly.

As with most issues in life there are options to a pure sapphire. Lab created or artificial artificial sapphire is on the market. That watch you might be carrying could have a scratch resistant artificial white sapphire crystal. The Chatham Co. has been creating within the lab “gems” for a lot of a long time and the result’s close to indistinguishable to the pure gem, and far more inexpensive. I’ve bought many Chatham emeralds, rubies and completely different coloured sapphires over my illustrious 50-year profession.

It’s not only a September birthstone… Sapphires have been cherished for 1000’s of years. Who doesn’t bear in mind the spectacular sapphire ring Princess Di wore, now being worn by the Duchess of Cambridge? There may be additionally the pear-shaped blue sapphire and diamond ring that Emperor Napoleon of France introduced to his spouse Josephine. That ring bought for $1.17 million Euros in 2013. Within the U.S. there are vital sapphires as properly… The Blue Large of the Orient, a whopping 486 carats and The Star of Bombay (182 carats) named after the gin, I’m informed, and given to silent film star Mary Pickford, a present from her husband Douglas Fairbanks. It’s presently on show on the Smithsonian Establishment.

I really like the vary of coloration that sapphire possesses – the various shades of blue resemble the colours of the oceans which is one motive I really like incorporating them into a lot of my sea life themed designs. Final season I created a 14kt. white gold wave designed pendant with gentle to darkish blue sapphires and diamonds – the circulation of coloration is surreal, nearly fluid like…what a terrific wanting piece. It bought inside days as soon as I put it on show in my window. Now I’m within the strategy of designing matching earrings.

It’s principally “The Blue’s” these days – that’s what I’ve been accommodating my purchasers with – and being within the Blues isn’t at all times a foul factor.

Richard Alan is a designer/goldsmith and proprietor of The Harbor Goldsmith, Marco’s go-to jeweler since 1994. He welcomes your questions and feedback about All That Glitters. Name 239-394-9275 or go to their web site at www.harborgoldsmith.com.