Brief Introduction To Sapphire Colours

When purchasing gemstones in jewellery, such as Sapphire Rings, Sapphire Pendants and Sapphire Earrings, then the 4 C's of colour, clarity, carat and cut become relevant, with colour being first..,

Introduction
When found in its natural colourless or white state, corundum shows very little sparkle (brilliance), and although fairly rare, it is not expensive due to its dullness.

The colour that is present in gemstones is down to the amount of trace elements in the form of metal oxides that are present in the stone as impurities. Titanium oxide is the element that brings about the blue hues, ferric oxide is for yellows and chromium oxides give the colour red as in the gemstone ruby.

Pink, yellow, orange, green and purple are the other colours that are present in sapphire as well as the blue hues, and these are so called fancy sapphires. Also a pinky-orangey version is found that is extremely sought after known as Padparadscha sapphire.Colours of SapphirePink Sapphires - are highly prized gemstones for many collectors and consumers. Pink sapphires can resemble ruby occasionally. Pink sapphires can be found in shades ranging from dark rose to lighter and brighter "hot pink".

Yellow Sapphire - these are found in shades of dark yellow and light yellow (canary yellows).

Green sapphires - are the least desirable of all sapphires and range in colour from very light green (similar to peridot gemstones) through to darker green shades.

Purple sapphires - middle of the road in value and show a great colour scheme.

Star Sapphires - although found in all shades of blue, they are famed for their unique 6-star effect, known as "asterism".

Change Colour Sapphires - the gem will change colour in different lighting, and is known as "pleochroism", similar to that of tanzanite gemstones.

Cornflower Blue - a gorgeous mid-blue that is generally regarded as being the best and most expensive in the trade.

Ceylon Blue Sapphires - found in middle to pale blue colours. They are only called such if definitely known to have come from this region, if not they should be called "Ceylon type" sapphires.

Australian Blue Sapphires - the darkest of blue shades are shown, sometimes almost black, and again should only be called as such if definitely from Australia.

Padparadscha - possibly the most expensive of the sapphires available to purchase today. They are found in quite unique pink-orange tones.

To Summarise

If you have a budget and price in mind, then try to stick with it and match the gemstone to it. Which colour is best is entirely up to you only.

Just because historically cornflower blue is said to be the most desirable, if you want a darker shade of blue Australia, these are for you. Buy what you really want, not what you are told..,

I sincerely hope you have found this short article interesting, and it may be of some use for you in the future.
J S Stewart © 2011 Globe Jewellery Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Try www.GlobeJewellery.co.uk for a great range of Beautiful Sapphire Jewellery. They also have a lovely collection of Sapphire Rings, Sapphire Earrings and Sapphire Pendants.