Sapphire Gemstone Information
Engagement rings and wedding bands with sapphires and diamond or moissanite accents
The beautiful World of Sapphire Colors
Sapphires can be found in a variety of rainbow colors from the most known blues, to greens, yellows, pinks, red, purples and colorless white sapphires. White sapphires are a great alternative to more expensive white diamonds but usually not as sparkly as a diamond, a more understated gem.
Blue is the most sought after color for a sapphire. With colors ranging from inky blue to azure, there is a blue for everyone. The best and most valuable color for a blue sapphire is not the dark inky blue but a mid-toned hue. The the vibrant “cornflower” hue that is most prized when it comes to blue sapphires.
Cornflower Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring
I also love Montana Sapphires. Montana sapphires are mined in the state of Montana, USA. They are also known as the "Native American Sapphire". Montana Sapphires are available in every imaginable color of the rainbow but most commonly come in green to blue shades. Large Montana sapphires are a rarity and can demand high prices.
A collection of rings with Montana Sapphires
Sapphire – in all its rainbow of colors – is the gem given to those born in September or to those born under the sign of Aquarius. Read more about sapphire as a birthstone in this blog post.
Shop Sapphire birthstone rings,jewelry and gifts
Lab created sapphires:
Lab created sapphires are a great alternative to mined sapphires. Duplicating nature's environment, a lab created sapphire grown over time with identical physical, chemical and optical properties to those found in nature.
Dahlia engagement ring with lab grow round sapphire
Major sources for sapphires:
Australia, Cambodia, East Africa, India, Kashmir, Madagascar, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States
White sapphire rings are available with genuine or lab created sapphires.
Care for your sapphire:
Sapphires are rated “excellent” for everyday wear. Due to their Moh's hardness of 9 they are very scratch resistant but can be scratched by moissanites and diamonds. Avoid exposure to heat and contact with chemicals.
Clean sapphires regularly as any soap scum residue can quickly makes them look dull and lifeless. To clean, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush and a solution of mild dish soap and warm water, rinse well and dry with a lint free cloth. Or clean in an at-home ultrasonic unit. More jewelry care info is available here.
Custom made Fair Trade Sapphire from Malawi set in Bezel Engagement Ring
Sapphire Enhancements:
Most sapphires have been heated to improve their color and sometimes also clarity. Heating is a permanent enhancement, as lasting as the gemstone itself. Heated sapphires can be re-cut and re-polished if needed without affecting it's color hue.
There are also un-enhanced natural sapphires available like the pictured sapphire in the semi-bezel ring below.
Sapphire Grades/ Clarity:
Some sapphire suppliers use a grading that is similar to diamond grading when it comes to clarity/inclusions of the gem (VVS, VS, SI). But more commonly sapphires are graded on a letter scale (B, A, AA) which takes the color saturation, the stones clarity and it's cut and polish into consideration. Grading varies a bit from supplier to supplier and whats an A for one could be a B for another. Grading is always somewhat subjective.
Here a letter grading used by one of my main suppliers for many blue sapphires in commercial standard cuts (non-fair trade sapphires only). The grading for fair trade sapphires I offer is slightly different as colors of sapphires vary based on mining location of gemstones and include more fancy colors like yellow, green, teals and various shades of blues.
| Commercial | Commercial quality; variation in color; included |
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| Dark Denim | Natural, untreated, medium slightly greenish blue; eye clean to slight imperfections; good cut; good polish |
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| Denim | Natural, untreated, slightly greenish blue; eye clean to slight imperfections; good cut; good polish |
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| Light Denim | Natural, untreated, light slightly greenish blue; eye clean to slight imperfections; good cut; good polish |
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| A | Medium to dark navy, little or no color zoning; slightly included; good brilliance; good cut; good polish |
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| AA | Medium navy to royal blue; eye clean; good brilliance; good cut; good polish |
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| AAA | Medium navy to royal blue; eye clean; good brilliance; excellent cut; excellent polish |
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| B | Dark navy, little or no color zoning; slightly included; good cut |
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| Ceylon-A | Medium light to medium blue, little or no color zoning; good cut; good polish |
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| Ceylon-AA | Medium to medium dark blue, little or no color zoning; good cut; good polish |
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| Bright Blue Fine | Medium navy blue; eye clean; excellent brilliance; excellent machine cut |
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Not all grades are available for each size and cut of blue sapphire.
The genuine white sapphires I use are usually graded AA (unless otherwise noted).
AA grading : near colorless (may be very slightly yellow, grey or blue); eye clean; good brilliance; good cut; good polish.
Three Stone Prong Set Oval Sapphire Tressa Engagement Ring with Pear-shaped White Sapphire Accents
Let customers speak for us
I will never buy from another jewler, the quality and commitment to excellence cannot be beat!
Love these tiny studs. The emeralds are really bright!
Love these earrings. They were exactly what I wanted, they have resolved thirty years of issues and they are perfect. Wonderful quality and a wonderful jeweller. So happy!
Love this ring! It’s well made, exactly what I was hoping for!!
Could not be happier with the two rings we received from Nordefrom, the service was equally exquisite, would not hesitate to buy another's.. ox
This was the most special thing I have done in a very long time. The process was so easy and covered every base. The ring turned out absolutely perfect. My son and his girlfriend got engaged last weekend and sh could not have been more thrilled.
I absolutely love my custom ring from Nodeform. Konstanze was communicative and helpful throughout the process, and created a stunning piece of art. I was thrilled with how quickly my order was produced and shipped! The bezel setting was very important for me as someone who works hands-on with people, and I feel comfortable wearing my engagement ring everyday without fear of damaging it or prongs snagging/loosening.
The rings Konstanze made for me are beautiful and go together wonderfully even though they were made separately. I was nervous about purchasing jewelry online, but Konstanze made the process easy, made excellent suggestions, and kept me informed throughout. Thank you so much, the rings are perfect!
When I opened the box, the ring was more beautiful than I imagined. It highlights my sapphire engagement ring and provides a band of beautiful, bright sparkle. I absolutely love this ring!!! My husband, who is not a fan of jewelry, really likes the unique design of the two rings.
Konstanze was wonderful to work with – patiently answering my questions and doing everything she could to ensure we got the rings I wanted! I am a repeat customer and will be back again. Thank you Konstanze!!
This was my third purchase from Nodeform. The earrings were beautiful, and my wife loves the jewelry. Everything is identical to how pictured. Excellent response time to inquiries and shipping is fast once purchased.
