How to Purchase Good Quality Loose Sapphires
Sapphires are precious gemstones and should be bought from a reputable jeweler or gem dealer. The gemstones' worth may be determined more easily if they have been certified by a gemological laboratory such as the Gemological Institute of America. Does this Spark an idea?
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Color
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The color blue is most commonly associated with sapphires, the most valuable of which is a deep intense blue. They also come in other shades such as pink, orange, yellow and green. Regardless of the specific shade, a medium toned sapphire with vibrant color is most desirable.
Cut
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Sapphires may be cut as round brilliants, ovals, emeralds or cushions. A well-cut gem has the proper proportions to reflect light from within the stone and display brilliance. Stones with brilliance shine and sparkle, especially when viewed in daylight.
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Clarity
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Inclusions are internal flaws that decrease the clarity as well as the value of the gemstones. The cleaner the sapphires are to the naked eye, the higher the value will be. An exception to this would be the cabochon or dome-like cut stone called star sapphire. Inclusions in this type of gemstone form an asterisk, which gives the stone value.
Treatment
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Find out from the jeweler whether the sapphires have been enhanced by heat treatment. Enhancements improve the stone's color and clarity. An untreated sapphire with good color and clarity will command a higher value than a treated sapphire with similar qualities.
Origin
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High-quality sapphires come from Burma, Sri Lanka and India. The most valuable are the cornflower blue sapphires from Kashmir and the pinkish orange paparadscha sapphires from Sri Lanka.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit treasure chest image by Julianna Olah from Fotolia.com
