How to Buy Sapphires

Sapphires range in color from the deepest darkest blue to light pale blue to even yellows and pinks. Sapphire, like its sister stone the ruby, is the second hardest mineral on earth after the diamond. Sapphires and rubies are both made from oxidized aluminum, but unlike rubies, sapphires don't have any chromium. Sapphires are very expensive gemstones and can be as large as 10 carats.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Find the most natural-looking blue gemstones. Look for stones that appear blue even under dim artificial light. These are the most valuable. But depending on your personal taste, look for stones that appeal to you first and foremost.
2. Check out star sapphires. These really rare gems are sapphires with rounded faces. Looking into the stone, you can see a six-legged white starburst. The most valuable star sapphires have legs all about the same length, few inclusions and a real true blue color.
3. Give fancy sapphires a chance. Although they aren't the traditional blue you might think of when talking about sapphires, fancy sapphires make a unique individualized statement. Fancy sapphires come in yellow, pink, orange and purple hues. The padparadja, also known as "lotus flower," is one of the most beloved fancy sapphires for its rare yellow-orange color.
4. Look for sapphires that are clear. All sapphires have some flaws, but be sure that the flaws in your stone are invisible to the naked eye or at least tolerable.
5. Pay attention to how the light plays off the face of the gemstone. A quality sapphire should have a good cut that catches the light; some cuts even disguise inclusions.
6. Find out where the sapphire came from. The best sapphires on the market today are from Kashmir, Burma and Sri Lanka; these typically have a very pure blue color. Thailand, Australia and Nigeria also mine sapphires; theirs tend to be dark blue in color. Brazil, South Africa and Tanzania also mine sapphires.
7. Ask for a certificate with your sapphire. The certificate should state where the stone came from, its appraisal value and other important information. Having this certificate helps protect your investment.

Tips & Warnings

• Sapphires are often synthetically treated to enhance their beauty. You might want to find untreated sapphires. Untreated sapphires are more valuable and are gaining in popularity.