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Step 1
Look for the star. The most prized sapphires have a dome shape and have a star-shaped inclusion when looked at in the light. While there are many beautiful sapphires on the market, these are considered the most desirable.
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Step 2
Stick with natural-looking sapphires if your intention is to purchase fine jewelry. Anything called "cultured" or "created" was made in a laboratory and isn't a real stone. Ask to see the stone under a jeweler's loupe to make sure it isn't glass.
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Step 3
Choose the color that appeals to you the most--but consider value as well if your sapphire is an investment or intended to become an heirloom. Blue sapphires with a clear, deep hue are the most valuable, followed by cashmere sapphires, which are also blue. Red sapphires are called rubies and are valuable, too.
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Step 4
Pick a round or oval sapphire. Round sapphires are usually the most expensive, but depending on what jewelry styles appeal to you, ovals might be a better choice.
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Step 5
Expect to pay more for multi-carat sapphires, just as you would with diamonds. Sapphires are measured by carats just as diamonds are. Clarity, cut and color also will influence the price. To get the best value when purchasing a large sapphire, buy a loose stone and have it set separately.
