Are you looking forward to increasing your knowledge about the Sapphire grades? if yes, then here is the right stop for you. Check it out.
Type II gemstones, such as rubies and sapphires, are frequently found with inclusions. They include Ruby, Sapphire, Amethyst, Garnet, Seafoam Tourmaline, Iolite, and Peridot. Our sapphires are truly unique since we go through hundreds of sapphires to locate those with no obvious imperfections.
Sapphires are beautiful jewelry gifts for those born in September. Also, it’s special for people celebrating their 5th or 45th wedding anniversary. So whether you’re looking for a conventional blue sapphire or a sapphire in a different hue, you can’t go wrong with this beautiful gemstone.
The quality characteristics for sapphires are not as well defined as those for other gemstones, the 4Cs still apply. Sapphires, like diamonds, are graded on color, clarity, cut, and carat size, as well as the place of origin.
The color of a sapphire is the most important factor in determining its value. The most valuable sapphires are bright blue with a violet tinge. Green or grey secondary colors detract from the main color.
A few elements determine how natural sapphires are graded and valued. These characteristics include sapphire color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. When evaluating the value of sapphire, the country of origin is also taken into account. Depending on the component being rated, different grading systems seem to determine the quality of the sapphire.
Also Read:- What are Round Diamonds: A Complete Guide for You
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Sapphire Grades
Sapphire grades are set according to different ranks using this approach. These attributes include AAA, AA, A, and B:
Natural AAA – Only 2% of all-natural gemstones are graded in this way.
Natural AA – This grade accounts for 10% of all-natural gemstones on the market. They are dark blue in hue and appear to be opaque. Mall jewelers or small family jewelry shops frequently employ them in exquisite jewelry.
Natural A – The top 20% of natural gemstones are graded in this way.
Natural B – This category contains more than half of all-natural gemstones.
Sapphire Cuts
A tailored cut is essential for bringing out a sapphire’s distinct characteristics. There are no conventional “optimal” cuts for sapphires, unlike diamonds. This is because each individual sapphire crystal must be manually cut to ensure the optimum color and brightness in the finished gem.
Also, there are no exact proportion requirements for sapphires. They come in such a wide range of colors, each with its own set of characteristics. Sapphire cuts are rarely assessed by gem laboratories due to the lack of consistency. Instead, jewelers establish their own cut criteria and evaluate sapphires based on their hue.
A well-cut sapphire will show off the gemstone’s color to its full potential while also boosting shine and brilliance. Gemstones with a lighter color tone are frequently cut deeper to lend dimension and intensity to the hue. Conversely, a sapphire cut shallower will allow more light to reflect within the gemstone, softening and enhancing the hue. Both ways will bring out the distinctive brilliance of a sapphire. The edges of the sapphire should be symmetrical and even, regardless of its shape.
The “crown” of facets on the top of the gem should be uniform in size, shape, and position. The table, which is the largest facet on the top of the crown, will be symmetrical and well-centered. When the sapphire is rocked and tilted, vivid color flashes should appear as it moves, with no dull patches.
Tone
The term “tone” refers to the degree of color saturation. If you compare a sky blue sapphire to a midnight blue sapphire, you can say that the hue or color is the same, but the tone is different. The midnight blue sapphire has a “dark” tone, whereas the sky blue sapphire has a “light” tone. Brilliant Earth provides sapphires in a variety of tones, ranging from “light” to “dark,” with the “medium-deep blue” spectrum being our norm for blue sapphires.
When establishing the price of sapphire, the color grade is always the most significant factor to consider. A rich, velvety, deep royal blue is the greatest color for a natural blue sapphire. This sapphire color is AAA quality, meaning it is the rarest and most precious.
A medium-rich blue, or AA grade, is the second finest hue. The A group includes any blue sapphires with a faint grey undertone. Finally, sapphires with a deep and opaque blue color are classified as B Grade. Identifying hue, tone, and saturation are the three most important aspects of color grading. Face up on a white surface, these elements are used to assess color.
Hue
The sapphire’s hue relates to the sapphire’s true body color. It usually consists of two parts: the color that stands out the most, and any additional colors that are barely visible. Greenish-blue, somewhat violet-blue, and violet-pink are other examples. The modifying color comes first in each of them, followed by the main color. The normal blue sapphires range in color from slightly greenish-blue to slightly violet-blue. Yellow, orange, pink, peach, white, purple, and green sapphires are also available.
How to Care for a Sapphire?
Heat treatments are the most popular sapphire treatments. They are used to eliminate impurities and increase the hue and saturation of sapphires. This impacts a sapphire’s color grade, which may be one grade before treatment but may rise to a higher grade after that. Heat treatment of sapphires is so prevalent that it has little effect on their total value. Diffusion treatments (adding a thin layer of color to the surface of a sapphire) can, nevertheless, have an impact on their value.
Like diamonds, Sapphire is long-lasting and suitable for everyday wear. However, dirt and dust can accumulate on your jewelry over time and frequent wear, making even the most precious pieces look faded and drab. The most accessible approach to keep your jewelry gleaming for a long time is to keep it clean. Here are some suggestions for keeping your sapphire jewelry in good condition.
- Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth once clean. If the stone is still cloudy, go through the process again.
- Take care when wearing sapphire jewellery. Before you put them on, make sure you’ve finished your makeup. Similarly, make sure you’ve taken off your jewellery before removing your makeup.
- Warm water and a dab of cleaning solution are all that’s needed to clean sapphires. You can also clean them with a soft toothbrush.
- When doing hard labour, such as gardening, washing, or cleaning, Wearing them is not recommended. Scratching or chipping may occur as a result. Also, never bathe or swim with your jewellery on.
- Never use harsh chemicals on your sapphires. Chlorine bleach or anything that contains moisturisers or abrasives can affect the sapphire.
- To avoid scratching, keep each piece of sapphire jewellery in its own compartment.
- Keep your sapphire jewellery in a cool, dry location away from direct sunshine and heat.
- It is advised that you have your sapphire jewellery professionally cleaned at least once a year.
How can you tell a good quality sapphire?
To assess clarity, professionals consider the size, position, and number of inclusions. The better the grade, the less obvious the inclusions are. Cut: A sapphire’s cut is mainly what makes it glitter.
Are Darker sapphires more valuable?
Color has the greatest impact on sapphire value, and sapphires with strong to vivid color saturation are prized. Velvety blue to violet-blue in medium to medium-dark tones are the most valuable blue sapphires. The most expensive sapphires per carat are those with these features.
