Sapphire Ring
A sapphire ring such as that on the left is very beautiful when tastefully presented.
Sapphire is the name for transparent corundum which is an aluminum oxide. Corundum is used to describe rubies as well as sapphires due to their shared characteristics. Rubies are usually red while sapphires can be any color even including red but rarely.
In fact the color of a sapphire can vary from a deep rich blue to a pale blue to almost every color in the spectrum including blue, black, brown, orange, yellow, green, indigo, violet, or mauve.
Sapphires have a hardness around 8, just below diamond which is 10 and the hardest substance on the Mohs scale. Hardness is a desirable feature for gemstones as it then means they can take a lot of wear and is useful for watch bearings, glasses and as an abrasive.
Some factors to keep in mind when looking for a suitable sapphire ring include the color. Many people prefer the deeper hues or colors but sometimes the lighter ones are more suitable for different types of jewelery. When choosing a suitable sapphire keep in mind the color you want. Although many colors are available blue is the most popular. Much will depend on your skin tones, the type of jewelery you are wearing and the fashion statement you want to make.
Also look at the quality of the stone, examine it from all angles and ensure the color is even throughout the stone. A certificate from an independent laboratory is always a wise move as that shows the quality of the cut and tone of the gemstone or how deep the color goes.
The price of a sapphire can vary tremendously from around 2-3 dollars a carat to many thousands so it is important to know what you are buying.
Maintaining your sapphire is important. Gemstones get dirty just like anything else and accumulate grime, sweat and oils etc. A good wash over a bowl in warm soapy water then rinsed well and dried regularly is very important. Do not use bleaches or detergents or other chemicals which may have a reaction to the metals the gemstone is set in. These could cause a reaction and be a problem, especially for those with allergies.
Provided you keep in mind the above points there is no reason why you should not have many happy years of pleasure with your sapphire ring.