How to Buy Sapphires
Sapphires are not as common as diamonds in the retail industry so here are some ideas on how to buy sapphires.
Sapphires are a single-crystal form of aluminum oxide, also called corundum. The color of a sapphire can vary from the well known blue thorough to purpose, yellow, pink, orange, green and even clear with no color at all. This will depend on the different minerals that are included in the sapphire.
Sapphires are graded by weight similar to diamonds. This is the carat and is how the sapphire is priced. Other factors, of course, enter such as the clarity, color and type of sapphire. The star sapphire is highly prized and these are usually cut into a dome shape. When you hold them up to the light they display a star shape inside. If you are looking for a start sapphire, hold it up. The ‘arms’ of the star should be clear and well defined and have six equally distant arms. Star sapphires are rare and so more expensive so you will want to be sure you are getting the real thing.
Most sapphires are oval or round in shape. The round tend to be more expensive. Watch for sapphires that are labelled “created” or “Cultivated”. This means the sapphire is not a natural one and was created or manufactured in a laboratory. Similar, if a sapphire ‘looks’ like glass, it probably is.
Any sapphire you buy should have a proper gemological certificate to accompany it and which gives its characteristics
A good idea is to ask to look at the sapphire under a jewelers loupe. This is a special one eyed magnifying glass which you might have seen jewelers use. You will be able to see any inclusions (bubbles of air or gas) within the stone and any deposits on the stone. If you see a sapphire with a deep inclusion that goes all the way to the surface of the stone, avoid that one as it can easily crack and then be useless.
Most of the sapphires in the local jewelers will be small. For larger stones you will have to go to a more professional jeweler and buy the stone lose. This is a better way to buy any sapphire actually as you can inspect all around the stone. Set stones can have faults which are hidden by the selling. Prongs or claws that hold the setting can be too tight and eventually, over time, crack the stone.
Knowing how to buy sapphires means understanding a bit about them and how to tell a good sapphire from a bad one.