Gemstones

Sapphire is a precious gemstone, consisting of aluminum oxide with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. Sapphire is typically blue, but there are some other natural “fancy” sapphires in other colors like purple, orange, yellow, or green, also known as "parti-colored" sapphires.

Blue sapphires are found in many different locations around the world including Kashmir,  Myanmar, Thailand, Australia, Tanzania, Nigeria, and the state of Montana in the United States.

Blue sapphire exists in various mixtures of its primary blue hue, and secondary hues mostly include Violet and green. Blue sapphires are evaluated based on the purity of their blue hue. The most valuable blue sapphires are the ones with more purity in primary hue and vivid saturation. While color and size are the most important factors in the pricing of the sapphires, there are also other factors in determining the value of the natural sapphires including cut, clarity, and treatments. Untreated sapphires are worth much more than the ones that have been treated. 

The blue sapphires with violet hues are the most valued, while gray or green hues make the blue sapphire less valuable. The green hue of sapphire comes from the presence of Iron in its crystal. However, blue sapphires are dichroic, meaning that their colors vary in different angles of view and different lights. While blue sapphires mostly appear in violet-blue, they may be seen in greenish blue from other directions. So, cutting can also affect the color of this gemstone. A professional cutter will orient the stone during the cutting process, to get the most desired blue to violet-blue color through the finished gem.

Blue sapphires can be treated by several methods to enhance and improve their clarity and color. Heat treatment is the most common method used widely in the sapphire market to enhance its appearance and make the blue color of the stone more vivid. Today, over 90 percent of the sapphires in the market are being subjected to heating.

Violet-blue sapphire is also known as the royal blue sapphire. Royal blue sapphires were often worn by medieval kings, as they believed that this gemstone would protect them from their enemies. Blue sapphires are also considered the symbol of luck, loyalty, and happiness in love. Sapphire is the September birthstone. It is also gifted on the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.

Emerald is a gemstone and a variety of mineral beryl. Trace amounts of chromium or sometimes vanadium in beryl cause it to develop a green color. To define the value of the emerald, the four basic parameters(4Cs) are taken into account, however, color and clarity are the most important factors by far. A fine emerald must have not only a vivid primary green hue but also a high degree of transparency to be considered a valued top gemstone. Blue and yellow are the most common secondary hues in emeralds and a fine emerald must not have over 15 percent of these secondary hues. Stones with weak saturation or light tone of green are called "green beryl”, not emerald. Greenish-blue beryl stones are known as "aquamarine” and those with greenish-yellow colors are called "heliodor."

Colombia is by far the world's largest producer of fine emeralds followed by Brazil and Zambia. Other sources are Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Australia, and the United States.

Emerald is the symbol of spiritual awareness, protection, love, and wisdom. This gemstone is known as the Birthstone for May and the 55th anniversary is celebrated with emeralds.