Sapphires, Rubies, and Emeralds are the most desirable precious gemstones, and are commonly used in fine jewelry. My Love Wedding Ring are specialists in fine jewelry of natural gemstones, especially Sapphire Jewelry. Therefore, we have put together this precious gemstone education guide of sapphires, rubies, and emeralds to help you understand the sources, value, history, and durability of these 3 beautiful natural gemstones.
Sapphires are formed of a mineral called Corundum which is the crystalline form of aluminum oxide and when you think of sapphires, it is likely that you automatically think of the color blue. However, sapphires are actually found in a range of colors. My Love Wedding Ring specializes in blue sapphires and pink sapphires in particular but sapphires ranging from yellow and green though to purple can also be found. Whilst all of these colors are still called sapphires, when corundum is found in a red form, it is called a ruby.
Sapphires are mined all over the world with mines found in India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Burma, Australia, Brazil, Thailand, Vietnam, Madagascar, Africa and even in the USA. Unfortunately, as with many gemstones, the sapphires which are considered the most valuable blue sapphires are found in the war torn region of Kashmir on the Indian border with Pakistan. Other sources of blue sapphires are Sri Lanka (previously Ceylon) as well as Australia and Thailand. Many pink and yellow sapphires are found in Madagascar with purple sapphires typically coming from Brazil.
As with diamonds, the value of a sapphire is dependent upon the 4C's of cut, clarity, color and carat. Sapphires are rare gemstones, much rarer than diamonds, and this too can add a premium to the value of a high quality sapphire. In the main, the color of the gemstone, even taking into account heat treatment to improve color, is determined by the location at which the sapphire was mined. To this end, the blue sapphires from some areas, such as Kashmir and Ceylon are considered particularly beautiful and are highly valued. High quality deep pink sapphires are also considered very valuable.
After diamonds, sapphires are amongst the hardest gemstones known to man. Corundum is 9 on the Moh's scale of hardness and this means that sapphires can be very durable hard wearing stones. As diamonds are harder than sapphires they can damage sapphires. Other sapphires and rubies can also damage sapphires, therefore as with all jewelry, it makes sense to store sapphire jewelry wrapped individually in a soft cloth.
Sapphires have been very popular and mystical gemstones throughout the ages. The Persians believed the blue of the sky was caused by the reflection from sapphires which supported the earth and King Solomon's seal was allegedly made from a sapphire. The association of sapphires with royalty continues to this day, with Prince William having proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother's iconic sapphire engagement ring. Sapphires symbolize sincerity and faithfulness. In addition, sapphires are the birthstone for September and, in the US, is associated with the 45th wedding anniversary.
Within the gemstone industry, it is acceptable and common practice for mined sapphires to be heat treated to improve their color and clarity. Untreated sapphires can occasionally be completely clear, however more commonly, they have multiple small inclusions often called silk bands. Whilst in some cases these inclusions can result in a beautiful gemstone, more commonly, the gemstone is considered more beautiful without the silk bands. As the silk bands are a result of the gemstone having cooled to quickly during its formation, by heat treating the sapphire it can be irreversibly clarified making it more desirable. The sapphire is still considered natural as no chemicals have been added to the gemstone. The majority of commercial sapphires have been heat treated in this way. In addition, by careful multiple heat treatment, the color of the sapphire may be made clearer or brighter, this is much less common however can result in the beautiful pale Ceylon Blue sapphires which are very expensive.
Natural Sapphires at My Love Wedding Ring: All of the sapphires used by My Love Wedding Ring are Natural Sapphires and whilst the majority have been heat treated, some un-heated sapphires are available. However, due to the rarity of high quality un-heated sapphires, they are substantially much more expensive than those which have been subjected to heat treatment.
The weakest point of a sapphire is at the edge or point of the cut stone where any impact could cause the sapphire to chip or shatter, for this reason, it is best to remove your sapphire jewelry when doing rough work
Sapphires can easily be scratched or scraped by the edge or point of another sapphire, as well as by rubies and diamonds. To minimize the risk of this happening, always store your sapphire jewelry wrapped individually in soft cloth. After each time you wear your sapphire jewelry, use a soft jewelry cleaning cloth to remove the accumulated dirt before you putting it back in your jewelry box. All My Love Wedding Ring jewelry is supplied with a super-hi-microfibre jewelry cleaner cloth to help you do just this.
Give your sapphire jewelry a regular clean at home in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of washing up liquid. Soak the jewelry in the water for around 30 minutes, then using a soft brush, clean around the gemstone. Once clean, removed the jewelry and dry it using a soft cloth.
Rubies are formed of a mineral called Corundum which is the crystalline form of aluminum oxide. This is the same mineral which forms sapphires, however only when the mineral is colored red, due to the presence of chromium as an impurity in the stone, is it considered to be a ruby. As a result, rubies are very rare, and very valuable, gemstones.
Ruby mines can be found dotted around the world with the most well known mines in Burma (Myanmar) where the most valuable, pigeon blood red rubies, have historically been found however mines in Kenya have also been the source of some magnificent quality rubies. Ruby mines are also found in Pakistan, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Mozambique and even in the USA.
As with diamonds, the value of a ruby is dependent upon the 4C's of cut, clarity, color and carat. Rubies are extremely rare gemstones, very much rarer than diamonds, and this places a high value on a top quality ruby. In the main, the color of the gemstone, even taking into account heat treatment to improve color, is determined by the location at which the ruby was mined. The rubies termed pigeon blood red rubies, which traditionally came from Burma, are considered particularly beautiful and are highly valued. However strong, vivid, fire red rubies from any region are considered very valuable.
After diamonds, rubies, along with sapphires, are amongst the hardest gemstones known to man. Corundum is 9 on the Moh's scale of hardness and this means that sapphires can be very durable hard wearing stones. As diamonds are harder than sapphires they can damage rubies. Other rubies and sapphires can also damage rubies, therefore as with all jewelry, it makes sense to store ruby jewelry wrapped individually in a soft cloth.
Rubies have long been very sought after gemstones and have, for thousands of years, been one of the most valuable gemstones. They have long been attributed mystical qualities with ancient Burmese people believing they rendered a person invincible if they were inserted beneath the skin. It was also believed that rubies could predict impending danger by becoming darker. Rubies symbolize love. In addition, rubies are the birthstone for July and, in the US, is associated with the 40th wedding anniversary.
Within the gemstone industry, it is acceptable and common practice for mined rubies to be heat treated to improve their color and clarity. Untreated rubies can occasionally be completely clear, however more commonly, they have multiple small inclusions often called silk bands. Whilst in some cases these inclusions can result in a beautiful gemstone, more commonly, the gemstone is considered more beautiful without the silk bands. As the silk bands are a result of the gemstone having cooled to quickly during its formation, by heat treating the ruby it can be irreversibly clarified and the color improved, making it more desirable. The ruby is still considered natural as no chemicals have been added to the gemstone. The majority of commercial rubies have been heat treated in this way.
Natural Rubies at My Love Wedding Ring: All of the rubies used by My Love Wedding Ring are Natural Rubies with the majority having been heat treated to improve clarity and color. , Some un-heated rubies are available. However, due to the rarity of high quality un-heated rubies, they are substantially much more expensive than those which have been subjected to heat treatment.
The weakest point of a ruby is at the edge or point of the cut stone where any impact could cause the ruby to chip or shatter, for this reason, it is best to remove your ruby jewelry when doing rough work
Rubies can easily be scratched or scraped by the edge or point of another ruby, as well as by sapphires and diamonds. To minimize the risk of this happening, always store your ruby jewelry wrapped individually in soft cloth. Whenever you remove your ruby jewelry after wear, use a soft jewelry cleaning cloth to remove the accumulated dirt before you putting it back in your jewelry box. All My Love Wedding Ring jewelry is supplied with a super-hi-microfibre jewelry cleaner cloth to help you do just this.
Give your ruby jewelry a regular clean at home in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of washing up liquid. Soak the jewelry in the water for around 30 minutes, then using a soft brush, clean around the gemstone. Once clean, removed the jewelry and dry it using a soft cloth.
Emeralds are formed of a mineral called beryl. Pure beryl is completely clear, however beryl is the same mineral which forms other gemstones such as aquamarine, helidor and morganite gemstones. The coloring of beryl is determined by impurities with the gemstone however, only when the impurity is chromium, is the grass green beryl called emerald formed. As a result, Emeralds are very rare and very valuable gemstones.
Emerald mines can be found around the world with the most ancient mines in Egypt where emeralds have been being mined for over 3000 years. Mines still exist in Egypt as well as other locations in Africa including South Africa, Madagascar and Zambia. Emerald mines are also found in Columbia, Brazil, Russia with some emerald deposits even found in the USA.
As with diamonds, the value of an emerald is dependent upon the 4C's of cut, clarity, color and carat. Emeralds are rarer than diamonds and large, clear vivid emeralds are even rarer, making these extremely valuable gemstones. In the main, the emeralds which are an intense grass green color are the most desirable and valuable however the nature of these gemstones mean that colors ranging from a pale green through to a deep rich green can also be extremely beautiful and valuable. As emeralds are type III gemstones, they naturally have many inclusions although these inclusions do not always detract from the value of an emerald.
Emeralds are an 8 on the Moh's scale of hardness and this means that are reasonably durable. However, the inclusions found in emeralds make them vulnerable to heat damage and extreme changes in temperature may cause them to break as can knocks or bumps. Also, given that many emeralds are oiled, exposure to harsh detergents or chemicals can dilute or dissolve the oil which has soaked into the emerald reducing their clarity and color. As diamonds, sapphires and rubies are harder than emeralds they can scratch or chip emeralds. Other emeralds can also damage emeralds, therefore as with all jewelry, it makes sense to store emerald jewelry wrapped individually in a soft cloth.
Emeralds have been mined for over 3000 years and were highly prized gemstones amongst the ancient Egyptians with Cleopatra known to have been a keen collector of emeralds. They have long been attributed with magical qualities such as the ability to heal the heart, improve the memory or increase fertility. Emeralds symbolize faithfulness. In addition, emeralds are the birthstone for May and, in the US, is associated with the 55h wedding anniversary.
As emeralds are type III gemstones, it is common for even very beautiful emeralds to have a great many flaws and inclusions. Within the gemstone industry, it is acceptable and common practice for mined emeralds to be oiled to improve their color and clarity. The process of oiling involves immersing an emerald in oil which seeps into the cracks and fissures which are commonly found in emeralds. This treatment has the effect of improving the clarity of the emerald. It is also not unusual for a green oil to be used to further enhance the color of the emerald. The majority of commercial emeralds, including many of those used by My Love Wedding Ring, have been oil treated in this way with the oil treatment often occurring at the mine where the emerald is sourced.
As a result of the inclusions in emeralds, whilst reasonable hard, they are vulnerable to breaking or cracking, particularly if bumped. As a result, it is best to remove your emerald jewelry when doing rough work.
Emeralds can easily be scratched or scraped by the edge or point of another emerald, as well as by sapphires rubies and diamonds. To minimize the risk of this happening, alwasy store your emerald jewelry wrapped individually in soft cloth.When you remove your emerald jewelry after wear, use a soft jewelry cleaning cloth to remove the accumulated dirt before returning it back to your jewelry box. All My Love Wedding Ring jewelry is supplied with a super-hi-microfibre jewelry cleaner cloth to help you do just this.
Give your emerald jewelry a regular clean at home in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of a gentle washing up liquid. As emeralds have inclusions and flaws they are vulnerable to cracking if exposed to large changes in temperature, so make sure that the water you use is warm and not very hot. Also, the oil treatment applied to emeralds can be diluted or dissolved by harsh chemicals, so be carefully only to use gentle detergents. Soak the jewelry in the water for around 30 minutes, then using a soft brush, clean around the gemstone. Once clean, removed the jewelry and dry it using a soft cloth.
It is important never to clean emerald jewelry in an ultrasonic cleaner as the inclusions in the emerald leave the gemstone liable to break if ultrasonic vibrations were applied to it.
