Sapphires

What is a Sapphire?

Sapphire is one of the four precious gemstones and belongs to the mineral family of corundum. While most natural sapphires are famously blue, "fancy" sapphires also exist in a wide array of colors — including yellow, pink, green, orange, and even colorless. A rare pinkish-orange variety is called padparadscha. Interestingly, corundum that appears red is classified not as sapphire, but as ruby.

Where are Sapphires from?

Natural sapphires are mined in Cambodia, Colombia, Ethiopia, India (Kashmir), Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others.

Each mining region often imparts its own signature on a sapphire's color, clarity, and character. However, the beauty of a sapphire is ultimately judged by the quality of the individual stone, not just its origin. That said, Kashmir, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar are widely recognized for producing some of the world's finest gem-quality sapphires.

insert a sapphire mine picture

Kashmir, Burma, Ceylon?
Sapphires from famous origins like Kashmir, Burma (Myanmar), and Ceylon (Sri Lanka) carry a historic prestige. But origin alone doesn’t guarantee quality — the best sapphires are judged by their beauty first, not just their passport.

different hue sapphires, and dual hues

Two blue sapphires with the same hue but different tones

Sapphire Color Components

Sapphires are celebrated for their rich, even color. At Golden Eiffel, we carefully inspect every sapphire to ensure it has a smooth, uniform color with minimal signs of zoning, spotting, or banding. Our evaluations focus heavily on three key elements: hue, tone, and saturation.

Hue
Hue defines the actual color of the sapphire — both the primary color and any secondary tints. For example, a sapphire might be described as violet-blue or yellow-green. The secondary color is named first, followed by the dominant hue.

Tone
Tone refers to how light or dark a sapphire’s color appears. Two sapphires may both be blue, but one may display a light, sky-blue tone while the other carries a deep, ocean-blue tone.

Saturation
Saturation measures the purity and intensity of the color. The fewer grey or brown overtones present, the stronger the saturation. The highest level, called vivid, describes sapphires with the most pure and lively color.
At Golden Eiffel, we uphold strict standards — offering blue sapphires with greenish-blue to violet-blue hues, strong to vivid saturation, and a balanced range of tones.

Beyond Color: What makes a Sapphire Shine

Clarity

Clarity in sapphires is viewed very differently from diamonds. Since sapphires form in mineral-rich environments, it's common for small mineral specks to get trapped inside. Typical clarity features include needles, crystals, and naturals. Thanks to their rich color, small inclusions are often hidden, making them less noticeable.

Sapphires that appear clean to the naked eye — known as "eye-clean" — are highly prized and usually command premiums. On the other hand, sapphires with heavy inclusions, especially those that threaten durability, are valued lower.

At Golden Eiffel, we carefully select only sapphires that are mostly eye-clean, avoiding stones with glaring flaws.

Cut

Cut plays a crucial role in unlocking a sapphire’s true beauty. But unlike diamonds, there’s no single “ideal” cut for sapphires. Each gem must be cut individually based on its color, clarity, and transparency.

For example, lighter-colored sapphires might be cut deeper to intensify their color, while cutters work around uneven color zones to create a smooth, even face-up appearance. The cut can also cleverly minimize visible inclusions and enhance transparency.

The goal of every master-cut sapphire is a lively, brilliant gem with strong, even color — while preserving as much weight as possible for value.

Transparency

Transparency describes how easily light passes through a sapphire. It’s often tested by shining a light through the bottom (pavilion) of the stone.

High-transparency sapphires appear clear and bright, even under light, while poor-transparency stones look cloudy and dull.

Excellent transparency dramatically boosts a sapphire’s beauty, presence, and value — making it one of the key hallmarks of a truly special gem.

Sunset on Your Finger
The padparadscha sapphire is one of the rarest gemstones in the world, often described as the perfect blend of a soft pink sky meeting a golden-orange sunset. With its delicate, shifting hues, every glance at a padparadscha feels like capturing the fleeting beauty of a sunset — only this time, it's yours to keep forever.

Why Sapphires?

Individuality

Sapphires offer unmatched individuality thanks to their endless range of colors, sizes, and shapes — crowned by their signature rich color. No two sapphires are exactly alike, making sapphire jewelry a perfect reflection of personal style. Symbolizing loyalty and truth, and being the birthstone for September, sapphires also make meaningful choices for engagement rings and special occasions.

Durability

Sapphires rank 9 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness — just behind diamonds — making them an excellent choice for daily wear. They're tough, resistant to chipping, and stand up well to everyday exposure to heat, light, and common chemicals. Sapphires don’t just look good; they’re built to last.

Picture of padparadscha sapphire

Value

Compared to diamonds, sapphires generally offer greater size for the money. Their beauty, rarity, and growing demand have also led to steady price appreciation, especially for large, high-quality stones. In short: more size, more character, and strong long-term value.

What makes a sapphire valuable?

Color is king when it comes to sapphires. Rich, even color combined with good transparency and minimal visible inclusions usually makes a sapphire much more desirable.

Is sapphire a good choice for an engagement ring?

Definitely. Sapphires are not only beautiful and meaningful, but they're also very durable — perfect for everyday wear. Plus, they offer a unique alternative to traditional diamond rings.

Do sapphires scratch easily?

Not really. Sapphires are one of the hardest gemstones, rated 9 on the Mohs Scale, just behind diamonds. They’re very durable for everyday wear.

Are all sapphires blue?

Nope! While blue is the classic color, sapphires actually come in almost every color of the rainbow — yellow, pink, green, orange, purple, and even colorless.

Why do some sapphires look cloudy?

Cloudiness usually comes from inclusions or lower transparency. A top-quality sapphire should look lively and clear, not dull.

How should i care for sapphire jewelry?

Rubies are relatively low-maintenance. You can clean them at home with mild soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid harsh chemicals, and when not wearing your ruby jewelry, store it separately to prevent scratches from harder materials like diamonds.

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