Our Guide To Sapphires
You don’t need to be getting married to shine in something blue.
Romance, yes, but sapphires also carry a vintage charm that bestows any wearer with the sort of glamour and grace usually reserved for royalty.
We’ve drawn on 50 years of fine jewellery crafting to help you choose the perfect sapphire for your occasion—be it a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or just because you can.
If you’re thinking about adding this coveted jewel to your collection, read this first.
What is a sapphire?
Sapphires are a precious gemstone made from the mineral corundum. They’re formed when molten rock cools slowly over a long period of time, the conditions of which are rare. Rarer still is having this happen close enough to the Earth’s surface for the jewels to be extracted.
Most are mined in eastern Africa and southern Asia but deposits have also been found in the United States and here in Australia.
What wearing a sapphire means
Their rarity and beauty made sapphires a popular choice for royals. They’re found in the crown jewels of almost every royal house, from the Windsors to the Danes.
They’re now synonymous with nobility but their deep, striking blue has also been thought to convey serenity, purity, and wisdom as well as carry powers of protection and healing.
Choosing the right sapphire jewellery
Sapphires are an incredibly durable stone, second only to diamonds on the Mohs Scale. They’re largely scratch and chip resistant and can be polished without wearing away or losing shine.
This makes them ideal for everyday wear and if cared for properly (as all precious jewels should be), they’ll last a lifetime.
They make an excellent choice for an engagement ring or a family heirloom you’d love to see passed on for generations.
What to look for when buying a sapphire
Grading
Like diamonds, sapphires are graded by the four C’s—clarity, cut, colour, and carat—but for sapphires, colour is easily its most important characteristic. And no, we’re not just talking blue!
In their pure state sapphires are completely colourless, but when traces of other elements are found they take on a kaleidoscope of other colours. Iron will make a yellow sapphire, vanadium purple, and titanium its most famous and arguably ‘best’ shade: royal blue.
No two sapphires are ever exactly alike. Whatever colour you decide, its hue, saturation, and tone will determine its value.
Hue
Hue refers to the colour but it’s not as simple as saying ‘yellow’, ‘blue’ or ‘purple’. Even the bluest of sapphires can have hints of green or purple within it.
Saturation and tone
Saturation is how deep or intense the hue is, while tone refers to the relative lightness or darkness of the stone. The higher the saturation the darker in tone the sapphire will appear.
Size
Once you know which colour you’d prefer, you can consider size.
Bigger isn’t always better. Colour outweighs weight every time; a small stone in a vivid, rich blue is always a greater investment than a large stone in a pale hue.
Our favourite sapphire pieces
The classic engagement ring
Not unlike the ring that adorns the Princess of Wales’ finger, this royal blue sapphire surrounded by glistening white diamonds is the meaning of vintage glamour.
The elegant everyday earring
These dateless 18ct yellow gold huggies feature eight alternating round brilliant cut diamonds with eight round cut blue sapphires. The perfect earring to add a touch of stately grace to any outfit.
The modern heirloom
A decidedly modern take on a classic, this rugged yellow gold design set with a striking blue sapphire and round brilliant cut diamonds will turn heads for generations.
The romantic pendant
A stunning round Ceylon sapphire (a variety known for their brilliance and brightness) is always going to turn heads, particularly when surrounded by a halo of 14 round brilliant cut diamonds. Pair with the matching stud earrings and you might just be mistaken for real royalty.
The something green (or purple, or pink, or yellow)
A sapphire in an utterly unique green, purple, pink or even yellow hue makes for an extraordinary piece to wear now, but its charms will transcend generations and tell the story of its original wearer. If there’s ever a piece to pass on, it’s one like this.
Shop with a reputable jeweller
When making a purchase as significant as this, it's best to do your research. Ensure you shop with a reputable jeweller who has experience working with sapphires and where possible, head in store to view their range in person. You can visit Linneys’ jewellers at any of our three showrooms in Perth, Subiaco, and Burswood.
Browse our collection of sapphire jewellery online and if there’s something more bespoke you have in mind, contact us to make an appointment.
Sapphire Rings | Sapphire Earrings | Sapphire Necklaces | Sapphire Bracelets