BLOG

School is back in session, fall is in air (in certain parts of the country), and the days are becoming a little shorter. If your birthday is on its way, your birthstone is the sapphire.

Like its sister, the ruby, the sapphire is composed of the mineral corundum. While red corundum is designated as a ruby, all other colors are considered sapphires. However, we typically think of sapphires as blue, ranging from light to deep. Generally, the most sought after by consumers are cornflower blue. Ironically, on the other end of the color spectrum is the rarest, most valuable sapphire, the padparadscha. It is a pink-orange stone whose name means lotus blossom. Other than the ruby, the padaradscha is the only sapphire with a given name.

Since sapphires are second only to diamonds in hardness, they are a durable gemstone to set in jewelry. Since ancient times, the sapphire has been a favorite gem of royalty and been attributed mythic qualities. The Ten Commandments were said to have been inscribed on tablets of sapphire. Considered symbolic of wisdom and purity, they are abundant in the British Crown Jewels. In recent history, Prince Charles chose this jewel as the centerpiece of the engagement ring he gave Diana.

Another famous sapphire is the Logan sapphire. At 423 carats, it is one of the largest faceted gem-quality blue sapphires. The Black Star of Queensland, the Star of India and the Star of Bombay are, as their names suggest, star sapphires. They are cut into cabochons, smooth domes, to produce a six-rayed star pattern known as asterism. Other than weight, the value of the star sapphire is largely determined by the visibility and intensity of the asterism.

On the other hand, faceted sapphires are valued based on color, clarity, size, cut, as well as geographic origin. Large deposits have been found in Australia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, East Africa and North America. The most valuable stones originate in Sri Lanka, Burma and Kashmir. Cut sapphires are often treated with heat to improve their color and clarity. While this process removes the inclusions which cause asterisms, it does not affect the authenticity of the stone. Sapphires have been closely and successfully reproduced in labs, so always double check with your jeweler to make sure your stones are real.

If you were born in July, your flower is larkspur, your sign is Cancer or Leo, and your birthstone is Ruby, the Stone of Contentment. According to some, the ruby symbolizes success, devotion, and integrity. Others think the ruby is the perfect symbol of love and passion. All can agree the ruby has a long history of evoking varied responses from all who wonder at its magnificence.

Since its discovery over 2,500 years ago, the ruby has been prized by both royalty and warriors. The earliest stones were found in Sri Lanka and Burma where the ancient Hindus called the ruby “Rajnapura,” meaning “King of Gems.” They believed that when the stone was placed under the skin, it would make a warrior invincible. Royalty used the ruby as a talisman, believing the stone would grow darker indicating impending doom. Legend states the first wife of Henry VIII foretold her imminent demise from the darkening of her ruby.

While there is a lack of empirical evidence that the darkening of the ruby is a signal of danger, color is a significant characteristic of the ruby when determining its relative worth. Ranging in hue from light to deep with orange to purple undertones, to be classified a ruby, the stone must be red corundum. Corundum is second only to diamonds in hardness, and is a sapphire in any color other than red (ruby) or green (emerald). Mostly found in the Mogok region of northern Burma, now Myanmar, the true red of “pigeon blood” rubies is considered the most beautiful and valuable.

Ironically, the term “Burmese ruby” has been used to describe stones which are perfect red but are not from Burma. These rubies can be found in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States. Some regions  produce characteristic color traits. African rubies typically are darker red with brownish undertones. Sri Lankan rubies tend to have a lavender undertone that appears fuchsia red.

As with diamonds, clarity, cut and carat are important considerations when choosing a ruby. The fewer flaws, the higher the value of the ruby. The quality of the cut can also enhance the color and luminosity of the ruby. Natural rubies are usually smaller in size. Since higher carat stones are rare, the price per carat is not linear. For example, the price per carat of a five carat gem will be exponentially higher than that of a two carat stone of equal quality.

When purchasing a ruby, make sure to buy from a reputable dealer who can tell you the stone’s origin, authenticity, and whether it has been treated with any coating to enhance its appearance. Like other gems, rubies can be made in a laboratory. While a synthetic ruby may be a good option, your dealer should always disclose that it is not a natural stone.

Among the properties natural rubies are rumored to have, ancient lore says a ruby worn on the left hand will bring the wearer luck. If you’re not fortunate enough to have the ruby as your birthstone, consider the firey, red gem as an engagement or pinky ring to bring a little more luck and magic into your life.

Do you prefer white or yellow gold in your jewelry? Both are great as far as durability is concerned, and the difference in price is almost negligible. There are, however, some subtle differences between the two, and that’s just not about the color. Here is how the two types of gold differ from one another:

1. Both white and yellow gold are genuine gold, and the karat rating in measured in the same way. 18-karat gold will contain 75% pure gold, be it white or yellow. The only difference lies in the metals alloyed with gold to make the jewelry. Yellow gold is alloyed with copper, zinc, etc., to retain the yellow glow. White gold, on the other hand, is alloyed using nickel, palladium, etc., and plated with a thin layer of rhodium on top to give it the brilliant silver white radiance. Keep in mind that if you are allergic to nickel, you will need to make sure that your white gold jewelry contains palladium as the alloying metal. This will make the jewelry slightly more expensive, but in the long run, the value for money it provides will be exceptional indeed.
   

2. White gold jewelry requires slightly more maintenance than yellow gold variants. This is because the rhodium layer will show signs of wear and tear, exposing the metal underneath as time progresses. Rhodium is quite a hard, non-reactive metal, but everyday use will eventually take its toll on the layer anyway. Don’t worry when this happens. Simply get your ring re-plated from the jewelry store where you bought the jewelry from. The process is inexpensive, quick, and before you know it, your jewelry will look good as new once again.

3. Consider the color of gemstones when buying gem studded jewelry to determine which type of gold to get. If you are purchasing diamond solitaire rings or diamond studded jewelry, then by all means, opt for white gold. Nothing else will bring out the luster of your diamonds more effectively. But if you are opting for colored gemstones in bright hues, yellow gold would be more appropriate, as the yellow glow will add to the luster of the gems.

Both yellow and white gold are excellent for jewelry. In the end, the part about making a choice boils down to your personal preference, and the color of gemstones set in the jewelry. Both types of gold can add definition equally to your outfits, and both will look great on you, under all circumstances.