Sapphire Engagement Ring Alternating With Sparkling Diamonds

Diamond and sapphire rings have been the symbol of eternal love. A dazzling blue sapphire ring with diamonds for your lady is certainly the best choice for that special moment when you will propose to her. Diamond and Sapphire engagement rings are the most sought-after choice for women who prefer something unique than the traditional diamond engagement rings.

The versatile sapphire looks brilliant with diamonds on either side of it. The brilliant contrast between the magnificent sapphire and sparkling diamonds makes the ring look elegant and alive. A diamond and sapphire engagement ring is a lovely option for your lady. If she carries a contemporary style, a stunning sapphire ring with diamonds in white or yellow gold will complement her in all ways. The classic three-stone engagement ring having a vibrant blue sapphire flanked by two round brilliant diamonds will suit her best.

If your lady is interested in jewelry with an elite look, she'll love the solitaire sapphire ring with diamond accents. Its classiness is everlasting. So, make your engagement a special moment and give her that special smile with glitters in her eyes. Give her the color of the splendid sapphire and sparkle of lustrous diamonds on that special occasion.

Diamonds and sapphire are some of the most sought after gemstones and a blend of both gives an exquisite style and timeless appeal to the ring which will give her pleasure for years to come. She will marvel at the beauty of her diamond and sapphire engagement ring and will over time regard it as personal to her as any other one of her possessions.

Sapphire - Not Just in Blue, Its Every Color but Red

Sapphire, the birthstone for September, has a name that is known and prized throughout the world. Yet when the public thinks of sapphire invariably it is as a blue gemstone; the name itself comes from a Latin word that means "blue". This is unfortunate, because sapphire occurs in a wide range of colors and many of these hues are much rarer than the blue shades. The red variety of sapphire has a special name: it is called "ruby". Both sapphire and ruby are a gem varieties of the mineral corundum: the only difference is the trace elements which give them their rich colors. Ruby is the red version, and the term "sapphire" applies to all the non-red colors of the mineral corundum that are cut as gemstones, not just the blue variety. The other colors of sapphire can be just as beautiful and rare - or even rarer - than the blue, but they are usually priced less. Yellow, orange, lavender, and other pastel shades are especially affordable - and often very beautiful. Sapphire gems in colors other than blue are often referred to as fancy sapphire.

Because sapphires represent divine favor, they were the gemstone of choice for kings and high priests. The British Crown Jewels are full of large blue sapphires, the symbol of pure and wise rulers. The most famous and valuable sapphires are a rich intense blue, a truly royal hue. Sapphire is also the birthstone for September, the month when the most babies are born. Ancient lists also name sapphire as a birthstone for April and the gemstone for the sign of Taurus.

Sapphire is perhaps the toughest and most durable gemstone available on the market. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire is harder than any other gem but diamond and it has no cleavage plane so it cannot be cut with a single blow like a diamond. In fact, synthetic sapphire is used for scratch-resistant watch crystals, optical scanners, and other instruments because its durability can be trusted. That same durability ensures that sapphire jewelry will be treasured for generations.

Sapphires come from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, and Cambodia. Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China, Vietnam, Madagascar, and the United States. The deposits in Montana in the United States produce a range of fancy colors, mostly from alluvial deposits in the rivers, and deep blue sapphires from one of the world's largest deposits at Yogo Gulch. The sapphires from Yogo Gulch are small in size but they have a beautiful blue. Unfortunately they are found in a hard rock that makes mining difficult, limiting production.

Much of the fine sapphire on the market today comes from Sri Lanka, which produces a wide range of beautiful blues from delicate sky blue colors to rich saturated hues. Yellow sapphires from this locality are magnificent, and may reach sizes of several hundred carats. These large stones are museum pieces, yet are surprisingly inexpensive despite their great rarity. Pink and violet sapphires from Sri Lanka are extremely intense and vibrant in their coloration and are generally much rarer than blue sapphires. Kanchanaburi in Thailand and Pailin in Cambodia are renowned for deep blue, even colors. Two relatively new mining localities are showing promise: Madagascar, which has produced some exceptionally fine stones in small sizes but has no organized mining yet, and Tanzania, which has long produced sapphire in other colors but is starting to produce blue colors as well from a deposit at Tunduru.

The most valuable sapphires have a medium intense, vivid blue color. The best sapphires hold the brightness of their color under all different types of lighting. Any black, gray, or green overtones mixed in with the blue will reduce a stone's value. In general, a more pastel blue would be less preferred than a vivid blue but would be priced higher than an over dark blackish blue color. Many people believe that these blackish “inky” blue sapphires are the most valuable, but this is simply not the case and many folks have never seen a good sapphire. As with all gemstones, sapphires which are "clean" and have few visible inclusions or tiny flaws are the most valuable. However some very fine sapphires, in particular those from Kashmir, have a velvety mist-like texture which enhances the richness of the blue.

The most valuable of the fancy sapphires is a orange-pink or pinkish-orange called "padparadscha" after the lotus blossom. Padparadscha sapphires are very rare and the exact definition has always been a matter of debate: different dealers and different laboratories around the world disagree on the exact color described by this term. Some dealers even argue that the term should not be limited to the pastel shades of Sri Lankan sapphires but should also include the more fiery shades of reddish-orange from the Umba Valley in Tanzania. Padparadscha sapphires sell at a premium, sometimes approaching the price for a fine blue sapphire. Although the exact description is debated, the beauty of these rare gemstones is not, with their delicate blended shades the color of fresh salmon and sunsets. Other very popular shades of fancy sapphires are yellows, bright oranges, lavender and purples, and a bluish green color.

Generally, the more clear and vivid the color, the more valuable the fancy sapphire. If the color is in the pastel range, the clarity should be good: because in lighter tones inclusions are more noticeable, the trade usually prefers the gemstones to be cleaner with fewer visible inclusions. In a lighter colored gemstone, the cut is also more important: it should reflect light back evenly across the face of the stone, making it lively and brilliant. With darker more intense colors, the cut is not as critical because the color creates its own impact. Stones too dark to give good return of light and sparkle are also valued less.

Sapphires are most often cut in a cushion shape - a rounded rectangle - or an oval shape. You can also find smaller sapphires in round brilliant cuts and a wide variety of fancy shapes, including triangles, squares, emerald cuts, marquises, pear shapes, baguette shapes, and cabochon cuts, or smooth domes. Some sapphires with an unusual kind of tiny needle-like inclusions can be cut in a cabochon shape to display a dancing six-rayed white star. Star sapphires, which are becoming more rare, are very popular for men's rings. Star sapphires are judged by the sharpness of the star, the evenness of the rays or "legs" of the star, and the body color of the sapphire. It is extremely rare to find a star-sapphire with a sharp star and a bright blue body color.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Ralph

Ruby Jewelry - It's Precious

Ruby doesn’t need any introduction – it is one of the most precious stones, which can shine brilliantly in a necklace and at the same time glow with a subtlety in a ring. Ruby and red go together and it can ignite a thousand desires that will light your candle of passion without your having to say a word. That’s the magic of a ruby.

Being one of the rarest stones, it is precious and expensive but ruby has a beauty that can’t be expressed through words. It represents a power that comes with the red color, the color of blood, the color of an enchanting sunset and the color of love. The best ruby though is the fine ruby, which is born out of chromium. What chromium really does is that it breaks up the stone from inside to give it the perfection that comes with the name. You can recognize a good ruby from a bad one by looking at the color saturation. A good ruby will always have a high color saturation, which occurs due to the mixture of a red fluorescent emission and a bluish red body color.

We all relate to the ruby for the red glow but did you know that it is one of the rare and glorious accidents of nature. This red glow is the reason why ruby is so popular. In fact the Thai and the Cambodian rubies are purer versions of red, but they lack the fluorescence that some rubies are famous for. Most of the stones possess a certain degree of extinction but a fine ruby with its crimson fluorescence can mask it. Some of the best Burmese rubies glow with a red that is quite unfound and bathe in a red fluorescence that paints its entire glory right across the face of the stone.

The value of a ruby is determined by the intensity of the red color. So when you are buying a ring that has a ruby in it, the more intense the color, the more expensive it will be. The color will be intense without being too dark or too light. Another thing, you need to check while buying a ruby is the clarity. The general rule is that when you look into the stone, there should not be any inclusions. If there are any inclusions and it is visible to the naked eye then don’t buy it. The third most important and decision making factor is the cut. You will find rubies in different shapes and styles depending on how they have been cut. The most common type of cut is the oval one but you will also find round ones and the emerald cut.

Apart from the imperial jadeite and some rare diamonds, ruby is next most expensive gem in the world. The best quality ruby comes from the following countries:

1. Mogok, Burma

2. Sri Lanka

3. Madagascar

4. Nanyazeik, Burma

So when you are buying a ruby ring, necklace or any high quality jewelry containing ruby, be rest assured that it will sparkle with an intensity that can be next only to your passion or love.

Affinity Jewelers is committed to offering the absolute highest quality jewelry at the guaranteed lowest prices. You won’t find a better deal on wedding bands, diamond anniversary bands, diamond necklaces, pearl rings, earrings, bracelets, and gemstone jewelry anywhere on the web. At Affinity Jewelers quality jewelry can be affordable jewelry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Morley_M

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The Gemstone Education - Ruby - The King of Gems

Perhaps no gemstone has been as prized throughout history as the Ruby. Celebrated in Bible and in ancient Sanskrit writings as the most precious of all gemstones, Rubies have adorned emperors and kings and inspired countless legends and myths with their rich, fiery hues.

As the ultimate red gemstone, rubies have symbolized passion and romance for centuries. Ruby is the birthstone for month of July, and it is recommended for married couples celebrating their 15th and 40th wedding anniversary.

Also the color of blood, the stone is symbolic of courage and bravery. Warriors were said to have implanted Rubies under their skin to bring them valor in battle and make them invincible. The stone has also been used as a talisman against danger, disaster, to stop bleeding, and a number of other ailments. Its intense color was thought to come from an undying flame inside the stone; or, as some legends would have it, a piece of planet Mars.


Ruby is the red variety of corundum, a sister of Sapphire. Like Sapphire, Ruby is measured 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it the second hardest material known after diamonds.

The most valuable Rubies come from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, but they are mined throughout Southeast Asia. Good quality stones come from Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Kenya and Tanzania also are becoming more important as mining sources for Ruby. While the color of the stones from East Africa rivals the world's best Rubies, most of these stone are fraught with inclusions that diminish their transparency and value. However, the East African stones are displayed to full advantage in Cabochon cuts and have done well in the mass jewelry market. Meanwhile, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Russia have all produced occasional top quality Rubies, but the rough terrain in these areas has made mining difficult.

The most important factor to consider when purchasing a Ruby is its color. It comes in a variety of shades ranging from purplish-red and bluish-red to orange-red. Like Sapphire, there is also a translucent variety of Ruby that can display a six pointer star when in a smooth domed Cabochon cut.

The finest rubies are intensely saturated, pure red with no overtones of brown or blue. After color, the factors that influence value are clarity, cut and size. Rubies that are clear with no visible inclusions are more valuable than those with visible internal flaws.

Rubies are readily available in sizes up to 2 carats, and because of their intense color and durability, they make excellent accent stones. Larger sizes can be obtained, but top quality Rubies are rarer and more valuable than colorless diamonds, particularly in sizes above 5 carats. For instance, a 16 carats Ruby sold at auction for more than $200,000 at Sotheby's in 1988. In May 1995, a 27.37 carats Burmese ruby ring sold for 4 million dollars at Sotheby's in Geneva, Switzerland, an astounding $146,145 per carat. In contrast, none of the D-color, internally flawless diamonds over 50 carats sold in the last decade can match this value per carat.

Rubies are rarely found perfect in nature, which is why many are heat treated to intensify or lighten their color or improve their clarity. Heat enhancement is permanent, stable process. Some Rubies also have surface fractures and cavities that are filled with glass like materials to improve their appearance. This filler may break, fall or wear out over time if exposed to heat, strong abrasives or constant impact. for both treated or untreated stones, the safest cleaning method is to just use soapy water or a mild commercial solvent and a brush.

The article above can be used on your web site or newsletter. When it is published, May I request that you include my name and resource box (the bio, contact and copyright information that follows the article). I would also appreciate if you could send me an e-mail of notification along with a complimentary copy of publication.

Bijan Aziz is the owner and Web Master for The Jewelry Hut.

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Sapphire Gemstones - A Buying Guide

Fine colored gemstones have never been more popular. Not long ago, only a diamond would be thought suitable for an engagement ring. But today many precious and semi-precious stones are chosen instead of diamond. This trend gained momentum when Princess Diana chose a blue sapphire for her engagement ring.

Sapphire, the blue variety of the mineral corundum, has long been one of the most highly esteemed of precious stones. It combines excellent hardness and wearability with outstanding brilliance and luster. And it is hard to equal the velvety deep blue of a sapphire, especially when set with white diamonds. Blue sapphire is thought to symbolize sincerity and faithfulness.

But the classic blue is not the only choice in sapphire. Here is some useful information on sapphire colors and what to look for in a fine sapphire.

Sapphire Colors
Blue continues to be the top-selling color in sapphire, though there is actually a range of blue tones from light blue to midnight blue. But not all sapphires are blue. You might be surprised at the wide choice of sapphire colors. They include shades of pink, yellow, green, orange and a very rare pink-orange known as padparadscha. You won't find sapphires in red, however. That's because red sapphire is known as ruby! Ruby and sapphire are actually the same mineral, corundum.

Yellow sapphire has become a very popular choice recently, probably due to the popularity of yellow diamonds. While yellow sapphires are hardly inexpensive, they are certainly far cheaper than yellow diamonds, yet have a combination of hardness and brilliance that rival diamond.

Yellow sapphire is colored by traces of iron. These stones are available in shades from the palest yellow to intense yellow-gold. The darker yellow tones are achieved through heat treatment, with some of the brighter shades created by a lattice diffusion treatment using beryllium.

Many sapphires that appear green actually consist of fine alternating bands of blue and yellow sapphire, which may be visible under the microscope.

What to Look For in a Fine Sapphire

In the case of blue sapphire one should look at the intensity of the blue as the most important factor in deciding the value. For example, you may have a huge stone of many carats, but if the color is a washed-out, weak blue, then the value of the stone will be lower. Look for a stone that has an intense, rich blue without being dark or inky. Overall, sapphires that are too dark and inky or too light in color are valued less.

Sapphires tend to be cleaner than ruby in regards to clarity. Look for stones that are eye-clean. This means that no inclusions or defects are visible to the naked eye. Actually, extremely fine silk or rutile throughout the stone can enhance the value of some sapphires. The famous sapphires from Kashmir have a velvety blue color which is caused by this fine silk. However, too much silk weakens the color, making it appear undesirably grayish. Another thing to look for is color consistency. The color should be consistent throughout the gem, with little or no color zoning. Study some sapphire information before you go shopping.

Various shapes and cutting styles are common with sapphires. Ovals, cushions, and rounds are seen, as are other shapes such as the heart or emerald cut. Round stones often command a small premium because it takes more rough material to cut a round stone. Round stones are also easier to set since commercial settings can easily be adapted to round stones of any size.

Untreated sapphires are especially valuable. But these days it is rare to find untreated stones in the market -- the vast majority of sapphires have been heat treated to improve the color and clarity. Look first for color; second for clarity; and third for cut. Compare a large number of sapphires before you make your choice. It's better to buy a smaller stone that is very fine than a larger gem of poor color or clarity.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Nash

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Sapphire is September's Birthstone

If you're still young enough to remember your birthday, you probably also remember the special birthstone assigned to it. But at your age, we bet you don't really know the SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what power the ancients felt would be bestowed about you by wearing it.

September Birthstone: Sapphire
Birthstone Properties: Brings physical and emotional balance.
Alternative Birthstone: Agate

Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the gemstone given for anniversaries of the 5th and 45th years of marriage. Taken from the Greek word for blue, "sapphirus", sapphires have a time-honored tradition with priests (who considered them symbolic of purity) and king s (who considered them symbolic of wisdom).Sapphires were mined as early as the 7th Century BC in India and what is now Sri Lanka. Today they are found in Sri Lanka, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Kashmir, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Madagascar, and the United States.

Against Which All Others Are Measured
Sapphires, like rubies, are a variety of corundum. The sapphire's color spectrum includes pink and lavender varieties, a rare orange hue, and, of course, the velvety blue sapphire that earned the gemstone its name.

Because of the way in which corundum crystals are formed, large sapphires are rare…and valuable. The priceless 563-carat Star of India, on display at New York City's Museum of Natural History, is the largest and most famous of "star sapphires" (sapphires that are cut to reflect light from inclusions within the stone to reveal a bright six-legged star pattern).

To Your Health
So strong was the power of a sapphire, it was alleged that a venomous snake put in a vessel made of sapphire would quickly die. Sapphires therefore earned the reputation as an excellent all-purpose medicine and were ingested as an antidote to poison. Additionally, sapphires were ground into powders as a remedy for everything from colic to rheumatism and mental illness.

Sapphires were also believed to be able to stop bleeding and cure disorders of the eye.

The Eyes Have It
Egyptians associated the clear sapphire with the eye of Horas -- the all-seeing, all-knowing "eye in the sky" -- while the gemstone was used by the Greeks to to tap into the subconscious mind by stimulating the opening of the "third eye."

A Mirror of the Soul
Husbands and wives in ancient times frequently exchanged gifts of sapphires. Although the fact that sapphires represent sincerity and faithfulness was undoubtedly the primary reason it was a popular marriage gift, another motive may have been at work: it was believed that a sapphire would not shine if worn by someone who was wicked or impure.

Sapphires were considered to be so powerful they continued to protect the original owner even after being sold.

Say it With Sapphires
Clear sapphires, like diamonds, are the guardians of love. When exchanged with a loved one, sapphires enhance feelings for one another and attunes the two psyches. Sapphires have the power to banish envy and jealousy, and are said to promote chastity in virgins and fidelity in marriage. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Serio

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Buying Jewelry For That Special Person In Your Life

You do not know what to buy and where to start, but you do know it has to be something special for that someone special in your life. Most times the confusion comes from not knowing some of the basics about the person you are buying for.

1. To give a gift of jewelry that they will always remember you need to know what they like and more importantly what they do not like. If the gift is for a special occasion then see what is traditionally given at that time, and ask yourself if your special person would really like that. If her birthday is in July but she does not like red then do not buy her the birthstone for July, which is Ruby. Maybe a jewelry setting with another color of gemstone or even a diamond would be a wiser decision
2. Will she want to wear it every day, if yes then make it practical, buying an expensive Gemstone or Diamond Ring with a delicate or high mounting is not a good idea, as it can get caught or knocked and damaged.

3. Knowing what colours she likes to wear can help you in deciding what color of gemstone would match her wardrobe, especially if its earrings or a necklace. Know her skin tone or dominant make up color as different colors of gold look better on different skin tones or make-up colours.

4. You will need to know the size of her finger if you are purchasing it as a surprise present. If you can “borrow” one of the rings she wears, you can take it to a jeweller who will be able to tell you the size. This way when you purchase your ring you can make sure it will fit correctly and she can wear it immediately.

5. If your special person has thin fingers then buy her a wider setting or smaller gemstone, as larger gemstones on thin settings will have tendency to twist and turn. If you are set on a larger stone then have the jeweller modify the ring with the addition of 2 small spheres of gold soldered at 8 and 4 o’clock on the inside of ring shank. This will allow the ring to slip over the knuckle but provide a tighter fit around the finger keeping the gemstone on top for everyone to see.

6. Earrings are an excellent choice, but it is important to know if she has pierced ears or prefers clip-on mountings. Does she like long dangly earrings or does she prefer studs.

The following information will help you with special occasions and what is traditionally purchased, but the most important thing to remember is her tastes in jewellery and color. Buying her a Sapphire Ring instead of a Ruby Ring on her birthday in December because she does not like red, is the right thing to do…………….tradition has its role but should not be the ultimate decision.

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