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When purchasing gemstones in jewellery, such as Sapphire Rings, Sapphire Pendants and Sapphire Earrings, then the 4 C's of colour, clarity, carat and cut become relevant, with colour being first.

Introduction

When found in its natural colourless or white state, corundum shows very little sparkle (brilliance), and although fairly rare, it is not expensive due to its dullness.

As in other types of gemstones, various amounts of trace element impurities, usually metal oxides, bring about colour. In these cases impurities are obviously desirable. Sapphire gemstones are exactly the same as ruby except for colour. Chromium oxide causes red corundum shades, ferric oxide causes yellows, and titanium oxide produces blues.

Although found in a wide range of colour shades, with the main colour being blue. Sapphires are also found in pink, yellow, green and purple shades. These sapphires are known as being "Fancy Sapphires." In addition, there are other sapphires in a pink-orange range, which are extremely rare and collectible called Padparadscha sapphires.

Sapphire Colours

Pink Sapphires - these are much sought after and prized by collectors, and are available in shades from light and bright "hot pink", through to dark "rose". The crimson pink shades can sometimes be mistaken for ruby.

Yellow Sapphire - these are found in shades of dark yellow and light yellow (canary yellows).

Green Sapphires - found in light green shades similar to peridot, through to much darker emerald shades, but are usually the least desirable of colours.

Purple sapphires - middle of the road in value and show a great colour scheme.

Star Sapphire - come in different shades of blue. The unique feature of this gem is the effect of "asterism" the six star effect.

Colour change Sapphires - these variations show a effect known as "pleochroism", meaning the stone will show up different colours in different light sources such as that of tanzanite.

Cornflower Blue Sapphires - commonly regarded as being the most valuable and sought after.

Ceylon Blue Sapphires - found in middle to pale blue colours. They are only called such if definitely known to have come from this region, if not they should be called "Ceylon type" sapphires.

Australian Blue Sapphires - again only if the sapphire is actually from this area should it be called such. These types are usually the darkest available with some showing almost black in colour.

Padparadscha Sapphire - Sapphire is available in pink/orange shades and usually sought after and expensive.

To Summarise

If you have a budget and price in mind, then try to stick with it and match the gemstone to it. Which colour is best is entirely up to you only.

Just because historically cornflower blue is said to be the most desirable, if you want a darker shade of blue Australia, these are for you. Buy what you really want, not what you are told..,

I hope this short article on Sapphire colours can help you in some way