If you’re thinking about buying a blue sapphire ring, it’s natural to wonder what the cost will be like, since it’s not an everyday purchase. If you’re surprised by how much an original blue sapphire costs, you might decide that it’s not the right piece of jewelry for you after all.
The 4Cs
Before we get into specific prices, it’s important to understand sapphire in terms of its four properties: color, clarity, cut and carat. A carat is a unit of weight that roughly equates to 1/5th of a gram (0.2g). Carats also indicate how large or small an object is; for example, an 800-carat diamond would be much larger than an 80-carat stone. The larger a gemstone is in comparison to other gems in its class—in other words, how rare or precious it is—the more expensive it will be. However, rarity isn’t everything when determining price; gemstones must also have good cutting qualities and proper color for their value to rise.
Choosing the Size, Shape, and Color of Your Gemstone
Having trouble picturing what your blue sapphire will look like? There are many factors to consider when choosing a stone. For example, if you’re shopping online, you can’t really see these features until you order, which can be an emotional roller coaster as much as it is expensive. To make sure you end up with something that meets your expectations and still fits within your budget, pay attention to these key factors: Size: The bigger (and rarer) your gemstone is, the more it will cost. Size also correlates to how prominent it will appear in any piece of jewelry where it sits. Some stones—like sapphires—are considered more valuable in larger sizes, although some experts argue that size isn’t everything.
Natural Sapphires vs Lab-Created Sapphires
From a financial perspective, lab-created sapphires are cheaper than natural sapphires. Natural blue sapphires are priced based on their weight and color quality; a 2-carat round cut natural deep blue sapphire can cost thousands of dollars per carat. On the other hand, while prices vary by manufacturer, artificial blue sapphires typically range from $25 to $300 per carat depending on quality and size. This makes lab-created stones—roughly 40% less expensive than natural sapphires—the more economical choice for most people.
The Origin of your Gemstone
Some gems hold important historical value. In fact, sapphires are believed to have originated from Sri Lanka (once known as Ceylon) thousands of years ago. The island was once covered in blue corundum—the mineral that’s commonly used to create sapphires today—and some historians believe it may have been mined by ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. Today, most corundum is still sourced from Sri Lanka, but large deposits are also found in Thailand and Australia.
The Qualities of a Good Quality Sapphire
A quality sapphire will be free from scratches and inclusions, which you can examine under 10x magnification. You will also want to make sure it has intense color and that it sparkles under natural light. A good way to judge these qualities is by looking at star stones (blue sapphires with an asterism) or dichroic doublets (two layers that refract light). The most expensive blue sapphires are a vivid royal blue color, but for everyday use you don’t need anything quite as vivid; just make sure your stone is clear and bright.
Cost Factors That Affect What Sapphires Cost
There are two main factors that influence how much blue sapphires cost. The first factor is supply and demand; generally, something will cost more if there’s less available or less demand for it. Supply and demand is one of those forces in economics where you never really know what will happen, so it’s helpful to use historical data to get an idea. Because blue sapphires are more rare than other gems, they tend to sell for much higher prices than most gems: about three times as much per carat on average. So, since blue sapphires are rarer, and because they’re priced accordingly, you can expect them to be sold at a higher price than other gems.
Comparisons Between Different Types of Sapphires
Sapphires are some of nature’s most beautiful gems, and there are three main types: 1) blue sapphire, 2) pink sapphire, and 3) yellow sapphire. The differences between these gems come from their chemical makeup—pink and yellow sapphires are actually corundum that is exposed to radiation. This process gives them their unique color, while giving blue sapphires their true shade. In addition to differentiating according to color type, all sapphires also fall into one of two categories: gemstones or commercial grade. Gemstones refer to top-quality blue sapphires that will have certain characteristics that aren’t found in commercial grade stones.
