Star Sapphire Jewelry
Sapphires in General
Sapphires are only next to diamond in hardness which makes it a very valuable piece of stone. The more popular sapphires come in blue while there are other colors in the family of sapphires with its single crystal formation of aluminum oxide that can be found in colors such as yellow, pink green and purple. Mined in Sri Lanka, Australia and in African nations the durability and beauty of the stone makes them prized possession on their own or embedded in necklaces, bracelets and other items of jewelry.
What are Star Sapphires?
Star sapphires happen to be one of the most fascinating stones in the family of gemstones, in view of the bright six point star that can be seen in the dome of the gem. The star is actually an optical illusion which is caused by light reflecting off very tiny inclusions inside the stone. Although the stars are normally six pronged, 12 ray stars are also known to be found in some sapphires. What is unique about star sapphire is that the stars can only be seen in bright sunlight or under a halogen light whereas a fake or synthetic stone will have the star flashing at all times which makes it easy to detect it.
Carats, Clarity, Color and Cost of Star Sapphires
Star sapphires are normally found in carats of 1 to 15 with the higher range being extremely rare and therefore very costly. The cost of the stone will also depend on the clarity of the star and the intensity of the color of the stone. Another simple way of distinguishing a star sapphire is that it is a stone that will never be transparent because of the inclusion in the stone that creates the star effect. Although star sapphire comes in various hues, such as green, black and yellow, a really valuable star sapphire with a six ray star in bright blue would be a rare find indeed.
Tips on Buying Star Sapphire Jewelry
Star sapphires are usually cut in round or oval shapes and the round shape is more expensive than the oval. An ideal stone would be a bright blue sapphire which displays a star with six clearly defined rays which would be visible when held up against the light.Sapphires are normally graded by their carat weight and more the number of carats the more expensive they are.
A pair of star sapphire earrings would be a good buy while sapphire pendants are also very popular. Always buy them in settings of white gold, platinum or silver since any cheap metal would bring down the value of your jewelry.
Don’t expect to see a large really beautiful star sapphire at a jewelry store even if you have the means to buy it. These are found only in museums or as collectors pieces and will cost you an arm and a leg.
You cannot buy star sapphires without inclusions that make up the star. However make sure the inclusions don’t reach the surface of the stone which might result in it cracking.
Star sapphire jewelry sometimes comes with stones that are cultured or made in a lab. These are generally labeled as such and are not natural sapphires. Always asks the jeweler concerned if the stone is natural or not. Don’t be taken in by shiny glass that is sold as sapphire by unscrupulous traders.
Always buy expensive gems and jewelry only from reputable stores and always ask for an authentication certificate if you are not able to get it tested independently.
Where to Buy
If you buy your star sapphire jewelry online, make sure the jeweler is one of good repute and has been in business for a long time. When buying gems, online, you are not able to see the beauty of the stone or gauge for yourself the inclusions, clarity and color of the star. However, you can always inform the trader if you are not satisfied with your purchase, so that you can return it. Therefore, find out about the store’s return policy before buying star sapphires.
Star Sapphire jewelry will always be a great investment and therefore, always make sure that the star sapphires you buy are genuine and according to your liking. Once you have them in your possession, take care of them by keeping them away from extreme temperatures and guarding them from sudden impacts so that your star sapphires can bring you many long years of pleasure.