Yellow Sapphires
The yellow sapphire it is said is perhaps the most popular gemstone after diamonds and rubies and is generally found in the Himalayas, Russia and Sri Lanka. Being rather heavy, translucent and smooth to the touch it comes in many shades such as deep yellow, light yellow, greenish yellow, orange and white. The pure golden yellow however is considered to be the best color for a yellow sapphire. It is also said to be beneficial to writers, authors, businessmen and traders, strengthen friendships, and prevents the wearer from accidental death. Better still, anyone having problems in finding a mate, will have his or her problem instantly solved by wearing a yellow sapphire ring. The ring however should only be worn on the index finger of the right hand for all these prophecies to come true with added benefits of wealth, fame honor and success.
A colorless material that results from aluminum oxide which is known as corundum is the basis on which the yellow sapphire is formed. The addition of iron and titanium during the formation of the crystals is what produces the beautiful yellow of the sapphire. Although this gemstone is cut and faceted into almost all the usual shapes such as round, octagonal, cushion cut and square, the oval cut is supposed to be the best to get the most out of the gem. Commonly found in all sizes from 8 to 10 carets, the pure and large sized gems of the golden color are said to be very rare and therefore highly priced.
When buying yellow sapphires, what is important is its color and clarity. The better the clarity and color of the stone, the higher the price will be. Those that have been treated with heat or color enhanced as are most that is available in today’s market will fetch a low price while the stones that are untreated or unheated such as the “Ceylon Sapphire” (now Sri Lankan) can be as little as $100 per carat or as much as $400 per carat depending on the quality of the stone although this price can even be much higher.
Most dealers treat the yellow sapphire to improve its transparency and clarity hoping it will fetch a better price by selling it to an unsuspecting buyer. If such treatment has indeed been carried out, it’s only ethical for the seller to inform the buyer which in actual fact brings down the value of the gem. A layman however will not be able to distinguish the difference between the treated and untreated stones unless the seller has the decency to inform him about it. If you want to know how to buy a yellow sapphire either as a loose stone or in a ring, it is always better to get it checked by a reputed gemological lab that will be able to let you know whether the stone has been treated or not.
Many modern brides choose the yellow sapphire for their engagement rings which can be made from a single stunning stone to one adorned with many tiny stones in an intricate design. Antique yellow sapphire rings are also very popular and some of the more spectacular ones can be seen lavishly set in gold or platinum cut in old European styles that are truly magnificent and timelessly elegant.