Tag: gemstone
When we think of sapphire, we often picture a vibrant blue gemstone. But these precious gemstones, varieties of the mineral corundum, can come in a rainbow of beautiful colors, including pink, green, gray, brown, salmon-colored and more.
Origin
The name “sapphire” seems to have connotations across the board, from the Greek “sappheiros” (blue stone), to the old French “safir” and the Sanskrit word “sanipriya.”
The America Link
Sapphires, like many of the other lovely birthstones we write about, are found in various places in the world, including Sri Lanka and Myanmar. But they’re also mined right here in the good ol’ United States, in the state of Montana.
History from the International Gem Society tells us that sapphires were first discovered in the U.S. by gold rush prospectors digging around the Missouri River in 1865. It’s one of the reasons Montana is known as the “Treasure State.” The state has rich mineral resources of gold, silver, platinum and agate as well as sapphire.
Stunning Gifts
The most highly valued of these brilliant gemstones are vivid blue, an almost violet color. Less valuable sapphires may be lighter or more grayish in hue, although the stone can come in almost any color other than red, which are classified as rubies. The American Gem Society (AGS) reminds us that sapphires are usually heat-treated to improve their color and clarity, and that untreated stones, if you can find them, are even more valuable.
Care
Sapphires are relatively hard stones that are hard to scratch, ranking a sturdy “9” on the Mohs scale (diamonds are rated as 10). That’s probably one of the reasons sapphires are a popular choice for engagement rings, often enhanced by diamonds.
Healing Powers and Meanings
Medieval Europeans may have attributed the gemstones to having all sorts of metaphysical and/or healing properties. These include:
- Curing boils from the plaque
- Serving as an antidote to poison
- Offering protection from harm in general
- Facilitating self-expression
- Regulating glands
- Assisting in communication
- Healing eye problems and blood disorders
- Reducing infection and fever
- Lots more!
Custom Design Your Own Sapphire
David Craig Jewelers can create a unique Sapphire ring for you, incorporating, if you like, other gorgeous gemstones that we stock for this very purpose. We can use your ideas or start from scratch and come up with our own creative suggestions. There’s no end to the possibilities when we put our heads together! Nearly any precious metal can be used.
Stop on in. Let’s gab about gemstones!
Be sure to check out our full line of Sapphire and Sterling Silver jewelry HERE.
According to Forbes magazine, the coveted gold medals being handed out at this month’s PyeongChang Winter Olympics only contain about 6 grams of 24-karat gold. The rest of that medal weight comes from sterling silver, with the medal’s overall value worth about $570 in today’s market. But the awards going to these elite athletes aren’t the only gold objects that aren’t “pure,” and for very good reasons that don’t necessarily include price considerations.
Your Precious Metal Mix
“Pure” gold is 24K or “karats,” a purity measurement that shouldn’t be confused with the “carat” in a diamond which actually refers to the weight of the stone. That 24K ring, at a degree of purity of 99.95+%, might sound prestigious. But the reality is that rings made of pure gold will bend and scratch much more easily because pure gold is a softer metal.
Most wedding bands and engagement rings are probably 14k (58.3% gold) or 18K (75% gold) which means that the gold is mixed with other precious metals to add strength. These rings contain a bit less than 60% gold in order to hold up better with less signs of wear. They’re a perfect compromise for appearance, price and durability.
Gold-plated jewelry means a thin layer of gold is applied (bonded) on top of a base metal such as copper. Gold-plated jewelry will show wear and tear since, over time, the thin outer layer of gold fades and tarnishes. Gold-Filled is a name that’s a bit misleading since the “fill” or core is actually brass, copper or occasionally silver. A thicker gold layer (at least 5% to be considered “gold-filled”) assures longevity of up to 30 years.
A Rainbow of Colors
Yellow Gold is combined with alloys like copper and zinc to add strength. White gold is often combine with palladium, nickel (the nickel makes it harder; palladium is a softer metal) or silver and then covered (plated) with rhodium which gives it the whiter color. Both yellow and white gold can be good for long-term and constant wear.
Silver looks like white gold, and, while less expensive, is a softer precious metal and may tarnish over the years. That’s why “white” wedding rings, which are usually worn daily, are made of white gold or platinum (a rarer metal that’s even more expensive than white gold) instead of silver. “Rose” gold contains copper – the more copper added the stronger the “red” look of the gold.
We could go on and on. If you’re interested in finding your perfect piece of gold jewelry, come on in and speak to the experts at David Craig Jewelers. There’s David himself— he’s got a HEART OF GOLD— and a whole team of certified consultants —they’re also veritable GOLD MINES of information! We’d love to answer your inquiries about gold, diamonds, gemstones, appraisals, or any other jewelry-related questions. You can also give us a buzz at 215-968- 8900.