Sapphire Cuts & Colors
A Sapphire's cut is Unique to that stone, unlike a diamond where there is a standard in cuts. " Ideal " sapphires are cut taking into account that one stone’s particular crystal structure makes each stone a unique custom cut. Sapphires come in a rainbow of colors. Many people think of sapphires as being " Blue " but, as you will find, reading our pages, the " world of sapphires" is available in a rainbow of colors and shades. If red, a sapphire is known as a " Ruby " and even though the World Gem Association has added pink to the shades of red, we will treat all sapphires as a sapphire unless it is a true red.
origin Sri Lanka
Well cut sapphires will display the best of their color for that gemstone whilst enhancing their luster and brilliance. Often gemstones showing a lighter color-tone will be cut deeper to add dimension and intensity to the color for that stone. A sapphire of dark color will more likely be cut shallower to allow more light to reflect within the gemstone, softening and brightening the color. Both methods will enhance the sapphire's unique beauty. Regardless of the shape of the sapphire, the edges should be symmetrical and even. The facets on the top of the gem the "crown" should be even in size, shape as well as location. The largest facet on the top of the crown, known as the Table, should be symmetrical in shape and well-centered where possible. When the sapphire is lifted and tilted at angles, it should produce bright color flashes as it moves, with few to no dull spots showing.
• Glossary •
Understanding the terms used to describe colors in sapphires and rubies can some times be difficult, here we try to give an index to the wordings which is often used in a description of these fine gemstones.
( please note the index below is for blue sapphires but the same principle applies to sapphires and rubies in general )
Hue: refers to the sapphire's basic color - blue, slightly green, strong green, slight purple, and strong purple.
Saturation : ( also called color purity and intensity ) is the extent to which the hue is masked by brown or gray.
Tone: refers to the amount of color in the sapphire ranging from very light to very dark.
• How are Sapphires measured? •
Precious gemstones vary in density, for example when comparing a diamond and a sapphire of the same size, the sapphire will be heavier due to it's larger density. Gemstones are often classified by carats, which is a unit of weight, but for ease of selection and setting, size is a more useful measurement for sapphires, which we list in millimeters (mm). Our standard size for a round sapphire is 6 mm, which is approximately one carat. For more information on Carats and Karats, visit our page dedicated to this topic.
Download the chart below and print it out for your own reference when selecting size.
• Cuts •
Sapphire Ring Co hand selects all of our sapphires to provide only the best cut sapphires, which are symmetrical, smoothly polished, and even in color and light.
The Cushion cut ( also known as the pillow cut ) was first cut back in the 1900s for diamonds, the stone has a nice window with rounded faced corners. This cut was originally created for diamonds to being seen under candlelight and became a very popular cut over this time along with the rose cut. Today the cushion cut sapphire's and rubies have become the most sought after cut our side the traditional oval cut. This is a wonderful cut that allows you to see the stones and the colors beautifully. We try to keep extensive of cushion cut sapphires in both the classic square cut as well as the long-cushion cut sapphire.
The round brilliant cut diamond is by far the most popular and most researched diamond shape available today. For over 100 years, diamond cutters have been using advanced theories of light behavior and precise mathematical calculations to optimize the fire and brilliance in a round diamond. In addition to being the most popular and researched shape, a round diamond will typically give you more flexibility in terms of balancing cut, color, and clarity grades while still getting the fire and brilliance you want. To maximize the brilliance of a traditional round diamond, select one in the two highest cut grades, ideal or very good, and choose an ideal, excellent, or very good polish and symmetry grades. Sapphire Ring Co carries an excellent range of natural round cut sapphires, please view our pages on our sapphire rings by round cut's to view our inventory on this classic cut.
An emerald-cut diamond is a rectangular step cut diamond. A step-cut diamond has sloping, four-sided facets that are cut with rectangular facets to create a unique optical appearance. Due to its larger, open table, this shape highlights the clarity of a diamond. If you choose an emerald-cut with a lower clarity grade, such as SI, be sure to review the clarity plot on the diamond certificate. Also, emerald-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how rectangular they are. If you'd prefer an emerald cut with a squared outline, look for an Asscher-cut diamond. To find the shape of emerald you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond's outline, or what it will look like when viewed from the top.
An oval diamond has beautiful brilliance that's similar to a round diamond. Oval diamonds are also very popular as their length can accentuate long, slender fingers. To find the dimension of oval you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond's outline, or what it will look like when viewed from the top.
The heart is the ultimate symbol of love. The unique look of the heart-shaped diamond helps make it a distinctive choice for a variety of diamond jewelry. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color heart-shaped diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners. To find the dimension of heart-shape you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond's outline, or what it will look like when viewed from the top.
This brilliant-cut diamond is also called a teardrop for its single point and rounded end. The unique look of the pear shape helps make it a popular choice for a variety of diamond jewelry. If you choose an elongated pear shape, the length of the diamond creates a subtle slimming effect on the fingers.
This beautifully unique shape is nearly identical to the emerald-cut, except that it is square. Also, this shape has a pavilion that is cut with rectangular facets in the same style as the emerald-cut. If you choose SI-clarity to be sure to view the clarity plot on the diamond certificate because this shape highlights the clarity of the diamond. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color non-round diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners.
This beautifully unique shape is nearly identical to the emerald-cut, except that it is square. Also, this shape has a pavilion that is cut with rectangular facets in the same style as the emerald-cut. If you choose SI-clarity be sure to view the clarity plot on the diamond certificate because this shape highlights the clarity of the diamond. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color non-round diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners.
