Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald

Sapphire, Rubies and emeralds are the most desirable precious gemstones, gracing fine jewelry with their timeless beauty. Whether set as-centerpiece in engagement rings, embellishment in necklaces, or accents in earrings, sapphires, rubies and emeralds continue to captivate jewelry enthusiasts worldwide.

 

Sapphires are a variety of mineral corundum, which is made of aluminum oxide and trace amounts of other elements. Sapphires get their colors from trace elements like iron, titanium, and chromium. The value of a sapphire depends on its color, saturation, and tone. 

 

They can come in many colors, but the most common color is blue. Sapphires can also be yellow, green, black, and pink. While all these colors are still referred to as sapphires, when corundum occurs in a red form, it is known as a ruby. The rarest sapphire is a Padparadscha, which is a mixture of pink and orange in color.

 

They are a popular choice for jewelry and are second only to diamonds in hardness. Sapphires are hard and durable gems with a Mohs rating of nine and are resistant to scratches and blows, making them ideal for jewelry that endures. 

 

Sapphires symbolize loyalty, wisdom, and nobility, making them a popular choice for engagement rings and other cherished pieces. Whether adorning a pendant, ring, or bracelet, sapphires exude timeless elegance and sophistication, captivating admirers with their unmatched beauty and allure.

 

 

Emeralds are formed when chromium, vanadium, and iron are present in the mineral beryl. The varying presence of these three elements gives emerald its range of color. Chromium and vanadium make an intense green color. Iron gives the stone a bluish tint.

 

The first known emerald mines were in Egypt, dating from at least 330 B.C. into the 1700s. Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emerald, and used it in her royal adornments. 16th-century Conquistadors discovered South American mines hidden by the Incas. A ready and exceptional supply of emeralds was suddenly available, and Europeans fell in love with the bewitchingly beautiful gemstone.

 

Emeralds are mesmerizing gemstones cherished for their rich green color and exceptional beauty. As a variety of the mineral beryl, emeralds captivate with their lush hues and striking clarity. Symbolizing rebirth and love, emeralds have been treasured for centuries, adorning the crowns of royalty and the jewelry collections of connoisseurs. Whether set in a classic ring, a dazzling necklace, or a pair of elegant earrings, emeralds exude a timeless elegance and sophistication, making them a coveted choice for those seeking to add a touch of luxury to their ensemble.

 

 

A ruby is a pinkish red to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). Ruby is one of the most popular traditional jewelry gems and is very durable. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. Ruby is one of the traditional cardinal gems, alongside amethyst, sapphire, emerald, and diamond.

 

Rubies have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Among the natural gems,only moissanite and diamond are harder, with diamond having a Mohs hardness of 10.0 and moissanite falling somewhere in between corundum (ruby) and diamond in hardness.

 

Rubies are renowned for their rich red color, symbolizing passion, vitality, and love. As one of the most prized gemstones, rubies captivate with their vibrant hues and exceptional brilliance. Belonging to the corundum family, rubies rank among the hardest gemstones, making them ideal for jewelry that withstands the test of time.

 

The most renowned rubies, like those from Myanmar, the Himalayas, and northern Vietnam, typically form in marble. They’re found in layers that are distributed irregularly within the surrounding marble. Marble forms as part of the metamorphic (rock-altering) process, when heat and pressure from mountain formation act on existing limestone deposits.

 

Throughout history, rubies have been treasured by royalty and nobility, adorning crowns, tiaras, and ceremonial regalia. Today, rubies continue to be highly sought after for their timeless beauty and symbolic significance, gracing engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets, and other exquisite jewelry pieces with their captivating presence.