When you think of precious gems, what are the first types that come to mind?
Most likely, sapphires were one of the stones you thought of.
Sapphires have been praised for their beauty for centuries. Most commonly praised for their deep blue hues, did you know not all sapphires are blue? Although blue is the most popular color when it comes to sapphire jewelry, sapphires can come in all sorts of shades, including pink, yellow, and green. The most coveted are the blue ones, though, and the deeper and crisper the color, the more admired.
Here is some sage advice Tiffany & Co. offered in a poem[1] they published for a pamphlet 1870:
A maiden born when September leaves
Are rustling in September’s breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind
`Twill cure diseases of the mind.
We know our minds would be at ease with a sapphire over our brows!
Caring for Sapphires: Using warm, soapy water to clean your sapphire jewelry is always safe. For untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones, Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe as well. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.[2] It’s best to speak to a gemologist or jeweler who specializes in gemstones if you are unsure about what type of sapphire you have and how it should be cleaned.
You are probably familiar with the gorgeous ring Princess Diana chose as her symbol of engagement to Prince Charles, as well as the largest star sapphire in the world, the Star of India[3]. There are many famous sapphire jewels throughout history as well, and although we don’t have any “famous” sapphires in our showroom, we do have quite a few amazing pieces that aren’t too shy to have their pictures taken…
Look at that blue! Now, this pendant truly reminds us of Princess Di’s famed ring! It would’ve been a perfect match for the princess. This gorgeous specimen accented with fourteen dazzling diamonds in white gold sold a while back, but we just had to share it anyway!
For all of you filigree-lovers reading this, here is a gorgeous two-tone sapphire and diamond ring featuring a miligrain finish and impeccable craftsmanship in its delicate design. Find it here.
This brooch is just bursting with blue beauties! And diamonds, too! A fabulous accent piece to a scarf or simple blouse, this retro sparkler would look good on anyone, anywhere! Find it here.
Here’s a stunning example of pink sapphires set in rose gold with diamonds. A modern design for a modern woman who is not afraid to show her girly side. Find this beauty here.
How lovely are these earrings? Rich blue oval sapphires set in sterling silver makes them not only more stunning, but also more affordable! An excellent gift for your September birthday! Find these lovelies here.
This Edwardian pendant featuring a single glowing cabochon sapphire accented with sparkling diamonds is a true work of art. The style is called belle époque, which means “beautiful era”, and refers to a period during the turn of the twentieth century which marking the end of World War 1 when the standards of living began to increase and everything was much more pleasant in general[4]. This pendant would make the perfect gift for the history buff in your life (or just about anyone, really). Find it here.
For our final example of fine sapphire jewelry, we present you with this ring. Just look at it! Artfully crafted in gold, two ruby-eyed dragons clutch an amazing color change sapphire. Although the gems are synthetic, you won’t mind so much once you see the price. This is a ring for a serious collector!
Prices for all items displayed are available by calling us at our East Brunswick, NJ showroom at 888-565-1120. Just reference this blog post when calling J And remember- we’re always buying, so you can bring in an old piece and trade it for something new! Happy birthday, September birthdays!
P.S. If you live nearby, we’re having a storewide sale do to upcoming renovations, so everything is 60-70% off! Call us for more information! We hope you’ll stop by.
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthstone
[2] http://www.gia.edu/sapphire-care-cleaning
[3] http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/earth-and-planetary-sciences-halls/morgan-memorial-hall-of-gems/star-of-india
[4] http://europeanhistory.about.com/od/france/a/belleepoque.htm
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