Ceylon Sapphire: An Engaging Blue Beauty
 The Ceylon sapphire comes from the mines of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). Ceylon sapphire is a naturally occurring stone. While it is not quite as valuable as a Burmese sapphire or a Kashmir sapphire, the Ceylon sapphire is usually similar in price to higher quality rubies or emeralds.
Sapphires are among the oldest, most valuable, and most popular gemstones. Ceylon sapphires are from the corundum family of minerals. Mining for the Ceylon sapphire even occurred in ancient times, and as the years passed, the beauty of the Ceylon sapphire never changed. Its color will vary from light blue to an electrifying, rich blue. The Ceylon sapphire is unique in that its blue color is usually clear. Australian sapphires, on the other hand, have a darker blue, but the blue looks kind of inky. Both the Australian sapphire and the Ceylon sapphire are beautiful gemstones, regardless of this distinction, and they are both highly sought after by gemstone collectors.
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Aside from its color, a Ceylon sapphire is also popular because it, as well as other sapphires, is a durable gemstone. Sapphires measure nine on the Mohs scale, which places them second only to diamonds in hardness. The good news for consumers and jewelry enthusiasts is that a Ceylon sapphire can be worn to any engagement, or perhaps, on a more romantic level, as an engagement ring.
Before her wedding to Prince Charles, the beautiful, graceful, caring Princess Diana wore an 18 carat oval blue sapphire engagement ring. This tremendous gemstone was surrounded by numerous diamonds. Together, this trio (Princess Diana, blue sapphire, and diamonds) were a breathtaking splendor. The value of the engagement ring was $65,000 in 1981. The ring has been gifted to her son, Prince William. This particular ring has inspired many to choose sapphire as a main stone in their engagement rings.
The value of a Ceylon sapphire is determined by the intensity of its blue color and by its size. The grading of a Ceylon sapphire is based on three categories: intensity (saturation), color, and tone (lightness or darkness). Blue sapphires occur in larger sizes than rubies. Ceylon sapphires are available in many different cuts.
Sapphire is the birthstone for September. The word “sapphire” is derived from the Greek word “sappheiros,” which means blue. Sapphires can occur in colors other than blue, such as brown and black, and those are known as fancy color sapphires. Some cultures have the belief that sapphires have an association with the planet Saturn.
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