White Sapphire: A Clear Winner
Many gemstones are compared in numerous ways to diamonds, and the white sapphire is no exception. The white sapphire has many characteristics that are quite close to those a diamond possesses. Durability, brilliance, value, and a clear color are found in white sapphire and diamonds.
White sapphire ranks a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, while diamonds take the top spot with a rating of 10. Many jewelers use white sapphire as an alternative stone to diamonds due to the durability. White sapphire is stronger than clear zircon, another diamond alternative, and won’t scratch as easily. The price of white sapphire is lower than the price of diamonds, as well. Depending on how the white sapphire is cut, it can potentially have a brilliance that rivals that of a diamond. However, diamonds still reign supreme because they have more fire amidst their brilliance.
White sapphire is a member of the corundum family of minerals. White sapphire can be found natural (which is quite rare) or it can be the result of an enhancement, such as heat treatment. Usually a white sapphire starts out as brown or light gray. These colors are heat treated to produce a colorless, clear sapphire, which is referred to as white sapphire. White sapphire is rarely found in large sizes.
Sapphire has been found in many corners of the earth. Afghanistan, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Cambodia, Thailand, United States, Brazil, Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), India, Australia, and Zimbabwe are some of the places that have provided this beautiful gemstone. Sapphires are normally thought of as being blue in color, but there are other colors such as pink, yellow, and white that can be found. Sapphires that are not blue are known as fancy sapphires. The amount of chromium, titanium, or iron that is present affects a sapphire’s color.
There are a few things to consider when purchasing white sapphire. First, and most obvious, is the color. White sapphire should be clear, showing no signs of any other color. A good way to test this is to place the white sapphire on a sheet of plain white paper and to look at it carefully. You should not see any traces of other colors. Secondly, the cut is important. A proper cut will allow for more of a brilliant dazzle. Some cuts, such as an emerald cut, don’t provide a dazzle that’s as visually pleasing as others. Finally, ask if the white sapphire has undergone any enhancements. Rare, natural white sapphire is far more valuable than heat treated white sapphire.
Clearly, if you want a gemstone that will rival the diamond’s dominance, while doing it at a reduced price, you should consider white sapphire. It’s colorless, strong, beautiful, and it’s clearly a winner.
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