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Sapphires are the most valuable and rarest blue colored natural gemstones. It is highly prized for its royal blue color. They also have a high level of hardness, second only to diamonds, and durability. The gem industry uses the term sapphire to refer to the mineral Corundum's blue variety. However, the term Sapphire encompasses all other gem varieties and colors of Corundum as well, except Ruby which is the red variety of Corundum, which has its own name. The synthetic crystal, Sapphire corundum created in a lab, is extremely durable. It has a hardness of Mohs that is second only to diamond. Durability is important because gemstones are susceptible to chipping. It usually grows in cylindrical sticks or boules. The sapphire's most important feature is its color. The more pure the blue, the better. However, saturation is equally important. Top sapphires achieve vivid saturation (pure Royal Blue) because most gems available are grayish. Also, the tone is important. Dark sapphires, though plentiful on the market, never reach high values. Padparadscha in orange-pink is another rare Sapphire. An exotic type of sapphire also called the Color Changing Sapphire, displays different colors depending on its lighting. This color-changing Sapphire changes color depending on the lighting. In natural light it appears blue. Under artificial light, however, it is violet. But the yellow Sapphire and purple Sapphire became very popular. Now, they are commonly seen in jewelry. Prices of sapphires vary according to the quality. The price of some Sapphires ranges from $25 per carat to over $11,000 per carat. The most expensive Sapphire sold to date cost $135,000 a carat. The quality of the sapphire determines its price, so a large but low-quality stone would cost less than a smaller but high-quality stone. Blue sapphires are usually a little cloudy, but they have a better clarity. Several types of inclusions can be found in various sapphires. The needles are a good example. These sapphires can also have white cloudy lines or feathers inside, which can make them appear opaque. Blue sapphires that are extremely clear and rare can be very valuable. The price goes up with rarity. Kashmir is the source of the highest-valued sapphires. These precious stones, which are found only in the Himalayan Mountains for a limited time each year, can be mined during a small number of months. The stones are beautiful, but their silk is what makes them stand out. This causes the stone to have a velvety textured appearance. The stone is given a glowing appearance that reduces extinction. This effect can only be seen in the Burmese ruby.

Sapphires – Why Are They So Expensive?

The prices of Sapphires start from just a few bucks for a heavily included midnight-blue. The most expensive colors are the highly saturated blues, the intensive pinks, and the padparadscha colors. It is not just their large size that has made blue sapphires the most expensive. Pinks and padparadschas can only command prices similar to those of blue sapphires if they weigh more than 100 carats. But the presence of such stones in exceptional colors and clarity are rare. Sapphires are valued based on the color, weight and size. Beyond the color, clarity, and cut details need to be assessed. Clarity is the most important factor. A sapphire can be recut. A top quality 1 to 2 carat stone might retail for prices between $800 – $1200 per carat. While 2 to three carat stones are sold for about double the price, which would equal around $1600 – $2000. For larger or smaller stones, however, prices can be extrapolated to some extent but, there is no linear or exponential formula to follow and prices change with time.

Price Synthetic vs. natural

Synthetic gemstones like the sapphires cano be identified and differentiated from natural gemstones because they are too perfect. The quality is high. Blue Sapphire stone are often cheaper than natural gemstones, despite their superior appearance. Sapphires are the most expensive and rare gemstones. This makes it expensive. It is more expensive to buy a carat of high quality sapphire, because it is cut with the best possible value. Also, sapphires have a extremely rare grade which is why the price is higher.