Sapphire is a gemstone, a kind of corundum. It is believed that sapphire is a blue stone. However, this is not the case, sapphires can be of various colors and shades, which affects their value.
Corundum stone has a rich color palette that includes all the colors of the rainbow. Red corundum is called ruby. All other shades are sapphire varieties.
Sapphire has high strength and ranks second in hardness after diamond. For its brilliance and variety of colors, this stone is highly prized among the royal dynasties.
Sapphire is also credited with medicinal properties. It is believed to heal eye diseases, insomnia, back pain, heart disease, and even cancer.
What are sapphires and how much do they cost
The most valuable is the cornflower blue sapphire. Its coloration is so clear that it is difficult to tell if it is dark blue or light before the eyes. Depending on the processing method, the cost of cornflower blue sapphire ranges from $ 300 to $ 1000 per carat. Stones without heat heating are much more valuable, their cost exceeds $ 1000 per carat.
Another valuable type of sapphire is the Padparadscha sapphire. Its color combines shades of pink, purple and orange. The cost of this stone is approximately $ 130 per carat. But with a size exceeding five carats, the stone is considered a collector's item. Its price rises sharply, reaching $ 30 thousand per carat.
Yellow sapphire, depending on the treatment of the stone, can have a light golden or deep yellow tint. The price for a sapphire of this color ranges from $ 100 to $ 120 per carat.
The green sapphire is very unusual. The fact is that its coloration is not pure green. These are thin streaks of blue and yellow. Alternating and refracting, they create the illusion of green color. Green sapphires start at $ 75 per carat.
The cost of sapphires depends not only on their color. Carved sapphires are made of low quality material, and dome-shaped sapphires are made with insufficient transparency of the stone. Such stones are a budget option, their cost is $ 10 - $ 20 per piece.
The most expensive sapphires in the world
The most expensive sapphire in the world is the Millennium. This gem weighing 61.5 thousand carats is worth $ 185 million. Portraits of famous historical figures are carved on its surface. The world has seen "Millennium" only twice: at the Oscar ceremony in 2002. and on the liner "Princess of Sapphires" in 2004.
Blue sapphire "Giant of the East" weighing 486.5 carats was found in the central part of Sri Lanka. In 2004. its cost was estimated at $ 1.5 million.
