An introduction to Sapphires and Rubies
Sapphires and Rubies are both precious gemstones that derive from the mineral Corundum.
They are the third hardest mineral on the Moh’s hardness scale, behind Diamonds and Moissanite.
Rubies and Sapphires are identical in composition, the only difference being impurities which produce their colour.
A Ruby contains chromium which produces the Red colour they’re famous for. Rubies can vary in colour from dark red to pink / purplish colours with varying saturation.
Kenyan Sapphires
Sapphires get their colour from traces of iron, nickel and titanium. These trace elements produce Sapphires in a multitude of colours including Blue, Green, Pink, Orange, Yellow and Black. Colourless Sapphires are sometimes used as Diamond substitutes in jewellery.
Pink coloured Corundum may be referred to as Sapphires or Rubies, depending on their origin.
The most valuable Sapphire colour is Blue, however the quality of the gem is equally important.
Sapphire and Pearl Necklace
Sapphires that display two or more colours in the one stone are referred to as Particoloured Sapphires. Sapphires from Australia are often Particoloured making them more unique for use in jewellery
Australian Keshi Pearl with Green and Blue Particoloured Sapphire
Australia produces a large percentage of the World’s Sapphires and they are mined in Central Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
Australian Pearls combined with our own Sapphires are an incredible combination!
Regent Pearls has a range of different Sapphire and Pearl Jewellery, start your journey here: Regent Pearls
To learn more about Sapphires, we recommend the Geoscience Australia webpage
