In recent years technology has perfected the process of heat-treating sapphires--exposing them to very high temperatures to eliminate impurities. In fact most sapphires on the market today have been heat-treated to improve clarity and color. This process is stable and does not affect the value of the gem, except at the highest level of the market.
credit: http://hatikusirah.blogspot.com/Additionally, some fancy sapphire is irradiated to produce intense shades of yellow or orange. This process, however, is not very stable. The temporary color produced by this method can quickly fade in light or heat. It is important to buy fine sapphire from a reputable retailer who will provide, in writing, all pertinent information regarding the gem including enhancements and special care notes.
A gem's clarity and cut also factor into its cost, as well as carat weight. Better quality sapphires are usually eye-clean with some inclusions under magnification. Sapphire is more available in sizes under two carats, but gems of 5 to 10 carats are not unusual. Sapphire reaches a far greater size than ruby.
Sapphires are the birthstone for those born in September
The sapphire is considered the modern and traditional birthstone for the month of September. It is also given as gifts for the 5th, 23rd, and 45th wedding anniversary. The word sapphire comes from the Greek word "sappheiros" which means precious stone. It is highly prized as gemstones. Sapphires have long been worn by priests, who associate the stone with purity, and also kings who thought that they symbolized wisdom. They have been used in Vintage and Antique jewelry since early times.
Sapphires are a member of the corundum family, as are rubies. All colors of corundum other than red are considered sapphires, but colors other than blue are called "fancy sapphires." The most prized color is cornflower blue.
Metaphysical qualities associated with sapphires are that they enable the wearer with clairvoyance and insight. The healing properties associated with the gem are that it is effective for health problems relating to hearing problems, cancer and burns. It also is supposed to lower fevers and aid in inflammation.
The largest sapphire in the world was discovered in 1995 in Burma and is called The Millennium Sapphire. It is a massive 61,500 carats and is exhibited world wide.
info credit:
http://vintagejewelrylane.com/information/birthstones.htm
http://www.myjewelz.com/sapphire.asp
......................................................................................................................................................
The gemstone sapphire
In the gem trade, sapphire refers to the blue variety of corundum. However, excluding red ruby, it scientifically encompasses all other gem varieties of ...
http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/gemstone/sapphire/sapphire.htm
Sapphire - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sapphire (Greek: σάπφειρος; sappheiros "blue stone") is a gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide (α-Al2O3), when it is a color other ...
Natural sapphires - Mining - Synthetic sapphire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapphire
Sapphire - english
If there is talk of the sapphire, most gemstone aficionados think immediately of a velvety blue. It's a versatile colour that becomes many wearers.
http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/sapphire.html
Sapphire Gemstone Information
Sapphire Gemstone Information from the American Gem Trade Association - AGTA.
http://www.addmorecolortoyourlife.com/gemstones/sapphire.asp
