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Sapphires are beautiful gemstones that come in many colors, but are most famous for their blue color. Sapphires come in cognac, colorless, green, orange, peach, pink, purple, violet, white, and yellow (a red sapphire would be called a ruby). On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphire ranks a 9, highest after diamonds.
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It is a very durable gemstone and perfect for everyday accessories, such as rings or bracelets. It has been a common practice to heat-treat sapphires. Heat-treating sapphires helps improve clarity and color. The process is permanent and stable. Blue sapphire is September's birthstone and is recommended for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries. When buying sapphire rings, always comparison-shop to get knowledge on sapphire jewelry and find the best deals. Just like diamonds, the 4 C's are important. Compare the cut, clarity, color, and carat weights of the sapphires you want to purchase. Blue sapphire should have good, intense blue color that holds in all different lighting. Avoid buying a dark blue sapphire that look black most of the time. The cut should not be too shallow or too deep because the light will not be refracted efficiently. A quality sapphire should have clarity that is clear without too many inclusions or flaws. The carat weight is also important because it is what you are paying for. You want to get the best deal for your money. Sapphire jewelry can be cleaned with soapy water or a commercial solvent and brush. Mechanical cleaners are safe, except for heavily included gems. Always store your sapphire rings, sapphire earrings, necklaces and other sapphire jewelry in a fabric-lined box to keep it safe from other pieces of jewelry. Never wear your jewelry when doing rough work or working with harsh chemicals.
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