Blue sapphires are among the most coveted and valuable gemstones in the world. They have a rich history and preference and are prized for their beauty and durability. But how are blue sapphires priced, and what factors affect the price of sapphires?
Let’s explore the four main factors determining the blue sapphire cost: cut, clarity, carat, and color.
Impact of ‘CUT’ on Blue Sapphire Cost
While we may have heard about cut, cut has different meanings when it comes to gemstones. It entirely depends on the context you use it with.
- Cut refers to the shape and proportions of a gemstone, as well as the quality and precision of its facets.
- Cut affects how well a gemstone reflects and refracts light, influencing its brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
- Cut also affects a gemstone’s apparent size and shape, enhancing or diminishing its appeal.
Cut or shape of stone: The cut of blue sapphire is largely a personal preference. However, some cuts are more popular and desirable than others and thus affect blue sapphire cost. The most common cuts for blue sapphires are round, oval, cushion, emerald, and princess. These cuts maximize the gemstone’s surface area and symmetry, enhancing its sparkle and color and therefore tend to increase the blue sapphire cost. Other cuts, such as pear, marquise, heart, and trillion, are less common and may require more skill and precision.
Quality of cutting: The quality of the cut is also important for blue sapphires. A well-cut blue sapphire should have even proportions, smooth facets, sharp edges, and no visible flaws or inclusions. A poorly cut blue sapphire may have uneven proportions, rough facets, dull edges, or visible flaws or inclusions that reduce its clarity and luster, invariably reducing the blue sapphire cost.
The cut of a blue sapphire can significantly impact blue sapphire stone cost.
A well-cut gemstone or rather well-cut sapphire can command a premium of up to 50% over a poorly cut one. A rare or unique cut can also significantly increase the value of a blue sapphire if it enhances its color or rarity.
Impact of ‘CLARITY’ on Blue Sapphire Rates
Clarity refers to the flaws found in the gemstones. Based on the flaws, the clarity of the stone is defined.
- Inclusions are nothing but internal flaws, such as cracks or bubbles. Blemishes on the surface are external flaws, such as scratches or chips.
- The fewer inclusions and blemishes a blue sapphire has, the more valuable it is.
- A blue sapphire with no inclusions or blemishes is considered flawless, rare, and expensive.
- Gemstones with highest clarity on the clarity nomenclature are rare and extremely valuable.
- Blue sapphires being natural stones, many types of inclusions are found. Among the most common are long thin mineral inclusions called needles.
Here’s an example to help you understand how clarity affects the value of a blue sapphire:
Suppose there are two blue sapphires of the same size, cut, and color. One has no visible inclusions or blemishes, while the other has several visible inclusions. The one with no visible inclusions will be more valuable because it is rarer and more desirable.
Impact of ‘CARAT’ on Blue Sapphire Gemstone Price
Carat is the unit of weight used for gemstones. Carat affects the size and rarity of a gemstone, which influences blue sapphire cost.
The size of a blue sapphire is directly related to its carat weight. The larger the blue sapphire, the heavier it is. However, the size of a blue sapphire also depends on its shape and cut. For example, a round blue sapphire will appear larger than an emerald-cut blue sapphire of the same carat weight because it has more surface area.
The rarity of a blue sapphire is inversely related to its carat weight. The larger the blue sapphire, the rarer it is. This is because large blue sapphires are harder to find in nature than small ones. Large blue sapphires also require more rough material to produce than small ones.
The carat weight of a blue sapphire can significantly impact blue sapphire cost.
The price of the gemstone increases exponentially with its carat weight. For example, a 1-carat blue sapphire may cost $1,000 per carat, while a 5-carat blue sapphire may cost $10,000 per carat. This means that a 5-carat blue sapphire will cost $50,000, while five 1-carat blue sapphires will cost only $5,000.
Impact of ‘COLOR’ on Blue Sapphire Cost
Last, but the most crucial factor in determining the cost of blue sapphire. Finding a deep and vivid blue sapphire is incredibly hard and rare. The shade of blue color on the color scale of blue sapphires determines the beauty and rarity of a gemstone, which influences the cost of blue sapphire.
The different shades of color of a blue sapphire are determined by three components: hue, saturation, and tone.
Hue: It basically points toward the dominant color of the gemstone, such as blue, green, or purple.
Saturation: It captures the intensity or purity of the color, from pale to vivid.
Tone: When you read tone about the color, it generally refers to the lightness or darkness of the color, from light to dark.
The ideal color for a blue sapphire is a pure and vivid royal blue with no secondary hues or tints. “Cornflower blue” or “Kashmir blue” are some of the finest blue sapphires in history. These two colors are a rare, popular choice preferred by collectors and connoisseurs, especially untreated sapphires. Therefore, these command a higher blue sapphire rates per carat
The color can significantly impact blue sapphire cost. The price range of a blue sapphire can vary widely, depending on its color. For example, a 1-carat cornflower blue sapphire can cost up to $20,000 per carat, while a 1-carat pale blue sapphire can cost as low as $200 per carat.
Color Enhancement Treatments
I hope you know that blue sapphire color can be modified by various treatments, such as heat treatment, irradiation, diffusion, or dyeing. These treatments can enhance or alter the color of a blue sapphire, making it more attractive or marketable. However, these treatments can also lower the value of blue sapphire, especially if the buyer does not disclose or detect them.
The color of a blue sapphire should be evaluated by a reputable gemologist or appraiser who can determine its origin, quality, and authenticity. The color of a blue sapphire should also be compared with other blue sapphires of similar characteristics to determine its relative value and rarity. Do keep in mind that natural sapphire price is determined by the natural blue color of the precious gemstones. Be sure to identify the natural one from lab-created sapphires.
Final Words
Blue sapphires are stunning and valuable gemstones that can vary in price depending on their quality factors such as cut, clarity, carat, and color which help determine their value to the buyer. Understanding these factors in depth will help you when buying or selling a blue sapphire.
Since you might end up investing thousands of dollars, be informed that there are many blue variety synthetic sapphires in the market, so knowing how to spot authentic sapphires will help. Natural sapphires cost more than treated sapphires.
Hope this helps you understand how the blue sapphire price of these precious gemstones works and the factors you should focus on.
There is so much to know about blue sapphires and if you are keen to know everything about blue sapphires, do read https://firstgenjeweller.com/all-you-need-to-know-about-blue-sapphires/
Commonly Asked Questions
Value of blue sapphire varies based on 4C's, it's origin and demand and supply. Though it is hard to give exact blue sapphire rates, it may start from as low as $25. The limited availability of high quality blue sapphires contributes to an increase in cost of a blue sapphire Color is the culprit here. Blue color palette determines blue sapphire gem price. Being natural stones, color varies, thus, the difference in their value. What is the value of blue sapphire?
Why blue sapphire is expensive?
Why is there such a difference in the price of the Blue Sapphire?