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What is a Green Sapphire? A Guide to the Stunning Gems

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Green sapphire gemstone being held in a tweezers

Green Sapphire? It must surely be a mistake, right? The stunning September birthstone with its deep blue beauty can’t possibly be green, can it? In fact, sapphires can come in an array of colors—including green! These green varieties are rarer, visually striking and have fascinating lives in the world of jewelry. Take a closer look at the green variety of sapphires, where they come from, their unique qualities, how they compare to emeralds and more.  

 

What is a Green Sapphire? 

Sapphires are gemstones made of corundum, an extremely hard, naturally occurring mineral made of aluminum oxide, (a chemical compound formed by aluminum and oxygen). There are several types of corundum. You may know red corundum as rubies, and that all other colored corundum gems (as well as colorless or “white sapphires”) are called sapphires. These beautiful gems come in a rainbow of colors, including blue, purple, pink, yellow, orange and green. The term “sapphire” by itself always refers to those of the blue variety. Other-colored sapphires include the color in the name, such as “green sapphires.”

 

How Are Green Sapphires Made?

Sapphires are formed deep inside the earth, with a combination of extreme heat and pressure, where corundum crystallizes and forms within rocks. Pure corundum is colorless. However, tiny amounts of other elements can wind up inside the crystal structure during formation. Iron is the cause of the coloring in green sapphires.

When iron is present in a sapphire, it disrupts the way light interacts within the sapphire, resulting in certain light wavelengths being absorbed by the sapphire. The reflected wavelengths give green sapphires their strikingly beautiful color. The shade of green depends on the amount and position of the iron within the sapphire, as well as the presence of other elements. Therefore, green sapphires come in a wide range of green hues, from light mint or lime green to deep, earthy greenish brown.

 

The Meaning of a Green Sapphire

Along with their striking beauty, green sapphires can carry much symbolism and meaning. For starters, green sapphires are associated with growth, renewal and nature. It’s believed that those who wear green sapphires will feel refreshed, hopeful and optimistic, with their vibrant jewelry symbolizing the rejuvenation of life.

Green is also the color of harmony. Green sapphires are believed to bring balance and harmony to many aspects of life, including emotional and mental. Some cultures see green as a symbol of abundance, success or wealth, while others believe green sapphires have a calming, nurturing and healing “self-love” effect.

 

How to Choose a Green Sapphire

Like diamonds, sapphires are graded using the four Cs (color, cut, clarity and carat), which helps you choose the one that’s right for you.

  • Color: A diamond’s color is graded on how colorless the gem is. But in the world of sapphires, quality will depend on the shade of green present and how that green coloring is dispersed throughout the stone. The more even the distribution of color is, the higher the value is likely to be. 
  • Cut: A gemstone’s cut describes its shape and how it is fashioned. The choice of cut can enhance a gemstone’s natural color and clarity by reducing the appearance of inclusions, adding to its value and desirability.
  • Clarity: A gemstone’s clarity grade is based on whether it has inclusions (materials trapped inside the gem), fractures and blemishes (surface imperfections) that affect its appearance and structure. Most natural gems have inclusions. If a stone looks too perfect, it’s likely been treated. Inclusions are often seen as acceptable if they aren’t too distracting. 
  • Carat: Carats measure a gemstone's weight. As with diamonds, the larger a sapphire, the more valuable it will typically be. Sapphires are heavier than diamonds. Therefore, a one-carat sapphire will appear smaller than its one-carat diamond counterpart but weigh the same, thanks to its density.

 

Green Sapphire vs. Green Emerald 

Jewelry novices are often confused by or unable to distinguish between a green sapphire and a green emerald. Similarities exist between the two green stones, but substantial differences set them apart. 

  • Different origin stories: Green sapphires are formed from the element corundum, while emeralds are formed from the mineral beryl
  • Cause of color: Green sapphires receive their coloring due to iron impurities within the stone. Emeralds receive their coloring from the presence of chromium impurities. 
  • Hardness and durability: As stated above, green sapphires are very durable and second only in hardness to diamonds. Comparatively, emeralds are softer and can be scratched more easily. 
  • Rarity: Emeralds are quite rare, requiring the perfect combination of two different igneous rock types not commonly found together for their formation. Green sapphires are more common than emeralds but are still considered rare stones.
  • Fire: The array of colors deep within a cut gem is considered the gem's "fire." When it comes to emeralds and green sapphires, emeralds tend to have a less prominent fire, while green sapphires have a more brilliant one. 
  • Price: Due to their rarity, emeralds are generally more expensive than green sapphires, especially high-quality stones.

 

Are Green Sapphires Rare?

Most natural sapphires throughout the world are blue. In fact, the name “sapphire” comes from the Latin word “saphirus” and the Greek word “sappheiros,” both meaning blue. Due to the unique makeup of chromium and iron, green sapphires are considered relatively rare compared to other colored sapphires. The value of a green sapphire depends on its quality, size and intensity of color.

 

Can a Green Sapphire Make a Good Engagement Ring? 

An engagement ring should complement the recipient's style and flair. For those who lean toward bold colors or who are drawn to what green sapphires stand for (rejuvenation, balance and harmony), a green sapphire engagement ring might be the perfect choice, especially compared to emerald, which is much softer and more susceptible to everyday wear and tear. But remember, these stones are rare and finding a green sapphire engagement ring within your budget may be challenging. Consider the following tips for selecting a green sapphire ring: 

  • Color is the most important “C”: Unlike diamond shopping, where all four Cs are important in selection, color is the most important “C” when selecting a green sapphire. The more consistent and intense a green sapphire's coloring is, the more valuable it typically will be.
  • Carat weight vs. visual size: Finding the right dimensions and weight for a green sapphire engagement ring might be tricky. As noted above, sapphires weigh more than diamonds. Therefore, if you have a specific gemstone size (visually) in mind for an engagement ring, you may need to buy more carats to achieve it, which may mean you need a higher budget, too. 
  • Choose the proper metal: When choosing a metal for an engagement ring, ensure it’s within your budget and pairs nicely with any other gemstone in the ring setting. For green stones, such as green sapphires, neutral-colored metals such as silver, platinum or white gold may be an excellent choice, as these metals’ cool coloring will not compete against the bold green color.

 

How to Style a Green Sapphire 

Are you looking to incorporate green sapphires into your fashion repertoire? These gems are often bold, making wonderful statement pieces. Because they are so eye-catching, it’s often best to keep the added “pops” of color or elaborately detailed jewelry or clothing to a minimum. Let the green dazzlers lead the show.

A beautiful green sapphire pendant necklace or simple green sapphire earrings can be paired perfectly with your LBD (little black dress) or worn to elevate a casual outfit of jeans and a plain t-shirt (especially a white one!). If you’re the proud owner of a green sapphire ring, make it the centerpiece of your outfit. Wear it enough and it might just become your signature piece!

If you are considering including a green sapphire in a jewelry setting with other stones, make sure the additional gems complement the unique shade of your sapphire. Bright, colorless gems can help contrast the green in your sapphire, making it appear deeper and more vibrant.

 

Five Bonus Facts about Green Sapphires

Green sapphires are genuinely fascinating, complex and intriguing stones. Here are five fun facts about green sapphires to take your knowledge to the next level.

  1. Asterism: Some green sapphires exhibit the optical phenomenon called asterism. These tiny starbursts come from thin, needle-like minerals inside the sapphire that reflect light in a unique way. When the stone is cut into a smooth, rounded shape, these minerals can create a six-rayed or twelve-rayed star shape with their reflection. 
  2. Color-changing abilities: Some sapphires experience another phenomenon called color change, in which they can appear one color in daylight and another under incandescent light. At times, they can appear gray, black, or brown. 
  3. Green sapphires are found worldwide, including in Kashmir, Burma, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, China, Australia, Thailand, and Montana, USA. However, the Montana-based Yogo Mine, where green sapphires have been found, is inactive.
  4. Big green: The Stonebridge Green sapphire weighed an astounding 202 carats and was once the most photographed colored sapphire in history. It was discovered in 1938 in Queensland, Australia. 
  5. Chakra healing: Green sapphires are often associated with the “heart chakra.” It is believed that wearing green sapphire jewelry or meditating with green sapphires can balance the heart chakra, fostering love, compassion and emotional well-being.

Whether your sapphires are blue, red or green, consider insuring your precious gems with a standalone jewelry insurance policy from Jewelers Mutual. It’s an affordable choice that covers repairing or replacing your piece if it ever gets lost, stolen or damaged. Check your rate by clicking the button below.

 

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