Silver Sapphire Makes a Superlative, Natural Diamond Substitute

Jun 9, 2010
Claire Eddins

Precious and semiprecious gemstones for jewelry - cltphoto

Stunning, durable, and unique in its own right, silver sapphire is a first-rate alternative to diamond jewelry. And, it is much more rare than diamond.

Make no mistake, natural colorless corundum – commonly called silver, or white, sapphire – is not a diamond copycat. That is to say, the two precious gemstones do not share identical physical properties. However, the beautiful and everlasting qualities of silver sapphire make it a collector’s delight, as well as a perfect colorless gem for jewelry.

The greatest visual differences between colorless diamond and silver sapphire relate to the dispersion, which is greater in diamond, and the refraction, which is single in diamond and double in sapphire. You will not see the rainbow “fire” in silver sapphire that is displayed in the finest diamond. However, fine silver sapphire will present a marvelously bright and lively gem.

Also, sapphire has a higher relative density than diamond (3.95-4.03 for sapphire, compared to 3.50-3.53 for diamond), so this translates into a smaller sized sapphire gem when comparing similarly weighted diamond and sapphire. However, the difference in price between diamond and less-pricey sapphire should outweigh the disparity in density.

The best silver sapphire gems are stunning, and when worn in jewelry, they catch one’s eye from across a room.

Strong, Silver Sapphire Gemstones are Highly Prized for Jewelry

The corundum species of gemstones includes two color varieties – ruby, which is red, and sapphire, which comprises all other colors. Composed of aluminum oxide, the species is extremely strong, with a Mohs hardness rating of 9, second in hardness only to diamond (Mohs 10). The gem’s marvelous durability, along with the material’s potential for excellent transparency, light return, and color – or in this case, lack of color – have for centuries made sapphire a most highly prized and desired gemstone for jewelry.

Variation in corundum colors is caused by impurities within a stone, usually iron and titanium, or, for ruby, chromium and sometimes iron. Silver sapphire is pure corundum, ie, aluminum oxide, without any metallic ions trapped within the lattice sites of the crystal to induce body color. This distinctive geologic purity is unique and remarkably rare. In fact, silver sapphire is thousands-more-times-rare than diamond. This is a true collector’s gemstone.

As with diamonds, the trick to finding an exceptional sapphire, that is appealing and perfect for jewelry, begins with finding an exceptionally well-cut stone. Because the gems are so extremely rare to begin with, and not as well-known or as popular as colored varieties, finding any silver sapphire, let alone well-cut specimens, can be a significant challenge.

Silver Sapphire Responds Beautifully to Concave Gem Facets

For a true collector gem, as well as sensational brilliance, you may want to consider finding a silver sapphire cut in the concave facet style. Concave cut facets are three-dimensional, unlike more traditional flat facet patterns that are two-dimensional. The peculiarities of the three-dimensional patterning make this a very successful technique for increasing brilliance in precious gemstones.

This is especially true for lighter colored gems. Hence, concave-cut silver sapphire can be remarkably lively, bright, and beautiful.

Whether concave or flat faceted, most likely, you won’t find these exceptional and rare gems at your local jewelry store. A great place to start shopping is through gem cutters themselves. Some cutters have these stones in their inventory, but, because they are rare, the gems are not always advertised.

Often times, even if such a stone is not in inventory, a gemstone cutter may know where one may be found and he/she can custom cut your gem. Talented and reliable gemstone cutters may be researched and contacted fairly easily through vendor and forum websites on the internet, professional organizations, lapidary clubs, and gem and jewelry shows.

If you are unsure, then, you may find a source for silver sapphire through internet gem dealers or through a trusted jeweler who may source a stone for you.

Sapphire Jewelry Care and Cleaning

Silver sapphire is an extremely hardy gemstone. Warm soapy water and a brush are ideal for cleaning sapphire jewelry. Ultrasonic, ionic and steam cleaners are considered safe for natural, unfractured, unflawed and untreated stones. It is best, as with any precious gemstones, to avoid abrupt, extreme temperature changes, harsh chemicals or impact with hard surfaces.