The Journey of the Gem
Sapphire
For millennia, humans have been drawn to the mysterious allure of sapphires. No two are alike and each is full of surprises! At Utopian Creations we specialize in Australian sapphires, with a dazzling rainbow selection from subtle pastels to bright blues. Our passion for this precious stone is lit due to its unique beauty and one-of-a-kind character.
By sourcing our gemstones close to their origin, we can guarantee that the environment is being cared for and miners have safe working conditions and fair compensation. Not only does this create a positive impact on local communities but it also allows us to share stories about the wonderful people behind these precious gems. These heartwarming tales of individual journeys from deep in the earth towards a future filled with love bring joy both to those who discover them as well as those giving them away - making an everlasting mark across many generations.
Australian sapphires are generally found in ancient river or creek beds. The depth of these can vary significantly, most being buried millions of years ago. Depending on the depth of the sapphires a number of different mining techniques can be used.
Hand tools and specking
This technique requires the sapphires to be very close to the surface. Specking is the most basic form of collecting sapphires and isnt actually a form of mining. Its simply walking around picking them up off the surface, generally after heavy rain has washed away the top soil. As simple as this sounds it can be very successful. Hand tools are generally a pick, spade and a sieve. There are many ingenious devices that can separate dirt and rock faster than a sieve that may still be used in conjunction with a pick and spade. In most cases this form of mining in Australia will be carried out at 1-2 meters depth. There are many fossicking areas open to the public (after a small fee has been paid for a fossickers licence) where anyone can give it a go. Its hard work digging into river gravel and brings a great appreciation of the work done by miners in the past.
Shaft Mining
As the name suggests a shaft is dug to the depth of the sapphire bearing material which could be 15 meters deep. Since the 70's this has been done with a huge truck based drilling rig. Once the depth has been established jackhammers and hand tools are used to dig into the wall, following the ancient river bed. Some miners have even disassembled small ride on diggers and reassembled them underground to increase the volume of rock they can remove.
Open Cut
This form of mining is the rarest on the Australian sapphire fields as it requires large machinery. The topsoil is removed and stored for later rehabilitation, then the miners dig down with bulldozers searching for the sapphire bearing layer. Once found they carefully follow its path, sorting most of the soil and rock onsite. Its a high cost game, but it can provide huge volumes of sapphire.
Australian sapphire crystals found close to their place of creation often possess their native crystal shape, known as a dogtooth. However if the crystals have spent significant time in rivers or creeks they may have a more smooth, rounded appearance.
Once mined most sapphires are passed to a gem cutter who's job it is to bring the gemstone to life. Gem cutters are artists, craftspeople with a very accurate eye for detail. Before cutting some sapphires may be picked out for heat treating. These are normally gems that have a lot of rutile inside them. Rutile is another crystal that can grown inside the sapphire crystal and can cause the sapphire to look overly dark and unappealing. Heat treating can dissolve the rutile in much the same way as nature did back when the gems were created in lava flows. If heat treating is to occur its normally the gem cutters keen eye that makes the decision and carries out the procedure. Heat treatment of Australian sapphires is rare as most dont require it. In some parts of the world like Sri Lanka and Montana in the USA its a routine procedure carried out to about 95% of all sapphires mined. When cutting the gemstones simple but very precise tools are used that have not changed significantly inhundreds of years. They use a spinning disk covered in different grades of diamond dust and an arm that holds the gemstone on specific angles set by the gem cutter. There are many standard patterns that are used, the patten chosen will generally be determined by the shape of the rough gemstone.
Sapphire Q&A - Test your knowledge and learn something new
Welcome to Utopian Creations' definitive Q&A on sapphires, the celestial gemstone that crowns September birthdays. As pioneers in sustainable fine jewellery and specialists in Australian sapphires, we're thrilled to illuminate the mysteries of this royal gem through 30 essential questions and answers designed for curious minds and conscious consumers.
Top 10 Sapphire Questions
1. Why is sapphire September's birthstone?
Sapphires earned their September birthstone status through centuries of symbolism linking their deep blue hues to wisdom and celestial connection. Ancient Persians believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire, its reflection colouring the sky. This cosmic association made sapphires natural symbols of truth and spiritual insight - perfect qualities for the northern hemisphere's autumn, September, a month of introspection. In the southern hemisphere, September is a month of rebirth, spring warmth fills the air, and it is the perfect time to celebrate the amazing variety of colours that sapphire brings. At Utopian Creations, we celebrate this heritage with sapphire pieces that connect wearers to both earthly beauty and cosmic wonder.
2. What determines a sapphire's value?
Four key factors govern sapphire value:
- Colour (most critical): Vivid medium-blue commands premium prices
- Clarity: Eye-clean stones with minimal inclusions are rarest
- Cut: Precision cutting maximises colour and brilliance
- Carat: Larger sizes increase exponentially in value
Unlike diamonds, origin significantly impacts value - Kashmiri and Burmese sapphires often fetch higher prices due to historical prestige. At Utopian Creations, we prioritise ethical sourcing over origin hype, offering stunning gems from responsible mines worldwide.
3. How do sapphires get their colours?
Sapphires' rainbow palette stems from trace elements in their corundum structure:
- Blue: Iron + titanium
- Yellow: Iron
- Pink: Chromium
- Padparadscha: Chromium + iron
The most coveted "cornflower blue" occurs when trace elements balance perfectly during formation. We particularly love Queensland parti sapphires with their ever-changing mixes of blue, yellow, green and teal - a sustainable domestic alternative to the wonders of the wider world.
4. Natural vs lab-created sapphires: What's better?
While chemically identical, natural and lab sapphires differ dramatically:
Natural Formation 1-10 Million Years
Lab Formation 2-4 weeks
Natural Inclusions - Generally visible with the naked eye or magnification. They help to prove the stone is natural and can help determine the origin and treatments. Natural inclusions are like the crystal's fingerprint.
Lab Inclusions - Generally, none.
Environmental impacts Natural - Can vary wildly. At Utopian Creations, we have developed long-standing relationships with our miners and regularly visit mining areas to see firsthand how our miners care for the land they rely on. More information about our responsible sourcing can be found here.
Environmental impacts Lab - Once again, it can vary wildly. We have witnessed both the best and worst of lab coloured stone creation. At the end of the day, the building blocks of coloured sapphires still need to be mined, and the energy to create them must be expended.
Generally, it is thought lab sapphires have a lower impact than mined, however, many factors can sway back to Natural gemstones being better for the environment as a whole. For example, the ingredients for lab gems are generally mined in large operations that can disrupt substantial amounts of land. A lot of sapphire mining is still done by hand.
Natural stones offer geological romance and a more reliable financial valuation that generally increases over time, whereas a lab stone will be basically worthless once it leaves the jewellery store. Lab stones offer an incredibly low price, but after 20 years of working with natural sapphires, we prefer to support the hardworking miners, their families and communities.
One note on Lab sapphires. We have noticed a trend where retailers are selling lab sapphires as an eco-conscious alternative to mined sapphires. This may be true in specific cases, if they have chosen their supplier carefully; however, the problem we see is price. Many retailers are choosing to price their lab gems just under that of natural, perhaps a 20-30% discount; however, the actual value is probably 80-90% lower than a natural alternative. Buyer beware.
5. Are most sapphires treated?
Approximately 95% of commercial sapphires undergo heat treatment to enhance colour and clarity. Advanced methods include:
- Low-heat (400°C): Gentle colour enhancement
- High-heat (1800°C): Dissolves inclusions, intensifies hue5
- Diffusion: Adds surface colour elements
While treatments are industry-standard, we specialise in untreated and low-heat sapphires, carefully vetting each stone's provenance. We do not sell diffusion sapphires at all and recommend against them for a number of reasons.
6. How durable are sapphires for daily wear?
With a 9/10 Mohs hardness rating, sapphires trail only diamonds in durability. Their crystal structure makes them ideal for:
- Engagement rings
- Everyday jewelry
- Heirloom pieces
We recommend protective settings for frequent wear and avoiding harsh impacts despite their toughness. For most people, claw settings are fine for daily-worn sapphires. However, if you are rough on your jewellery, we recommend bezel settings as they combine security with modern elegance.
7. What makes ethical sapphire sourcing crucial?
Mining practices dramatically vary:
✅ Responsible/Ethical: Fair wages, rehabilitation, community investment
❌ Unethical: Child/slave labour, environmental damage
The 2021 Gemfields report revealed that 34% of colored gemstones lack ethical certification. Utopian Creations partners directly with miners and stone cutters so we can make informed buying decisions.
8. What symbolism do sapphires carry?
Across cultures, sapphires represent:
- Wisdom (Ancient Greece)
- Royalty (British Crown Jewels)
- Divine Favour (Middle Ages)
- Romantic Commitment (Modern)
Princess Diana's iconic sapphire engagement ring cemented its love symbolism, a tradition we honour with custom sapphire betrothal rings36.
9. Where are the finest sapphires found?
Top sources include:
- Kashmir: Velvety "cornflower" blues (rare)
- Myanmar: Rich royal blues
- Sri Lanka: Pastel hues + padparadscha
- Montana: Unique greenish-blue
- Australia: Parti-colours, royal blues, teal and bright greens
We're particularly excited about Australian sapphires as they are some of the most responsibly mined, offer a wide variety of colours and can be found in large sizes compared to other locations such as Montana.
10. How should I care for sapphire jewellery?
Preserve your sapphire's beauty with:
- Cleaning: Mild soap + soft brush (avoid ultrasonics)
- Storage: Separate from harder gems
- Checkups: Annual prong inspections
- Re-oiling: For fracture-filled stones
Our sustainability ethos extends to care - we provide biodegradable cleaning kits and plant a tree for every jewellery maintenance visit.
20 More Burning Sapphire Questions
11. What's special about padparadscha sapphires?
These rare "lotus blossom" gems blend pink and orange like Sri Lankan sunsets. Connoisseurs pay over $30,000/ct for top specimens, valuing them above blue sapphires7. We source ethical padparadschas from traceable Sri Lankan mines using mercury-free techniques.
12. Can sapphires change colour?
Yes! Rare colour-change sapphires shift when moving from daylight to incandescent light. This phenomenon stems from vanadium impurities and can increase the value 40-60%. Our collectors adore these chameleon gems for their magical transformations. Ask our team about these wondrous gems as even though they are extremely rare we always keep a small collection of them because we love them so much.
13. What are star sapphires?
Asterism creates these celestial wonders - intersecting needle inclusions form a moving star under light. The finest display sharp six-rayed stars on deep blue backgrounds. We recommend cabochon cuts to maximise this effect in Australian star sapphires.
14. Are sapphires rarer than diamonds?
Geologically, sapphires are 4x rarer than diamonds. However, the diamond market's controlled supply creates artificial scarcity. At Utopian Creations, we celebrate sapphires' natural rarity through limited-edition ethical collections.
15. What's the best sapphire cut?
While oval and cushion cuts maximise colour, the most popular cut, as with diamonds, is the round ‘brilliant’ cut, which took off in popularity after the 2nd world war. We innovate with hexagon and kite cuts to reduce waste during shaping - cutting interesting shapes that maximise the shape of the rough crystal can significantly save waste and further increase the uniqueness of the gemstone.
16. Do sapphires make good engagement rings?
Absolutely! Sapphires offer:
- 9/10 hardness
- Unique colour options
- Ethical sourcing potential
- Cost savings vs diamonds
17. How do I spot fake sapphires?
There is no substitute for experience and training. Fake sapphires and other coloured gemstones are often sold at gem markets in India and Sri Lanka. If you are not trained and do not have significant experience, we recommend only buying from established jewellers who specialise in sapphires.
Three quick tests:
- Breath Test: Real sapphires clear fog instantly
- UV Light: Most naturals show an inert reaction
- Inclusions: Look for natural "silk" under 10x zoom
18. What are "bi-color" or “parti” sapphires?
These natural wonders display multiple colours in one stone, like green-yellow “wattle” sapphires from Australia. Formed by shifting trace elements during growth, each is a wearable geological timeline. Our bestseller? Blue-green "teal" sapphires from Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.
19. How has sapphire mining evolved?
Modern techniques prioritise sustainability:
- Water Recycling: 90% reuse in Sri Lankan and Australian mines
- Solar Power: 100% renewable at some Australian sites
We partner with mines using these technologies, proving that luxury and responsibility coexist
20. What's the largest sapphire ever found?
The 1404.49-carat "Star of Adam" discovered in Sri Lanka (2015) holds the record. Valued at $300M, it dethroned the 563-carat Star of India. While we can't offer carats that colossal, our curated selection includes rare 5+ct beauties.
21. Do sapphires have healing properties?
Crystal healers associate sapphires with:
- Mental clarity
- Emotional balance
- Spiritual awakening
22. Why are some sapphires called "fancy"?
This trade term denotes any non-blue sapphire. Once considered inferior, fancy sapphires now command premium prices for rare hues like:
- Purple (0.1% of production)
- Orange (0.05%)
- Green (0.3%)
Our Hypatia collection showcases these rarities in responsibly sourced Australian Gold.
23. What's a "geuda" sapphire?
This milky Sri Lankan variety transforms under heat treatment from cloudy to transparent blue. Once considered worthless, geudas now supply 60% of the blue sapphire market after light heat treatment.
24. How do I choose a sapphire engagement ring?
Follow our 5-Point Checklist:
- Choose a respected jeweller
- Prioritise colour over carat
- Select responsible/ethical origin
- Verify treatment status
- Ensure proper certification if you are purchasing for investment or if you dont trust the seller.
25. Are sapphire earrings a good investment?
Top-quality natural sapphires appreciate 8-12% annually, outperforming many traditional investments. Generally, pairs of natural gemstones, if colour matched well, appreciate even faster than singular gemstones due to the increase in rarity.
26. What's the "Three-Phase" sapphire test?
Gemologists use this advanced verification:
- Microscopy: Check natural inclusions
- Spectroscopy: Analyse chemical fingerprints
- UV Testing: Detect treatments
27. Can sapphires be re-cut?
Yes, but consider:
- 20-40% weight loss
- Potential inclusion exposure
- Historical value reduction
Our master cutters specialise in recutting inherited stones into modern designs while preserving character, part of our circular jewellery initiative. In many cases, we will advise to keep the original shape of the gemstone, especially if its an antique cut. Our cutters are experts in restoring as well as complete rejuvenation.
28. What causes "silk" in sapphires?
Silk in sapphires is actually delicate rutile needles formed during crystallisation. While excessive silk reduces clarity, moderate amounts create velvety appearances prized in Kashmir stones. We educate clients to appreciate these natural birthmarks rather than seeking impossible perfection. Light heat treatment is often used to remove excessive silk, which can vastly improve the sparkle of a gemstone.
29. How are lab sapphires made?
Two primary methods:
- Flame Fusion: Cheaper, faster
- Hydrothermal: Closer to natural growth
30. What's the future of sapphire mining?
Increasing the environmental protections and those of the miners and their communities. As with the diamond industry, there has been a push from the public and some jewellers like ourselves, Utopian Creations, to increase supply-chain visibility. This leads to better outcomes as the darker, hidden aspects of the industry are brought forward. Governments in Africa are starting to take action against black market trading and are establishing their own value-adding industries like stone cutting to increase the income that's possible from gemstone and jewellery sales.
Conclusion
From their celestial origins to cutting-edge sustainable innovations, sapphires offer endless fascination. At Utopian Creations, we're redefining luxury through ethical practices that honour both people and planet. Whether you're drawn to the depth of Ceylon blues or bright Australian apple greens, our sapphire collection offers conscious beauty for every story.
Explore our sustainable sapphire designs online or visit our green-powered showroom to experience these marvels in person. Let's write your sapphire story together - responsibly, beautifully, and forever.
Art meets Science
Once cut the Sapphire is ready to be reintroduced to the world. Most traditional faceting patterns have been designed to focus photons of light. Photons that have been created in the center of a star, our Sun take about 100,000 years to reach the Suns surface then only 8 minutes to travel to the table or top of the gemstone, through the crystal, bounce off the pavilion facets and back up through the crystal, out the crown to the viewers eye.