ABOUT SAPPHIRES

SAPPHIRES ARE PART OF OUR AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE

Australian sapphires have been mined and marketed for more than 100 years. In the early years they were sold to the Germans, Russians, and other European nationals. In more recent times, buyers from Thailand have taken advantage of the increased supply of rough sapphire on the market due to the introduction of machinery mining. There are still plenty of sapphires to be found, however, the majority of the remaining ground is restricted to hand-mining, consequently, the supply is limited. The only two sapphire producing areas in Australia are Northern New South Wales – around the Glen Innes area, and the Central Queensland Gemfields.

SAPPHIRES – EVERY COLOUR OF THE RAINBOW

The Central Queensland Gemfields produce a wide range of colours and sizeable crystals. Particularly notable are the rich golden yellow and parti-coloured stones (combinations of more than one colour, some yellow and blue, some green and yellow, some blue, green and yellow). Along with the orange and pink coloured sapphires, these golden yellows and parti-colours are referred to in the gem trade as "fancy stones". In addition to the rich blue colours, the Central Queensland Gemfields are noted for some of the finest fancy stones in the world.

PROFESSIONAL CUTTING

The sapphires cut for Sapphire Temptation Jewellers differ significantly from Australian sapphires cut overseas. Our sapphires are faceted by John, who is an expert gem cutter, with strict control given to the proper use of angles - to get the best possible colour and brilliance from the crystal and produce a correctly proportioned gem, thus ensuring the finest quality stones.

Some overseas countries produce the finished product in bulk at minimal cost, but stones cut by these overseas cutters are referred to as "native cut" or "Thai cut", and are usually cut for size and colour, with little regard to correct faceting standards, which may result in dull or lifeless looking stones with flaws included.