Heated Sapphires Versus Unheated Sapphires
Heated vs. Unheated Sapphires: Understanding the Differences
Sapphire, a stunning gemstone with an iconic blue color, has long been renowned for its brilliance and durability. However, there is more than meets the eye with these stones. The treatments used on sapphires greatly impact their appearance, value, and appeal. By far, the most common treatment is heating. Heated and unheated sapphires have a variety of malleable traits that can all impact the differences between every unique stone.
The Basics of Sapphire Treatment
It comes from the family of minerals called corundum of which ruby is also a part. Sapphires derive their blue, purple, and yellowish green color from trace amounts of iron, titanium, and chromium. Natural sapphires are commonly treated with different processes to improve their color or clarity. The most common variety of treatment is heating, in which sapphires are placed in a furnace and subjected to high temperatures of up to 1,900C. This process can improve properties such as hue (or eye color, referring to the color as it’s naturally seen in the stone), and clarity by removing inclusions, as well as generally improving their appearance by creating a more even-looking stone.
What Are Heated Sapphires?
Heated sapphires are those that have been thermally treated to enhance their visual appeal. Normally, sapphires are heated to temperatures between 1,600 to 1,800 degrees Celsius. This procedure, which is called flame fusion or flame fusion treatment, can have several results. Color enhancement is one example. Heating can intensify the blue color of sapphires, or transform the hue of a stone, where green or gray-hued sapphires can come out blue. Almost all naturally mined sapphires are internally flawed but treatment can enhance its appearance. Heating can dissolve most of these inclusions. The result is a stone that is significantly more clear and more appealing. The heating can make the color remain consistent throughout the entire stone. This quality is highly sought after in the jewelry market. Even though the gems receive extensive heat treatments, the gems are still natural while keeping their original characteristic and properties.
What Are Unheated Sapphires?
Unheated sapphires are those that have not undergone any thermal treatment and have been mined directly out from the ground. They are prized primarily for their natural beauty and rarity. Unheated sapphires are different from their heat-treated counterparts. Those that have not been through thermal treatment or color enhancement are considered to be unheated gemstones. Unheated sapphires are even rarer than heat-treated sapphires, and they lack any additional color enhancement. The main characteristics of unheated sapphires include the following:
True natural color: The colors of unheated sapphires are natural, sometimes with subtle tints that give these stones a special appeal. These stones exhibit a variety of hues, from intense blues to pale lavenders or greens, or rarely pinks.
Inclusions: The unheated sapphires often display inclusions, which carry with them a story about the origin of the stone, often enjoyed by collectors and gem enthusiasts as testimony of the natural roughness and authenticity of the gem.
Rarity: Because unheated sapphires are rarer than unheated sapphires, they also tend to be more valuable. Of course, some of the price difference is also impacted by how sought-after unheated sapphires can be.
Comparing Value: Heated vs. Unheated
A sapphire’s value depends on whether it is heated or not. Usually, unheated sapphires are more valuable because they are harder to find or appear more beautiful and stand out from other gems. However, other qualities impact the value as well. The color of a heated sapphire is just as important as the color of an unheated sapphire. Heated sapphires can sometimes be priced almost on par with a lesser-quality unheated one if the color is of the utmost quality. Stones with untreated clarity are still desirable to most buyers, but some collectors believe that natural inclusions in unheated sapphires are positive features. Larger sapphires that happen to be unheated are still highly regarded. Given that there have been fewer large sapphires found in the world than there have been smaller ones, a small unheated sapphire can still be very rare. Sapphire values can fluctuate depending on market trends and demand. Unheated sapphires will generally either maintain their value or rise in value over time.
Market Considerations
When purchasing sapphires, buyers should consider the implications of heat treatment on their investment. Reputable dealers should be able to supply information about whether or not a sapphire has been heated, and purchasers should be able to seek certification from recognized gemological laboratories. Organizations such as the GIA or the AGTA certify your sapphire, certifying its origin. The fact that natural, unheated sapphires are so much rarer than their heated counterparts means they retain a higher resale value. Some consumers may prefer heated sapphires due to the colorful and uniform crystal that heated sapphires can have, or others may prefer natural stones.
The Ethical Perspective
There is good reason that the most common treatment for sapphires is heating. Although this process is widely accepted throughout the gem industry, it has become essential that the trade remains transparent about any kind of treatment performed on its stones.
Conclusion
The distinction between heated and unheated sapphires lies not only in their physical characteristics but also in their value and desirability in the market. From the perspective of a consumer, heated sapphires provide some impressive visual upgrades and may be a great choice when looking for a fancy gemstone. Meanwhile, unheated blue sapphires are in high demand. With the right knowledge and careful deliberation, a buyer can choose the gem that reflects their tastes and values. Some gorgeous sapphire jewelry is currently for sale at Diamonds by Raymond Lee. Check out some amazing examples of these stones.