White sapphires are a popular diamond substitute in jewelry due to their lower cost and ethical concerns. They are often heat treated to achieve their color and can also be chemically treated. Sapphires come in various colors and can have unique properties. Natural and synthetic white sapphires are available, with synthetic sapphires often being of better quality. White sapphires are hard and brilliant, making them a popular alternative to diamonds. When selecting a white sapphire, look for a clear stone with a flattering cut and size that meets your needs.
A white sapphire is a colorless form of sapphire used in a wide range of jewelry as a diamond substitute. Sapphires tend to be much less expensive than diamonds, and socially conscious buyers who are concerned about conflict diamonds can avoid political trouble by buying sapphires instead. Most white sapphires are heat treated to achieve the desired light color, as it is very rare to find naturally occurring white sapphires. Some can also be chemically treated, depending on the quality of the stone and its intended use.
Sapphires are a type of aluminum oxide that forms in a crystalline pattern. There are numerous uses for sapphires, ranging from industrial lasers to jewelry making, and the stones also come in a wide range of colors, despite the traditional association with the color blue. Sapphires also come in purple, yellow and brown and can have unusual properties that cause them to reflect light in a star shape or change color under certain lighting conditions.
There are two main sources for white sapphires. Gray to light yellow natural stones can be treated to become clear, and some companies grow their own stones as well, creating synthetic sapphires that are chemically identical to the real thing. A synthetic white sapphire tends to be less expensive, because consumers perceive lab-grown gems as inferior, but can sometimes be of better quality, thanks to controlled growing conditions. Natural sapphires are found in Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, parts of Africa, the Middle East and the western states of America.
Like a diamond, a white sapphire can be cut and polished to be an extremely brilliant stone, refracting light brilliantly and dynamically. White sapphires are also extremely hard, making them nearly as tough as diamonds. These two traits make white sapphires a popular diamond alternative, although sapphires may not have the same cultural value as diamonds.
When selecting a white sapphire, look for many of the same characteristics you have in a diamond. The stone should be cut in a flattering way that releases the sparkle in the stone to create a luminous sparkle, and the stone should be really clear, with no clouds of any other color. If size is an issue for you, you should also look for a large-carat white sapphire to make sure your needs are met.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
