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Australian sapphires are renowned for their quality and unique colour composition. They are mostly found in New South Wales and Queensland and are highly valued for their colour, which is often a deep blue, but can also be yellow, green, purple, or even multicoloured. They are also known for their higher iron content and vanadium, which contributes to their distinctive appearance. The quality of Australian sapphires is further defined by their inclusions, or tiny gems, trapped inside the larger stone, adding to their clarity and value. With a hardness of nine on the Mohs scale, they are also extremely durable and easy to care for, making them a popular choice for jewellery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Deep blues, multicoloured greens and yellows (known as "parti-coloured"), purple, pink, orange, and colour change |
| Colour banding | Visible lines cutting through a coloured image, considered an unfavourable feature |
| Iron content | Higher iron content, which makes Australian sapphires more varied in colour |
| Vanadium content | Higher vanadium content, which results in a greater number of parti and bi-colour sapphires |
| Sources | New England in northern New South Wales, Anakie in central Queensland, Inverell in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Emerald, Sapphire, and Rubyvale in Queensland |
| Durability | Hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making them easy to look after |
| Value | Determined by size, colour, transparency, and whether the stone is genuine or natural |
| Cutting | Requires orienting each stone to give the best colour, or else the stone will look dull |
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What You'll Learn
High-quality and unique
Australian sapphires are highly valued for their unique colour composition. They are predominantly blue, but also come in yellow, green, purple, and even orange and pink in limited quantities. They are known for their darker tones, which can range from deep blues to light yellows. Australian sapphires are also unique in that they often have multiple colours within them, with some stones displaying a stunning colour-shifting effect. This colour variety is due to Australia's high iron content in the soil.
The quality of sapphires is partly defined by what are called inclusions inside the gemstone, something that is absent from diamonds. Australian sapphires can be especially beautiful in this regard, with incredibly thin and subtle lines of colour set at perfect 120-degree angles, a feature unique to sapphires called sergeant stripes. The value of sapphires depends on several factors, including size, colour, transparency, clarity, cut, and the treatment the stone has been subjected to.
Australian sapphires are also known for their durability, with a hardness of nine on Mohs' scale, making them an extremely versatile and high-quality choice for everyday wear. They are easy to look after, requiring no more than the usual care expected of jewellery. The sapphire symbolises loyalty and love, and with their unique colours and high quality, they make for a truly mesmerising piece of jewellery.
The mines of Australia have produced more blue sapphires than any other source in history, and Australian sapphires are considered by some to be the most unique in the world. They are sourced near volcanic rocks and areas close to such historical activity, which sets them apart from other sapphire-producing regions. While Australian sapphires are highly valued, it is important to note that the value of individual stones can vary greatly depending on their specific characteristics.
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Predominantly blue
Australian sapphires are predominantly blue and are highly valued because of their unique colour composition. The colour of Australian sapphires is influenced by their high iron content, which also makes them more varied in colour. They can range from light to medium tones, with the lighter side being more prevalent, but they are often noted for their darker shades. The blue sapphires from Australia are also known for their deeper blues, which are said to remind one of the shining mid-blue of a lovely summer's day.
The mines of Australia have produced more commercial-grade blue sapphires than any other source in history. The two main sources of Australian sapphires are New England in northern New South Wales and Anakie in central Queensland. They are mostly found in Inverell, in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, and in the towns of Emerald, Sapphire and Rubyvale in Queensland.
The quality of sapphires is partly defined by what are called inclusions inside the gemstone, something that is absent from diamonds. Australian sapphires are also known for their durability, with a hardness of nine on the Mohs scale, making them easy to care for and versatile for everyday wear.
While colour is a key factor in the value of sapphires, other factors include size, transparency, carat, clarity, cut, and the treatment the stone has been subjected to.
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High iron content
Australian sapphires are known for their wide colour range, durability, and strong pleochroism. They are predominantly blue and get their colour from the high iron content found on the Australian continent. The most common hues are deep blue and green-blue, often with darker tones due to the higher iron content. The greenish-yellow, green, yellow, and brown sapphires mined from this part of the world are notable, with regions like Queensland being notable for their greater levels of iron.
The colour of Australian sapphires is often greatly affected by silk, or microscopic rutile crystals that develop inside the gemstones. While the presence of silk inclusions is viewed negatively as they tend to lower the value of sapphires by affecting the dispersion of colour within the gemstone, they can also create the "star stone" or asterism, a highly desirable effect in a gemstone.
The value of Australian sapphires is influenced by colour, clarity, cut, and treatment status. Deep blue stones with good transparency and minimal zoning tend to command higher prices, particularly if they are untreated. The possibility of Australian sapphires having undergone some treatment is a factor in determining the price, as gemstones guaranteed to be untreated are becoming more sought-after.
Australian sapphires are an extremely durable stone with a hardness of nine on Mohs' scale, which makes them an extremely versatile and high-quality piece for everyday wear. They are resistant to scratching and can be given a beautiful, lasting polish. They are also highly durable, with excellent resistance to chipping and sudden temperature changes.
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Durable
Australian sapphires are highly durable. Ranking 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, they are the second hardest mineral on Earth, after diamonds. This high hardness makes them resistant to scratching and chipping and enables a beautiful, lasting polish. They also have excellent resistance to sudden temperature changes.
Sapphires are formed from volcanic activity and belong to the corundum family, which is known for its strength. Australian sapphires are sourced from the ancient landscapes of New England Fields in northern New South Wales and the gently rolling hills of Central Queensland. They are prized for their durability and beauty.
The durability of Australian sapphires is further enhanced by their unique colour banding, where zones of blue, green, and yellow appear in harmonious patterns. This natural feature allows for the cutting of stunning bi-colour or parti sapphires, ensuring that no two stones are alike. The distinct colours of Australian sapphires are due to their higher iron content, which also makes them more varied in their colours.
While Australian sapphires are highly durable, they still require some care to maintain their brilliance. It is recommended to remove sapphire jewellery when exercising, cooking, or swimming to avoid damage from accidental blows, extremely hot surfaces, or chlorine. Additionally, sapphires should be kept away from harsh chemicals such as alkaline solutions, hydrofluoric acid, and ammonium fluoride found in cleaners, perfumes, and cosmetics. To keep the gemstone in its best condition, it is advisable to have it professionally cleaned at least once a year.
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Sourced from basalt
Sapphires formed in basaltic rocks are known as Australian sapphires. They are sourced from basalt, which is a fine-grained extrusive volcanic rock. The basalt fields in Australia are located in New South Wales and Queensland, with the New England basalt fields in NSW being the most prominent source. These basalt fields are known for their high iron content, which gives the sapphires their unique colours and characteristics.
The formation of Australian sapphires in basalt is a result of volcanic activity. Millions of years ago, lava flowed onto the Earth's surface and quickly cooled, forming basalt. As the basalt cooled, small amounts of silica-rich liquid were trapped, and this liquid eventually led to the formation of sapphires. Over time, weathering and erosion exposed the sapphires, which were then mined and processed.
The unique composition of basalt gives Australian sapphires their distinct colours and characteristics. The high iron content in the basalt results in sapphires with a range of colours, including greens, yellows, blues and parti-colours (a combination of two or more colours). The most valuable Australian sapphires are those with a deep, rich colour and good clarity.
Australian sapphires sourced from basalt have a unique appearance that sets them apart from sapphires found in other parts of the world. They often exhibit a colour zoning effect, with different colours appearing in distinct zones or sectors within the gemstone. This colour zoning is a result of the varying mineral compositions and cooling rates during the formation of the basalt.
The mining and processing of Australian sapphires sourced from basalt involve a range of techniques. Primary deposits, where sapphires are found in their original basalt host rock, are often mined using open-cut methods, while secondary deposits, where sapphires have been transported and deposited by water, may be mined using alluvial mining techniques. Once the rough sapphires are extracted, they undergo cutting and polishing to bring out their colour and brilliance.
Australian sapphires sourced from basalt have gained recognition in the gem trade for their unique beauty and distinct characteristics. They are valued not only for their vibrant colours but also for their durability and hardness, making them suitable for a wide range of jewellery applications. The increasing popularity of Australian sapphires has led to a growing demand in both the local and international markets, with collectors and consumers seeking these unique gemstones for their one-of-a-kind appeal.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian sapphires are known for their higher iron content, which makes them more varied in colour. They are predominantly blue, but can also be yellow, green, purple, or even multicoloured. They are also known for their darker tones.
Australian sapphires are of good quality due to their unique colour composition and durability. They have a hardness of nine on the Mohs scale, making them easy to look after and versatile for everyday wear. They are also sourced from primary locations near volcanic rocks, which sets them apart from other sapphires.
Australian sapphires are mainly found in Inverell, in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, and in the towns of Emerald, Sapphire, and Rubyvale in Queensland. They are typically discovered by individual fossickers panning riverbeds in South-West Queensland and North-West New South Wales.
The value of Australian sapphires depends on various factors, including size, colour, transparency, clarity, cut, and treatment. Natural stones are considered the most valuable. Australian sapphires can range in price, with some selling for $3,500 to $20,000.
