September is Sapphire

September's birthstone is sapphire, a variety of the mineral corundum (like ruby). Sapphires are remarkably durable with a hardness of 9 out of 10 (diamonds are 10). Colors vary from the most popular blue to the more unique yellows, pinks, greens, and the orangy padparadscha color.

Sapphire deposits are found in Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Madagascar, East Africa, and North America, primarly in Montana. The sapphire deposits of Kashmir are well known throughout the high jewelery industry as the most beautiful of all sapphire blue colors. Peak production from these mines took place at the end of the nineteenth and early part of the twentieth centuries. These gemstones are very rare and a treasure to see. We have been lucky enough to see a few over the years. Kashmir sapphires have sold for as much as $180,000 per carat at auction in April 2014 ($5 million total).

At Zoma Color, we look for ways to incorporate wonderful colors into our high jewelry. Sapphire gemstones provide us with a spectrum of colors that delight the eye and also complement any wardrobe.

We have noticed a trend toward the pink and green sapphires this season and you will see more high jewelry rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets featuring these color sapphires as the summer season (regretfully) turns to fall.

We have a few yellow and purple sapphires that we are mounting up and will be ready in the next few weeks. If you have any color suggestions feel free to let us know. We are constantly looking for color trends around the world...let us know what is happening in your area.

Thanks.