Natural Blue Sapphires
Natural Blue Sapphires – Rare, Radiant, and Respected
Blue sapphires are some of the world’s most sought-after gemstones. Known for their deep royal blue hue, elegance, and long-lasting durability, they have been treasured for centuries. At NashGems, we offer an exclusive collection of certified natural blue sapphires, hand-picked for their vivid color, ethical sourcing, and exceptional brilliance.
Our collection includes star sapphire, cornflower blue, violet blue, and other fancy sapphires—each representing the full range of sapphire colors.
Why Choose a NashGems Blue Sapphire?
- 100% Natural & Certified: Every blue sapphire comes with trusted lab certification, verifying its authenticity.
- Unheated & Untreated Options: We offer quality blue sapphires that preserve their natural allure. Untreated sapphires have undergone only traditional cutting and polishing to enhance their appearance and durability—no additional treatments are applied. These gems are rare in the market and typically command about a 15% premium over heat-treated sapphires, making them especially prized by collectors and connoisseurs seeking true authenticity.
- Perfect for Engagement Rings: Blue sapphires symbolize wisdom, loyalty, and protection, making them ideal for meaningful jewelry.
- Worldwide Shipping: All gems are carefully packed and fully insured from our vault to your home.
- Transparent Pricing: We provide clear price per carat for every stone.
Learn About Blue Sapphires
What is a Blue Sapphire?
A blue sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum. It is valued for its vibrant color, durability (Mohs hardness 9), and versatility. As the birthstone for September, it is widely used in engagement rings, pendants, and fine jewelry.
Where Do the Best Blue Sapphires Come From?
The top sources include:
- Ceylon (Sri Lanka): Known for light to medium cornflower blue stones.
- Kashmir: Famous for soft, velvety blue sapphires that collectors prize.
We also offer sapphire and rubies in select collections for jewelry lovers who appreciate complementary gemstones.
What Are the Different Levels of Color Intensity in Sapphires?
Not all sapphires are created equal—color intensity plays a big role in determining a sapphire’s allure and value. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the primary levels of color intensity you’ll encounter when selecting a gemstone:
- Intense: The richest saturation, producing vivid color that’s deeply dramatic without venturing into overly dark territory. Think of the iconic hue from classic Ceylon sapphires at their best.
- Vivid: One notch lighter than intense—a brilliant, lively blue that's vibrant yet slightly softer on the eye.
- Deep: These stones showcase a saturated color that approaches opacity, resulting in a dramatic but somewhat heavier look.
- Medium: A lighter blue with moderate saturation, offering brightness and versatility for a wide range of jewelry styles.
- Sky: The lightest category, featuring delicate, airy blues reminiscent of a clear summer sky.
- Navy: Exceptionally dark saturation where the stone appears nearly opaque—ideal for those who love bold, mysterious gems.
Each level offers its own unique charm, so whether you prefer the regal depth of intense blue or the fresh sparkle of a sky hue, there’s a sapphire to match your style.
How Can I Tell if a Sapphire Is Natural? What is meant by gemstone enhancement, specifically heating versus untreated stones?
All blue sapphires from NashGems are certified. Each certificate clearly states whether the stone is heated, unheated, treated, or untreated. You always know what you are buying.
Heated sapphires are the industry standard; over 99% of sapphires in today’s jewelry are heat-treated to enhance their color and clarity. This process is permanent and widely accepted, to the point that most jewelers assume “sapphire” means “heated sapphire” unless stated otherwise.
On the other hand, untreated sapphires—those that have only been cut and polished, with no additional enhancements—are exceptionally rare. Because of their scarcity and natural beauty, untreated sapphires typically command a premium, often costing about 15% more than their heated counterparts.
With us, transparency is key. Every NashGems sapphire comes with documentation so you can make your choice with confidence, whether you’re seeking a classic heated gem or a rare untreated treasure.
How Is Blue Sapphire Clarity Graded?
When it comes to grading the clarity of blue sapphires, the approach is refreshingly straightforward—no loupes or microscopes required. Unlike diamonds, sapphires and other colored gemstones are judged by simply viewing them with the naked eye, usually about 12 inches away, and gently tilting the stone under light. The focus is on what is visible to an unaided observer, rather than relying on intense magnification.
Clarity Categories for Blue Sapphires
Blue sapphires are grouped into clarity categories based on how easily you can see tiny internal features, known as inclusions. Here’s a quick overview:
- Eye Clean: No inclusions visible to the naked eye—these sapphires look perfectly clear when inspected without magnification.
- Very Slightly Included: Only minuscule inclusions may be spotted with close, careful viewing or from certain angles.
- Slightly Included: Small inclusions can be seen upon inspection, but they typically do not detract from the stone’s overall beauty.
- Moderately Included: Inclusions are noticeable to the eye and might slightly influence the stone’s brilliance.
- Included: Inclusions are clear to see and may affect the sapphire's transparency or sparkle.
It’s important to note that clarity is generally assessed from the crown (the top side) of the gem, while the pavilion (back side) is not considered during typical grading.
This eye-level approach celebrates the natural character of each sapphire, making the grading process practical for both gem lovers and collectors alike.
What are the different quality grade for sapphires and what do they mean?
Understanding Sapphire Quality Grades
Not all sapphires are created equal—quality varies, and industry experts use a grading system to distinguish between different levels. Here’s a simple breakdown of the grades you’re likely to encounter:
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A Grade (Good): These sapphires make up much of what you’ll see in commercial jewelry. They typically have a very light to very dark color, are often opaque, and are valued for their accessibility and affordability.
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AA Grade (Very Good): Representing the upper quarter of quality, these gems showcase medium to light hues, offer a lively sparkle, and may have some minor visible inclusions. Many pieces offered at mid-range and high street jewelers fall into this category.
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AAA Grade (Excellent): Considered high-quality and usually found in luxury boutiques or alongside designer settings. These sapphires feature vivid to medium color, excellent brilliance, and only slight inclusions visible to the naked eye.
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AAAA Grade (Heirloom): Reserved for the top one percent, heirloom-quality stones exhibit rich, saturated color and are near flawless to slightly included, with radiant sparkle. Most have undergone heat treatment to enhance their natural beauty.
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AAAAA Grade (Untreated Heirloom): The rarest of all. These natural sapphires are prized by collectors for their rich color and remarkable clarity—usually untreated and often appreciating in value over time due to their scarcity.
Understanding these grades helps you select the sapphire that best fits your style, budget, and investment goals.
Can I Use These for a Custom Ring?
Absolutely. Our loose blue sapphires are ideal for:
- Engagement rings
- Pendants
- Earrings
We also provide a custom design service so your sapphire can be set in jewelry that matches your vision perfectly.
Explore Our Collection
Browse our range of classic ovals, cushions, rare rounds, and emerald cuts. Each blue gemstone is hand-selected for its clarity, brilliance, and quality blue sapphire color. Whether you choose a star sapphire or a cornflower blue gem, your sapphire will be a piece of lasting beauty.
For help selecting a stone or designing a custom ring, contact our gem experts today.
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