SAPPHIRE JEWELLERY

Sapphires have a long and fascinating history, inspiring legend and, it was believed, bringing good fortune. In ancient Persia it was thought that the sky was painted blue by the reflection of sapphire stones, while kings wore sapphire talismans to protect them from harm, and today sapphires are also known as the September birthstone.

Discover more through our blog on the history of the Sapphire Stone.

Sapphires, as with the other ‘big three’ precious stones – rubies and emeralds – are valued based on their origin, colour and treatment. Old mine Kashmir sapphires are the most sought after, possessing the softest deep-velvet blue colour, closely followed by examples from Burma and Ceylon. Stones from the mines of Kashmir contain little or no chromium, which means that these sapphires retain their characteristic deep-blue hue in both natural and artificial light.

Not all of the most extraordinary sapphires are blue. One of the rarest forms of sapphire is the salmon-pink Padparadscha, originating in Sri Lanka. While blue sapphires are naturally coloured with iron and rubies with chromium, Padparadschas have the presence of both. This delicate balance of pink and orange makes this gem one of nature’s rarest. What’s more, thanks to its appearance in the engagement ring of Princess Eugenie, the demand for this wondrous stone is on the rise.

The majority of David Morris sapphire jewellery pieces are untreated, but as with all rare stones, it is extremely important to obtain a certificate when purchasing a sapphire, which will document its origin and whether or not it has received any heat treatment to enhance its colour.

All David Morris sapphires hold a certificate from either the Gübelin or SSEF laboratories in Switzerland, the world’s two most respected authorities.