In the dazzling world of jewelry, three gemstones stand apart, not just for their breathtaking beauty, but for their rich history and enduring value. The Blue Sapphire, Ruby, and Emerald have long been a source of fascination, symbolizing power, passion, and prosperity. For those looking to create truly meaningful pieces, understanding the story of these gems is the first step toward crafting exceptional custom jewellery, custom engagement rings, or custom wedding rings.
Blue Sapphire: The Gem of Wisdom and Royalty
Revered for its celestial, deep-blue hues, the sapphire has been a symbol of royalty, wisdom, and divine favor for centuries. While sapphires come in a rainbow of colors, it is the classic blue variety that holds a special place in history and on the market.
The value of fine blue sapphires has shown a steady, consistent increase. This trend is driven by their use in high-end jewelry and, famously, in royal engagement rings, such as the one worn by Princess Diana and now by Catherine, Princess of Wales. The most prized sapphires, such as those from the now-depleted mines of Kashmir, command astronomical prices due to their unique velvety texture. Their value has surged, with top-quality stones appreciating by as much as 25-30% annually in recent years, reaching prices of over $200,000 per carat at auction.
While a significant portion of the world’s sapphires come from locations like Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Australia, the discovery of a top-quality, untreated sapphire is an incredibly rare event. Historically, the best blue sapphires came from Kashmir, a source that is now largely depleted, making these vintage gems exceptionally rare.
Ruby: The King of All Precious Stones
With its fiery, intense red glow, the ruby is a symbol of passion, courage, and vitality. It has been revered since antiquity, with ancient cultures believing it was a drop of blood from Mother Earth.
The value of a ruby has surged dramatically in recent years, especially for high-quality, untreated stones. The most desirable color, known as “pigeon’s blood,” is an intense, pure red with a hint of blue. A record-breaking auction in 2023 saw the Estrela de Fura, a 55.22-carat ruby from Mozambique, sell for an astonishing $34.8 million. This and other recent sales highlight the incredible demand for fine rubies, with their price-per-carat often eclipsing that of diamonds.
Fine-quality, natural rubies are far rarer than gem-quality diamonds. While significant sources exist in Mozambique and Myanmar, the discovery of a large, high-quality, untreated ruby is considered a once-in-a-lifetime event. For this reason, rubies often achieve the highest price-per-carat among all colored gemstones.
Emerald: The Garden of Green
The emerald’s vibrant green hue has long been associated with nature, renewal, and royalty. Its unique internal flaws, known as the jardin (French for “garden”), are considered part of its character and proof of its natural origin.
The value of emeralds has also seen a significant increase, particularly for large, high-quality stones. For example, a 10-carat, high-quality emerald saw its value jump from $20,000 per carat in 2020 to $40,000 per carat by the end of 2021. The demand for these gems has consistently risen, and some large, high-quality stones of 20 carats or more have all but disappeared from the market.
Colombia has historically accounted for a significant portion of the world’s emerald production. However, the discovery of a truly high-quality, flawless stone is extremely rare. While nearly all natural emeralds have some inclusions, those with excellent clarity are a rare exception and are priced accordingly.
While all three are highly coveted, the title of “most fought after” often belongs to the Ruby. In recent years, rubies have set multiple auction records, with prices for rare, high-quality stones soaring. The Estrela de Fura ruby and the historic “Pigeon’s Blood” rubies from Myanmar consistently attract intense competition among collectors and investors, resulting in record-breaking prices that can eclipse even the most expensive diamonds on a per-carat basis.
The world of precious gemstones is a beautiful and complex tapestry of history, rarity, and human desire. Each of these three gems holds a unique place, offering a distinct color and story. Let us help you design a custom jewellery piece with ruby, sapphire, or emerald, the “Big Three” precious gemstones: https://artemisiajewel.com/contact/
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