White sapphires are an affordable alternative to diamonds for those searching for everyday wearable jewelry, boasting similar physical properties as diamonds while scoring high on Mohs scale of hardness. As such, white sapphires make an excellent addition to everyday wardrobe.
Diamonds shine brighter and are more precious than white sapphires; however, their prices are at least ten times more. Therefore, white sapphires make an excellent option for couples on a tight budget who don’t wish to invest a small fortune into an engagement ring. For more insights check out the comparison between White sapphires vs diamonds.
Color
White sapphires are extremely colorless gemstones and more eco-friendly as they can be created in lab environments.
White sapphires are formed by corundum minerals found in rocks, which interact with trace elements like chromium and vanadium to produce their distinctive hue. Diamonds, on the other hand, are formed through carbon found deep beneath earth’s surface where it has been subject to extreme heat and pressure for millions of years resulting in their creation.
Natural white sapphires are rare gems and can be extremely costly, while lab-created white sapphires offer less costly alternatives that could make an excellent addition to anyone’s jewelry box.
Clarity
Clarity is one of the four key elements that determine a diamond’s appearance, measuring the presence, quantity, size and location of inclusions or blemishes within its diamond surface.
Clarity ratings of diamonds are determined by GIA gemological lab based on several factors. These factors include types and extent of inclusions, depth of inclusions and whether or not they can be seen with naked eye.
The GIA clarity grading report will include a plotting diagram which displays the position and size of inclusions present within a diamond, providing an invaluable visual aid when assigning its clarity grade.
Some inclusions can resemble multiple positions on a diamond’s plotting diagram and give the false impression of greater clarity than is actually present. For more clarification you can compare White Sapphire Vs Diamond.
Carat
Diamond and sapphire differ primarily in how they reflect light. A diamond typically reflects white light, known as “brilliance”, while sapphire reflects colored light – known as “fire”.
Diamonds are harder than sapphires on the Mohs hardness scale, scoring 10 out of 10. However, sapphires tend to be less durable and susceptible to chipping or cracking more frequently.
Diamonds may be more costly, but their longevity makes them an easy and practical option when selecting engagement rings, wedding bands or other jewelry pieces.
White sapphires offer an affordable alternative to diamonds, and can serve as the centerstone for fashion gemstone rings with colored accent stones for an eye-catching look that is sure to wow friends!
Cut
The cut is the cornerstone of creating a diamond with lasting beauty. It determines how light is reflected off its surfaces and can be observed from various angles, giving a diamond its signature shine.
GIA and other lab grading systems assess diamonds according to four characteristics – color, clarity, carat weight and cut – which determine their value as valuable gems. Furthermore, shape plays an integral part in brilliance, scintillation and fire of each diamond.
White sapphires must be evaluated differently due to the inclusions within them that can create zones or spots of white. There is no standard system in place for their evaluation as each stone will vary greatly in its color zoning and spots of white.
Properly cut diamonds will reflect light similarly to white sapphires, but will lack their luminosity and shine. To compare them, try viewing them under various lighting conditions such as fluorescent neutral lighting conditions.