Like diamonds and other precious gemstones, sapphires are graded in quality based on the four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. When selecting loose sapphires, learning the 4Cs can help you make the right choice in terms of preference and cost.

Almost all sapphires are heated to improve the color or clarity. This form of treatment is considered stable and permanent and is an accepted industry practice. Diffusion treatment of blue sapphires is also fairly common - this practice is more controversial. Also on the market are various synthetic sapphires which are getting harder to tell apart from natural sapphires.

To better inform you, we also talk about imitation sapphires as well as common sapphire misrepresentations and false claims.