The Distinction Between Diamonds And Sapphires

The Distinction Between Diamonds And Sapphires

Diamonds and sapphires can look very similar to the untrained eye though they are incredibly different gemstones. Both stones are very valuable and a popular choice for jewelry, together with wedding rings, engagement rings and solitaire pendants. They're also each used to symbolize love, faith, commitment and trust. So, how are you going to inform the difference between these valuable stones while you're shopping for or selling diamonds and sapphires? Here's a look on the variations between these two gems in terms of structure, formation and price.

Structural Variations

While this distinction won't be discoverable to the naked eye, diamonds and sapphires have very completely different structures. A diamond is made of pure carbon that crystallizes into cubes. This compact construction makes diamonds the hardest gemstone on earth with a hardness of 10 on the Moh's scale. Pure carbon diamonds are absolutely colourless, although their construction can comprise small amounts of different elements that produce yellow, brown, blue, pink, red and green diamonds. Sapphires, however, have a hexagonal form composed of aluminum oxide crystals. Sapphires are the second hardest gemstone on earth with a hardness of 9 on the Moh's scale. Sapphires also come in many colors when other parts make their way into the crystal throughout formation.

Differences in Formation

These prized gemstones additionally form in fully completely different ways. Sapphires form naturally in a hexagonal form in rocks like granite, gneiss and schist resulting from changes in heat and pressure. They are often found in igneous (cooled magma) and metamorphic (transformed) rocks. The color of the sapphire comes from the presence of other minerals. Iron produces yellow or green sapphires, vanadium produces purple sapphires and titanium creates blue sapphires. Sapphire gems can be red, although they are called rubies, not sapphires.

Diamonds, then again, require very precise conditions to form deep within the earth with extreme pressure and comparatively low temperature. There are two places on earth the place diamonds can form: deep in the earth's lithospheric mantle and at spots the place a meteorite has struck the earth. These gem stones slowly make their way to the surface by means of volcanic pipes and diamonds that are mined right now are anywhere from 1 billion to over 3 billion years old.

Price Distinction

The worth of these gem stones is set by their carat weight, reduce, clarity and colour, whether or not you are buying or selling diamonds and sapphires. Usually, sapphires are typically a lot more affordable than diamonds because they're easier to mine and more ample on the earth's surface.

Both gemstones make lovely jewelry, so choosing between the two depends on your preference and budget. If you plan to purchase and sell diamonds, nevertheless, it's essential to make positive you're not getting colourless sapphires which aren't often worth as much.

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