Rubies and Sapphires are the same gem. Sapphires basically cover all the colors of the spectrum, except red, which corresponds to ruby.
The term ruby is reserved for corundums of a red color, with other colors called sapphire. In Asia , pink corundums are often considered rubies.
Ruby is considered as the most valuable of all gemstones. Chromium is responsible for the red color. Fine rubies of 3 carats and above are rare and thus very expensive. Ruby is associated with power, love, passion.
Sapphire, in its more well-known hue, the velvety-blue one, is a preferred gemstone for many people. However, sapphires come in many different colors, named as fancy sapphires. Sapphire is associated with friendship and loyalty.
Nowadays, most rubies and sapphires are heat treated in order to enhance the intensity of theirs colors.

Our sapphires

There are quite a few sapphires in East Africa, from Kenya all the way down to Madagascar. The sapphires we purchase are mainly from Umba (northern Tanzania) and Madagascar (Ilakaka). We might buy some from Tunduru if they are nice. The cut sapphires we sell on the website are usually fancy (pink, purple, yellow etc). Whether "hot" or pastel, we always try to propose sapphires with a personality. We prefer to sell unheated sapphires.

Chemistry: AL₂2O₃
System: Hexagonal
Hardness: 9
Density: 4
Ref. Index: 1.759-1.778
Birefringence:
Pleochroism: Dichroic

Sapphire on the Internet:
View sapphire information on mindat.org
Sapphire on the ICA website
Le saphir sur le site de l'ICA

Copyright © 2005-2008 Swala Gem Traders. All rights reserved.