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Cornflower Blue Sapphires are highly desired gems, renowned for their dazzling shades of blue. Their luminous glow has made them one of the most popular and valuable gems for jewelry.
This guide cover what you need to know about Cornflower Blue Sapphires and provide a few pointers on how to purchase them.
What is a Cornflower Blue Sapphire?
A Cornflower Blue Sapphire is a type of sapphire that is greatly admired for its distinct color and hue. This stone gets its name from the cornflower plant that is endemic to Europe. The flower is admired for its pristine blue color, that contains no traces of violet or purple.
The Cornflower Blue Sapphire resembles the color of this flower and appears in shades of light to medium blue.
Although the exact origins of Cornflower Blue Sapphires are unknown, experts say they have been mined in Sri Lanka for more than 2000 years. Nowadays, this country is renowned for some of the best formed natural sapphires in the world.
The Cornflower Sapphires of Kashmir were once esteemed for their vivid blue color and velvety texture. But over the years, production drastically declined. Due to this, Kashmir cornflower blue sapphires have become exceedingly rare, expensive and sought-after. They’ve gained an almost mythical allure to them and are very hard to come by.
How to Evaluate Cornflower Blue Sapphire Quality
When purchasing a Cornflower Blue Sapphire, consider the color, clarity, and cut.
Cornflower Blue Sapphires that have a rich and vivid blue color are high quality stones and are the most sought after. Look for stones that don’t have any secondary hues but exhibit a pure blue color. Most of these stones are primarily produced in Sri Lanka, Madagascar or Kashmir. The stones that come from Australia or Thailand have a darker/inky shade and are generally considered inferior.
Apart from the color itself, the quality of the Cornflower Blue Sapphire depends largely on the intensity and saturation of color.
In terms of clarity, it’s common for these gemstones to have inclusions. Because such sapphires are so rare, the presence of inclusions don’t always reduce their value. Nevertheless, it’s always good to be on the lookout for very large inclusions that can reduce the durability of the stone. In very rare cases, some inclusions can result in the star effect (asterism), and nearly double the value of the Sapphire.
Like all sapphires, Cornflower Blue Sapphires can also be cut into any popular gemstone shape. Faceting these gemstones maximizes its color and brilliance. However, stone’s that display asterism are typically cut en cabochon to heighten the effect.
Cornflower Blue Sapphire Jewelry
Cornflower Blue Sapphires are typically available as earrings, necklaces, and rings. They add the perfect pop of color to any outfit. The blue color of this stone also tends to suit all skin tones, although they flatter cool tones more.
Cornflower Blue Sapphire Engagement Rings
Because blue sapphire is highly durable and aesthetically stunning, it makes for the perfect engagement ring.
The world’s most famous engagement ring is a Cornflower Blue Sapphire. Princess Diana chose the Ceylon Sapphire, also known as the Cornflower Blue, for her engagement ring. This ring was passed down the royal family, and is currently being worn by Kate Middleton, the duchess of Cambridge.
Diana’s 15-carat ring looks significantly beautiful due to the small diamonds that studded the band of the ring. The natural glow of the central stone was accentuated by the row of sparkly diamonds.
Nowadays, many contemporary designers echo this style, and the Cornflower Sapphire is complemented with a set of diamonds, embedded on a band of platinum, silver or white gold.
Cornflower Blue Sapphire Value and Rarity
Although it’s extremely rare to find Cornflower Blue Sapphires, they continue to be sought for their unique shade and irreplaceable color. Their value continues to increase because there are so few gems available.
The gemstones that are valued the most, have a rich, vivid, and brilliant blue color. Sapphires that are a medium to deep blue are more valued than ones with a lighter tone.
Cornflower Blue Sapphire Price
Cornflower blue sapphire by Sapphire Corner. Check price here.
The highest value was once given to the Kashmir Cornflower, for its velvet-smooth texture. But due to the decline in production, increased mining operations were carried in Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Nowadays, many valuable gemstones are being unearthed from these locations.
Cornflower Blue Sapphires can cost between $2000 – $8000 dollars, depending on their color, clarity and size. One exceptional stone is the 114.74 carat sapphire, that was sold for a whopping $7,223,285 in Geneva.
How to Care for Cornflower Blue Sapphires
Cornflower Blue Sapphires are second in hardness to diamonds and moissanites and score a 9 on the Mohs scale. Due to this, they don’t need special protection like most other gemstones, and can withstand a substantial amount of wear and tear. But despite this fact, it’s still important to clean and maintain the stone so that it lasts for a long time.
These sapphires can be cleaned with a simple solution of warm soapy water, and a soft brush. It’s important to ensure that the soap contains no harsh chemicals. Always keep your stone away from harsh chemicals, including lotions, hairsprays, and perfumes.
When storing your sapphire, ensure that the stone is kept in a separate pouch or compartment in the jewelry box. It can scratch all softer gemstones and metals and in turn, be scratched by harder stones like diamond and moissanite.
Cornflower Blue Sapphire Meaning and Symbolism
Cornflower Blue Sapphires are often purchased for their symbolic meaning and significance. They are an emblem of positive energy, and are said to reduce negative thoughts, fears and insecurities.
These stones are believed to strengthen the mind, increase the power of thinking, and help deal with internal and external conflicts. They are also an emblem of success, prosperity and happiness.
Some healers believe that blue sapphires can activate the Throat and Brow Chakra. An active Throat Chakra can help in effective dialogue with other people, while a healthy Brow Chakra can assist in communication with oneself.
Where to find Cornflower Blue Sapphire Jewelry
Cornflower Blue Sapphire is a rare gemstone. While there are many sites that sell blue sapphires in general, the particular color can be hard to find. Because the name Cornflower Blue is a nickname and not a scientific term, some retailers don’t use it to describe their blue gemstones. This can make it harder to find a Cornflower Blue Sapphire.
We suggest searching on James Allen or Blue Nile for stunning blue sapphire gemstones. Etsy is also an excellent platform showcasing a wide variety of blue sapphires. Always do your due diligence to ensure that you’re getting a good deal.
