When it comes to choosing a gemstone for a piece of jewelry, durability and hardness are important factors to consider. After all, you want your jewelry to stand the test of time and continue looking beautiful for years to come. Sapphire is a popular choice for many types of jewelry, including engagement rings, earrings, and necklaces. In this blog post, we'll explore the durability and hardness of sapphire, as well as some tips for taking care of sapphire jewelry.

What is Sapphire?

Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum. It is typically blue in color, but can also be found in a range of other colors, including pink, yellow, green, and purple. The blue color in sapphire is due to the presence of trace amounts of iron and titanium in the crystal structure. Sapphire is one of the hardest minerals, with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

Durability of Sapphire

Durability refers to a gemstone's ability to withstand wear and tear over time. This includes resistance to scratching, chipping, and breaking. Sapphire is a very durable gemstone, making it a popular choice for engagement rings and other types of jewelry that will be worn frequently. Its hardness makes it less likely to scratch than many other gemstones, including emerald, ruby, and garnet.

One of the reasons sapphire is so durable is its crystal structure. Corundum crystals grow in hexagonal prisms, which makes them naturally more resistant to breaking and chipping than other types of crystals. Sapphire is also resistant to heat, which means it won't be damaged by exposure to high temperatures.

While sapphire is a very durable gemstone, it's not indestructible. It can still be chipped or broken if it's subjected to a hard blow or significant impact. To help prevent this, it's a good idea to remove your sapphire jewelry before engaging in any activities that could damage it, such as playing sports or doing household chores.

Hardness of Sapphire

Hardness is a measure of a mineral's ability to resist scratching. The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a scale that ranks minerals from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). Sapphire has a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale, which makes it one of the hardest minerals.

Sapphire's hardness is due to its crystal structure, which is made up of tightly packed atoms. This structure makes sapphire less likely to be scratched than other gemstones, including emerald, which has a rating of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale.

Care and Maintenance of Sapphire Jewelry

While sapphire is a very durable gemstone, it still requires care and maintenance to keep it looking its best. Here are some tips for taking care of your sapphire jewelry:

Clean your sapphire jewelry regularly. You can clean sapphire with warm, soapy water and a soft-bristled brush. Be sure to rinse the jewelry thoroughly and dry it with a soft, clean cloth. Store your sapphire jewelry carefully. When you're not wearing your sapphire jewelry, store it in a soft pouch or jewelry box to protect it from scratches and other damage.

Avoid exposing your sapphire jewelry to harsh chemicals. This includes things like cleaning products, perfumes, and hair spray. These chemicals can damage the surface of the sapphire and cause it to lose its luster. Have your sapphire jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected. A jeweler can clean your sapphire jewelry using specialized equipment and also inspect it for any signs of damage or wear.

Industrial use of Sapphires

Sapphires are not only used for their beauty in jewelry but also have many industrial applications due to their unique properties. One of the most significant industrial uses of sapphires is in the production of electronics.

Sapphire is an excellent electrical insulator, which means it doesn't conduct electricity. This makes it a valuable material for electronics manufacturing. For example, sapphire is used to make substrates for the production of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LED lighting is widely used in a variety of industries, including automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics.

Sapphire is also used in the production of semiconductors. Semiconductors are a critical component of modern electronics, and sapphire wafers are used as a substrate for the growth of gallium nitride (GaN) crystals, which are used to produce high-performance power electronics.

Another important industrial application of sapphires is in the manufacturing of watch crystals. Sapphire watch crystals are incredibly scratch-resistant and can withstand daily wear and tear. They're used in many high-end watches and are also commonly used in high-performance timepieces used by pilots and other professionals.

In addition to electronics and watchmaking, sapphires have other industrial applications as well. They're used as windows and lenses in high-pressure and high-temperature environments, such as in scientific research or aerospace applications. Sapphire is also used in the production of certain types of cutting tools, as it's incredibly hard and can withstand high temperatures.

In Conclusion

Sapphires are durable and hard gemstone that is an excellent choice for many types of jewelry. Its unique crystal structure and high resistance to scratching and chipping make it an ideal gemstone for engagement rings and other pieces of jewelry that will be worn frequently. Additionally, its range of colors makes it a versatile gemstone that can be used in a wide variety of jewelry designs.

To keep your sapphire jewelry looking its best, it's important to take proper care of it. Regular cleaning and careful storage can help prevent damage and keep your sapphire jewelry looking beautiful for years to come. By taking these steps, you can ensure that your sapphire jewelry remains a cherished part of your collection for many years to come.