I have resisted blogging about the state of our economy, after all luxury is not ‘in’ right now.

But that doesn’t mean that Rarity is ‘out’ during these hard financial times.

In fact my accountant thinks that our business is very secure compared to other clients he works with.

Our assets are in fact very rare, and very stable.  In these uncertain times it is human nature to hold onto things that are rare and valuable.  We are more careful not to buy excess or frivolous things.

A natural untreated sapphire is rare, and is valued in all markets at all times.

The recent auction sales at Christie’s shows that although we are in depression type financial times, records are being broken for rare gemstones, specifically rare untreated sapphires.  Click here to see our post on the new record price paid for a sapphire Here

Our natural untreated sapphires are the finest money can buy, and they are stable in value.  In fact untreated natural sapphires have never dropped in value.  A ‘crash’ in natural sapphires has never occurred.  Unlike diamonds that have had severe crash’s, untreated sapphires are so rare that a crash would be almost impossible.  Unless a massive deposit is unearthed, untreated natural sapphires are a very safe investment in preserving value.

3.85ct Natural Untreated Blue Sapphire Ring with .87cts of Diamonds

A large Kashmir sapphire ring set a world record at auction on Thursday night, fetching nearly $3.5 million, but half of the jewels on offer failed to sell in a market shaken by the financial crisis, Christie’s said.

Jewels netted a total of $22.5 million a day after Sotheby’s sold gems for $14.85 million at flagship sales in Geneva.

Only 49.71 percent of the 342 lots at Christie’s found new owners, even though the auction house issued many “revised” lower estimates shortly before the sale based on its rival’s poor results.

The cushion-shaped sapphire, which weighs 42.28 carats, was described by Christie’s as “blue velvet” due to its rare color and purity. The pre-sale estimate was $2.9 million-$3.8 million.

“It is the most expensive sapphire ever sold at auction in the world. And it was sold at a time when the market is a bit patchy,” Francois Curiel, international director of Christie’s worldwide jewelry department, told Reuters.

The previous world auction price was set by Christie’s in April 2007, when a Kashmir cushion-cut sapphire pendant of 22.66 carats sold for just over $3 million. That natural blue sapphire retains the record per carat of $135,000 against $80,000 for the latest one.

A rectangular-cut 22.90 diamond ring by Van Cleef & Arpels fetched $2.04 million on Thursday night according to Christie’s, which is owned by French billionaire Francois Pinault.

The jewel market is driven by top-end diamonds, which brokers and leading fine jewelers say have come off price peaks touched earlier this year to more sustainable levels. They are a barometer of the financial health of high networth individuals.

“People want to buy rarity. They want diamonds and color gemstones that are not easy to replace,” said Rahul Kadakia, head of Christie’s jewelry department for North America, who conducted part of the sale.

“A lot of diamonds didn’t sell. The sale was based on the extreme high demand for jewels last summer,” he added.

But vintage jewelry — especially Cartier Art Deco pieces — and natural pearls commanded strong prices, he said.

“Vintage and signed jewelry and natural pearls went through the roof, even in this market,” Kadakia said, pointing to several lots that quadrupled their pre-sale estimate.

Andy Cohen, a Geneva-based trader, noted that the sapphire set a world record as the New York stock exchange had fallen nearly 100 points.

“Diamonds haven’t hit bottom yet, they are still searching. But pearls continue to rise and so do Kashmir sapphires. In this market there is interest in things that are truly rare and irreplaceable,” Cohen told Reuters in the saleroom.

Text Courtesy of: www.reuters.com

www.christies.com

www.vancleef-arpels.com

www.cartier.com

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francois_Pinault

Every year at this time we all are searching to find the perfect gifts for the special people in our lives.  The Natural Sapphire Company is proud to present the finest natural sapphire jewelry at every price point. I am going to concentrate on lovely pieces of sapphire jewelry in this price range that will surely  be a treasured gift.

J1296 is a gorgeous pair of natural blue sapphire earrings. Half a carat in each ear is a classic  size for studs and these brilliant blue sapphires make them exceptionally beautiful.  Every woman at any age will fall in love with these natural blue sapphire stud earrings.

Elegant Natural Untreated Blue Sapphire Earrings

J1209 is a stunning pink sapphire pendant. This pink sapphire has a prized and  highly sought after shade of pink. The diamonds add a touch of glamour to this lovely and elegant pink sapphire pendant.

Stunning Natural Untreated Pink Sapphire Pendant with Diamonds

J1176 is a natural yellow sapphire ring with a very lively appearance. This sapphire ring is sure to brighten any dreary wintry day. The natural yellow sapphire has an intense and prized yellow color tone with an excellent clarity. The halo of diamonds have a timeless appeal.

Beautiful Natural Untreated Yellow Sapphire Ring with Pave Diamonds

Any of these beautiful pieces of sapphire jewelry would be an exceptional gift idea. As always The Natural Sapphire Company will work with you and your budget to find the perfect sapphire ring or any other fine piece of sapphire jewelry that will be a cherished gift and token of your love.

And “something blue”? Instead of the ready-made, common garter or handkerchief, fancy blue sapphire jewelry is a perfect choice. If you have a natural blue sapphire engagement ring, you’re already set. However, there are all sorts of other pieces of sapphire jewelry you can wear to complement your bridal ensemble, from natural blue sapphire drop earrings to elegant sapphire pendants. Bridal party gifts can even include memorable, blue sapphires in such things as bracelets or studs.

Stunning Natural Untreated Blue Sapphire and Diamond Pendant

Blue sapphire jewelry complements blue-themed wedding as well. Leatrice Eisman, a color analyst, says blue is an ideal shade for weddings as it connotes tranquility and gentleness. Of course, blue also expresses loyalty and nature. Very popular wedding colors are: powder blue and silver, deep blue and white; and more popularly, turquoise and white for warm weather brides.

No one ever said engagement rings had to be colorless. In fact, choosing a colorful and stylish gemstone like a dreamy natural untreated blue sapphire or a rosy natural untreated pink sapphire would definitely make a statement. Princess Diana’s ring was a deep blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds and JFK proposed to Jacqueline with a emerald and diamond ring. Every year celebrities on the red carpet have been seen wearing bright, fancy colored gems to go with their gowns. People often choose gossip magazines over fashion titles simply to find out what their favorite celebrities are wearing. Those looking for colorful jewelry ideas just have to look towards the stars.  If you are looking for stunning sapphire jewelry then take a look at our beautiful inventory of elegant loose natural sapphires, sapphire rings, sapphire pendants, sapphire earrings, and more.

Penelope Cruz wearing Beautiful Blue Sapphire Earrings

At this year’s AGTA Spectrum Awards, CEO Douglas Hucker said “[stones] that give you big, bold color” is the trend this year. And natural sapphires bestow an array of hues and brilliance upon the eye.

Image Courtesy of: http://web2.mippit.com

The traveling jewelry collection, “La Vie En Bleu” contains about 25 precious pieces made of blue diamonds, sapphires and Paraiba tourmaline. They range from necklaces, rings and watches. The show is on display at the South Coast Plaza Chopard in southern California from Tuesday, December 9^th through Saturday, December 13^th. Each piece ranges between $25,000 to $1 million.

Beautiful Blue Sapphire Necklace by Chopard

This stunning set follows the “La Vie En Rose” show which presented pink diamond jewelry. Blue jewels have been making their way into fashion. Princess Diana’s engagement ring set off a natural blue sapphire trend which is still seen as a classic favorite. The winter holiday season also sets off a range of colors, particularly cool hues like ice crystal blues and rich, velvet blues which can all be found in the Natural Sapphire Company’s inventory.

Image courtesy of: http://southcoast.freedomblogging.com

The Holiday Season is right around the corner and The Natural Sapphire Company is the place to start your holiday shopping.   When shopping for your loved ones, a gift that is timeless and will be cherished for many years to come is quite special. Therefore, a precious gemstone like one of our natural untreated sapphires would be a wonderful choice. We have added many new natural sapphire rings to our inventory, at every price range.

J1376 is a vivid natural sapphire ring with the rare and exceptional orangish pink hue of the prized Padparadshca sapphire. The natural sapphire ring has pave diamonds that add a touch of glamour to this stunning sapphire ring.

Custom Natural Untreated Padparadscha Sapphire Ring

Another beautiful sapphire ring that would certainly bring Holiday Cheer to that special someone is the beautiful natural blue sapphire ring J1220. This ring epitomizes the timeless elegance that has made the natural untreated blue sapphire the most prized gemstone throughout history.

Custom Natural Untreated Blue Sapphire Three Stone Ring

This just gives you an idea of the many natural sapphire rings available. We also have many exquisite custom made sapphire jewelry designs that will truly highlight the beauty of your chosen natural sapphire. The Natural Sapphire Company is proud to offer such a variety of styles, created exactly to our customer’s specifications. We are committed to helping you create just the perfect piece of natural sapphire jewelry to enjoy today and for a lifetime.

If you’re looking for the most elegant and unique set of natural sapphire jewelry for the Holiday season then look no further.  Your loved one will be shinning like the stars when she lays eyes on this pair of stunning natural sapphire earrings and matching natural sapphire pendant.  This exquisite set will keep your significant other loving you for years to come.

Natural Untreated Sapphire Flower Design

This custom piece is an alluring flower design complete with a stem, leaves, and the natural untreated sapphire bulb.  The sapphire earrings are beautifully symmetrical and look ravishing with the magnificent pendant hanging around your neck.  This design looks fantastic with both round and oval sapphires, and can accommodate any color natural untreated sapphire you please.  The choice of metal is also left up to you, so whether you would prefer white gold, yellow gold, rose gold or platinum is completely up to you.

This matching set of sapphire jewelry is completely custom so we will pay close attention to detail to make sure your loved ones holiday present leaves her breathless and loving you more than ever.  We pay extremely close attention to detail when creating a piece like this, so you can guarantee what you order is what you get and it may just exceed your expectations.

The holiday season is fast approaching. The day after Thanksgiving is the traditional day to start shopping for Christmas presents for friends and loved ones. Hence, Ch­rist­m­­a­s is also a ve­ry popula­r t­im­­e­ of ye­a­r for e­nga­ge­m­­e­nt­s.  Our natural sapphire e­nga­ge­m­­e­nt­ rings a­re­ a ve­ry popula­r gift­ ide­a for that special someone­. A­va­ila­ble­ in t­h­e­ sa­m­­e­ cut­s a­s a ge­nuine­ dia­m­­ond, including round, m­­a­rq­uise­, heart, cushion, radiant, pear, emerald a­nd ova­l. Moreover, our sapphire e­nga­ge­m­­e­nt­ rings a­re­ e­spe­cia­lly a­fforda­ble­ and the choice of color and cut for your natural untreated sapphire are completely yours, as well as how you would like it mounted and with what type of metal. Our large selection of natural untreated sapphires and custom mountings give you the opportunity to create the perfect combination for your significant other.

Custom Natural Untreated Yellow Sapphire Ring

Also, we are preparing for the upcoming holiday season so keep checking back for new natural sapphire inventory and natural sapphire jewelry.

Recently I’ve been working on a photo shoot to highlight some of our exceptional natural sapphire jewelry for the upcoming holiday season.  Because natural sapphires come in so many brilliant colors, it was easy to work out a color palette to reflect the season.  Backgrounds of deep golds and rich greens perfectly showcase our beautiful natural yellow sapphires, while blues, pinks, and padparadschas are paired with shimmering silver.

Here are just a couple shots of some stunning natural sapphire ring from the photo shoot:

Beautiful Natural Untreated Yellow Sapphire Rings on Pine

Elegantly Stacked Natural Untreated Sapphire Rings

You’ll be seeing the finished photos from our holiday shoot soon in our upcoming print work!

Everyone has their favorite color, and for the most part, my favorite color is blue. However, when it comes to natural untreated sapphires, my preference has changed.

Natural Untreated Unique Lime Green Sapphire Ring

My favorite natural sapphires are the beautiful collection of natural untreated unique colored sapphires, especially the lime green colored sapphires.  I am always fascinated by the mixture of green and yellow that created this beautiful lime green color.

Natural Untreated Unique Lime Green Sapphire in Custom Mounting

Compared to a natural untreated blue sapphire, lime green colored sapphires are cheaper, and the color can easily be just as brilliant and vivid even under the natural light. In addition to that, these sapphires truly are unique, and you are guaranteed to turn heads on the street with a beautifully vivid unique colored sapphire, especially if you create a stunning sapphire ring such as the one above.  These stones are extremely rare and not many people get the opportunity to own something so truly unique.

The Natural Sapphire Company has beautiful organically designed antique style natural sapphire rings such as JS11.  This style ring suits any of our beautifully colored natural untreated sapphires, but really looks spectacular with blue, yellow or pink sapphires. I paid close attention to detail when designing this piece, so the finished product turns out exceptionally beautiful.

Elegant Organically Designed Antique Style Mounting

This natural sapphire ring is suitable for any occasion, whether it be a formal party or a casual gathering.   This organic antique sapphire ring will never lose its luster and true elegance, so you are sure to love it forever.  I truly enjoyed making this ring and really hope others will enjoy it for years to come.

I recently worked on these two pairs of elegant natural sapphire earrings. They are suitable for a fancy night out or just a cocktail party during the holiday season.

Elegant Dangling Earring With Natural Untreated Sapphires

In both of the pieces, the natural sapphires are held by a bezel setting and the primary natural sapphires are located on the bottom in order to preserve the beautiful flow of the earrings.  On JS352 the large primary sapphires are set in a flat domed sphere. The shape echoes the feel of the 1920’s art deco movement. You can enjoy the gorgeous color of your natural untreated sapphire because the backs are very elegantly open in order to allow maximum light return for the stone.

On JS472, the central natural rubies help to add accents to the piece. The diamond shaped middle piece helps to accentuate the beautiful larger stones above and below it as the earrings stretch along the cheek to jaw.  I would suggest using your own taste in order to create a combination of colors you truly enjoy so that your sapphire earrings are a one of a kind unique piece of sapphire jewelry.

During the modeling process, it was very difficult to create the correct amount of functionality in the connection between the parts. Each piece has to have a space for the next piece to hang while still having enough space for movement and also making sure the stones and connections were secure.  The movement is a part of design, because if the connections were stiff the earrings would not hang naturally and would look very rigid and unattractive.

The functional structure does not disturb the design but rather enhances the overall beauty of the custom design.

There are endless possibilities when hand drawing designs to catch people’s eyes, but what is on paper does not always transfer to the real thing and in turn they function poorly.

I hope these stunning sapphire or ruby earrings are able to brighten up peoples holiday season.

Madagascar is an exotic place.  When people use the phrase ‘end of the earth’ Madagascar would be a good place to point to as an example.

In 1998 I visited Madagascar.  The sapphire deposits had just been unearthed earlier in the year, and the first stones that I saw were so beautiful that I promptly jumped on a plane.

Sapphire Mining in Madagascar

This was not my first visit to Africa, as I had previously visited parts of Kenya and Tanzania a few years earlier, but I had never really been to the ‘the end of the earth’ until I reached the mining areas of Madagascar.

The sapphire mines were all new when I arrived, there were only a few thousand people digging, and the production was slow and small.  Yet super beautiful pink and blue sapphires seemed to be coming from every pit.

I purchased a few nice sapphire rough pieces, but nothing large, mainly small natural untreated sapphires that would cut to about 1-2cts in size.  I wanted to stay for 6 months, but at that time there was no running water, no electricity, no place to sleep, it was a boom town and only the hard core miners were living in these very harsh conditions.

Sapphire Mining City in Madagascar

Today almost 10 years later there is a city in Tulear Madagascar.  There are now well over 100,000 people mining for sapphires.  There are hotels, bus stops and general stores.  An entire city now exists around the gem mines and each day more infrastructure is put in place.  The World Bank and other international government organizations have a presence there now.  It is truly a boom town, modern day gold rush.

It’s a great time in Madagascar, these people have hope and great opportunities that never existed in the history of the entire country.

In early 2009 I plan another trip, I can’t wait to compare my photo’s from 1998!

Images Courtesy of Boston.com

Yesterday, with no big idea in mind, I took a photo of a pink star sapphire and just couldn’t resist editing the photo that I took. It was smiling right at me.

Beautiful Smiley 32.85ct Pink Star Sapphire

Since Halloween is tomorrow I figured I could do some touch up work on the images and make them fun, so that is exactly what I did.

Naughty or Nice Pink Star Sapphires

You might be wondering where I got the inspiration for this.  It is none other than the CIO of The Natural Sapphire Company.

Whatever the idea may be, Halloween is meant to be enjoyed by everyone, not just the trick-or-treaters. Take some time to sit down and make something fun for Halloween. No matter what your artistic and crafty skill level is, there are plenty of things that can be made by virtually anyone, regardless of age.