Sapphires, known for their stunning beauty and diverse range of colors, are a popular choice for jewelry. Whether adorning engagement rings, necklaces, or earrings, these precious gemstones captivate with their brilliance and allure. However, for those who own or are considering purchasing sapphire jewelry, an essential question often arises: do sapphires scratch easily? This comprehensive guide aims to address this query by exploring the properties of sapphires, their durability, and best practices for care and maintenance.
What Are Sapphires?
Composition and Characteristics
Sapphires belong to the corundum family, which includes rubies. Corundum is an aluminum oxide mineral (Al₂O₃) known for its exceptional hardness and durability. Sapphires derive their characteristic blue color from trace amounts of elements such as iron and titanium. However, they can also come in a variety of colors, including pink, yellow, green, and even colorless, depending on the presence of different trace elements. These non-blue sapphires are often referred to as “fancy sapphires.”
Historical Significance and Uses
Historically, sapphires have been cherished for their beauty and believed to possess protective and healing properties. They have been used in various cultures for centuries as symbols of nobility, truth, and sincerity. Today, sapphires are widely used in fine jewelry and are especially favored for engagement rings due to their durability and timeless appeal.
The Hardness of Sapphires
Mohs Scale of Hardness
One of the primary factors determining a gemstone’s susceptibility to scratching is its hardness, measured on the Mohs scale. The Mohs scale, developed by Friedrich Mohs in 1812, ranks minerals on a scale from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest). Sapphires rank at 9 on the Mohs scale, making them the third hardest natural gemstone after diamonds (10) and moissanite (9.25).
What Does a Hardness of 9 Mean?
A hardness of 9 means that sapphires are incredibly resistant to scratches from most materials. This high rating indicates that only substances of equal or greater hardness, such as diamonds and moissanite, can scratch sapphires. Everyday materials, including metals, glass, and most other gemstones, are much softer and cannot easily scratch a sapphire.
Factors Affecting Sapphire Durability
Crystal Structure
The durability of sapphires is not solely dependent on their hardness. The crystal structure of corundum plays a significant role in their overall resilience. Sapphires have a trigonal crystal system, which contributes to their robustness and resistance to breakage and chipping. This structure ensures that sapphires can withstand significant wear and tear without losing their integrity.
Clarity and Inclusions
While sapphires are generally durable, their clarity and the presence of inclusions can impact their susceptibility to damage. Inclusions are natural imperfections within the gemstone, such as tiny crystals, fractures, or cavities. While most inclusions are minor and do not significantly affect the gemstone’s strength, larger or more prominent inclusions can weaken the sapphire and make it more prone to chipping or cracking if subjected to a strong impact.
Treatments and Enhancements
Many sapphires undergo treatments to enhance their color and clarity. Common treatments include heat treatment, which improves color saturation, and fracture filling, which fills surface-reaching fractures to improve clarity. These treatments can affect the gemstone’s durability. For instance, fracture-filled sapphires may be more susceptible to damage if the filling material is not as durable as the sapphire itself.
Practical Considerations for Sapphire Jewelry
Everyday Wear and Tear
Given their hardness and durability, sapphires are well-suited for everyday wear. However, like all gemstones, they are not completely impervious to damage. Here are some practical considerations to keep in mind:
Avoid Hard Knocks: While sapphires are tough, they can still chip or fracture if subjected to a hard impact. It’s advisable to remove sapphire jewelry during activities that might involve heavy blows or high pressure, such as sports or manual labor.
Regular Cleaning: To maintain their brilliance, sapphires should be cleaned regularly. Use mild soap, warm water, and a soft brush to gently clean the gemstone. Avoid harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners, especially for treated sapphires, as these can damage the stone or the treatment.
Proper Storage: Store sapphire jewelry separately from other gemstones to prevent scratches. Soft cloth pouches or lined jewelry boxes are ideal for keeping your sapphires safe.
Special Care for Treated Sapphires
For treated sapphires, particularly those that have undergone fracture filling, extra care is required:
Avoid Exposure to Heat: High temperatures can damage the filling material used in treated sapphires. Remove your sapphire jewelry before using household cleaners, cooking, or engaging in activities that involve heat exposure.
Check for Stability: Regularly inspect treated sapphires for any signs of wear or damage to the filling material. If you notice any issues, consult a professional jeweler for advice and potential repair.
Comparing Sapphires to Other Gemstones
Sapphires vs. Diamonds
Diamonds are the hardest known natural material, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale. This makes them more resistant to scratches than sapphires. However, diamonds are also more brittle and can chip or crack more easily than sapphires if struck with sufficient force. In terms of everyday wear, both diamonds and sapphires are excellent choices, with diamonds having a slight edge in scratch resistance and sapphires offering a balance of hardness and toughness.
See Also: When Did Cubic Zirconia Come Out: Things You Need to Know
Sapphires vs. Other Colored Gemstones
When compared to other popular colored gemstones, sapphires generally offer superior durability. For example:
Emeralds: Emeralds rank between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale and are known for their brittleness due to natural inclusions. They require more careful handling and are more prone to chipping and cracking compared to sapphires.
Rubies: Rubies, like sapphires, are a form of corundum and share the same hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. They are equally durable and resistant to scratches.
Amethysts and Garnets: These gemstones are softer, ranking around 7 on the Mohs scale. They are more susceptible to scratches and damage, making sapphires a more durable choice for everyday wear.
Real-World Scenarios: Scratches and Sapphires
Common Sources of Scratches
While sapphires are highly scratch-resistant, certain scenarios can still pose a risk. Here are some common sources of potential scratches:
Contact with Other Gemstones: When stored or worn alongside other hard gemstones, such as diamonds or moissanite, sapphires can become scratched. It’s essential to store sapphire jewelry separately.
Abrasive Materials: While rare, sapphires can encounter abrasive materials that can cause minor scratches. For example, certain types of industrial dust or grit, which may contain traces of diamond or other hard materials, can pose a risk.
Improper Cleaning Tools: Using abrasive cleaning tools, such as hard-bristled brushes or rough cloths, can scratch the surface of a sapphire. Always use soft materials when cleaning your gemstone.
Recognizing and Addressing Scratches
If you suspect your sapphire has been scratched, a professional jeweler can help assess and address the damage. Minor surface scratches can often be polished out, restoring the gemstone’s original brilliance. For deeper scratches or chips, more extensive repair work may be needed, potentially involving re-cutting or re-polishing the gemstone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sapphires are among the most durable gemstones available, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale making them highly resistant to scratches from most everyday materials. While they are not completely impervious to damage, their toughness and resilience make them an excellent choice for a variety of jewelry, including pieces intended for daily wear. By understanding the properties of sapphires and taking appropriate care, you can enjoy the beauty and elegance of these remarkable gemstones for a lifetime.