Yellow Sapphire

 

Yellow or Golden sapphire are a stunning, colourful and bright member of the sapphire family. Golden or Yellow Sapphires are part of the mineral group known as corundum and are found around the world with the most important deposits including Australia, Sri Lanka and Madagascar. The tone of the colour is often a great hint as to where the gems may come from. Australia tend to produce lemon yellow colours while Sri Lanka and Madagascar produce bright canary yellow tending towards orange colours.

Yellow sapphires tend to vary in colour and take on secondary colours like an orange, brown or green. Australian yellow sapphire in particular are commonly found with patches of green or blue in the main body colour of yellow and when cut carefully create an eye pleasing mixture of colour known as parti sapphire.

Radiant Golden Sapphire

Loose Yellow Sapphires

We have a large range of sapphires in stock at any one time. Many are loose and you can help design your own jewellery, but also many are already made up in to stunning jewellery. Come in to any of our stores to have a  look! 

Facts and Lore

Mineral \ Corundum
Hardness \ 9
Lustre \ Vitreous
Cause of Colour \ Transition Iron, Titanium
Density \ 3.98 – 4.06
Birthstone \ September
Wedding Anniversary \ 45th & 65th

The word sapphire originates in French, Latin, Greek and Hebrew and has been a historically significant gemstone for thousands of years. In its most pure form sapphire is perfectly colourless but takes on transitional elements during formation to give it various tones of colour – blue being the most common.

Sapphire is commonly synthesied in a number of common techniques and is often used for commercial purposes like watch glasses, coatings to increase durability of products and in electronics. Synthetic sapphire for jewellery is very inexpensive and has been used for a century.

Yellow sapphires are prized for their vivid yellow or golden colour and the most exquisite examples are a straight yellow (with no secondary overtones) hue with no eye visible inclusions, bright and well saturated. Unusual forms of sapphire like cats eyes, star sapphires, colour change sapphires and bi-coloured (parti-sapphires) are also found.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yellow Sapphire Engagement Rings

Are you trying to buy a sapphire engagement ring, but your significant other isn’t a fan of the colour blue? Don’t worry, there are many alternatives available, with yellow sapphire engagement rings being our next recommendation. Yellow sapphires, much like their more common blue counterparts, are derived from corundum with their colour forming from the concentration of certain minerals. In the case of yellow sapphires, their colour comes from a heightened amount of iron. Also like blue sapphires, yellow sapphires come in a wide variety of shades and hues.

How can you tell a good yellow sapphire?

While the quality of a yellow sapphire is entirely subjective and dependent on the personal preference of the one receiving the engagement ring, there are certain factors that will affect the price of the gem:

  • The shade of yellow. Typically, the brighter and purer the yellow colour is, the more valuable the yellow sapphire is evaluated to be.
  • The clarity of the gem. While no imperfections can be a sign of the gem being fake, it’s also an indicator for a good quality yellow sapphire.
  • The cut of the gem. For yellow sapphires, particularly bright yellow sapphires, its ability to reflect light is important, as a gem that isn’t cut properly can look dull and lifeless.
  • Whether or not the gem has been subjected to heat treatment. While heat treatment can accentuate the colours of the sapphire, it also reduces the price.

Do yellow sapphires fade?

It is true that some yellow sapphires can have their colour enhanced or fade through exposure to UV light, prevalent in sunlight. The effect is always reversible however their ‘normal’ colour from being exposed to different light in ‘normal’ conditions should be the colour you are happy with for the lifetime of the gemstone.

Which stone can be worn with yellow sapphire?

Any gems can be worn alongside yellow sapphire, depending on the preference of the wearer. However, diamonds are the most complementary, given their neutral colouring. When combined, the muted diamonds accentuate the saturated yellow colour of the sapphire. Other kinds of gemstones, particularly those with stronger hues, can clash with the yellow sapphire and diminish its aesthetic appeal.

Do yellow sapphires look better with white or yellow gold?

The answer to this question depends on the intent of the wearer. A deeper, more saturated yellow creates a striking contrast when paired with white gold, but it also blends nicely with yellow gold. By comparison; brighter, paler sapphires blend nicely with silver tone alloys. However, yellow gold can visually overpower paler gemstones. As a result, it’s important to visually survey the engagement ring before you commit to buying it. 

Who wears yellow sapphire?

Yellow sapphires are worn typically as a low-cost alternative to yellow diamonds, as they share a similar enough appearance. While yellow diamonds are more durable, they command a much higher price-tag that makes them less accessible. Yellow sapphires are not only a less expensive option, but they are a very unique style of gemstone that makes for the perfect personalised engagement ring. 

Why yellow sapphire engagement rings are the right choice for you

There are many reasons why a yellow sapphire engagement ring may be the right choice for you. Reasons include but are not limited to:

  • If your fiance has a preference for the colour yellow. What better way to express that than with a beautiful and evocative piece of finely crafted jewellery?
  • If your budget isn’t particularly high, but you want a gemstone akin to a yellow diamond.
  • If you want an engagement ring that is unconventional and unique.
  • If you want a gemstone that will perfectly complement a gold band.

Are yellow sapphires expensive?

Yellow sapphires are typically cheaper than other gemstones. As previously mentioned, the cost of a yellow sapphire engagement ring predicates on several factors, including

  • The size and weight of the gem.
  • The saturation and hue of the gem.
  • The cut and clarity of the gem.
  • The alloy that comprises the wedding band.
  • Any secondary gemstones that accompany the yellow sapphire.
  • Any heat treatment or irradiation that has affected the gem.

While not a common gemstone for engagement rings, yellow sapphires are versatile, with many different variations to suit any budget.

Are yellow sapphires more expensive than blue?

Blue sapphires are typically more expensive than yellow sapphires due to being in much higher demand. Contrary to popular belief, this is not an indicator of quality. The only tangible difference between yellow and blue sapphires is that the yellow sapphire has a higher concentration of iron resulting in its different colour. While many express a preference for the blue sapphire because it’s a more traditional gemstone, there is nothing to suggest that a yellow sapphire is inherently worse for an engagement ring. 

What makes our collection of yellow sapphires different?

At Holdsworth Bros. Jewellers, we do more than simply sell yellow sapphire engagement rings. We cultivate your creative process, allowing you to design the ideal custom yellow sapphire engagement ring to suit your perfect proposal. 

Simply show us your ideas and we will work with you to adapt them into a design that meets all of your needs, consulting you every step of the way. You’ll receive your perfect custom engagement ring as well as all of the documents that certify its legitimacy. On top of that, you’ll also receive an additional free check and clean. We know that an engagement ring might as well be as much of a commitment as the engagement itself, and we want yours to be just as special. 

Where to buy a yellow sapphire engagement ring

At Holdsworth Bros. Jewellers, we stock high quality yellow sapphire engagement rings. Contact us so we can help you find the ideal engagement ring for your perfect proposal.