SARA HANDMADE JEWELLERY
Australian Sapphire
Australian made
20 Years experience
Ethically sourced gemstones
Created to last a lifetime
What are Australian Sapphires?
Australian sapphires have long stood in the shadow of their more famous Kashmiri and Ceylonese cousins. Despite the fact that Australia has produced more commercial grade blue sapphire than anywhere else in the world, Australian stones were often exported rough, cut overseas and then marketed as being from another location.
Thankfully, this is beginning to change and Australian sapphires are starting to get their due - their colours, in particular the greenish-blue teal and multi-tone parti, are proving a hit with modern consumers looking for something non-traditional. Add in the fact that they tick many boxes related to sustainability and ethical mining, and you can see why Australian sapphires are predicted to be a big player on the world stage.
Where are Australian Sapphires Found?
Sapphires were first discovered in Australia during the 1850s gold rush in Inverell, New South Wales, but it was not until the end of the 19th century that commercial mining began in Anakie, Central Queensland. Most of this production was traded by German buyers to tsarist Russia, meaning that much Imperial Russian jewellery contains Australian sapphires!
World War I and the Russian revolution saw the industry collapse and it was not until the 1960s that systematic mining restarted at Anakie and began in the New England region of New South Wales. This resurgence was thanks to a booming Asian market and the Thai buyers who flocked to the country to snap up rough stones.
The fortunes of Australian sapphires, in particular the Queensland mines, were negatively impacted later in the 20th century as other countries improved their extraction methods and important new fields were discovered in places such as Madagascar.
In 2004 the Native Title Agreement breathed new life into the Australian sapphire industry. It allowed for direct negotiations between indigenous land owners and miners, which greatly sped up a process often stymied by the courts. Today, the majority of Australian sapphires are mined by small companies (a few large mines are still operating) in many of the same places they were first found 150 years ago: the main locations being Rubyvale and Anakie in Queensland, the Lava Plains in Northern Queensland and Inverell and Glen Innes in New South Wales.
Custom Australian Sapphire Jewellery
Continually growing in popularity, Australian sapphires are a local favourite for custom jewellery due to their truly unique colours.
What Our Customers Say
Colour Varieties of Australian Sapphires
Sapphire is the name given to all colours of the mineral corundum - except for red corundum, which is known as ruby. Sapphires around the world come in a veritable rainbow of colours and Australia is no exception. However, oranges, purples and pinks are exceptionally rare and it is the traditional blue sapphire which is most common.
The majority of gem quality Australian blue sapphires are typically a medium to dark blue, their colour due to their high iron content. Yellow and green are also common Australian sapphire colours with tones ranging from pale to almost black.
Teal sapphires, with their rich combination of blue and green, have been causing a stir on the jewellery scene for the last few years. The most prized versions, which exhibit a perfect 50-50 ratio of blue and green are known as mermaid sapphires. Those from Australia are particularly valued for their high saturation and intensity of color.
Parti sapphires are another Australian speciality. They feature two or three distinct bands of blue, green or yellow within a single stone. Those with yellow and green bands are often referred to as wattle sapphires.
Are Australian Sapphires Expensive?
The most expensive Australian sapphires are the mermaid teal and tri-colour parti varieties. While their prices have increased in recent years (along with their popularity) many believe that they are still relatively undervalued. The finest teal sapphires are still around a quarter of the price of their orangey-pink cousin, the padparadscha. Parti sapphires are still relatively unknown to the market which means that it is still possible to purchase a top quality stone for a sum that doesn’t break the bank.
Australian Sapphire Engagement Rings and Jewellery
Sapphires have always made for superb engagement rings. They score a 9 out of ten on the Mohs hardness scale which means that they have excellent durability. Traditionally it was cornflower blue that was the colour of choice, but these days couples are looking for something a little different.
Teal sapphire engagement rings have been a huge trend for the past few years and the desire for these gorgeous blue-green stones shows no sign of slowing down. Heidi Klum showed off her 4 carat cushion-cut teal sapphire engagement ring in 2019: surrounded by a diamond halo, the ring combines a classic setting with a thoroughly modern stone.
Parti coloured sapphires might be a newcomer to the world of engagement rings, but they are predicted to be the next big thing. Many couples are drawn to the symbolism of two distinct colours uniting in a single stone. It is extremely rare to find any two parti sapphires that are identical, meaning that you truly can have a one-of-a-kind coloured engagement ring.
Our Services
Sara Handmade Jewellery offers bespoke jewellery, custom designs and everything in between to keep you sparkling
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Bespoke & Custom
Have a piece jewellery custom designed and created just for you. Become a part of the design process for your new special piece.
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Engagement Rings
We will find the perfect gemstone to create you an engagement ring that expresses your love and will be treasured forever.
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Jewellery Remodelling
Have family heirlooms, sentimental jewellery and unworn pieces remodelled into something new. Add gems and give the design your own personal touch.
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Repairs & Restoration
Repair or restore your damaged jewellery to look like new. Resizing, rhodium plating, re-tipping as well as replacing damaged and missing gemstones.
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Dress & Cocktail
Big, bold and beautiful dress rings designed to make a statement. We can help you create your own bespoke statement ring.
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Gemstone Sourcing
We will find the precious and semi-precious gems you are looking for in any colour, size, shape or clarity.
FAQs on Australian Sapphires
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Yes, the local industry is strictly regulated and follows international best practices.
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Yes, the finest examples compare favourably with sapphires from around the world. In fact, many consider Australian teal sapphires to be unbeatable!
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Sapphires are the birthstone for September and are also the stone for the 5th, 45th and 65th anniversaries.
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Absolutely! Sapphires are a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale (second only to diamonds) which means that they are an excellent choice for all types of jewellery.
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Around the world, Australian teal and parti sapphires are regarded as the finest examples of their type.
Get in touch
Get in touch to book an appointment, ask us a question or start creating the perfect piece of jewellery.