Sapphire is the stone people ask us about most after the birthstone chart. It is hard enough to wear every day, it comes in more colors than most people expect, and in Bangkok you can see it in person before you choose. We set natural sapphire in 925 sterling silver and solid gold at our studio on Sukhumvit 71.
This page covers what sapphire is, the colors you can pick, how to see the stones at our shop, and how ordering works if you live in Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand.
Why natural sapphire
Sapphire is corundum, the same mineral as ruby. Red corundum is called ruby, and every other color is called sapphire. It sits at 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond, so it shrugs off the knocks a ring takes from desks, door handles and gym bags. That is why it suits a piece you plan to wear daily, like a name ring or a family ring.
Every stone we set is natural. Most sapphire is heated to bring out its color, a normal and stable treatment, and we tell you before you order if a stone has been treated. Sapphire, ruby and emerald in our trays are eye clean and graded A to AA, which means you see color, not inclusions, when you look at the piece on your hand. If you want to know more about the full range we work with, read our gemstones.
Sapphire colors
Blue sapphire is the classic one and the September birthstone. Shades run from a soft cornflower blue to deep navy. Small stones read darker on the hand than in the tray, so if you like a bright blue, pick one a shade lighter than you think.
Pink sapphire is the one we set most often after blue. It sits between soft pink and raspberry, and it is a good choice when you want something warmer than blue without going to ruby red.
Sapphire also comes in yellow, green, white and orange-pink. These are not always in our trays, but we can source them. Tell us the color on WhatsApp and we will come back with options and prices.
The September birthstone
Blue sapphire is the birthstone for September. It is a common pick for a child born in September, for a partner, or for a mother’s ring where each child gets their own stone. Our birthstone chart shows all twelve months if you are building a ring or bracelet for the whole family.
See sapphire at our shop in Bangkok
Small blue stones look darker on the hand than they do in the tray, and only a real look shows you how much. Mention sapphire while booking, and a wider spread will be waiting, cornflower to navy and soft pink to raspberry, small to larger, ready to try against silver and gold.
Walk in any time we are open, or book ahead so Yaron is there to help with the stone, the design and the metal, from 925 silver and gold plating to solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold.
A loose sapphire keeps well until you are ready, as it is one of the hardest gemstones. Buy the stone alone with no jewelry order, though we would be very happy to make a piece for you.
See sapphire with Yaron
TOANOI House, 259/80 Phibunwet Village, Sukhumvit 71, Bangkok. Monday to Friday 9:30 to 17:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 15:00. We speak Thai, English and Japanese.
Not in Bangkok? Message us and we will send photos and prices of the sapphire we have.
Sapphire questions we get
Are your sapphires natural?
Yes. Every gemstone we set is natural, sapphire included, and we tell you before you order if a stone has been treated, for example heated. We are a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.
Is sapphire good for a ring I wear every day?
Yes. At 9 on the Mohs scale it is one of the hardest gemstones, so it keeps its polish on a ring that gets daily wear. The metal will show wear before the stone does.
What is the difference between sapphire and pink sapphire?
They are the same mineral in a different color. Blue is the classic sapphire and the September birthstone. Pink sapphire is warmer and lighter, and both are equally hard.
Can I choose the shade of blue?
Yes. At the showroom you pick the stone from the tray. Tell us the shade you have in mind when you book an appointment, and Yaron prepares more stones in that color for you.
Can I buy just the stone?
Yes. We sell sapphire as a single stone, blue or pink, with no setting needed. If you want it in a ring or pendant, we are happy to set it for you right away or whenever you decide later.
How long does a sapphire piece take?
7 to 10 working days at the bench after you order, then 1 to 3 working days for delivery inside Thailand. We also ship abroad by FedEx.
Every sapphire piece is made to order by our team in Bangkok in 925 sterling silver or solid gold, with a 3-year warranty and free shipping across Thailand.
Photo: Leo.S, CC BY-SA 4.0.
