White Sapphires vs Diamonds: The Clash of the Colourless Gemstones

If you are in the market for a colourless gemstone, either for your engagement ring or simply as a solitary gemstone, the most popular choice is likely to be diamonds. Diamonds have long been renowned for their colourless character. Diamonds as precious stones are transparent in their character, though this level is one that varies in terms of the quality of the gemstone. In addition to the prevalence of certain natural diamond imitations and synthetic alternatives like moissanite and cubic zirconia, which are able to mimic many of the positive characteristics of diamonds, and sometimes even surpass them, in terms of the most significant variable that determines a diamond’s value, its rarity. Diamonds, the natural variety which people seek, and which is our focus here, are valued for their rareness. So when it comes to seeking a top-quality colourless gemstone diamonds are at the top of the list, and arguably the only one. Not so. Enter the white sapphire. The colourless variety of the corundum gemstone that has emerged as the main challenger to the dominance of diamonds when it comes to precious stones in general, provides a specific challenge in the colourless arena. Here we will compare and contrast both gemstones and see which gemstone ought to be the best choice for you.

What are Diamonds?

Diamond are naturally occurring minerals that are known for their extreme hardness and durability. Diamonds have long been recognized for their inherent beauty, and have had a long history in the use of jewellery and as a precious gemstone. In more recent times diamonds are being widely applied in industrial use, which has partly led to the rise in synthetic variants. Natural diamonds, which are carbon-based on gemstones, form deep beneath the Earth’s surface, which results from the extreme temperatures and pressure that characterize the environment, and takes over millions of years. Diamonds are brought to the surface so via volcanic activity and found within igneous rock formations, the most popular being the kimberlite pipes, within which diamonds are formed. The difficulty of identifying, digging and mining for diamond deposits both inland and sea (Marine diamond deposits) often incur huge investment in infrastructure and logistics, in addition to the prolonged process of cutting, cleaning and polishing the rough diamonds to reach gemstone quality. The most common method by which diamonds are mined is via open-pit mining: If one may have encountered images of these huge projects, it would give an indication of the complexity of the processes that go into it. This is one of the key factors that determine the value of a diamond: in addition to the rarity in the natural environment, the challenge of finding diamond deposits, mining them and bringing them to market makes them extremely valuable.

Why Diamonds are Expensive

As noted diamonds are rare in the natural world, as diamonds today are being mined from a number of select countries, with the top diamond producers being Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Congo, Russia and South Africa. Diamonds are known for their extreme hardness, considered to be among the hardness naturally occurring minerals in the world, which makes them almost impossible to scratch, and are immensely durable, under high heat and pressure. Diamonds as gemstones are valued for their ability to reflect light: both white and coloured light. Two notable characteristics of diamonds are their ‘fire’ and ‘sparkle’. The fire in a diamond refers to its ability to reflect the colours of the rainbow onto other surfaces when subjected to light. The sparkle or scintillation of a diamond refers to its ability to produce a grey + white effect inside the gemstone when held to a light. Whilst diamonds are renowned for their colourless character, certain rare varieties of diamonds also come in distinct colours like blue and pink, but these variants are extremely rare. One of the diamonds most notable feature is its brilliance, one that this gemstone is most renowned for its brightness. Diamonds and their ability to interact with white light and provide that stunning glow is what makes them special.

What are White Sapphires?

Sapphires are a form of the mineral corundum, that are valued for their rarity and beauty. Being among the hardest minerals in the world, scoring a solid 09 in the Mohs Scale of Hardness, sapphires are recognized for the variety of colours from which they come. The most popular being famous is the beautiful blue sapphire, which is found in a number of variants. Interestingly the red variety of corundum crystals makes up the family of rubies. In addition to the popular blue, other colours in the sapphire range have been gaining popularity in recent years, among which is the white sapphire. A gemstone variant within the sapphire family that is owing to a number of strengths has begun to challenge the dominance of diamonds. Generally as a gemstone variant, but also specifically as a colourless choice. Since colour is a significant variable in sapphires, one may wonder why these colours come from; particularly the variety of hues in which they are found. The colour in sapphire occurs as a result of the presence of chemical elements that enter into it during the process of the gemstone’s formation: with elements like titanium, iron and chromium being key factors. White sapphires are different in that they don’t contain or contain very little of these colours causing trace elements within them.

Why White Sapphires are Valuable

White sapphires, like sapphires, are valued as precious gemstones along with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, sapphires are top the gemstone varieties in the world. With their use in fine jewellery or being sold as individual gemstones. Sapphires as gemstones are also extremely rare, in nature, with natural sapphires being rarer than diamonds. Sapphires are also known for their relative transparency, which varies from gemstone to gemstone, and their ability to reflect light. With well-cut sapphires exhibiting good clarity and colour distribution. In white sapphires colour is not a variable, hence the clarity of the gemstone and its transparent character become more significant. In addition to these, the same principles that govern gemstone value apply: with the gemstone’s clarity, cut, carat and colour (in this case its absence) being a significant indicator. White sapphires are valued for the same reasons why sapphires in general, in addition to the greater emphasis on their clarity.

White Sapphires vs Diamonds: A Side by Side Comparison

Diamonds are gemstones that are subjected to an official grading system that is set up by the GIA, the official body that grades diamond values; which are measured in accordance with the 4Cs. The 4Cs are the industry standard measure by which the quality of a diamond is measured in accordance with the 4 key factors that determine its value. When it comes to sapphires such an official measure is yet to take form (at least not yet). With the framework that is used for diamonds being used for measuring value in sapphires as well. Hence the ability to identify the unique traits that distinguish diamonds and white sapphires may become difficult. Here we will analyse both types of gemstones side by side, and see how they match up with each other.

Colour

The GIA grades diamonds on a scale from D to Z. From the colourless D (highest value) to Z (light colour and lower value). However, diamonds that fall into the D to Z range are diamonds are considered white or colourless, even though they contain varying degrees of yellow to brownish tones. With those which are mostly white or colourless fetching the highest price. In white sapphires, the important variable is their clarity in relation to their ability to reflect white light. Which is comparable to diamonds, but depending on the diamond in question, the carbon-based gemstone will invariably come out on top. 

Sparkle

Diamonds are the undisputed champions when it comes to sparkling gemstones. Diamonds, as noted are able to reflect light, and the ability to do it better reflects the value of the diamond. Diamonds, depending on the quality of the cut are able to sparkle better than those that aren't. Whilst coloured sapphires have an advantage in this area, where the light interacts with colour. Here the diamonds carry a notable advantage over white sapphires.

Durability

Diamonds at the top of the list in the Mohs scale for hardness, scoring a solid 10. Sapphires are not too far away, coming in with 9.0 on the scale. When it comes to white sapphire, there has been some debate on how to identify them, without the aid of an expert. Interestingly one way to identify a natural white sapphire is the presence of slight dents in the rough cut stones, and internal inclusions. Which are indications of their authenticity, as the market is now being filled with cheaper synthetic variants.

Value

Diamonds are the more expensive in contrast to white sapphires. However white sapphires, depending on how well they score when it comes to a carat, cut, clarity, and colour can match or even surpass diamonds. A well-cut natural white sapphire, with good reflective qualities, will command high market value and be a worthy option for precious jewellery.

Rarity

In case you didn’t know, sapphires are rarer than diamonds. And natural white sapphire is even rarer. So if you are in the market for an exotic, valuable colourless gemstone, and if you are on a budget, then look no further than the quality white sapphire. Diamonds are always around, but getting that elusive quality white sapphire may not.

Treatment

The treatment of sapphires is often associated with the heating of the natural gemstone to improve its quality and colour. The heating of sapphires is an industry-accepted practice that is widely used to improve their character. When it comes to diamonds the treatment of the gemstone is a bit more complicated, as it is not a widely adopted practice. For often the treatment of diamonds often involves attempts to change the structure of the stone, with methods like laser drilling, fracture filling, and a particular process of diamond heating called annealing. The heating of diamonds to improve their quality is not a widespread practice, for it often involves the more controversial process of gem modification known as irradiation. In white sapphires, the principle of heating gemstones to improve their quality continues. However, it may interest the reader to know the capacity of the heating process. Whilst many white sapphires in their rough state tend to be white or colourless in character. However, certain white corundum gemstones in their natural state can seem darker, almost rock-like in character. And it is the quality and extent of the heating the brings about the transition to quality white sapphires.

White Sapphires or Diamonds: What is the Right Choice for You?

The choice between white sapphires and diamonds come down to a number of factors. As top-quality diamonds will naturally have a better brilliance, fire and scintillation compared to even the best quality white sapphire gemstones However the difference lies in value. For the same price of high-grade diamond you stand to get a much better white sapphire gemstone; if you know where to look. If you want to get a top-quality white sapphire and are willing to spend the same money that you would do for a diamond, you can get a much superior looking white sapphire. For good quality white sapphires which you seek, those which are high in transparency, and under certain conditions cannot be distinguished from diamonds without expert help. So If you have the budget go for a top-quality diamond. However, if you are seeking a rarer, gemstone and wish for a larger carat, then a quality white sapphire is the way to go. However, if you are a diamond person, and are unwilling to budge from your choice of owing a top diamond, as a gemstone or as an engagement ring then go for it. However, if you want something of the two, then an engagement ring that combines two or more gemstones, a diamond centre stone and two or more white sapphires side stones may be a good option. To learn more about white sapphires and diamonds, check out our Education page on White Sapphries that delves deeper into the subject. So good luck with your gemstone search.