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Natural sapphires will never go out of fashion and princess-cut sapphires are one of the most popular gemstones used for jewelry today. Technically, the princess cut can be described as a modified square brilliant cut, featuring 76 facets in its typical form. There are several variations to the princess cut, but ideally, princess-cut gemstones should have a 1:1 ratio, although in practice, the length-width ratio can range as high as 1.15:1. The princess cut is a relatively recent advancement in gemstone design, but one that has become remarkably popular. In fact, in the world of diamonds, it has become the second most popular diamond-cut, which is one of the reasons it has been so successful for colored gemstones as well.
Like all sapphire, princess-cut sapphires can be found in a wide variety of bright and vivid colors. All sapphire gems are prized for their superior hardness and excellent durability. Sapphire hardness ranks a 9 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness,which makes them one of the hardest natural materials on earth, second only to diamond. Sapphire is a variety of corundum, the same material which makes up that of fine red ruby. Both gemstone varieties of corundum are part of the elite group of 'precious four' gems, along with emerald and diamond. Although blue is the traditional sapphire color, when it comes to princess cut sapphires, they are more commonly found in other colors. All colors of sapphire (except blue and red) are referred to as 'fancy' color sapphire. Sapphire exhibits excellent brilliance and an attractive vitreous luster when cut and polished, which is why sapphires are thought to be one of the most valuable and wearable of all colored gemstones. The term 'corundum' originates from the ancient Sanskrit word 'kuruvindam'; while 'sapphire' comes from Persian 'safir'.
Natural sapphires are quite rare, especially untreated sapphire. Most sapphire is enhanced through routine heating to improve color and clarity. Unlike oval sapphires and round sapphires, princess-cut sapphires are usually found in smaller sizes only. In fact, most will find it difficult to source any princess cut sapphires over 1 carat. Princess-cut sapphires are popular for use in jewelry requiring small accent or melee stones. Sapphires are seen as the guardians of love and when given as gifts, sapphires are thought to enhance love and attune the spirits to one another. Throughout history, sapphire has symbolized truth, sincerity and loyalty, while bringing about peace, joy and wisdom to whom shall wear fine sapphire.
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