Round Sapphire Gems
Natural sapphires are one of the most popular gemstones used for jewelry today. Sapphire gems can be found in various shapes and cutting styles, including ovals, pears, trillions and fancy hearts. Round sapphires are one of the most sought-after shapes. In most cases, a well-cut round sapphire will often sell for higher prices compared to other gemstones shapes. This is because cutters lose a lot of carat weight when trying to obtain round proportions. Round sapphires can be faceted or cut en cabochon, but faceted sapphires will also sell for much more than plain sapphire cabochons. Round sapphires can also be cut in various styles, such as the 'diamond-cut' which takes after the round-brilliant. Round step-cut sapphires or mixed-cuts are more commonly found when it comes to larger round sapphires. Blue is the traditional sapphire color, and round blue sapphires are considered one of the most desirable gems on the market today.

Round sapphires can be found in a wide variety of bright and vivid colors. All colors of sapphire, except for blue and red, are referred to as 'fancy color sapphire'. Round sapphires are excellent for those who enjoy classic, yet elegant designs and are often used as side-stones for bridal and engagement rings. Sapphire has long been prized for its superior hardness and excellent durability. In fact, sapphire hardness ranks at 9 on the Mohs scale, which makes it one of the hardest natural materials on earth, second only to diamond.

Sapphire is a gem-quality variety of corundum, the very same material which makes up that of fine red ruby. Sapphire and ruby are both members of the 'precious four' group of gems, along with emerald and diamond. Sapphire exhibits excellent brilliance with an attractive vitreous luster when cut and polished. Fine quality round sapphire can be very expensive, especially stones with top color, clarity and cut. In general, sapphires are thought to be one of the most valuable and wearable of all colored gemstones. Round sapphires are very popular for use in jewelry, but unlike other sapphire shapes, such as trillions, princess cuts or pears, round sapphires are better-suited as the main 'center' stone rather than as small accents or melee stones. In many cases, round sapphires are also perfect for use as side-stones in three-stone ring designs. 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.