Sea green brilliant cut faceted 5.25 mm sapphire gemstone solitaire necklace set in a four prong argentium sterling silver Illusion setting. I would also call this an ocean blue, it has flashes of turquoise blue within its facets. This colour of green sapphire from Montana is called "River Green". One can be overwhelmed by viewing the many thousand shades of green and blue. It is best to just look at the images of the sapphire and not rely on a colour name to envision its colour.
The sapphire has a weight of .95 carats. The sapphire origin is Montana, USA. The sapphire has been heated only. The heating is permanent, and the colour is stable. Montana sapphires have a pale or steely gray colour and require heat treatment to gain an attractive colour. The necklace includes an 18" argentium sterling silver textured flat cable chain, 1.8 mm thick, with a lobster claw clasp. The argentium sterling silver components were made in the USA.
An Illusion setting is a prong setting designed to enhance the appearance and especially the perceived size of a gemstone. This is accomplished by a ring of metal surrounding the girdle of the gem that is often bright cut. This ring reflects the outline of the gem causing it to look larger.
Argentium sterling silver is highly tarnish resistant. Argentium sterling silver is not completely tarnish free, but components can go for 2 - 3 years before needing a polish. This argentium sterling silver is .935 silver, 5.5 copper and 1% germanium. When sterling silver tarnishes, it is because the copper in the alloy is reacting to the air and turning colours. The germanium in argentium sterling silver creates a thin barrier between the copper and the air dramatically slowing down the tarnishing process.
Pure silver is very soft and it will not last past a few wearings. That is why other alloys are added to make silver components durable and long lasting. Argentium has a higher silver content than traditional .925 sterling silver, the result is a much whiter, much brighter look that is almost more platinum in appearance. In fact, when the CEILAB standard colour measurement system was applied, Argentium was rated as a "whiter" metal than rhodium, which is used to give white gold its white colour. It looks much more like you are wearing platinum or white gold.
Argentium is 100% nickel-free. This makes it the perfect alloy to wear without fear on a daily basis. Germanium is also an inert metal, making Argentium even more hypo-allergenic than traditional .925 sterling silver.
Argentium is a sustainable alloy. It is made from 100% recycled silver and the creators of Argentium guarantee the traceability of all the silver it uses. Using recycled silver sounds like such a small thing - but it has very large impacts on the environment. Not only does recycling silver use just 5% of the energy it would take to refine silver from ore, it also eliminates the need for mining, mining waste and mining groundwater pollution. Argentium represents the future of silver, and one can have confidence in your genuine gemstone jewelry being a part of your family heirlooms.
The sapphire is from the Lower Cottonwood Mine near Deer Lodge, Montana. It was heat treated in an unknown location and faceted with a brilliant cut with the requisite number of facets (56) in Sri Lanka. The gem cutlet comes to a point, it has not been cut.
The brilliant cut consists of triangular and kite-shaped facets that spread outward from the center of the gem. As befits its name, the brilliant cut gives off the most scintillation of any cut. A faceted gemstone has a crown (the top), a girdle (the break between the top and bottom) and, a pavilion (the bottom). The brilliant cut has 8 star facets, 8 kite facets and 16 upper cuts on its crown. Below the girdle, there are 16 girdle facets, 8 pavilion main facets and 1 cutlet cut (optional).
I purchased several carats at auction in May of 2011 from a certified gemologist. He was hired as a liquidator for a failed sapphire mining company hoping to turn their inventory into some small return to the original investors. The liquidator depended on the records of the company for the provenance.
I have photographed the necklace with LED lighting. The pictures have been enlarged to show detail. The necklace was pictured next to a dime for size reference. Necklace arrives in a gift box, which is ideal for storing. Protecting your jewelry from scratching each other is your number one priority. This box works perfectly, even the lock tight envelope will do.
Be sure to look for the most suitable item and service for the lowest price and inquire before you make your purchase. A quality gemstone will be well polished, crisp and come together at a single point. They should be smooth, with a mirror like finish. Pits, scratches, or dull areas usually indicate a poor polish.
I guarantee my jewelry 100%. If you are dissatisfied with your purchase, return your item and I will gladly refund your purchase price. I do not charge a restocking fee on returned merchandise.
I am always happy to answer your questions. Thank you for visiting my store.
