Is it good for natural blue sapphires to have a greenish tint?

Sapphire, as one of the four precious gemstones (ruby, sapphire, emerald, and diamond), is beloved by many. However, China’s deep jade culture has slowed down the entry of gemstones into the Chinese market. In recent years, there has been a gradual acceptance of gemstone culture.

Sapphires come in various colors, not just the well-known blue. They can be pink, green, orange, colorless, and more. Generally, when no color modifier is added before the term ‘sapphire,’ it refers to blue sapphire. Other colors require additional modifiers, such as pink sapphire or colorless sapphire.

When evaluating the color of colored gemstones, three physical properties—hue (color name), tone (lightness or darkness of color), and saturation (color purity)—are used for color grading. In colored gemstones, red, blue, and green are considered more valuable. Unbiased color, moderate tone, and high saturation often contribute to higher value.

For blue sapphires, valuable colors include cornflower blue and royal blue. Cornflower blue resembles the color of cornflower flowers, with a relatively light yet highly pure color. Kashmiri cornflower blue sapphires, in particular, have a captivating color and a velvety feel. Royal blue is akin to the blue traditionally used by European royalty, representing nobility and commanding higher value in the gemstone market.

Apart from these, there are variations like peacock blue and velvet blue. Gemstones with special color names usually have relatively higher value.

Regarding sapphires with a greenish tint, it falls into the category of blue stones with a color modifier. The value of such sapphires tends to be lower compared to more pure blue tones like cornflower blue or royal blue. However, it doesn’t mean sapphires with a greenish tint lack value. When choosing colored gemstones, one should consider personal aesthetic preferences rather than blindly pursuing perfection and high quality.