The beads of this choker necklace are made of beautiful faceted sapphire. Each necklace measures 19" and comes with a 2" extender chain. The sapphires are kept safe in a black padded box for shipping.

Sapphires form very slowly inside cooling igneous and metamorphic rocks as metals seep into aluminum oxide crystals. Also known as corundum, the crystals are transparent on their own, but the presence of different metals lends unique colors to the final stone. Traces of titanium result in a blue hue while the presence of iron results in the color yellow. Any color except red is considered a sapphire, while red, indicating the presence of Chromium, is considered a ruby.

Most sapphire is recovered from placer deposits. This occurs where the softer host rock is weathered or eroded to the extent that these crystals are separated. They have a high density of 4.0 (specific gravity) and can be recovered from alluvial materials derived from their original host rock, in a similar manner to gold placers.

Sapphires can command some of the highest prices paid for any gem. In 2009 a 16.65-carat Kashmir sapphire was sold for $2,396,000. The market to obtain a quality sapphire is complex. From the time a rough and first-generation cut gem is sold it will travel through many buyers and dealers at different levels depending on its quality. A sapphire's value will also be related to a ceiling dictated by comparable gems (size, color, clarity).