Why is Tanzanite Considered One of the Rarest Gemstones in the World?
What is Tanzanite? Tanzanite is a highly valued precious gemstone belonging to the Zoisite family. According to the story, herders from...
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Zircon: The Hottest Gem of 2024?
What is Zircon? Occasionally confused with cubic zirconia (which is something completely different), Zircon (Zirconium Silicate) is the...
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Designing an Engagement Ring with The Sapphire Merchant
The Proposal. Congratulations on making the remarkable decision to propose and ask your forever person to marry you! Engagement is a...
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How to Choose the Perfect Engagement Ring: The Ultimate Guide
Here at The Sapphire Merchant, We are All About Custom Engagement Rings Done a Little Differently! We curate our gems from source and...
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Why Sapphires Make the Best Engagement Ring Gemstone
Sapphires continue to reign as the most popular coloured engagement ring gemstones in New Zealand and Australia, and for good reason!...
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Buying Sapphires at the Chanthaburi Gem Market in Thailand
The Chanthaburi gem market, approximately a 4-hour drive from Bangkok, has a rich history dating back several centuries
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Ring Design Concepts - The Basics
Ring Design Concepts - an outline of the most popular ring design concepts for New Zealanders. Solitaire, Three-Stone, Halo, East-West, Pavé
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Applying the 4C's to Sapphires and Coloured Gemstones
The 4C's comprise Colour, Clarity, Cut and Carat size. These 4 criteria are measurable to accurately assess, grade and value sapphires
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Exploring the Ethics of Sapphires: Are They Truly a Sustainable Gemstone?
It is more crucial than ever to ensure that the sapphires we take from the earth are procured sustainably and in a socially responsible way.
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Peridot - The Official New Zealand Guide
The name Peridot is French and derives from the Greek word Peridona, meaning to 'bestow wealth'.
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Grandidierite - A Rare Gem
According to GIA in Bangkok, Grandidierite is one of the world's rarest gemstones.
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What's the Difference Between Unheated and Heated Sapphires?
What is the difference between a heated sapphire and an unheated sapphire? And which option should I choose?
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Emerald - The Official New Zealand Guide
The Sapphire Merchant is a New Zealand based stockist of natural Emeralds at wholesale prices.
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Amethyst - A Guide to February's Birthstone
Amethyst, the purple variety of crystalline quartz loved by so many for its purple hue, is both the traditional and modern birthstone for...
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January Birthstone - A Modern & Traditional New Zealand Guide
Where did the concept of birthstones originate from, and who decided which gemstone correlated to which month? We see the symbolism of...
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Garnet - The Official New Zealand Buyers Guide
The word 'Garnet' originates from Latin 'granatus', which translates to 'rounded seed' or 'grain'. The inside of a pomegranate is the...
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Tsavorite Garnet - The Official New Zealand Guide
The Sapphire Merchant is proud to present to the New Zealand market this exceptional 3.05ct Tsavorite.
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Spinel - The Official New Zealand Buyers Guide
The name 'spinel' comes from the Latin word spinella, meaning 'little thorn', referring to the sharp points of a spinel's crystal.
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A Brief History of Sapphires
The mining of sapphires dates back to 800BC. The word sapphire is derived from the Greek word 'Sapphirus'. It is accepted that the great...
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Discover Paraiba Tourmaline: A Complete Buyer's Guide for this Rare Gemstone.
Paraiba Tourmaline is a gemstone that has captivated the world of gems since its unearthing in the 1980s.
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The Aquamarine Gemstone Buying Guide
What is Aquamarine? The name Aquamarine translates to 'sea water' in Latin. Legend has it that it was a treasure from mermaids which...
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Gahnospinel - Finding a needle in a haystack
The Sapphire Merchant had an auspicious find. We have all our gemstones laboratory-tested to ensure quality control. When buying a lot of...
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Modern Birthstones
A list of modern birthstones. The 12 signs of the zodiac had long been associated with a gemstone...
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A Blue Sapphire Buying Guide
Buying a Blue Sapphire My brother asked me to help him source a blue sapphire to have a bespoke engagement ring designed and made up for...
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