Australian Parti Sapphires

The Parti sapphire is the stone at the centre of the House. This is a short guide to what it is, where ours come from and how we set it.

What a Parti Sapphire Is

A Parti sapphire is a single sapphire that shows two or more colours at once, most often blue, green and gold, divided in bands or zones through the one stone. The colour comes from the way the crystal grew, not from any treatment. Because the zoning is a product of how each crystal formed, no two are alike.

Where Ours Come From

Australia is the best known source of Parti sapphires, and the Queensland and New South Wales sapphire fields in particular. The sapphires the House sets come from a second-generation, family-owned mine in Queensland. Each stone is selected for its individual character, and its colour and natural variations inform the design.

Colour and Cut

Turn a Parti sapphire and the colour moves, from teal to green or from blue to gold. The cut decides how much of that the wearer sees. The House works with cuts that show the zoning rather than hide it, including coffin, emerald and geometric cuts.

Made for Daily Wear

Sapphire is one of the hardest gemstones, rated 9 on the Mohs scale where diamond is 10, which suits it to a ring worn every day. Like any set stone it still rewards care. Wipe it with a soft cloth and mild soapy water, and keep it away from bleach and harsh chemicals.

How We Set Them

Each piece is hand carved around its stone and made in solid gold in our Sydney studio. Because every Parti sapphire is one of a kind, so is each piece set with one.

See Them

Parti sapphires are best judged in person. View current pieces in High Jewellery and Engagement, or request an appointment at The Loft in Darlinghurst.