What Makes Australian Sapphires So Special?

Corky Saint Clair is renowned for our collection of Australian gems, particularly Australian sapphires.

Australian sapphires have become the go to gemstone for discerning couples, and with good reason. Here’s why we use them, and why they’re often the best choice for a custom ring.

Colour, but not just colour

Australian sapphires are known for their deep blues and saturated greens, but what sets them apart is the variation. You’ll find parti sapphires, stones with two or more colours in one, and bicolours that shift subtly across the face of the gem. These aren’t factory perfect. They’re geological, painterly, and full of life.

When we source Australian sapphires, we’re often looking for complexity. The smoky blues. The green teal flashes. The unlikely pairings. They don’t shout. They don’t look lab made. They look natural, because they are.

Ethically mined, close to home

Most of the sapphires we use are mined in Queensland and New South Wales. We know our suppliers. We know where the stones come from. In many cases, they’re mined, cut, and sold within Australia. That means shorter supply chains, clearer ethics, and less environmental impact than stones flown halfway around the world.

If a client asks, we can often tell them the exact town a stone came from. Rubyvale. Inverell. Anakie. There’s something special about knowing a gem didn’t cross the planet to get to you.

Durability you can wear every day

Sapphires rank 9 on the Mohs scale, which means they’re hard enough to wear every day. We see plenty of vintage rings with Australian sapphires that still look sharp 30 years on. They don’t just sparkle. They hold up.

You get more for your money

Australian sapphires offer incredible value compared to diamonds or imported sapphires. You’re not paying for branding, rarity myths, or middlemen. You're paying for the actual gem. Its colour. Its cut. Its presence.

If you want a statement stone without the synthetic look of something mass produced, this is often the right choice.

A fantastic alternative to Emeralds

A question we get asked is "do you have green gemstones like emerald but cheaper?"

Emeralds are one of the most expensive gemstones and are often compromised in terms of structure. We are always happy to source natural or recrystallised emeralds for clients but always want to point out that green Australian sapphires are a great substitute as they are clearer, brighter and more durable and also a better price point.

We use Australian sapphires in most of our work. Not because they’re on trend, but because they are a gorgeous gemstone.