Carat
Carat weight impacts price—but with sapphires, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Larger stones usually cost more, but pricing also depends on color, clarity, cut, and rarity.
Sapphires are denser than diamonds, which means they face up smaller at the same carat weight. A 1.2ct sapphire will generally look smaller than a 1.2ct diamond. That’s why we often talk about face-up size—how large the stone actually looks on the hand—rather than just the number.
But here’s the real takeaway: some people love a big, moody gem with silky inclusions. Others are all about high-clarity sparkle in a petite package. There’s no one-size-fits-all.
Heat Treatment
Some Montana sapphires are heated to deepen their natural color—a totally normal, non-synthetic process. Others are unheated, meaning they came out of the earth already at their most vibrant. Unheated stones are rarer and usually more expensive, but both types are 100% natural.
We’re always transparent about heat treatment, and we’ll help you weigh the pros and cons for your budget and aesthetic.
