Summary:
- Inclusions are natural, not flaws - Kat hand-picks every stone, and Envero isn't shy about choosing sapphires with inclusions when the color is exceptional.
- Inclusions are internal characteristics formed as the sapphire crystallized underground millions of years ago; very common in Montana sapphires, especially larger stones, since they're entirely natural.
- Color and carat weight drive value for sapphire, not clarity, unlike diamonds; a sapphire with inclusions but great color beats a clean stone with dull color.
- Envero's sapphires are beautiful first, with inclusions typically visible only on close examination - a visible inclusion is part of the stone's story, not a defect.
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When people first hear the word "inclusion" in the context of a gemstone, they sometimes assume it's a flaw to worry about. At Envero, we take a holistic approach. Inclusions are simply nature's fingerprint that proves your sapphire was grown by the earth. While we don't go looking for stones with obvious inclusions, we're not shy to choose sapphires with inclusions for Montana sapphires with exceptionally unique color. Our designer, Kat, hand-picks every gemstone herself, ensuring that each stone we select is beautiful in its own right — with or without inclusions.
What Exactly Is an Inclusion?
An inclusion is any internal characteristic within a gemstone, formed while it was crystallizing deep underground millions of years ago. Because Montana sapphires are entirely natural, inclusions are extremely common, especially in larger stones. A sapphire completely free of any inclusions is genuinely rare, and when we do come across one, it typically commands a higher price simply because of how uncommon it is.
Here are the main inclusion types.
- Glassy Melt Inclusions: Two-phase or silicate glass pockets trapped inside alluvial stones.
- Mineral Crystals: Tiny specs of feldspar, apatite, zircon, or topaz embedded inside the gem.
- Needles and Silk: Slender rutile strands, though much rarer in Yogo Gulch stones than other origins.
- Feathers and Fractures: Small internal cracks or color zoning that can dull light reflection if heavy.
Clarity Isn't the Whole Story
Unlike diamonds, a sapphire's value is driven primarily by color and carat weight - clarity plays a much smaller role. A Montana sapphire with natural inclusions but exceptional color will almost always be more desirable than a perfectly clean stone with dull color.
Getting to Know the Grades: SI vs. VS
If you've started shopping for a sapphire, you may see it described as SI or VS. Here's what that actually means.
SI (Slightly Included) An SI sapphire has natural inclusions that are visible under 10x magnification, and in some cases, they may be noticeable to the naked eye as well. This doesn't mean the stone looks cloudy or dull - these inclusions are usually described as having little to no effect on the sapphire's overall brilliance. Many of our most beautifully colored stones fall into this category, because we prioritize color depth and richness over chasing invisible clarity.
VS (Very Slightly Included) A VS sapphire is considered very clean. It may contain small inclusions - like a delicate feather - that are visible under magnification, but they won't be apparent to the naked eye. These stones offer a wonderful middle ground: the reassurance of a "cleaner" gem, still with all the character of a natural sapphire.
Why This Matters for Your Ring
At Envero, our sapphires are, first and foremost, beautiful in their unique color - any inclusions, if any, are typically visible only under close examination. We want you to fall in love with your sapphire for what it is: a genuine, one-of-a-kind stone shaped by the earth. It's part of the story your ring will carry for a lifetime.
