Vellichor Gemstone Collection Sapphire VC-511 SPC 7mm
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Description
Warm light beige, evenly toned · 100% waterproof · Gemstone Collection
FloorScore certified
Indoor air quality verified by SCS Global Services
Greenguard Gold certified
UL-tested for low chemical emissions in homes and schools
Zero Formaldehyde
No added formaldehyde in board core or finish
CARB Phase II compliant (<0.05 ppm)
Meets California’s strictest formaldehyde emission limit
100% Waterproof
Spills, splashes, and steam-mop safe
What is Sapphire VC-511?
Grain character: character grain in Warm light beige, evenly toned. Sapphire is Vellichor Floors’s Gemstone Collection option in a 7mm waterproof SPC, engineered with a 20 mil wear layer.
Is Sapphire waterproof?
Water damage that ruins hardwood and laminate won’t touch this floor. Sapphire’s 7mm SPC core plus attached IXPE layer is 100% waterproof — safe in every room, including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundry areas. Warranty backed by Vellichor Floors.
Best rooms for Sapphire?
Any room where you’d hesitate to install hardwood — bathrooms, basements, mudrooms, and kitchens. Sapphire’s warm light beige, evenly toned visual and 20 mil wear layer work equally well in formal living rooms and open-concept great rooms on the same floor.
Who is Sapphire best for?
Landlords and short-term rental operators. Sapphire’s 20 mil wear layer survives tenant turnover, the warm light beige, evenly toned visual photographs well for listings, and the 100% waterproof core reduces water-damage call-outs between tenants.
How thick is it?
Measured bottom to top, Sapphire is 7mm: IXPE acoustic pad, SPC structural core, printed vinyl wear layer. 6.5mm SPC core with 1.5mm IXPE pre-attached pad totals 8mm under-plank assembly — quiet underfoot for a budget-tier SPC.
Price range?
See exact pricing on Sapphire at our Santa Clara showroom — Vellichor Floors Gemstone Collection retail currently runs $2 to $3 per square foot. Plus CA sales tax. Reach us at (408) 753-3220.
Sergey Stotskiy
Overview
Sapphire is engineered for Bay Area conditions: foggy mornings and warm afternoons that move through 30-degree temperature swings, plus the radiant-heat retrofits common in Atherton and Palo Alto remodels. a 7mm SPC handles the thermal cycling without warping. The warm light beige reads even under both natural and artificial light. 9-inch by 60-inch planks float over most subfloors using an angle-tap click system with no adhesive and no acclimation wait, 20 mil commercial wear layer.
Specifications
| SKU | VC-511 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Vellichor |
| Collection | Vellichor Floors Gemstone Collection |
| Color | Sapphire — Warm tone, warm light beige, evenly toned |
| Plank size | 9 inches wide × 60 inches long |
| Thickness | 7mm |
| Wear layer | 20 mil |
| Surface finish | Ceramic Bead Enhanced Urethane |
| Edge profile | Painted micro-bevel |
| Locking system | angle-tap drop-down click |
| Unique planks | 26-color Vellichor catalog across the Gemstone, Galaxy, and Summit lines (6 SKUs in this collection) |
| SF per carton | 26.18 sq ft |
| Installation | Floating click (glueless) |
| Installation grade | Above, On, Below grade |
| Waterproof | Yes — 100% |
| Warranty | Lifetime residential limited warranty / 12-year light commercial warranty against manufacturing defects (original purchaser, not transferable). Coverage requires interior humidity 30-50% year-round and room temperature 65-85°F. |
| Certifications | FloorScore certified · Greenguard Gold certified · Zero Formaldehyde · CARB Phase II compliant (<0.05 ppm) · 100% Waterproof |
Why Vellichor built Sapphire this way
✔
Warm light beige, evenly toned — versatile across design styles. The medium beige tone pairs well with white shaker upper cabinets. The Ceramic Bead Enhanced Urethane surface and character variation give Sapphire authentic depth — it reads as real wood, not printed imitation.
✔
7mm total construction — premium SPC feel. Rigid SPC core plus attached acoustic pad delivers 7mm total plank thickness. Dramatically firmer and quieter underfoot than thinner SPC. 100% waterproof — safe for every room including kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms.
✔
20 mil wear layer with matte finish. The 20 mil commercial-grade wear layer handles pet claws, chair legs, dropped dishes, and heavy daily traffic. Extra scratch resistance matters in kitchens, entryways, and pet households.
✔
Pre-attached IXPE underlayment. No separate underlayment purchase, no pad decisions. The attached pad is required for the waterproof warranty — other pads void structural integrity coverage. Dampens footfall noise throughout the home.
✔
Ceramic Bead Enhanced Urethane surface with Painted micro-bevel edges. Texture follows the printed grain exactly, creating visual depth that reads as real sawn wood up close. Defined plank edges without overly-wide grooves that trap dirt.
✔
angle-tap drop-down click floating click — above, on, or below grade. Installs over wood, concrete, or existing hard flooring. No adhesive, no acclimation wait, DIY-friendly with a tapping block. Sapphire’s angle-tap drop-down click system plus 7mm rigid build works above, on, and below grade — basement to second floor, no construction-type restrictions.
✔
Need an installer? We refer licensed pros. We’re a licensed flooring retailer in Santa Clara — we refer customers to vetted, licensed contractors across the Bay Area. We don’t install ourselves; we make sure the people we recommend hold an active CSLB license.
✔
Wholesale pricing — no big-box markup. By-order from manufacturer with showroom samples available in Santa Clara. We’re a flooring-specialty retailer — no general-contractor overhead, no big-box display fees in your per-square-foot price. What you see in our quote is what the manufacturer charges plus our margin, not five layers of distribution.
How Sapphire compares
Sapphire sits at 7mm in Vellichor Floors’s Gemstone Collection line. Here’s how it compares to thicker Vellichor Floors SPC options:
| Feature | Sapphire (Gemstone Collection, 7mm) |
Galaxy Collection (7.5mm) |
Summit Collection (8.5mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collection | Vellichor Floors Gemstone Collection | Vellichor Floors Galaxy Collection | Vellichor Floors Summit Collection |
| Total thickness | 7mm (incl. pad) | 7.5mm (incl. pad) | 8.5mm (incl. pad) |
| Wear layer | 20 mil | 20 mil | 20 mil |
| Underlayment | IXPE attached | IXPE attached | IXPE attached |
| Waterproof | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Warranty | Lifetime residential / 12-year light commercial | Lifetime residential / 12-year light commercial | Lifetime residential / 12-year light commercial |
| Price (per sq ft) | $2 to $3 | $2 to $3 | $3 to $4 |
| Best for | High-traffic residential + light commercial | High-traffic residential + light commercial | High-traffic residential + light commercial |
Prices are estimated ranges. Call (408) 753-3220 for exact pricing and project quotes on Sapphire and comparable Vellichor Floors SPC collections we special-order from our Santa Clara showroom.
Installation & care
Below are Vellichor Floors’s manufacturer specifications plus installer best-practice notes from the licensed installers we refer. See full installer credentials in the byline at the top of this page. Vellichor Floors’s warranty follows manufacturer spec; real-world installation often benefits from the extra steps below.
Acclimation
Allow planks to acclimate 24-48 hours in a climate-controlled space (65-85°F) before installation. Store cartons flat (never on edge), no more than 5 boxes high, with carton ends open for airflow.
Pro tip: If boxes have been stored in a cold truck or warehouse below 50°F, let them sit in the install room for 24 hours before cutting. Rigid-core planks handle temperature change better than wood, but extreme cold can make the click-lock edges brittle during installation.
Subfloor flatness
Subfloor must be smooth, dry, structurally sound, and flat within 3/16″ in a 10-foot radius. Grind down high spots and fill low spots with a latex-fortified cementitious patching compound. Wood subfloors require 3/4″ minimum thickness over 19.2″-on-center joists.
Pro tip: Installing over existing tile? Flatness alone isn’t enough — every tile must still be firmly bonded to the subfloor. Tap each tile with a hard object and listen: a solid thud means good adhesion, a hollow sound means the tile has released from the thinset. Loose tiles flex under foot traffic, and that movement transfers up through the SPC — click-lock seams crack within 1-2 years. Re-bond any hollow-sounding tiles (injection epoxy through a drilled hole) or remove and re-set them before the SPC goes down. If more than ~20% of tiles sound hollow, pull the whole tile floor and start from the slab.
Moisture testing (concrete)
On concrete, moisture vapor transmission must not exceed 8 lbs/1000 sq.ft./24 hours per ASTM F-1869 (Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test). Internal relative humidity must not exceed 85% per ASTM F-2170 (in-situ probe test).
Pro tip: Bay Area homes near the water (Alviso, parts of San Mateo, coastal San Francisco) often have higher slab moisture than the test-day reading suggests — slab moisture fluctuates seasonally. If your slab tests at 85% RH in October, it may hit 95% in February. Budget for the 6-mil moisture barrier below either way.
Moisture barrier (concrete subfloors)
A minimum 6-mil poly film moisture barrier between concrete and the SPC plank is REQUIRED for ALL concrete substrates as a vapor retarder. This is mandatory for warranty coverage.
Pro tip: We recommend 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier over every concrete subfloor regardless of test results. Seasonal moisture shifts, future plumbing leaks, and unseen slab cracks mean a clean moisture test today doesn’t guarantee a dry subfloor in five years. 6-mil poly is $30-50 for a whole room — inexpensive protection. Overlap seams by 6-8 inches, seal with waterproof tape, run 2-4 inches up the walls (hidden by baseboard). This is industry-standard per NWFA and what we’d do in our own home.
Underlayment (do not replace the attached pad)
Planks have 1.5mm IXPE pad pre-attached. Do NOT use additional underlayment under the SPC planks — adding extra cushion voids the warranty and can cause locking failures.
Pro tip: Customers sometimes ask about adding a thicker pad under Gemstone Collection for more softness. Don’t. The attached IXPE pad is engineered to work with the SPC core — adding a second pad creates an unstable stack-up that causes click-lock seam failure over time. The warranty specifically voids structural-integrity coverage if a non-manufacturer pad is used.
Installation method
Float the planks (no glue, no nail). Begin laying from the left side of the starting wall with the tongue side facing the starting wall. Place 5/16″ (8.2mm) spacers between plank ends and walls. Stagger end joints minimum 8″ row-to-row. Use a tapping block — never strike the plank surface directly.
Pro tip: Follow manufacturer procedure to the letter — this changes what happens when a warranty claim gets filed. When the manufacturer sends a licensed flooring inspector, what they investigate depends on what the install looks like. On a professionally installed floor, the inspector is looking for material defects — manufacturing problems the brand is responsible for. On a floor showing signs of non-professional installation (rigid stagger pattern, missing expansion gaps, skipped moisture readings), the inspector is looking for installation errors — problems the installer is responsible for. Same physical issue, completely different warranty outcome. Professional install puts the burden of proof on the manufacturer; amateur install puts it on you.
Radiant heat compatibility
Compatible with hydronic radiant heat only — NOT electric heating mats. Heating elements must be embedded in the subfloor with minimum 1/2″ separation from the flooring. Operate the radiant system at normal temperature for at least 21 days before installation, then turn off 24 hours prior. Maximum subfloor surface temperature is 85°F at all times.
Pro tip: Turn the heating system on at least two weeks before installation to purge slab moisture. After installation, raise temperature in 5°F increments per day back to operating level. Never go from room-temp to full heat in one day — thermal shock can compromise the click-lock edges and IXPE pad adhesion.
Daily maintenance
Sweep or vacuum regularly (beater bar OFF). Wipe spills with clean water and a damp (not wet) mop. Use cleaners formulated for vinyl flooring — never polishes, waxes, abrasives, or ammonia-based cleaners.
Pro tip: Use a cleaner specifically labeled for luxury vinyl or SPC — Bona Pro Series Luxury Vinyl Floor Cleaner works well. Avoid ‘mop and shine’ products that leave a film; they trap dirt and dull the Ceramic Bead finish over time.
What to avoid
Do not install over carpet, cushioned-back resilient flooring, or any floating/loose-laid surface. Do not install cabinets on top of the planks — install flooring around fixed cabinets.
Pro tip: Steam mops are the #1 warranty-void cause on Vellichor Floors floors — Vellichor Floors’s master warranty explicitly denies coverage for any damage caused by steam cleaners, and the moisture/heat breaks down the adhesives in the plank construction. Customers sometimes say ‘but it’s waterproof’ — the core is waterproof; the seams and adhesives are not designed for pressurized hot water.
Furniture and pet protection
Use felt protectors under chair and furniture legs. Wide rubber casters required on rolling chairs. Use a 1/8″ Masonite sheet to cover and protect the floor when moving heavy furniture or appliances.
Pro tip: Before install, if you have pets, pay attention to the finish grade on the plank you’re buying. Not all SPC finishes are equal — a Ceramic Bead or aluminum-oxide-enhanced finish is what handles dog nails, cat claws, and daily paw traffic without visible scratching over 5+ years. Entry-level SPC with a standard UV-cure finish scratches noticeably under the same pet traffic in 1-2 years. The finish is the wear difference customers actually feel — not the wear-layer thickness number. For pet households: Ceramic Bead minimum.
Frequently asked questions
How do I estimate how much flooring I need?
Pro tip: Don’t shortchange the 10% buffer. If you end up with 3-5 extra cartons, keep them — don’t return them. Even if you reorder the same SKU in 3 months, it’ll be a different manufacturing batch with slightly different tone and grain. It won’t match your existing floor. The extras are insurance against leaks, furniture damage, or cracks down the road.
Can I install SPC myself?
Pro tip: when a claim gets filed later, the manufacturer sends a licensed flooring inspector who examines the install — DIY that followed manufacturer spec to the letter can still pass inspection. DIY that cut corners won’t. We don’t tell customers not to DIY — we tell them: price out a licensed contractor quote first, read your brand’s warranty carefully, and decide based on your comfort with the procedure, not just the labor savings.
Will Sapphire work in my basement?
Layer 1 — concrete moisture epoxy applied directly to the slab (products like Koster VAP 2000 or Aquafin 2K/M). Liquid-applied membrane that chemically bonds to concrete. Rates around 25 lbs/1000sqft vapor transmission versus the 8 lbs ASTM F1869 requires.
Layer 2 — 6-mil polyethylene sheeting on top of the cured epoxy. Seems redundant, but it’s not. Epoxy handles normal slab conditions permanently. The plastic sheet above is your insurance against slab cracks that develop over 20+ years from settling, seismic movement, or seasonal water-table stress — all common in Bay Area homes, especially older ones or those built on fill. If the slab cracks in year 12, the epoxy layer is compromised at that crack — but the plastic above stops the moisture before it reaches your SPC.
Total cost: $600-1,100 for a typical basement versus $50-100 for plastic alone. For a floor designed to last 20+ years in a moisture-prone slab, double protection pays for itself the first time the slab shifts.
How does SPC compare to real hardwood?
SPC is functional flooring, not an investment. It’s waterproof, handles pet claws and kid spills, installs fast, costs less upfront. But it’s a printed image with a wear layer on top — you can’t refinish it, and when it wears out in 20-25 years, you replace the whole floor. For kitchens, bathrooms, basements, rentals, and high-traffic family homes, SPC is the right call.
Real investment = engineered hardwood with at least 3mm veneer. That’s the threshold where the floor becomes refinishable — you can sand and refinish it 2-3 times over 50+ years, updating stain color as design trends shift. 4mm+ veneer pushes that to 3-5 refinishes over 75+ years. Appraisers factor genuine hardwood into home value; they don’t factor SPC. If you’re in a forever home, want real wood underfoot, and are willing to keep liquid away from it, engineered hardwood with 3mm+ veneer is the long-game choice.
Important caveat: engineered hardwood sold with 1-2mm veneer (common in budget lines) is functionally the same as SPC — can’t be refinished, lasts 20-25 years, then replace. If you’re paying hardwood prices, check the veneer spec. Under 3mm = you’re paying premium for a utility product.
We carry both categories — happy to walk you through specific products in either direction. The real question is: are you buying for 20 years of waterproof durability, or for 50+ years of refinishable real wood?
Do you offer samples I can take home?
How fast can I receive my Sapphire order?
What’s your return policy?
Always covered at no cost to you:
• Manufacturing defects (split edges, finish issues, wrong dimensions)
• Wrong product shipped (not the SKU you ordered)
• Damage documented on the delivery receipt
Call (408) 753-3220 to report any of the above. We handle replacement or refund at no charge.
Why not returnable by default: flooring pallets are heavy, fragile, and move through multiple freight handoffs. Return shipping on a pallet runs $300–800, and the supplier may reject the condition on arrival — Kapriz carries that financial risk.
Rare written exceptions: 25% restocking fee + customer pays all freight and handling. Never eligible for opened cartons, custom orders, closeouts, or discontinued runs.
Pro tip: if you have concerns about color match or batch tone before a large order, call us at (408) 753-3220 to discuss options. We offer a refundable-deposit sample loan (call ahead to confirm the color is in the showroom — we don’t permanently stock every sample) and, for large projects, a single-carton verification path with select suppliers.
Is Sapphire compatible with radiant heat?
See Sapphire in person
Visit our Santa Clara showroom to handle the plank, compare it to other SPC options, and ask our team anything about installation or pairing.
891 Laurelwood Rd, Suite 101
Santa Clara, CA 95054
In-store pickup · Call (408) 753-3220 for delivery options and pricing
Last updated 2026-05-04 · Sapphire VC-511 · Vellichor Floors Gemstone Collection · SKU tracked via Kapriz Hardwood Floors, Santa Clara CA.
Additional information
| Brand | Vellichor Floors |
|---|---|
| Collection | Vellichor Floors Gemstone |
| Flooring Type | SPC |
| Thickness | 7mm+ |
| Water Resistant | Yes |
| Wear Layer | 20 mil |
| Width | 9 inches + |
| Color Tone | Medium Beige |
