Fall is just around the corner, and you’re probably already thinking about the colors of the season: orange, gold, red. But September is actually associated with another lesser-known color: the deep, vivid blue of a striking sapphire. This gorgeous gemstone is ideal for birthdays and anniversaries, so take a moment to learn more about it!
What is a Sapphire?
Along with rubies and emeralds, sapphires are considered among the big three colored gemstones in jewelry. They belong to the family of corundum minerals, just like rubies. In fact, sapphires and rubies share much of the same chemical makeup. When corundum is red, it’s called a ruby. When it’s another color, it’s usually referred to as a sapphire.
These stones are available in a wide range of colors — such as pink, orange, yellow, green and purple — also known as “fancy sapphires.” But a blue sapphire is the most popular color choice, and it sets the example for measuring other blue gems, such as topaz and tanzanite.
In its natural form, corundum is actually colorless. However, varying levels of iron and titanium are responsible for different shades of blue. More iron results in a darker blue color. Sapphires then typically receive heat treatments to further enhance their color or clarity. Stones featuring velvety blue to violet blue tones are most valuable, while blue sapphires with a grayish tint are less desirable.
You’ll most likely find blue sapphires that are smaller than five carats, but it’s possible to stumble upon a gem that weighs hundreds of carats! Large blue sapphires are actually more common than large rubies and fancy sapphires.
The best part? Sapphires score a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale — a scale that ranks the durability of diamonds, gemstones and other minerals. This means they are very durable gems and can withstand daily wear and tear in rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces.
*Pro Tip: When jewelers use the term “sapphire,” they’re typically referring to blue sapphires. Keep this in mind if you’re particularly seeking a fancy sapphire.
History of Sapphires
Sapphires have been making jewelry fashion statements since the Middle Ages, but the gems have been found in Sri Lanka for more than 2,000 years. They have long been associated with their iconic blue color too. The name “sapphire” is derived from the Greek word “sappheiros,” which was reportedly used to identify another blue gem, lapis lazuli. In ancient Greece and Rome, elite members of society wore blue sapphires, believing they symbolized heaven and protected recipients from harm and envy. Throughout history, they have also represented royalty, sincerity, self-discipline, concentration, truth, faithfulness and one’s soul.
In addition to Sri Lanka, sapphires are also plentiful in Kashmir, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania and the U.S., specifically Montana. In the 1990s, fancy sapphires were discovered in East Africa as well as Madagascar and brought to market. The unique yellow, orange, pink and purple stones caught the attention of shoppers and jewelry designers, who were looking for a change of color pace. Madagascar has now become the largest sapphire producer in the world.
Sapphire Fun Facts
- Sapphire is the official stone for celebrating fifth and 45th wedding anniversaries!
- Some sapphires can actually change color, depending on lighting! These stones will often appear blue in daylight or fluorescent lighting and switch to a purple shade in dimmer settings.
- Colorless sapphires were once commonly used as imitation diamonds. Their popularity resurfaced in recent years, and they’re now typically seen as accent stones that enhance the center gem.
- Perhaps the most famous sapphire is the 12-carat blue sapphire engagement ring that Prince Charles gave to Princess Diana in 1981. The ring was eventually passed down, and Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, became the new recipient when Prince William proposed to her in 2010.
- According to legend, ancient Persians believed the Earth sat on top of a giant sapphire, and the vibrant stone produced the sky’s blue color.
- The rarest type of sapphire is a pinkish-orange stone called padparadscha, which means “lotus flower” in Sinhalese (the language spoken in Sri Lanka). The presence of chromium contributes to a sapphire’s pink color.
- At an auction in 2015, a sapphire sold for the highest price per carat on record: $242,000 per carat. That means the entire sapphire cost a total of $6.74 million!
- Ancient Israelites thought the Ten Commandments were carved on tablets of sapphire. But historians now believe that lapis lazuli may have instead been the blue gem mentioned in the Bible.
- Some sapphires feature the star effect (aka asterism) — multiple intersecting bands of needle-like imperfections inside of the stone. When white light hits these bands, a six-ray star pattern usually appears!
- In the early 1900s, French chemist Auguste Verneuil developed a procedure for creating lab-grown sapphires. Due to increased production, the gems were no longer limited to jewelry purposes. Sapphires have since been used in grocery store scanners, spacecrafts, scientific instruments and more. In fact, several Swiss watch companies and the Apple Watch Series 3 utilize lab-grown sapphire crystals to make their screens more scratch-resistant.
- The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History is home to the Logan Sapphire, which weighs a whopping 423 carats and is considered one of the largest gem-quality blue sapphires in history!
Shop Our Favorite Sapphire Jewelry
Sage Blue Sapphire Eternity Ring
Rachel Oval Blue Sapphire & Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Sienna Blue Sapphire Bezel Pendant Necklace
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