Sapphire FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
Discover the Enduring Beauty of Sapphire
Sapphire is one of the world's most cherished gemstones, admired for its remarkable durability, brilliant luster, and stunning range of colors. While deep royal blue is the color most people associate with sapphire, this beautiful gemstone naturally occurs in nearly every color of the rainbow except red. As a member of the corundum family, sapphire is one of the hardest gemstones used in jewelry, making it an excellent choice for everyday wear.
Whether you're shopping for a sapphire pendant, ring, earrings, or bracelet, learning more about this extraordinary gemstone will help you appreciate its timeless appeal.
What Is a Sapphire?
Sapphire is the gem-quality variety of the mineral corundum.
Pure corundum is colorless, but trace elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, and vanadium create the beautiful colors seen in sapphires. The same mineral also produces ruby—the only difference is color. Red corundum is classified as ruby, while all other colors are considered sapphire.
What Colors Do Sapphires Come In?
Although blue is the most famous color, sapphires naturally occur in a wide variety of colors, including:
- Royal blue
- Cornflower blue
- Navy blue
- Pink
- Yellow
- Green
- Purple
- Orange
- Peach
- White (colorless)
- Teal
- Violet
These are often called "fancy sapphires."
What Is a Padparadscha Sapphire?
Padparadscha sapphire is one of the rarest and most valuable varieties of sapphire.
Its unique color blends delicate shades of pink and orange, often compared to the colors of a tropical sunset or lotus blossom. The name comes from the Sinhalese word for "lotus flower."
Where Are Sapphires Found?
Sapphires are mined in many parts of the world, including:
- Sri Lanka
- Madagascar
- Australia
- Thailand
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Kashmir (India)
- Montana (United States)
- Tanzania
- Nigeria
- Cambodia
Each location is known for producing sapphires with distinctive colors and characteristics.
What Gives Sapphire Its Blue Color?
Blue sapphires owe their color to trace amounts of iron and titanium within the crystal structure.
Different trace elements create the many other colors of sapphire.
Is Sapphire a Birthstone?
Yes.
Sapphire is the official birthstone for September and is traditionally associated with the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.
For centuries, sapphire has symbolized loyalty, wisdom, honesty, and sincerity.
How Hard Is Sapphire?
Sapphire has a hardness of:
9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale
Only diamond ranks higher among commonly used gemstones.
Its exceptional hardness makes sapphire highly resistant to scratches and an excellent choice for jewelry worn every day.
Can Sapphire Jewelry Be Worn Every Day?
Absolutely.
Because sapphire is extremely durable, it is one of the best gemstones for everyday wear, including rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets.
While sapphire resists scratches very well, it's still wise to avoid hard impacts that could chip any gemstone.
Are Sapphires Rare?
Natural sapphires are relatively rare.
The finest sapphires display:
- Rich, even color
- Excellent clarity
- Strong brilliance
- Good transparency
Certain varieties, such as Kashmir sapphires and padparadscha sapphires, are especially rare and highly prized.
Are Sapphires Treated?
Yes.
Most sapphires on the market have been heat treated to improve color and clarity.
Heat treatment is a standard, permanent, and widely accepted practice within the jewelry industry.
Untreated sapphires are much less common and often command higher prices.
Are There Lab-Grown Sapphires?
Yes.
Laboratory-grown sapphires have the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural sapphires but are created under controlled conditions.
Imitation sapphires, on the other hand, are made from different materials such as glass or synthetic spinel.
A reputable jeweler should clearly identify whether a sapphire is natural or laboratory-grown.
How Do You Clean Sapphire Jewelry?
Sapphire is relatively easy to care for.
To clean sapphire jewelry:
- Wash with warm water and mild soap.
- Use a soft brush to remove dirt if needed.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Because sapphire is so durable, it tolerates routine cleaning very well.
How Should Sapphire Jewelry Be Stored?
Store sapphire jewelry:
- In a soft jewelry pouch or lined jewelry box.
- Separately from softer gemstones, since sapphire can scratch many other gems.
- Away from loose diamonds and other hard gemstones that could scratch the metal setting.
Proper storage helps protect both the gemstone and the jewelry.
What Does Sapphire Symbolize?
Throughout history, sapphire has symbolized:
- Wisdom
- Loyalty
- Truth
- Integrity
- Faithfulness
- Protection
These meanings come from historical traditions and folklore rather than scientific evidence, but they have contributed to sapphire's enduring popularity for thousands of years.
Interesting Sapphire Fact
Some of the world's most famous sapphires are found in royal jewelry collections. One of the best-known is the stunning blue sapphire engagement ring worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, and now by Catherine, Princess of Wales. This iconic ring helped introduce sapphire engagement rings to millions of people around the world.
Why We Love Sapphire
Sapphire combines exceptional durability with timeless elegance. Its brilliant colors, outstanding hardness, and rich history make it one of the world's most beloved gemstones. Whether you choose a classic blue sapphire or one of the many colorful fancy sapphires, every stone offers natural beauty that can be enjoyed for generations.