Blue and diamond sapphire ring

Sapphire and diamond pendant

Multi-color sapphires – pink, yellow, orange, red, purple

The sapphire is the birthstone for people born in September, and is also associated with a 45th wedding anniversary. Most of us know what the blue ones look like – but did you know that sapphires occur in other colors too – like pink, purple, green and yellow … and do you know these interesting facts about the sapphire…

The word was originally spelt with f’s instead of p’s … and it looks mighty strange!
In its original spelling, ‘Saffire’, it evokes images of burning blue flames.

The gem is dedicated to the Greek God Apollo, because ancient Greeks believed that the gem had a heavenly nature and would obtain a favorable and swift answer for them when they were consulting Apollo’s oracle.

In terms of chemistry, rubies are actually red sapphires – that’s right they are the same gemstone, both corundums. Rubies have a red color, and sapphire is used to describe all of the other colors. Rubies are sapphires that contain chromium impurities which gives them their difference in color.

Sapphires are the second hardest gemstone, second only to the diamond.

Did you also know that along with the Emerald city in the mythical land of Oz, there is a Sapphire city? In The Giant Horse of Oz, Sapphire City is the capital of Munchkin Country.

Most sapphires come from around the Australasian-Pacific region, with Australia, Sri Lanka and Thailand being the major miners of sapphires. Sapphires are also mined in Vietnam and the USA.

The most famous of the large gem-quality, blue sapphires in the world is the Logan Sapphire, which resides in Washington’s Museum of Natural History. It is 422.99 carats – wouldn’t you be upset if you were the jeweler that shaved off that last tiny piece of stone, that tipped it under 423 carats

Enjoy browsing our range of sapphire jewelry, especially if you know someone with a birthday in September or a lucky couple with a 45th wedding anniversary approaching … and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions!