The Cool Facts and Figures of the Precious Gemstone Sapphire

The luminous blue sapphire emerges as September's birthstone when summer fades into fall. This precious gem has captivated humanity for centuries with its sparkling mystique. But what exactly makes sapphires so unique? 

What's in a Name?

The word "sapphire" traces back to the Latin term for blue - "sapphirus." Fittingly, blue is the most coveted sapphire hue. But sapphires span the rainbow, naturally occurring in vibrant yellow, purple, orange, and green.

Red sapphires are dubbed "rubies." Pinkish sapphires fall into a gray area. Gemologists may classify them as either ruby or sapphire.

Hardest of the Hard

On the Mohs hardness scale, diamonds rate a 10, and sapphires score a 9. That makes sapphires the 3rd hardest mineral in the world, just behind diamonds and moissanite.

This incredible durability gives sapphire jewelry unparalleled resilience. Sapphire rings can withstand everyday wear for decades.

Crystal Chemistry

Sapphires contain aluminum oxide and traces of titanium, iron, chromium, magnesium, or vanadium. This unique chemical composition is responsible for sapphire's brilliant colors and super strength.

Interestingly, sapphires form the same mineral as rubies - corundum. Ruby is just corundum's red variety.

Mined and Created

Most jewelry-grade sapphires are mined from underground deposits, then cut and polished to enhance their beauty. Notable sapphire sources include Australia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania.

But you can also "grow" sapphires! Flame fusion and hydrothermal processes create lab-grown stones identical to natural ones. Synthetics lower costs and increase supply.

The Blue Giant

The Blue Giant of the Orient is the world's largest blue sapphire, at 2,395 carats. Discovered in Sri Lanka in 1907, it weighs an incredible 478 grams!

The rare 15-carat Black Star of Queensland exhibits an effect called asterism. A six-pointed star appears to float across the surface.

Sapphires of History

For centuries, sapphires symbolized power, protection, and prophecy:

• Ancient Persians believed the sky was a giant blue sapphire.

• Medieval clergy wore sapphires as talismans of heavenly favor.

• European royals favored sapphires in ornate brooches and rings.

• Buddhists thought sapphires brought inner peace and focus.

Princess Di's iconic engagement ring featured a stunning 12-carat Ceylon sapphire.

Cut, Carat, Color, Clarity

Use the 4Cs to evaluate sapphires, just like diamonds:

·         Cut: Well-cut stones reflect more light. Common stone cuts include oval, round, and cushion.

·         Carat: Sapphires range from under 1 carat to over 1,000! Large, flawless stones are the most prized.

·         Color: Blue is the most desirable, but fancy colors like pink and yellow have devotees.

·         Clarity: Inclusions affect clarity. Lower clarity may not diminish beauty.

Jubilee Gem

Sapphires mark significant wedding milestones. A sapphire jubilee occurs after 65 years of marriage.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip celebrated their blue sapphire jubilee in 2017 after six decades of marriage.

Sapphire Care

Sapphires rank high on the durability scale. But take basic precautions to keep them sparkling:

• Avoid harsh blows that may chip stones.

• Clean in warm water with a mild soap and a soft brush.

• Store sapphires separately to prevent scratches.

• Avoid exposure to heat and chemicals like chlorine.