Gem Geek: 5 things about Sapphires

Trendy, prestigious and widely sought after even by Royals. The Sapphire gemstone needs little introduction.

A Sapphire Ring is the perfect engagement ring, a beautiful celebratory gift for a September birthday, or simply a milestone present. We introduce 5 facts about this well loved gemstone.

1. Colours of the rainbow

Sapphire is from the Corundum species. Many don’t know that Corundum is found in a variety of colours such as red, blue, yellow, pink, green, etc. Gemstone-quality corundum of all colours except red are called Sapphires. Red corundum is named Ruby.

2. A Sapphire’s colour boils down to its chemistry!

What causes a sapphire colour? Its colour is due to its chemical compositions when forming in the earth. For example, blue sapphire’s colouring agents are iron and titanium, while a small iron content results in fancy yellow and green undertones. Did you just have a flash back to chemistry class?

3. Classic blues will always remain in style

Blue is the most prestigious and well known colour of sapphires.

It is widely acclaimed and loved by women through the ages.

A blue sapphire’s colour varies depending on its quality and source. Some of the most valuable and desired blue sapphires in the world come from Kashmir, India The mines yield sapphires of a rare deep cornflower-blue often with a silky sheen. Cornflower blue is completely blue and not purple or violet, which makes it very rare.

Sri Lanka is another famous location for sapphires. Beautiful sapphires have been mined on the teardrop-shaped island since antiquity. Ceylon blue sapphires are known for their dreamy blue hues with a tinge of violet.

4. The Padparadscha is a gorgeous alternative

A famous variety is an orange/pink hue called Padparadscha, which means lotus flower in Singhalese. This beautiful colour brings to mind beautiful summer days and sunsets.

Padparadscha is the rarest of sapphires. Unheated stones of fine quality command a high premium for its rarity and beauty. Princess Eugenie and her gorgeous padparadscha engagement ring! While stones of a similar colour are mined in Africa today, purists insist that only those mined in Sri Lanka can hold the coveted padparadscha name.

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