Sapphire Jewelry

Sapphire comes in every color except red (ruby). Blue is the most common color for sapphire. White sapphire is occassionally used as a diamond substitute. Sapphire engagement rings are given to express the commitment and loyalty of their heart.

Sapphire Care & Where

All gem quality corundum that are not red is called sapphire such as blue, orange, yellow, violet, green, white and pink. Unless a color is stated, sapphire is assumed to be blue. Some sapphires (color change sapphires) will change between blue and violet depending on the light. Sapphire has a hardenss of 9.

There is high quality synthetic sapphire on the market.

Generally, sapphire is quite durable. Still, sapphires are subject to chipping and fracture is handled roughly.

Reputable dealers will not use the following misleading terms. However, for your protection, I am listing them here:
"Brazilian sapphire" is really blue topaz or similar color tourmaline.
"Lux sapphire", "Lynx sapphire" and "Water Sapphire" are really Iolite.

Good quality sapphire is found in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and India. The Montana mines in the USA have produced some beautiful cornflower blue sapphires. Darker colored sapphire is mined in Thailand, Australia, and Nigeria. Other mines are in Brazil, Cambodia, Columbia, Kenya, and Malawi.

See a Sapphire Mine in action - go on a fun getaway to Montana, look at the mine & go home with some Sapphire gravel you can sift through in hopes of finding your own sapphire... email: gems@bitterroot.net for details.

Sapphire Themed Books
Actual Gem-related books:

Ruby and Sapphire Buying Guide: How to Spot Value & Ripoffs - by Renee Newman Practical Hints on buying Sapphires

Yogo: The Great American Sapphire - by Stephen M. Voynick Americana-rich story of Montana's Yogo Gulch sapphire mine.

Rubies and Sapphires (Fred Ward Gem Series) - by Fred Ward, Charlotte Ward How to buy Rubies and Sapphires.

Standard Catalog of Gem Values - by Anna M. Miller, John Sinkankas (Contributor) General book on gemstones.

Fun Books with Sapphire in title:

Sapphire Rose - by David Eddings Fun, well written, fantasy novel

Of Sapphire Dreams - by Elizabeth Ann Michaels Romance novel

Birthstone Months with Sapphire

• April Birthstone: Other Birthstone [White Sapphire]
  


• May Birthstone: Mystical Birthstone
  


• August Birthstone: Ayurvedic Birthstone
  


• September Birthstone: Modern/Traditional Birthstone
  


• Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20): Birthstone
  


• Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Birthstone/Lucky Charm
  


• Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Birthstone
  


• Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22): Planetary Stone
  


• Sagittarius: (Nov 22-Dec 21): Birthstone

Mystical Properties

Though not meant to replace traditional medical treatment, Sapphire is used for clear thinking.

Sapphire Lore

Kings used to wear sapphire around their necks as a powerful defense against harm.

The stone preserved the wearer from envy and attracted divine favor.

Sapphire represents truth, sincerity and consistency.

Sapphire engagement rings are given to express the commitment and loyalty of their heart.

Prince Charles chose a blue sapphire for Princess Diana's engagement ring.

The three-ray, six-point star effect seen in some cabochan sapphires happen when rutile inclusions are present.

The star on the sapphire moves on the stone as the light from a single source moves.