Sapphire

Sapphire is the gem variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide) in every colour except red, which is ruby. Most people think of sapphire as blue, and the classic colour, caused by traces of iron and titanium, ranges from pale cornflower to deep royal and inky blue. Sapphire is very hard (9 on the Mohs scale) and tough, making it one of the most durable gemstones.

Sapphire at a glance

Sapphires also occur in pink, yellow, orange, green, purple, violet, white (colourless), brown and black; these are known as "fancy" sapphires. The rarest is padparadscha, a delicate pinkish-orange named after the Sinhalese word for the lotus flower. Parti sapphires show two or more colours in one stone, and colour-change sapphires appear blue in daylight and purple in artificial light. Fine needle inclusions of rutile ("silk") can produce a six-rayed star when cut as a cabochon (star sapphire).

The name comes from the Greek "sappheiros", which may originally have referred to lapis lazuli. Historically, the finest blue sapphires came from Kashmir in India, with Sri Lanka and Myanmar also famous for centuries. Today Madagascar is a major source, along with Sri Lanka, Australia, Thailand, Myanmar, Tanzania, Nigeria and the USA (Montana).

Most sapphires are heat-treated to improve their colour and clarity, which is standard and accepted. Some are treated by diffusion with beryllium or titanium to add colour, which should be disclosed. Synthetic sapphire has been made since the early 1900s and is used in watch crystals and electronics as well as jewellery. Sapphire beads are usually opaque or translucent material, often in mixed colours.

Caring for sapphire

Sapphire is very hard (9 on the Mohs scale) and tough, ideal for everyday jewellery. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are usually safe for untreated or heat-treated stones, but avoid them for fracture-filled, dyed or diffusion-treated sapphires, and for star sapphires. Store sapphire separately, as it can scratch softer gems.

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In folklore

The beliefs below are traditional folklore, included for interest. They are not scientifically proven, and nothing here is medical advice.

In ancient Persia it was believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire whose reflection made the sky blue. Sapphires were worn by kings and priests as a symbol of wisdom and heaven, and in the 12th century Pope Innocent III decreed that bishops' rings be set with sapphires. Medieval people believed sapphire protected against envy, poison and evil, and Mary, Queen of Scots, owned a sapphire she believed would heal her eyes. Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the traditional gift for 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries. It is associated with the zodiac signs Virgo, Libra and Taurus.

Sapphire is traditionally regarded as a stone of wisdom, truth and spiritual insight. Crystal healing lore holds that it calms the mind, brings mental clarity and focus, and encourages loyalty and integrity. Blue sapphire is associated with the throat and third eye chakras, while other colours are given their own meanings, such as yellow sapphire for prosperity and pink sapphire for love.

Related stones

Ruby, padparadscha, star sapphire, parti sapphire and colour-change sapphire. Stones that can look similar include tanzanite, iolite, blue spinel, kyanite, blue topaz, blue tourmaline (indicolite), benitoite, glass and synthetic sapphire.

For the technically minded

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