10+1 Fascinating Facts About Sapphires You Might Not Know

Oval Blue Sapphire Ring by LIKO Jewellery

Are you a lover of luxury, timeless elegance and exclusive gemstones? Then it’s time to dive deeper into the world of sapphires. Discover their mysteries, the wide range of colours they come in, their symbolism — and some little-known facts.

1. More than Blue

source: https://www.ceylons.de/blog-en/facts-about-sapphires

Though sapphire is most known for its iconic deep blue shade, it comes in nearly every colour: greenish-blue, pink, yellow, orange, teal, violet, and even colourless. Rare types include Padparadscha (a pink-orange hue) and cornflower blue.

2. Extremely Durable

With a score of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness — making it ideal for everyday jewellery like engagement rings.

3. The Stone of Royals

Sapphires have long symbolised power and nobility. One of the most famous sapphire pieces is Princess Diana’s engagement ring — now worn by Princess Kate.

4. What’s in the Name?

The word "sapphire" comes from Latin sapphirus and Greek sappheiros, meaning “blue”. Ancient cultures linked it with Saturn, wisdom, and truth.

5. Sri Lanka – The Gem Island

The island is one of the world’s oldest sapphire sources and is still revered as a top origin for high-quality sapphires.

6. Colour-Changing Sapphires

Some rare sapphires shift colour under different light — blue in daylight, violet in artificial light. This rare effect is called pleochroism.

7. Not Just for Jewellery

Sapphire is used in luxury watches, military-grade glass and optical instruments. It’s durable, but not completely unbreakable under extreme conditions.

8. Colour Meanings

• Blue: truth, loyalty, wisdom

• Pink: love, passion

• Yellow: optimism, vitality

• Green: harmony, renewal

9. Spiritual Qualities

Some believe sapphire enhances mental clarity, focus, and inner peace — and even deepens meditation.

10. The Largest Sapphire

The “Star of Adam” is the largest cut sapphire ever discovered — a 1404-carat star sapphire from Sri Lanka, worth over $100 million.

+1. Ethically Sourced

Ethical sourcing matters. I only work with sapphires from responsible mining practices — no harm to people or planet.

Want to explore the world of sapphires?
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