Why Are Sapphires Blue
Both rubies and sapphires are from the mineral corundum which is transparent but the sapphire goes through a different developmental process within the earth s crust.
Why are sapphires blue. The intense blue of the sapphire is caused by the addition of titanium and iron to the mineral corundum. They are a highly desirable gemstone due to their beautiful royal blue color hardness second only to diamonds durability and luster sparkle from light performance within the gemstone. Technically sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum a form of aluminum oxide. Parti sapphires show two or more colors.
Sapphire is a precious gemstone a variety of the mineral corundum consisting of aluminum oxide α al 2 o 3 with trace amounts of elements such as iron titanium chromium vanadium or magnesium it is typically blue but natural fancy sapphires also occur in yellow purple orange and green colors. There truly is a different color of sapphire to suit anyone s taste. Each gem represents a planet. It may surprise you to know that sapphires are blue because of impurities that are elemental.
Sapphires are described by their colors blue green and yellow with the most sought after color being cornflower blue. The word sapphire comes from the greek word sappheiros meaning blue color it is one of the four precious gemstones along with diamond ruby and the emerald. In this overview of blue sapphires with updates on latest trends see what gives them their coloring the most sought after blue hues for engagement rings and where they are found before being cut as a gemstone. The most valued blue sapphires are velvety blue to violetish blue in medium to medium dark tones.
Although it is typically blue it can also be found in all colors except red. When gemstones are colored by impurities we refer to this is allochromatic. Blue sapphire is one of the navaratan nine sacred gems. Sapphires are the most valuable and rarest blue colored natural gemstones.
Blue sapphire must be worn on saturday as it is the day of shani or saturn. Color has the greatest influence on a sapphire s value and preferred sapphires have strong to vivid color saturation. The color is very stable even when exposed to light and heat.