Sapphire is the gem variety of the mineral corundum. It is and extremely hard and durable gemstone, second only to diamonds on the Moh's hardness scale. Sapphires are available in virtually all colors.

Sapphire, a hard and clear gem, is a variety of the mineral corundum. The best-known sapphires are blue. Their colour results from small amounts of iron and titanium in the stone. Sapphires are also found in many other colours, including yellow, green, white, black, violet, and orange. Nonblue sapphires are called fancy sapphires. The red variety of corundum is known as a ruby. The most valuable sapphires once came from Kashmir, in India. They are a magnificent cornflower blue. Today, Thailand is the most important source of blue sapphires.

Blue Sapphires are the most valuable, followed by Pink and Padparadscha Sapphires. Pink Sapphires over one carat are very rare and valuable. Pink Sapphires are typically heated to enhance color. The treatment is stable and permanent. Sapphires from Sri-Lanka (Ceylon), Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), Vietnam, Madagascar and Africa.Blue and fancy sapphires are also found in Burma, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the state of Montana in the United States.

Sapphires have been valued as jewels throughout history, adorning Kings and Queens and the affluent through time. I wiil give more Information next time.