Why Are Sapphires Blue

Sapphires are described by their colors blue green and yellow with the most sought after color being cornflower blue.

Why are sapphires 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. When gemstones are colored by impurities we refer to this is allochromatic. Parti sapphires show two or more colors. Technically sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum a form of aluminum oxide.

It may surprise you to know that sapphires are blue because of impurities that are elemental. The intense blue of the sapphire is caused by the addition of titanium and iron to the mineral corundum. Blue sapphire is called the nilam or neelam stone which attracts the power of saturn. 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.

Blue sapphire is one of the navaratan nine sacred gems. Color has the greatest influence on a sapphire s value and preferred sapphires have strong to vivid color saturation. Although it is typically blue it can also be found in all colors except red. There truly is a different color of sapphire to suit anyone s taste.

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. Sapphires are the most valuable and rarest blue colored natural gemstones. The color is very stable even when exposed to light and heat. Each gem represents a planet.

Blue sapphire must be worn on saturday as it is the day of shani or saturn. Blue sapphires are without a doubt the most popular and well known color of sapphire. 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.