Sapphire Jewelry
Quick Facts: Sapphire
Mineral: Corundum
Hardness: 9/10 (Mohs scale)
Colors: Blue, pink, yellow, green, purple, orange, Padparadscha
Top Sources: Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Kashmir, Australia, Tanzania, Madagascar, USA
Birthstone: September
Anniversary: 5th and 45th
Fun Fact: Every color of corundum is a sapphire except red — that’s a ruby
Sapphires are fine gemstones used to create stunning pieces of custom jewelry. The deep blues of the rare sapphires from Kashmir evoke a sense of regency and extravagance. With the passion, creativity, and inspired craftsmanship of our designers, you can turn sapphire into a wearable treasure worthy of admiration.
Origins and Meaning of the Sapphire
Sapphire is a variety of corundum. It is most recognized for its rich, velvety blue. Its name originates from the Greek word sappheiros, likely referring to lapis lazuli, another mineral known for its blue color. Sapphire has traditionally represented nobility, faithfulness, and truth. It historically was worn by clergy and royalty.
In ancient Rome and Greece, sapphires were seen as protective tokens for kings and queens, safeguarding wearers from harm and envy. During the Middle Ages, clergy used sapphires to symbolize heaven. One of the most well-known sapphires is Princess Diana’s engagement ring that now belongs to Kate Middleton.
While sapphires are recognized for their blue color, other varieties exist. Sapphires come in every color, including pink, green, orange, purple, yellow, and particolored — a combination of multiple colors. Sapphires are never red: These qualify as rubies. High-end sapphires are most valued for their saturation rather than their color. If the color is highly saturated, the stone is highly regarded. Sapphires are found in many countries, including Sri Lanka, Australia, Tanzania, Myanmar, Madagascar, and the USA.
Unique Sapphire Jewelry From The Intrepid Wendell
With the rich history and symbolism of sapphire, this stone makes a remarkable addition to many pieces of jewelry. With many color options, sapphires appeal to a variety of styles. Sapphire engagement rings can evoke the royalty and adoration of Princess Diana, while sapphire necklaces and earrings can add striking color to any jewelry collection.
Sapphire Jewelry
Create a sapphire jewelry piece that wholeheartedly represents you or the one you love. When customizing jewelry, our designers take time to discover your vision and bring your piece to life. Blue sapphire is September’s birthstone, and the gem of the fifth and forty-fifth wedding anniversaries. Mark these special occasions — and many other milestones — with bespoke sapphire jewelry.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a sapphire valuable?
A sapphire’s value is determined primarily by its color saturation, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The most prized sapphires have a rich, velvety color with strong saturation — whether blue, pink, or another color. Origin also matters: sapphires from Kashmir, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka are historically the most sought-after. Our GIA-certified gemologists evaluate every sapphire we source to ensure exceptional quality.
Are sapphires good for engagement rings?
Sapphires are an excellent choice for engagement rings. They rank 9 on the Mohs hardness scale — second only to diamonds — making them extremely durable for everyday wear. They also come in virtually every color, from classic deep blue to pink, yellow, green, and the rare pinkish-orange Padparadscha. Sapphires have a long association with faithfulness and nobility, which is why royalty has favored them for centuries.
What colors do sapphires come in?
While sapphires are best known for their blue color, they actually come in nearly every color: pink, yellow, green, orange, purple, and even colorless. The only color a sapphire cannot be is red — red corundum is classified as ruby. Some sapphires display multiple colors at once (called parti-colored), and rare varieties like the Padparadscha show a delicate blend of pink and orange. The color comes from trace elements like iron, titanium, and chromium within the corundum crystal.
What is a Kashmir sapphire?
Kashmir sapphires are considered the finest sapphires in the world. They come from a single deposit in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, India, which was largely mined out by the early 1900s. What makes them special is a characteristic velvety blue color caused by microscopic inclusions that scatter light within the stone. Their extreme rarity and legendary color make them some of the most valuable gemstones on earth.
How does The Intrepid Wendell source its sapphires?
We source sapphires globally from locations including Sri Lanka, Australia, Tanzania, Myanmar, Madagascar, and the United States. Our founder, Daniel Boettcher, is a GIA Graduate Gemologist who has traveled to over 100 countries. Every sapphire is tested and verified by our in-house GIA-certified gemologists before it’s selected for a bespoke piece.
Begin the Design Process
From bright pinks and yellows to deep blues and purples, sapphire exemplifies versatility and magnificence. We source our sapphires globally to bring this elegance to your next custom piece. Explore the many ways a sapphire can transform your bespoke jewelry. Get in touch with our team to begin designing.
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