For instance, blue sapphires often have violet overtones and yellow sapphires usually have touches of green. Most of them have one dominant metal that gives them their primary colour and then one or more secondary metals that cause pleochroism or overtones of different colours. What is Pleochroism and How Does It Affects the Colour of Sapphires?Įvery sapphire has more than one trace metal in it. Rubies, like sapphires, are one of the four gemstones that are considered precious because of their beauty and value. The name ruby originated from the Latin word ruber which means red. Anytime that chromium infiltrates corundum and colours it red, the gem is no longer called a sapphire. Sapphires can be all of these beautiful colours, but they are never red. Most sapphires, though, come from Sri Lanka.

Sapphires are currently mined in many countries, including Pakistan, Madagascar, India, China, Columbia, Australia and the United States. These mines began to supply the demand for jewellery-grade sapphires. Some of the world’s first commercial sapphire mines were dug in Kashmir in 1880. In the 1800s, sapphires began to be recognized as precious gems that could be used in many types of jewellery. They used them to decorate pottery and sculptures, perform religious rituals and occasionally used larger sapphires to make axes and other tools. These ancient civilizations incorporated sapphires into many areas of their lives. They believed that these gems could connect them with heaven and their deities, as well as give them peace and protection from their enemies. Greeks, Romans and other ancient people mined, bought, and sometimes even stole sapphires and prized them highly. The History of Sapphires Begins Centuries Ago The secret to choosing a good-quality, beautiful sapphire is to understand their history and how they are formed, as well as to carefully consider the colour, clarity, and cut of each gemstone. Sapphires vary widely in their colour and quality. Sapphires are one of the 4 precious stones that are frequently used in engagement rings and other jewellery. These are just a few of the adjectives that can be used to describe sapphires.

Purple sapphire engagement rings