Fun fact: rubies are actually just red corundum - the name 'ruby' just refers to its red color. Any sapphires that aren't red, blue, or colorless, are known as fancy sapphires. Keep reading for how every color of sapphire came to be:

Blue sapphires get their bright blue hue from trace amounts of titanium and iron mixed into the corundum. The most popular sapphire color, blue sapphires come in every hue of blue from the lightest sky blue to the deepest night sky blue.

Pink sapphires are born because of small amounts of chromium. Maybe our favorite of the fancy sapphires.

Yellow sapphires get their golden warm hue from small amounts of iron.

Orange sapphires are created from a mixture of iron and chromium.

Padparadscha sapphiresare pinkish-orange sunset-inspired sapphires made of a just-right mix of chromium and iron.

Purple sapphires come from a combination of chromium, iron, and titanium.

Green sapphires in shades from teal to yellowish green are created with varying levels of iron and titanium.

White sapphires or colorless sapphires are pure corundum without any impurities. They look colorless and can almost be mistaken for a diamond.

Rubies while not technically considered a sapphire, rubies are chemically identical to sapphires. Trace amounts of chromium create that ruby red hue.

For more on the colors of sapphires - see thisblog!

Teal geo cut sapphire ring

Teal radiant cut sapphire ring

Why We Love Sapphires

SAPPHIRES COME EVERY COLOR OF THE RAINBOW

When most people think sapphire, that Princess Di, heart-of-the-ocean royal blue sapphire color comes to mind. But as you can see, the blue sapphire is just the beginning - sapphires run the range of the rainbow – blue, purple, green, yellow, orange, purple, grey, black, brown, and even clear. The only color you won't find in a sapphire is red – a red corundum is considered a ruby.

SAPPHIRES ARE DURABLE ENOUGH FOR EVERDAY WEAR

Sapphires are rated a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale – the hardest of all colored gemstones (only diamonds are harder). The high rating means they're extremely durable and not easily scratched or chipped. The fact that they're durable enough for constant everyday wear makes them a fabulous alternative engagement ring stone!

Of course, regardless of hardness, we always recommend taking off your sapphire rings at night and during strenuous or abrasive activities. For more on caring for your fine jewels, read our blog.

WHITE SAPPHIRES ARE A LESS EXPENSIVE DIAMOND ALTERNATIVE  

More and more, white sapphires are being used in place of diamonds. They can be a gorgeous, unique, and less expensive alternative for the gem gal that craves something different and distinctive.

The difference: diamonds have more brilliance than sapphires. Why? On the refractive index (which measures brilliance), diamonds score a 2.42, whereas sapphires score lower at a 1.77.

Basically, a high score on the refractive index means that the gem is more effective at sending light (and sparkle) back to the observer. Lower values mean that more light will pass through the stone and escape out the backside, creating less sparkle.

Unlike diamonds which are revered for their disco-ball sparkle effect, white sapphires are beloved for their subtler, lit-by-candlelight feel. Even more romantic and unique is a rose cut white sapphire which has domed rose-like facets like the diamonds of old.

Also, many people are looking for a more ethical, sustainable alternative to diamonds, and white sapphires are a close lookalike with a much more transparent sourcing process and less environmental impact.

How to Choose Your Sapphire

SAPPHIRE COLOR

Color is the most important quality factor for a sapphire. The most important of the sapphire quality factors is color. Sapphires and all colored gemstones are evaluated for color using 3 different attributes - hue, tone, and saturation:

Sapphire hue

"Hue" is the actual color of the sapphire - whether blue, purple, green, pink, or any other color. Sapphires come in a full rainbow of hues. Velvet blue sapphire to violet blue sapphires are the most coveted hues, but every sapphire color has its own irresistible appeal.

sapphire Saturation

The most important factor for judging sapphire color, saturation measures how rich and vivid the color is. The highest quality sapphires are deeply saturated and vibrant, and less expensive sapphires are more subdued, almost faded looking. The easiest way to understand saturation: think about a shirt that starts off with a vivid blue color vs that same dress after 30 washes.

Blue bi-color emerald cut sapphire ring

SAPPHIRE CUT

Unlike diamonds, there's no standard cut or proportions to maximize every sapphire's sparkle. Instead, each sapphire is custom cut to showcase its unique blend of color, brilliance, and clarity. Darker stones are often cut shallower to brighten the color, and lighter stones may be cut deeper to create extra dimension and intensity.

So, what do you look for? A well-cut sapphire will have symmetrical facets with angles that enhance its sparkle. The topmost facet should be centered so the gem looks even from every angle. When the gem is tilted and spun, it should give off bright flashes of color with no dull spots.

SAPPHIRE CARAT

Remember, ‘carat weight' refers to the rather than size of a stone. Sapphires are a bit heavier than diamonds, so usually a one carat sapphire will look slightly smaller than a one carat diamond. A one carat round sapphire measures around 6mm, whereas a one carat round brilliant diamond is about 6.5 mm across.

So, if you're looking for a certain amount of finger coverage in your sapphire ring, look for the mm measurement rather than the carat weight!

Treatment of Sapphires

HEAT TREATMENT OF SAPPHIRES

Most natural sapphires have been heat-treated (heated at extremely high temperatures) to intensify their color, remove color-zoning, and improve their clarity. This can be mechanized for large-scale sapphire productions, or as simple (when it was discovered hundreds of year ago) as holding a sapphire to a fire to improve its appearance.

In fact, when shopping, you can assume all natural sapphires have been heat-treated unless they're specifically called out as 'unheated'.

Heat treatments are very common in gemstones and nothing to be concerned about as it is generally accepted safe practice.

Why? Only about 1% of all sapphires found are of gem quality without heat treatment.

If we only used the 1% of natural sapphires that were naturally of gem-quality, 99% of the gems mined would be discarded. That would not be nearly enough to meet the World's demand. Not to mention, that would be an incredible waste of Earth's precious resources.

So, while gem collectors love the untouched, natural beauty of an unheated sapphire, we also celebrate this natural treatment that allows more gems to be loved and worn.

Read our definitive guide to Heated and Untreated Sapphires to learn more.

Unheated Pink Sapphire Ring (Sold - reach out to commission something similar)

Sapphire Symbolism

We can all agree that all colors of sapphire are mesmerizingly magical, but what about their metaphysical meaning? Each color has its own unique energy:

Blue Sapphire helps shine a light on the deepest, highest truth for you and gives you the confidence and clarity to express it. Blue sapphires help you be more fully yourself.

Green Sapphires inspire a new level of understanding and compassion for others, deepening the connections in your life. Opt for green sapphires if you're looking for most meaningful relationships.

Pink Sapphire brings the wisdom of acceptance, forgiveness, and release. It helps us accept and let go of the past, freeing us from past emotions and stories.

White Sapphire or Colorless Sapphire gives us the fortitude to overcome obstacles in our life. It's the gift of clarity, of a greater intelligence to guide us through difficult times.

Purple Sapphire brings the deepest kind of wisdom – it helps us see our oneness with all others, gifting us the peace that comes with connection.        

Orange Sapphireslike their sunny color, connect us with joy, wonder, and connection. They're the stone of happiness and togetherness.

Yellow Sapphiressymbolize abundance and good fortune. They're known as "wisdom" stone and help protect the wearer from negativity and harm.

For more on the meanings behind all your favorite gemstones, read our blog!

Natural SAPPHIRE vs Synthetic SAPPHIRES

In shopping around, you'll find a mixture of natural and lab-created sapphires. So, what's the difference? Natural sapphires are mined from the earth while man-made stones are grown in a lab.

Synthetic sapphires are much less valuable and come with a lower price tag.

If it's in your budget, definitely invest in natural sapphires – they're a magical piece of the earth's history that will hold its value.

UNCONVENTIONAL and rare TYPES OF SAPPHIRES

opALESCENT SAPPHIRES

What are opalescent sapphires? More opaque than translucent, opalescent sapphires are the unicorns of sapphires - filled with silky, ethereal threads of opalescence. The simple definition: a sapphire that exhibits the qualities of an opal - aka that iridescent look! Found in every color of the rainbow, their hazy inclusions create a cosmic, iridescent glow. We call them jellybeans for their milky, candy-like color and extremely extra personality.

WHAT CAUSES SAPPHIRE OPALESCENCE?

Opalescence is caused by microscopic particles (smaller than the wavelength of light) which interact with different colors of light. Red/orange light has long wavelengths and so isn't very affected by the tiny particles in a stone. Blue light, on the other hand, has the smallest wavelengths, and is more affected by these microscopic particles - bouncing off them in random directions. This bouncing of light is what creates the glowy, opalescent look, and is why opalescent gemstones often glow blueish. and

Purple emerald cut sapphire ring with baguette diamond sides

COLOR-SHIFTING SAPPHIRES?

What are color shifting sapphires? Remember the mood rings from the 90s? Color shifting sapphires are mood rings - but fine jewelry edition. Rare to find but drop-dead gorgeous to behold, color-change sapphires shift shades in different light conditions. The color shift can range from a different shade of the same color to a completely different color altogether! You'll see the change most when you move from fluorescent light to incandescent light and vice versa. It's like two stones in one, and who doesn't love that?

The stronger the color change, the more rare and valuable the gem.

BI-COLOR SAPPHIRES

Bi-color sapphires (or parti sapphires) have two distinct colors visible at all times. The two colors can be dramatically different or just a slight variation in hues – almost an Ombré effect! Unlike a color-shifting sapphire, the tones don't change in different light. You'll never find two identical bi-color sapphires - every stone is a one-of-a-kind creation of nature.

When you see a bi-color sapphire, you know you have something special, because the effect cannot be recreated in a lab

MONTANA SAPPHIRES

Some of our favorite sapphires come from Montana in both Rock Creek and the Missouri River. We love them both for their incredible array of colors and transparent, responsible mining practices. Whether you're looking for a Montana sapphire engagement ring or a treat-yourself Montana sapphire ring, keep reading to learn all you need to know!

Browse our buffet of loose Montana sapphires here or shop our selection of one-of-a-kind Montana sapphire rings here!

WHAT ARE MONTANA SAPPHIRES?

Montana Sapphires are sapphires mined in Montana, mostly in deposits near Rock Creek, Cottonwood Creek, Yogo Gulch, and the Missouri River. They're a stunning and ethical sapphire choice that we can't get enough of.  

WHAT IS SO SPECIAL ABOUT A MONTANA SAPPHIRE?

Montana sapphires are known for their lighter tones and huge variety of colors. They've become famous for the much-coveted teal sapphire, their mesmerizing bi-color stones, and color change sapphires. A Montana sapphire ring stands out from the crowd - its unique hue is noticeably distinctive vs say a sapphire a from Sri Lanka.

Montana is also one of our top choices for ethical, responsibly sourced sapphires - their mines have very stringent health & safety standards and environmental regulations and its considered to be one of the most traceable sapphire sources in the world. Read more about how we source ethical sapphires from Montana, Sri Lanka, Australia, and all over the world in our blog post.

ARE MONTANA SAPPHIRES WORTH ANYTHING?

Yes! Montana sapphires are one of the most valuable sapphires on the planet thanks to their rarity and ethical sourcing standards.

IS A MONTANA SAPPHIRE A REAL SAPPHIRE?

1. Yes! "Montana sapphire" just refers to natural sapphires that were mined in Montana.

WHAT MAKES MONTANA SAPPHIRES DIFFERENT?

Montana sapphires come in unique colors that aren't often found in other parts of the world. They come in almost every color of the rainbow - from the lighest pastel to the deepest, most vibrant hue. They're also prized for their responsible and transparent mining practices. Montana produces most of the sapphires in the US.