Sapphire

Sapphire  All gem quality corondum that is not red is called sapphire, yet most sapphires are assosiated with colour blue. Variation in color of sapphire is due to the content of iron and titanium impurities in them. this magnificent gemstone also comes in many other colours: not only in the transparent greyish-blue of a distant horizon but also in the gloriously colourful play of light in a sunset – in yellow, pink, orange and purple The most valuable color is though clear deep blue. Blue is also the favourite colour of some 50 per cent of all people. Some sapphires exhibit different shades of blue in natural and artificial light. The sapphire belongs to the corundum group, the members of which are characterized by their excellent hardness (9 on the Mohs scale).  Their value depends on their size, colour and transparency. With stones of very fine quality,these are, however, not the only main criteria, the origin of the gem also playing a major role. Neither is the colour itself necessarily a function of the geographical origin of a sapphire, which explains the great differences in price between the various qualities. Gem qualitysapphire is found in India, Burma and Sri Lanka. The oldest sapphire finds are in Ceylon, or Sri Lanka as it is known today. There, people were already digging for gemstones in ancient times. The specialist recognises Ceylon sapphires by the luminosity of their light to mid-blue colours. Having said that, most blue sapphires come either from Australia or from Thailand. The sapphire symbolises loyalty, but at the same time it gives expression to people's love and longing. That is one of the reasons why women in many countries wish for a sapphire ring on their engagement. Star sapphire, a kind of sapphire, creates a six rayed star effect on its surface due to rutile inclusions.

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