When most people picture a sapphire, their minds snap instantly to the world’s most famous engagement ring: Princess Diana’s brilliant sapphire, which now belongs to Princess Kate. That giant blue rock makes headlines almost every time it’s seen and for good reason – it’s gorgeous! But sapphire lore doesn’t start and end on Kate Middleton’s left hand. Read on to find out more about this gorgeous birthstone.
Blue sapphires have long symbolized nobility, faithfulness, and truth, one reason why the color is frequently seen around royalty. This has been the case for centuries: ancient Greek kings wore sapphires to protect themselves from harm’s way. Other people wore sapphires to attract blessings from the gods, end wars, reveal secrets, and guard chastity. How’s that for a powerful gem?
While most sapphires are blue, like this gorgeous pendant, they can come in any color – except red. Why? Because red sapphires are actually rubies! Both rubies and sapphires are members of the corundum family. Non-blue sapphires are sometimes referred to as “fancy” sapphires. Each sapphire gets its brilliant color from traces of metals such as iron, chromium, or titanium. Different metals yield different colors, so this beautiful pink sapphire ring was exposed to different metals than a blue sapphire would have been.
Most sapphires are found in countries in the Pacific, with famous mines in Sri Lanka, Australia, and Kashmir. However, sapphires are also mined as close to home as Montana. Want to take a peek at a sapphire a little closer to home than that? Head up to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History to see the 423-carat Logan sapphire, one of the largest blue sapphires in the world. The Logan sapphire came from Sri Lanka and was given as an anniversary present. Time to step up your game, gentlemen!
This silver ring perfectly pairs sapphires with diamonds. The two gems play perfectly off each other and have special meaning in an engagement ring. While sapphires symbolize faithfulness, diamonds symbolize eternity. Could there be a more perfect message to send when you pop the question?
Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or you’re looking for a perfect pendant, bracelet, or pair of earrings, come by our Prince Frederick or Dunkirk stores to see what beautiful sapphires we have. They make a perfect gift for that special September birthday or for the shopper who loves a stone with folklore as rich as its color.