Sapphire

Most commonly known for its shades of celestial blue, sapphire actually comes in almost every color but red, which is exclusive to its sister ruby in the corundum family. Next to diamond, sapphire is the second hardest gemstone, ideal for all type of jewelry, especially rings.

September’s birthstone, sapphire is also the preferred gift for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries. Sapphire is a popular gemstone choice for brides who want something other than a traditional diamond.

Fans of sapphire include Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana, Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow and Debra Messing.

Although the name is derived from the Latin word for blue sapphires, sapphire is actually available in yellow, orange, pink, purple and green, as well as colorless and black. The purer the color of a natural sapphire, the greater the price it can command. Better quality sapphires are usually free of inclusions, and sapphires over 2 carats are more rare. Another value factor is origin, with the most valuable gemstones originating from Kashmir, Ceylon, Burma and Sri Lanka.