Quick Answer: While most people think of sapphires as blue, these stunning gemstones actually come in nearly every color of the rainbow—including pink, yellow, orange, green, purple, and even colorless varieties. The only color you won’t find in a natural sapphire is red (those are rubies!).
September babies, you’re in for a treat! Your birthstone is one of nature’s most versatile and durable gems, offering a rainbow of possibilities that go far beyond the classic blue most people imagine.
The Sapphire Color Spectrum: Nature’s Artistic Palette
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), sapphires belong to the corundum mineral family and get their spectacular array of colors from trace elements present during formation. Here’s what creates each beautiful hue:
- Blue Sapphires – The classic choice, colored by iron and titanium
- Pink Sapphires – Created by trace amounts of chromium\
- Yellow Sapphires – Formed by iron impurities
- Orange Sapphires – A combination of iron and chromium
- Green Sapphires – Iron creates these earthy beauties
- Purple Sapphires – Chromium and iron working together
- White/Colorless Sapphires – Pure corundum without color-causing elements
One of our favorite varieties is the padparadscha sapphire—a rare and coveted orange-pink stone whose name means “lotus blossom” in Sinhalese. These gems capture the warm glow of a sunset and represent the perfect marriage of two beautiful colors.
The Rich History and Meaning of Sapphires (According to GIA)
The GIA documents sapphires’ remarkable journey through human history, revealing why these gems have captured hearts for millennia. Ancient civilizations believed sapphires possessed divine favor and spiritual insight—the stone of wisdom and royalty. Persian rulers were convinced the earth rested on a giant sapphire, its reflection coloring the sky blue.
Throughout history, sapphires have adorned the most significant moments in royal families worldwide. The GIA notes that clergy in the Middle Ages wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while ancient Greeks associated them with Apollo’s favor.
Different colors carried distinct meanings: blue sapphires represented loyalty and truth, making them perfect for engagement rings, while pink sapphires symbolized love and emotional healing.
Perhaps most famously, Princess Diana’s iconic blue sapphire engagement ring—now worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales—demonstrates the stone’s enduring connection to lasting love and commitment. The GIA emphasizes that this tradition isn’t coincidental; sapphires’ exceptional durability makes them ideal symbols for relationships built to last generations. This historical significance, combined with their rainbow of colors, explains why modern couples increasingly choose colored sapphires for their most meaningful jewelry pieces.
Why Sapphires Are Perfect for Everyday Jewelry
Here’s something that makes us absolutely love working with sapphires: they rank 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them the second-hardest natural gemstone after diamonds. This incredible durability means your sapphire jewelry can handle whatever life throws at it.
This is why we do what we do—helping you find gemstones that aren’t just beautiful today, but will remain stunning heirlooms for generations. Whether you’re reaching for your morning coffee, typing at your desk, or celebrating life’s biggest moments, sapphires are built to be part of your story.
Sapphires for Life’s Most Meaningful Moments
Engagement Rings with Character
More couples are discovering the joy of colored sapphire engagement rings. Imagine proposing with a stunning pink sapphire that captures her unique spirit, or a deep blue stone that represents the depth of your love. Unlike trendy alternatives, natural sapphires offer genuine rarity and lasting value—not just jewelry, but heirlooms in the making.
Anniversary Gifts That Speak Volumes
Celebrating a milestone anniversary calls for something extraordinary. A sapphire pendant in her favorite color or elegant earrings featuring the stone that matches her birthstone shows thoughtfulness that goes beyond the ordinary. These pieces become part of your family’s heritage, carrying both beauty and meaning through the years.
The Fords Difference in Sapphire Selection
Part of our family since 1971, we’ve built relationships with trusted suppliers who share our commitment to quality and ethical sourcing. When you choose a sapphire with us, you’re not just getting a beautiful stone—you’re getting our 54 years of expertise in selecting gems that meet our exacting standards.
Understanding Sapphire Quality: What Makes Them Special
The GIA evaluates sapphires based on the same criteria we use in our showroom:
Caring for Your Sapphire Treasures
- Color – The most important factor. We look for rich, even saturation with good tone
- Clarity – Natural sapphires often have inclusions, but we select stones where these don’t impact beauty
- Cut – Proper proportions that maximize the stone’s natural brilliance
- Carat Weight – Size matters, but never at the expense of quality
Thanks to their exceptional hardness, sapphires require minimal special care. Regular cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft brush will keep them sparkling. For deeper cleaning or professional inspection, bring them to us—we love seeing the pieces we’ve helped create and ensuring they continue to look their best.
Why Natural Sapphires Matter
In today’s market, you’ll encounter lab-created alternatives, but there’s something irreplaceable about a natural sapphire formed deep in the earth over millions of years. Natural stones carry geological history, possess unique characteristics that make each one special, and maintain their value as genuine investments in beauty.
Your story becomes our story when you choose natural gemstones. Each sapphire we select has traveled an incredible journey from deep within the earth to become part of your most treasured moments.
Creating Your Sapphire Story
September is sapphire season, and whether you’re celebrating a September birthday, looking for the perfect anniversary gift, or simply drawn to the beauty of colored stones, we’re here to help you find exactly what speaks to your heart.
Heritage in every detail means taking time to understand not just what you want, but what will bring you joy for decades to come. We’ll walk you through our carefully curated selection, sharing the story behind each stone and helping you envision how it will become part of your family’s legacy.
Ready to discover the perfect sapphire? Visit us to explore our collection and experience the difference that comes from working with jewelers who truly understand these magnificent gems. This is why we do what we do—turning your dreams into treasures that last a lifetime.
Visit Fords Jewelers to explore our sapphire collection and discover why these colorful gems have captured hearts for generations.
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