Sapphires are known as a stone of wisdom and royalty. They have been prized since 800 B.C., when rulers of Ancient Persia believed the sky was painted blue by their reflection. These blue colored gemstones once signified the height of celestial hope and faith to many religions, in part because it was thought the vibrant blue represented heaven.
The birthstone of September, Sapphires get their name from the Greek ‘sapherios’ meaning blue. In ancient Greece and Rome, royalty was convinced that Sapphires protected their owners from envy and harm. During the Middle Ages, the clergy wore Sapphires to symbolize heaven, while the common folk believed that the gemstone attracted good fortune, order and prosperity. Similarly, some also believe that the name comes from its association with Saturn.
Although many think of deep blue tones when Sapphires are mentioned, they come in a spectrum of colors from white, to orange and yellow. Scientifically, Sapphires and Rubies are essentially the same stone. Both gems originate from the mineral corundum, with the same chemical composition and the same mineral structure, which is why we’ve chosen to include them in this list.
