Sapphire

Sapphires are one of the "precious" gemstones, and are the September birthstone.  A member of the corundum family, Sapphires are usually found in hues of blue, but can be found in other colors as well. The most valuable Sapphires have a clear, deep-blue appearance.  Some of the best quality Sapphires are found in Myanmar, India and Sri Lanka.  Sapphires from Australia, Thailand and Nigeria are often a very dark blue, sometimes almost appearing black.

Color variations of Sapphire are due to differences of the titanium and iron content within the particular gemstones.  Pink Sapphires owe their color to very small amounts of chromium.  Yellow sapphires were once called "oriental topaz" and can be quite stunning in appearance.  Green Sapphires used to be called "oriental peridot up to about the 19th century. 

Heat treatments from about 3100 to 3300 degrees Fahrenheit (1700  to 1800 degrees Celsius) can change some cloudy specimens to a permanent bright blue color.  The two gemstones above were created in the laboratory, but show how beautiful these gemstones can appear in their very best form.

STATS:
Color: Various tones of blue, pink, orange, green, yellow, purple, black and colorless
Mohs' Hardness Scale:  9
Density:   3.95 to 4.03
Transparency:  Transparent to opaque