Welcome to SuchenGems!

Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide), typically blue but also found in various colors, excluding red which is classified as a ruby.

Here's a more detailed description:

Mineral Composition:

Sapphires are made of aluminum oxide (Al2O3) with trace amounts of elements like iron, titanium, cobalt, chromium, vanadium, magnesium, boron, and silicon, which contribute to their color.

Color:

While the most well-known sapphire is blue, they can occur in a wide range of colors, including yellow, purple, orange, green, and even colorless.

Hardness:

Sapphires are exceptionally hard, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale, making them second only to diamonds in durability.

Etymology:

The name "sapphire" comes from the Latin word sapphirus and the Greek word sappheiros, both referring to a blue stone.

Fancy Sapphires:

Sapphires that are not blue are often referred to as "fancy sapphires".