Sapphire is a precious gemstone, typically characterized by its rich blue color, though it can occur in a variety of colors, including pink, yellow, green, and even colorless. The blue variety is the most iconic and sought after, often associated with royalty and wisdom. Sapphires belong to the corundum family, which also includes rubies; the difference between the two is that rubies are red due to the presence of chromium, while sapphires have other trace elements such as iron and titanium.

The stone is known for its durability, scoring 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the hardest gemstones. Historically, sapphires have been used in jewelry, especially in engagement rings and crowns, and they are also considered symbols of purity, wisdom, and nobility.

Sapphires are primarily found in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Australia, although they can also be sourced from other parts of the world. The gemstone’s clarity, color, and size are significant factors in determining its value, with deep blue sapphires often fetching the highest prices.