Sapphire is a precious gemstone known for its striking blue color, although it can also occur in a wide range of colors, including pink, yellow, green, and even colorless. The blue variety is the most famous and highly valued, often symbolizing wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. Sapphires belong to the corundum family, which also includes rubies; the difference between them is that rubies are red due to chromium, while sapphires get their various colors from trace elements such as iron and titanium.

Sapphire is highly prized for its hardness, scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale, which makes it one of the hardest gemstones, second only to diamonds. This durability makes it an excellent choice for jewelry, including engagement rings and royal crowns, as it is resistant to scratching and damage.

The most valuable sapphires typically feature rich, vibrant blue hues, though color variations such as yellow, green, and even pink sapphires are also sought after. Sapphires are mainly found in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Australia, although other countries also produce them.

Sapphires are often associated with qualities like wisdom, protection, and good fortune.