Welcome to SuchenGems

Sapphires are a type of gemstone that are part of the corundum mineral family and can be found in many colors:

• Color

  Sapphires can be blue, indigo, colorless, gray, yellow, pale pink, orange, green, violet, and brown. The most sought-after color is a medium-deep cornflower blue. Sapphires that are not blue are called "fancies".

• Composition

  Sapphires are made of corundum, an aluminum oxide mineral, and trace amounts of elements like iron, titanium, cobalt, boron, or silicon.

• Hardness

  Sapphires are a natural substance with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, which is second only to diamonds, which are rated at 10. This means that only boron nitride or diamond can scratch a sapphire.

• Uses

  Sapphires are a popular choice for jewelry, including engagement rings and earrings.

• Treatment

  Sapphires can be treated with heat and chemicals to change their color through a process called lattice diffusion. The added color can be shallow or go all the way through the stone.

• History

  Sapphires have been valued since around 800 BC. Kashmir sapphires, which were found in India in the late 1800s, are particularly sought-after and can be 10 times more expensive than a comparable blue sapphire from another country.