Origin
Corundum is born where pressure and temperature make no concessions: in rocks rich in aluminum and almost devoid of silica. That’s where nature begins its work, crystal by crystal.
My favorite origins? Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Australia, Montana (USA), not to mention Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. Each land leaves its unique imprint on the Gem: a particular shade of blue, a warmer undertone, a stronger or softer character.
They’re like geological passports: telling the story of where they came from and, sometimes, the journey that brought them to you.
History
“Sapphirus, qui in se caelum gerit.” (Sapphire, which carries the sky within itself.) – Isidore of Seville, Etymologiae
Rubies and Sapphires are among the most ancient and desired Gems of all time. For centuries they have adorned kings, queens, popes, and spiritual leaders. They were believed to protect the wearer from danger, envy, and disease, while attracting divine favor.
In the Middle Ages, clergy wore blue Sapphires to symbolize Heaven. Throughout history they have stood for strength, passion, and protection. And guess what? They’ve never gone out of style. And they never will.
Technical characteristics
With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, Corundum ranks among the most resilient of all Gems: resistant to scratches, unfading, and unyielding.
Perfect for everyday wear without fear.
The finest specimens are recognized by the purity and intensity of their color: the velvety blue of Kashmir Sapphires or the unique pink-orange of Padparadscha stand among the rarest and most valuable shades.
Variety
Technically, “sapphire” refers only to blue corundum. But in common language, the term is also used for its pink, yellow, green, violet, and orange varieties.
The only exception is red: that is Ruby — same family, same mineral, but with a character entirely its own.
- Blue Sapphire: From light to deep velvety blues, the most famous being the Kashmir variety.
- Padparadscha Sapphire: Extremely rare, with its unmistakable pink-orange hue reminiscent of a tropical sunset.
- Fancy Color Sapphires: In almost every color of the rainbow.
- Star Sapphire: Displaying asterism (a six-rayed star), cut en cabochon.
- White Sapphire: Colorless, sometimes used as a diamond substitute
- Ruby: The red variety, symbol of passion and power.
- Bicolor Corundum: Rare and spectacular, with blended hues within the same crystal.
