Sapphires were considered to be aides in the pursuit of reading the future in Ancient Mediterranean cultures. They represent truth and loyalty, which explains why they’re such a popular and unique choice for engagement rings. Symbolising the strength and unity between two people, sapphire engagement rings are a good choice for those who are big into the symbolism of gemstones.

The meaning of sapphires is multi-faceted, coming from the Greek word ‘sapphires’ – meaning blue. Supposedly in ancient myth, a giant sapphire holds up the earth, allowing the sky to reflect its rich blueness. So perhaps it’s safe to say that a sapphire ring is a symbol of strength and power.

Ancient Persia’s creation story claimed the Earth is not only flat, but also resting on an even larger sapphire that reflects the colour of the sky. Sapphires were also featured in Jewish mythology, where the Ten Commandments were inscribed into sapphire slabs. These stones have a regal nature to them, connected to wisdom and power.

Sapphires were also believed to assist in predicting the future in Ancient Mediterranean cultures. Representing loyalty, truth, and sincerity, sapphires have been a popular engagement ring choice for some time. These gemstones are beloved for the rich depths of their blue hues. The also represent the traditional gift for 45th wedding anniversaries. Sapphires are very romantic gifts, but they also make for excellent platonic gifts to loved family members and friends.

Most sapphires are a navy-blue colour, but they also come in pink and orange tones. Pink sapphires are rare, but their colour is very loved and admired. If you know someone with a September birthday who is less interested in blue, maybe pink sapphires would be the perfect gift for them. The most valuable colour for sapphires is a distinctive pink-orange hue called padparadscha sapphires. These stones are very rare and beautiful, hence their popularity.

The word sapphire comes from the Greek ‘sappheiros’ meaning blue. Blue stones were believed to protect against envy and harm in Ancient Greece. Sapphires also became a symbol of heaven, being worn by Middle Ages clergymen to represent their faith. Famous sapphires include the engagement ring worn by Princess Diana, now worn by Kate Middleton. This ring sparked a huge increase in popularity for sapphire engagement rings that’s still ongoing.

First discovered in Kashmir in the late 1880s, sapphires are commonly found in and around Asia, particularly in Sri Lanka, where the padparadscha sapphire originates. Sri Lanka produces the most sapphires each year in the world, with countries like Thailand, the United States, and Australia also sourcing many sapphires.

Throughout history, sapphires have remained culturally significant. This is in part due to the fame that surrounds many of the world’s most popular sapphires. These include:

Princess Diana’s engagement ring: This blue sapphire engagement ring has inspired brides to be around the world for decades. Princess Diana’s ring consisted of a stunning central 12 carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds.

Star of India: This is one of the largest sapphires in the world. It weighs in at an astonishing 563.35 carats, and features a unique star shape that appears on both sides.

Stuart Sapphire: This piece of history is a sapphire that was acquired by the ancestors of Queen Elizabeth II in the 14th century. It is a cabochon-cut sapphire that weighs 104 carats. The Stuart sapphire is actually a part of the Crown Jewels.

There are many different types of sapphires. These range from the natural to the man made, and include:

Blue Sapphires: Perhaps the most common type of sapphire. Blue sapphires occur naturally, and are evaluated based upon the purity of their primary hue. The more vivid the colour of the sapphire, typically the more prized it is. Burmese and Ceylon sapphires are particularly renowned for their vibrant hues.

Fancy Sapphires: ‘Fancy’ is the name given to sapphires that occur naturally in a hue that is not the customary blue. Sapphires can appear in many fancy colours, including yellow, purple, orange and green. ‘Parti’ sapphires show two or more colours. However, sapphires cannot be red as this would be a ruby.

Padparadscha: This is the title of a special orangey pink sapphire. This translates to ‘lotus flower’ in Sinhalese, the language spoken in Sri Lanka. Initially, stones from Sri Lanka were the only ones labelled with this name.

Star Sapphire: Sapphires can exhibit a star like phenomenon which is known as asterism. Star sapphires contain intersecting needle-like inclusions following the underlying crystal structure that causes the appearance of a six-rayed ‘star’.

Synthetic: Synthetic sapphire crystals were first developed in 1902, by French chemist Auguste Verneuil. These remain popular, particularly in costume jewellery.

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Sapphire Colour, Cuts & Clarity