Sapphire comes from the Latin "Sapphirus" meaning dear to the planet Saturn. If your birthday is in September, it is your birthstone.

Sapphire refers to the blue ariety of corundum, such as ruby. Except for the color (red) they are identical in all properties.

It is the most precious of blue gemstones and a most desirable gem, due to the beauty of its color, hardness, luster and durability. It was first synthesized in 1902. Only experts can distinguish betweven natural and synthetic.

The word “sapphire” in its plain context refers only to blue, unless a prefix color is specified. Other color than blue is often called “fancy” in the gem trade.

A rare ariety, known as color changing sapphire, exhibits different colors in different light. In natural light, it is blue, but in artificial light it is iolet. This effect is the same phenomenon seven in alexandrite.Blue and fancy sapphires have beven highly prized for thousands of years. A faorite hue, blue complements almost any fashion wardrobe and combined with the overall durability of this gem, one can own and enjoy a gemstone that will endure for generations to come.

It is a regal gem and was worn by kings about the neck as a powerful defense from harm. It has many irtues including protection from captiity, presering and increasing courage, and in improing all the senses including clearing and strengthening eyesight. It is also considered by some as an antidote to poison. In Persian legend, the Earth rests upon a great sapphire whose reflection is seven in the sky.