When you think of sapphires, the image of a deep blue gemstone might be the first—and perhaps the only—color that comes to mind. However, sapphires are far more diverse than their iconic blue shade. These gemstones belong to the corundum mineral family, and their assorted colors are influenced by trace elements present during their formation. Read on to explore the rainbow of sapphire colors and what makes each variety unique.
Blue Sapphire Gemstones
Blue sapphires are the classic and most well-known variety of this gemstone. The intensity of the blue can range from a lighter cornflower blue to a velvety royal blue depending on its origin and the trace elements of titanium and iron present. Ceylon (Sri Lankan) sapphires, for example, are renowned for their light, bright azure tones, while sapphires from Kashmir and Madagascar are famed for their rich, midnight blue saturation. Learn more about this September birthstone in its guide and explore additional blue gemstones in our complete list.
Pink Sapphire Gemstones
Pink sapphires are likely the second most sought-after type of sapphire, after blue. These gems are colored by deposits of chromium, with the intensity of the pink varying from a pale blush to vivid magenta. If pink sapphires speak to your heart, know that they’re second-to-none in scratch resistance (just behind diamonds), making them a romantic and resilient alternative for an engagement ring. Read more about the other pink gemstones we offer here.
Yellow Sapphire Gemstones
Sapphires can display a spectrum of radiant yellows, from pastel lemon to deep gold. These sunny gems owe their yellow coloration to the presence of iron within the crystal structure. Many yellow sapphires undergo heat treatment to enhance both their color and clarity. The process of heating the sapphire at high temperatures intensifies the yellow by stabilizing the iron within the crystal. While this treatment doesn’t alter the inherent color caused by the iron, it does improve the sapphire’s brilliance and depth.
Orange Sapphire Gemstones
The vivacity of orange sapphires is unlike any other orange-colored stone on the market. Citrine comes close, but it doesn’t quite produce the fiery glow so unique to orange sapphires. Padparadscha sapphires—named after the lotus flower—possess a perfect blend of pink and orange that earns them the title of the rarest type of sapphire. If you’re fortunate enough to own one, you hold a true masterpiece. Refer to our gemstone cleaning guide for care tips for your sapphires.
Green Sapphire Gemstones
What makes green sapphires so special is their subtlety. Unlike the intense, vivid green of emeralds, green sapphires showcase a more muted palette, which may include bluish or yellowish tints. Their color is shaped by iron, titanium and chromium which work together to bring out a mix of greens. It only takes a slight variation in their chemical composition to completely transform the sapphire’s color.
Purple Sapphire Gemstones
Sapphires can also appear in gentle gradients of purple or violet. The rare chemistry of vanadium—an element whose uses have significance in fields of energy storage and medicine—is what their color comes from. Add these purple sapphire clover earrings to your cart to be on trend.
White Sapphire Gemstones
Did you think those stones were diamonds? Surprise—they’re white sapphires. White sapphires are a colorless form of sapphires, making them a practical substitute for diamonds. While they lack the fire of a diamond, their affordability and natural beauty make them an appealing choice.
Shop the full color wheel of sapphire jewelry online at Borsheims.com today.
