Gemstones - Precious Gems
Sapphire
Sapphire may be the most popular colored gemstone. It is certainly the most versitle blue gem.
Sapphire is hard, durable and available n a range of colors from cornflower blue to midnight blue.
But sapphire is more than blue. Excellent gemstones in white, green, yellow, orange and purple.
Note: We do not list "pink" sapphire. As far as we are concerned, "pink" sapphire is actually ruby with low saturation.
Before you disagree, try to find the color "pink" on a color wheel.
Kashmir sapphire is the most valuable because of its rarity. Its velvety texture is almost magical. If you ever see a good one you will never forget it.
Properties of Sapphire
- Crystal System - Hexagonal
- Hardness - 9
- Specific Gravity - 3.99 to 4.0
- Refraction - Double
- Refractive Index - 1.757 to 1.779
- Dispersion - .018
- Birefringence - .008 to .009
- Wearability - Excellent
- Special Care - None