Although the sapphire is a gemstone known for its striking blue color, there are also other types of sapphire, perhaps less well known, but just as fascinating. Which, together with its remarkable hardness (9 on the Mohs hardness scale), makes it one of the most beautiful and resistant gemstones.
Thanks to these characteristics, it is one of the most valuable and sought after in the world, along with diamonds, emeralds and rubies. Being one of the favorite gems for engagement rings, earrings, necklaces and earrings.
The truth is that there are many types of sapphire, basically with different colors and these are due to the impurities present in their formation. Therefore, sapphires can be found in almost all colors of the spectrum. Although it should be mentioned that curiously there are no red sapphires, since they are technically classified as rubies.
In fact, both sapphires and rubies come from the same corundum family and the only difference between them is their color. So red corundums will be called rubies while all other colors will be called sapphires. Join us to know below what are the types of sapphire that exist and the colors that represent them.
Blue Sapphire
It is the most popular of all the different types of sapphire and is found in shades from pale sky blue to vivid blue-violet. A subclass of blue sapphires is the cornflower blue sapphire, which represents a deep velvety blue color. Most blue sapphires have naturally occurring inclusions and these really enhance the beauty and value of the stones.
Pink Sapphire
The presence of chrome gives this sapphire its distinctive pink hue. Interestingly, some say that pink sapphires are lighter rubies as they have the same trace elements in lesser amounts. These sapphires come in shades from light pink to deep magenta. Feminine and delicate tones make this gem the second most popular type of sapphire.
Yellow Sapphire
Nothing can match the enchanting, brilliant beauty of a stunning yellow sapphire. The trace element iron in the chemical composition gives this gem its vivid hue. They exist in colors ranging from greenish yellow to orange yellow. However, its bright canary yellow hue is most loved by jewelry enthusiasts.
Orange Sapphire
This orange member of the exotic sapphire family shimmers like the burning sun. It exists in a wide range of shades ranging from deep gold to tangerine and deep orange. The presence of trace elements such as chromium and iron give this gem its stunning hue and brilliance. Also, this gem is rare and has no substitute, which adds to its uniqueness.
Montana Teal Sapphire
Named after its place of origin Montana, USA, the teal sapphire is truly captivating. It is found in a multitude of shades, from medium blue to green, but the bluish-green gem is highly sought after. Exceptional durability, symbolism, and vivid hue make this gem a favorable choice for jewelry around the world.
Green Sapphire
In recent years, this variety of sapphire has gained popularity due to its bright green hue and its rarity. The presence of trace elements of iron in its chemical composition results in this beautiful shade. Highly prized by gem collectors, this gem’s association with virtues such as trust and loyalty has made it a preferred choice for engagement rings.
Black Sapphire
This variety of sapphires is characterized by having more iron and titanium in its chemical composition, which at first glance gives it an apparently black color. Although in reality its color is an intense dark blue, in fact, its hue is the darkest blue that exists. The higher the percentage of iron and titanium, the darker the sapphire.
Undeniably, the black sapphire variety is highly sought after due to its rarity and beauty.
purple sapphire
Purple sapphire gets its luxurious hue due to the presence of vanadium in its chemical composition. The hue varies from a medium dark reddish purple to a purplish purple. Unlike other gems, for purple sapphire the dominant color is always a nice purple. A rarity in nature, this gem is known for its ability to promote peace, calm, and spiritual awakening.
White Sapphire:
Contrary to popular belief, white sapphires are not white, they are colorless and transparent. This rarer type of sapphire is pure corundum without the presence of any trace elements within it. Currently, white sapphires are becoming a popular choice for engagement rings as an alternative to diamonds due to their close resemblance and affordability.
Padparadscha Sapphire:
One of the rarest and most coveted types of sapphire are padparadscha sapphires. The name is derived from a Sinhalese word meaning aquatic lotus flowers that have an unusual salmon color. The color range of this gem is within the combination of two colors namely pink and orange. The distinctive beauty of this gem, combined with its spectacular hue, makes these sapphires an absolute delight for the eyes.
Star Sapphire
These sapphires are considered unique due to their special characteristic: the «asterism», which gives them a mystical beauty. This phenomenon simply indicates the presence of a six-rayed star, which can be seen floating on the surface of a cabochon sapphire. This gives them the name of star sapphires. They are available in almost all colors, although yellow, green, and orange star sapphires are rare.
cognac sapphire
This unique color is really very attractive and highly sought after. Reddish-brown or reddish-orange sapphires are found primarily in Tanzania and Madagascar. These stones look best in a darker medium shade. A good cut is important in these sapphires to show as much color and light reflection as possible. The more reddish, the more expensive the material. Brown sapphires are not considered cognac in color and cost much less. Cognac sapphires are almost always natural and untreated. They do not normally come in large sizes, so a large, fine, medium intensity color is something very unique and highly sought after, however, very few of these sapphires are available.
Multi Colored Sapphire
These types of sapphire display a combination of different colors within itself. What happens due to a phenomenon: “color change”, in which the gem shows a different color under different lighting.
Under daylight, they exhibit basic hues from blue-purple, while under incandescent light the hue varies from violet-violet to a very strong reddish-purple. Some sapphires also show the rare color change from green in daylight to reddish brown under incandescent light. This has earned them the title: ‘Colour-Changing Sapphire’ or ‘Corundum Chameleon’.