Sapphire is one of four precious gems. The world three other precious gems are rubies, emeralds and diamonds.
Sapphires share their chemical composition (AL2 O3) with rubies, commonly called Corundum and are one of the hardest natural materials (Mohs scale 9), second only to diamonds (scale 10). Sapphires can be set in jewellery, which is worn everyday and they are nearly impossible to scratch or break.

That durability ensures that sapphire jewellery will be treasured for generations.



Corundum exist in a variety of shades and colours and even colourless. All of them are called sapphires with one exception: the red variety is called ruby.
The simultaneous presence of trace elements of titanium and iron cause the blue colour in sapphires, the most valuable one. The combination of chromium and iron results in an orange colour (Padparadscha) which is also much sought after. Other colours are often called 'fancy Sapphires'.

Since ancient times gemstones and sapphires have been heated artificially to improve their colour and dissolve tiny inclusions. This "heat-treatment " is regarded as stable and permanent, disclosed as (E).
Today the vast majority (more than 90%) of all sapphires used in the jewellery industry have been subjected to heat treatment. Heated sapphires are widely accepted in the jewellery trade.

However, a very small quantity of unheated gem quality sapphires can still be found on the market. Because of their rarity, these gems always demand a substantial premium.