Sapphires are one of the most popular stones for engagement rings and other fine jewelry for a reason. These precious gemstones are found in a rainbow of hues, including the iconic blue sapphires, and have been sourced all over the world. Some sapphires even contain multiple colors, or rare inclusions that make them shine like silk.

Sapphire’s beauty and durability makes it a desirable alternative to a diamond ring—Princess Diana had a sapphire engagement ring. But not all sapphires are created equal.

We’re breaking down everything you need to know about sapphires, for jewelry you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

What Are Sapphires

Sapphire is a member of the corundum family of minerals. It consists of aluminium oxide with trace amounts of other minerals. Though sapphires are known for rich blue shades, they come in nearly every color. Sapphire is one of the “big three” of colored gemstones, along with emeralds and rubies.

Sapphires are nearly as hard as diamonds, clocking in at a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. The Mohs scale measures a mineral’s resistance to scratching: if two minerals collide, the harder mineral will scratch the other. Sapphire can only be scratched by diamonds or other sapphires, making it an excellent choice for durability and everyday wear.

Whether you’re shopping for a non-traditional engagement ring or adding to your unique jewelry collection, read on for everything you need to know about types of sapphires.

Shop all sapphires on Sarah O. Jewelry.

Types of Sapphires by Color

Sapphire colors are caused by trace minerals within the corundum crystal structure. Blue is the quintessential sapphire shade. Sapphires that aren’t blue are called “fancy” sapphires, and are found in practically any hue except for red. That's because red corundum gemstones are called rubies!

Blue Sapphires

Blue sapphires are the most iconic and traditional sapphire color. They also have sentimental meaning as September’s birthstone and the 45th wedding anniversary gemstone.

Shades range widely, from pastel blues to deep navy. Popular varieties include cornflower blue sapphires, royal blue sapphires, blue jeans sapphires, and velvet blue sapphires.

Pink Sapphires

Pink sapphires range from soft blush to hot pink and deep magenta. The deeper the pink color, the rarer the sapphire. These stones are often found in Sri Lanka and Madagascar.

Padparadscha Sapphires

Padparadscha sapphires are vibrant pink, leaning orange. This rare variety is named for the Sinhalese word for a lotus blossom, because the unique color palette resembles aquatic lotus petals. Padparadscha sapphires are mostly mined in Sri Lanka.

Yellow Sapphires

These warm-hued sapphires range from bright and sunny to deep golden yellow. Extreme versions of yellow sapphires are near-colorless light yellow, or rich orange sapphires.

Because of their color, yellow sapphires can closely resemble fancy yellow diamonds. Yellow sapphires are often heat-treated to enhance vibrancy.

Green Sapphires

Green sapphires are a rare corundum variety that usually have a secondary tone of blue or yellow. Green sapphires range from light mint green, to medium green, to vivid green. The green hues found in sapphires have a distinct look that sets them apart from alternatives like emerald green or peridot green.

These earthy and unique stones are prized for non-traditional jewelry, and are often found in Australia or Montana.

Teal Sapphires

Teal sapphires contain a blend of blue, green, and sometimes yellow hues. A blue-green feathered effect in the center of the stone gives teal sapphires a stunning and multi-dimensional look.

Sapphires from Montana are known for teal colors. These sought-after gemstones are also referred to as peacock sapphires or parti-color sapphires.

White Sapphires

White sapphires shine bright like a diamond. Some stones appear pure white in daylight, but have a slight hue in the shade. These colorless sapphires are much more affordable than diamonds in large carat counts, making them a popular alternative.

Purple Sapphires

Purple sapphires range from soft lilac to deep, saturated plum. Popular purple sapphire shades include lavender and violet. These unique sapphires have a soft, ethereal appearance, perfect for otherworldly jewelry.

Types of Sapphires by Origin

Sapphires are found all over the world. Many popular varieties are mined in Asia, Africa, Australia, and the United States. Different regions are known for their gems’ unique qualities, with geology playing a role in color, inclusions, sparkle, and more.

Montana Sapphires (USA)

Montana is one of the only places in the United States where sapphires can be mined. Montana sapphires are known for their ethical sourcing, and are often mined artisanally in places like Rock Creek and Yogo Gulch. These stones exhibit brilliant sparkle and unique colors ranging from blue to green to yellow.

Kashmir Sapphires (India)

Kashmir sapphires were mined primarily from the late 19th to early 20th century. Today they are among the world’s most valuable gemstones. They’re known for their velvety blue color, soft glow, and silky texture due to fine rutile inclusions (tiny needle-like imperfections).

Burma (Myanmar) Sapphires

Burma sapphires are known for their rich royal blue color with high saturation (color intensity) and brilliance. These stones are often untreated or minimally treated to preserve their natural hue.

Sri Lankan (Ceylon) Sapphires

Sri Lanka is a popular sapphire producer, famous for bright blue, pink, yellow, orange, and green stones. A popular variety from this country is the Padparadscha sapphire, which resembles a tropical sunset.

Madagascar Sapphires

Madagascar is a newer, prolific source of sapphires, with mining efforts beginning in 1991. These stones are known for their ethical mining practices and relatively affordable prices.

Thai & Cambodian Sapphires

Thai & Cambodian sapphires are known for beautiful hues at an accessible price point. These stones are often treated to enhance color, and come in a range of shades, including blue, green, and pink.

Australian Sapphires

Australian sapphires are prized for rich earthy tones. They often feature strong color zoning—distinct areas of different colors within the stone. Australian sapphires are affordable, with many stones being heat-treated to improve color and clarity.

Phenomenal / Specialty Sapphire Types

Sapphires are available in a variety of special visual effects. These non-traditional stones get their unique look from inclusions, color zoning, cut, and more.

Star Sapphires (Asterism)

These cabochon-cut sapphires display a star-like effect called an asterism. They’re cut and polished in a rounded style, rather than faceted, that allows a 6- or 12-rayed asterism to shine through in certain lights.

Asterism is caused by rutile needle inclusions that give a silky effect and cause light to reflect in a star pattern. This pattern is most visible under direct light, and can shine in many colors including blue, pink, gray, and black. The red version of asterism is called star rubies.

Starbrite Sapphires

Starbrite sapphires were developed by gem cutter John Dyer. This proprietary cut features a brilliant pattern of light and dark areas that radiates like a starburst. The unique faceting style creates this optical illusion, which can also be applied to other gemstones.

Silky Sapphires

Silky sapphires, like star sapphires, get their soft glow from fine mineral rutile inclusions. Kashmir sapphires are known for this velvety texture. While silk can enhance the beauty of a stone, if the inclusions are too heavy it can reduce the transparency.

Color-change Sapphires

These rare and valuable stones change color in different lighting conditions. For example, a sapphire may appear blue in daylight, but violet or purple in incandescent light. This effect is most often seen in Tanzanian or Sri Lankan sapphires.

Parti-color Sapphires

Parti sapphires display two or more distinct colors, like blue and green or yellow and orange. Depending on the color zone, colors can appear distinct or layered and complex. These one-of-a-kind stones are mostly found in Australia and Montana.

Heated vs Unheated Sapphires

Many affordable sapphires are also heated. That’s because sapphires can be treated with heat to improve the color, creating desirable shades.

Heated sapphires are still valuable, as sapphires are also prized based on their cut and clarity. However, brilliant shades found in natural, unheated sapphires are beloved by gem collectors.

Sapphire Care and Cleaning

At a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, sapphire jewelry is resistant to scratches and chips, making it durable enough for everyday wear. However, inclusions, such as in silky sapphires or asterisms, will affect the stone's durability.

Regular care and cleaning can help your gemstone sparkle for a lifetime. Periodically clean your jewelry with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid using harsh detergents on your sapphires. Never clean with solvents such as alcohol, paint thinner, or acetone, as these can damage the stone. Check stones frequently to ensure their setting is secure.

Ready To Choose Your Sapphire?

Sapphires are one of the most diverse gemstones in the world, with many colors and effects available. They have been prized throughout history for rings, earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry.

When shopping for sapphires, consider what factors are most important to you. That could include color choice, durability, budget, or mining practices.

For example, if you plan on wearing your ring daily, an Australian sapphire with minimal inclusions is an excellent and durable choice. If you’re shopping for a statement stone, a star sapphire is a classic show-stopper. Montana sapphires are a popular all-around choice for their balance between ethical mining, stunning colors and effects, and durability.

Discover more stunning pieces in our limited-edition hand-mined Montana sapphire engagement collection today.