Sapphire’s meaning, styling, and care

Throughout the centuries, Sapphire has been known as a stone of wisdom, knowledge, loyalty, strength, peace, and good fortune. It's a gem that's been said to bring calm and order to the mind, enabling its wearer to think clearly, make sound judgments, and get to the truth of any matter.

Throughout the ages, royalty and nobility have worn Sapphires for protection and to attract divine favor. The stone's color evoked the sky and the heavens, representing divine protection. Kings and queens wore the gem so much that its color came to be called "royal blue." In fact, one of the world's most famous pieces of Sapphire jewelry (arguably the most famous) is the engagement ring of the (then) Lady Diana Spencer. Before her marriage to the Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) in 1981, she selected a stunning 12-carat oval gem surrounded by 14 round Diamonds. Today, the ring is worn by her daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales.

The gem is believed to aid in concentration. Wear your Sapphire jewelry when you need to focus on a project. It's also a good stone to wear when you need to relax and calm your mind – try wearing a pair of earrings while you meditate. According to legend, Sapphire is also a lucky stone to carry when involved in a legal matter. (It couldn't hurt to wear a Sapphire necklace to court, but we can't promise any results.)

This gemstone is thought to attract abundant blessings and bring peace. It's associated with the throat chakra, and so is said to aid in self-expression, allowing us to communicate openly, effectively, and truthfully. Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the gemstone associated with the 45th anniversary.

Sapphire is a precious gemstone from the corundum family (as is its sister gem, Ruby). Its name comes from the Greek word sappheiros, which originally referred to the lapis lazuli, another blue stone. Its gorgeous blue color comes from trace amounts of iron and titanium.

Many deposits are found in African and Asian countries, including Cambodia, China, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Myanmar and Sri Lanka in particular are known for their fine stones. Deposits have also been found in Australia and the United States (discovered in Montana in 1894).

• Princess Diana had another famous piece of Sapphire jewelry. Her wedding gift from Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother was an enormous brooch (estimated at about 70 carats), surrounded by two rows of Diamonds. Diana had the brooch converted so that she could wear it as the centerpiece of a seven-strand pearl choker. • And yet Diana's gem wasn't nearly as big as the stone set in the middle of Empress Maria Feodorovna's Sapphire Necklace, which was measured at an astounding 159 carats. Unfortunately, this incredible piece disappeared after the Russian Revolution and has never been found.
• It's believed that the first Sapphire mine in the world was in Sri Lanka.
• One of the world's largest faceted Sapphires is the Logan Sapphire, a 422.98-carat gem from Sri Lanka. Surrounded by 20 brilliant-cut Diamonds, it's about the size of an egg.
• The largest Star Sapphire in the world is the Star of Adam, which weighs 1404.49 carats.
• Due to its incredible durability, the gem is often used as a crystal in Swiss watches.
• In 2014, a Sapphire and Diamond necklace, featuring a 392.52-carat center stone, sold at auction for $17.5 million.
• Because it symbolizes loyalty and fidelity, Sapphire has been a popular gem for engagement rings for centuries. In fact, it was the most popular choice until the 20th century.
• And more royal jewels: the Leuchtenberg Sapphire Parure (a set of at least three pieces of jewelry, meant to be worn together) is comprised of a tiara, brooch, earrings, and necklace. Now owned by the Swedish royal family, it's worn most often by Queen Silvia, who's worn it to weddings and Nobel Prize banquets.

Sapphire is rated a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning it’s exceptionally durable and appropriate for everyday wear. In 1822 Friedrich Mohs created this scale to rate gemstones from 1 (softest) to 10 (exceptionally hard), based on their ability to withstand scratches.

Your jewelry for everyday wear needs minimal care. You can wear it in the shower, while swimming, sleeping, and exercising. Follow these common-sense tips for keeping your jewelry in good repair:
• Store jewelry in its pouch or box to keep the gems from scratching other pieces.
• Remove rings before lifting weights or other heavy objects, which could cause the stone(s) to get scratched, or even bend the band itself.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to chlorinated water (an occasional dip is fine).

This celestial gem is incredibly versatile, adding an elegant touch to any outfit. Wear it to dress up a t-shirt and jeans, or to complement a sleek evening dress.

Sapphires pair brilliantly with other gemstones, and are featured in several of our Shop for Good collections.