Sapphires

Few gemstones have the same breadth of colour, toughness, and story as sapphire. We love them for their versatility—whether it’s a rich midnight blue centre stone or a soft pastel accent, there's a sapphire for every aesthetic. Their remarkable hardness makes them ideal for everyday jewellery, including engagement rings, while their deep-rooted symbolism of protection and truth adds layers of meaning to every design. And with rare varieties like Padparadscha and star sapphires in the mix, they’re a constant source of wonder and inspiration to us here at JQV.

Sapphires are the blue to multi-coloured form of corundum—an exceptionally hard mineral that’s second only to diamond. Only red corundum is classified as ruby. Trace elements such as iron, titanium, and chromium give sapphires their rainbow of colours. Their toughness makes them popular in both jewellery and industry (they’re used in watches, lasers, and cutting tools). The purer the composition, the more transparent and colourless the stone will be—hence the beauty of white sapphires!

Sapphires are found worldwide, but some of the finest come from Sri Lanka, famed for its dreamy "cornflower blue" sapphires. Madagascar has become a major source for both white and pink sapphires. Other origins include Myanmar, Thailand, Tanzania, and even Australia. Geographic origin can sometimes influence tone and value, though colour saturation and clarity remain the top value indicators.

The name sapphire comes from the Greek sappheiros, meaning “blue stone.” These gems have been prized for thousands of years across cultures—from ancient Persia, where it was believed the sky was coloured by reflections of sapphire, to medieval Europe, where clergy wore sapphires to symbolise heaven. In Hindu traditions, they’re associated with divine favour and wisdom. Sapphires were even said to protect their wearer from envy, harm, and ill health. This long-standing reverence has helped cement sapphire’s place as one of the "big four" precious gemstones, alongside diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.

The most iconic of all sapphires. A perfect blue sapphire shows richness without being overly dark. Sri Lankan blues (often cornflower) are especially coveted. If the stone contains over 15% secondary hues, it may fall into the “fancy sapphire” category—such as greenish-blue or violet.

Pink: Made more accessible after discoveries in Madagascar. Their romantic tones range from pale blush to vivid fuchsia. Shop Pink Sapphires.

Yellow: Shades from soft canary to rich golden. Once thought to be topaz, they’re now valued in their own right. Shop Yellow Sapphires.

Purple/Violet: Sometimes confused with tanzanite but far more durable. Delicate, rare, and magical in larger sizes. Shop Purple Sapphires.

Green: Soft, mossy greens or olive hues that shift with the light. Once called “oriental peridot,” they’re particularly flattering on fairer skin tones. Shop Green Sapphires.

Sapphires are wonderfully durable (9 on the Mohs scale), making them ideal for everyday jewellery—but a little care goes a long way in keeping them sparkling for generations.

Cleaning:

A soft toothbrush, warm water, and a gentle detergent are all you need to clean your sapphire. Avoid harsh chemicals or ultrasonic cleaners if your stone contains inclusions or has undergone fracture filling—natural or heat-treated sapphires can handle more, but it’s always best to play it safe.

Storage:

Store your sapphire separately from other gemstones, particularly softer ones, as sapphires may scratch them. Likewise, keep loose sapphires away from diamonds which are harder and could mark the sapphire’s surface over time. A soft pouch or a fabric-lined jewellery box is ideal.

Setting & Wear:

A rub-over or partial bezel setting can help guard the edges. Although sapphires are tough, a sharp knock on a hard surface can still cause chips at the edges or corners.

Temperature & Light:

Sapphires generally tolerate temperature changes well, but avoid sudden extremes, such as taking jewellery from a hot environment into cold water, as this can stress the setting or enhance internal flaws. Sapphires won’t fade in sunlight, but overexposure to heat may affect colour in very rare cases.