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Sapphire, that fascinating precious stone, is not limited to its famous blue hue, as many people believe. In fact, the different colours of sapphire offer an extraordinary palette that has seduced collectors and jewellery lovers for thousands of years. From azure blue to sunshine yellow, via soft pink and emerald green, sapphire belongs to the corundum family and reveals a veritable mineral rainbow. This gem, whose name comes from the Hebrew ‘sappir’ meaning ‘the most beautiful thing’, has a remarkable hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, which explains its exceptional durability. In this article, we invite you to explore the multiple chromatic facets of this age-old precious stone, to understand their origins and to discover the regions of the world that offer us these treasures of nature.

The different colours of sapphire: a natural alchemy

Belonging to the corundum family, sapphire is essentially composed of aluminium oxide. What determines the different colours of sapphire is the presence of secondary chemical elements in its composition. This natural alchemy, the result of millions of years of geological evolution, creates the incredible chromatic variety that is the delight of jewellers and collectors alike.

Blue sapphire: the royal colour par excellence

When you think of sapphire, the first image that springs to mind is that of a deep blue stone. It's no coincidence that this variety is considered the most precious. Blue sapphires owe their hue to the presence of iron and titanium in their composition.

Shades can vary considerably, from light sky blue to intense midnight blue. The most prized examples, from Kashmir, have a velvety blue colour with a slight purplish tinge, often described as ‘cornflower blue’. It is this distinctive hue that can drive prices to dizzying heights, particularly for Kashmir sapphires, which have become extremely rare these days.

Pink sapphire: softness and elegance

Pink sapphires are particularly sought-after for their delicacy and rarity. Its colour, which varies from pale pink to fuchsia pink, comes from traces of chromium in its composition - the same element that gives ruby its colour, but in smaller quantities.

This stone, halfway between ruby and blue sapphire, is the perfect embodiment of femininity and softness. It has enjoyed a resurgence of interest in contemporary jewellery in recent years, particularly in engagement rings as an alternative to diamonds.

Yellow sapphire: the radiance of the sun

Less well known than its blue cousins, yellow sapphire adds an incomparably luminous touch to jewellery. Its colour also comes from iron, but in a different proportion to that of green sapphire. Shades range from pale yellow to intense golden yellow, sometimes with orange highlights.

These stones, often from Sri Lanka or Madagascar, offer an attractive alternative to topaz and yellow beryl, with a superior hardness that guarantees their longevity in jewellery.

Green sapphire: the rare emerald

Green sapphires are among the rarest varieties of coloured sapphires. Their hue, resulting from the presence of iron in small quantities, offers an interesting alternative to traditional emeralds, with the advantage of superior hardness.

The range of colours extends from soft green to deep forest green, sometimes with bluish undertones. These surprising stones remain relatively unknown to the general public, making them treasures for connoisseurs and discerning collectors.

Violet sapphire: between two worlds

Situated on the chromatic border between blue and red, violet sapphire derives its fascinating colour from a mixture of elements: iron, titanium and chromium. This combination creates shades ranging from pastel to deep violet, sometimes with bluish or pinkish highlights.

These enigmatic gems are particularly prized for their unique character and their ability to subtly change colour in different lighting, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as the ‘alexandrite effect’.

Padparadscha: the salmon wonder

Among all the varieties of coloured sapphires, Padparadscha occupies a special place. Its name comes from the Sinhalese language and means ‘lotus flower’, in reference to its unique colour, which varies between pink and salmon-orange.

Extremely rare, Padparadscha is considered to be one of the most precious sapphires in the world. Its unique colour is the result of a perfect balance between chromium and iron in its composition. Mainly mined in Sri Lanka, it is the ultimate gem for collectors of coloured gems.

Colourless sapphire: crystalline purity

Lorsqu'un corindon est constitué d'oxyde d'aluminium pur, sans aucun élément chromogène, il reste incolore. Ces pierres rares, appelées Leucosaphirs, offrent une transparence et une brillance exceptionnelles qui rappellent le diamant, tout en gardant les propriétés physiques du saphir.

Sapphire deposits around the world: the source of colour

Where a sapphire comes from has a major influence on its value and characteristics. Each sapphire-producing region has its own particularities that delight collectors and experts alike.

Legendary sapphires from Kashmir and Burma

Kashmir sapphires represent absolute excellence in the world of blue gems. Discovered in the 1880s in the Himalayan mountains, they are characterised by an incomparable velvety blue hue, slightly purplish, often described as ‘cornflower blue’.

Unfortunately, these deposits are virtually exhausted today, making Kashmir sapphires extremely rare and sought-after collectors' items. According to the experts at Gemval, a top-quality Kashmir sapphire can fetch staggering prices at auction.

In Burma (Myanmar), the Mogok mines also produce exceptional sapphires, including intense blues and remarkable star sapphires. These stones, from the same region as the famous Burmese rubies, enjoy a reputation for excellence.

Sri Lanka and Madagascar: the new champions

Today, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) has become one of the main sources of beautiful sapphires. This island produces a wide range of stones, from sky-blue to saturated colours, including the famous Padparadscha varieties.

Madagascar, which joined the circle of major producers more recently, supplies stones of comparable quality, which are often difficult for non-experts to distinguish from Ceylonese sapphires. This new source has made it possible to meet growing market demand while maintaining a high level of quality.

Special sapphires: beyond colour

The different colours of sapphire are not the only criteria that determine their value and appeal. Some particular formations create fascinating optical effects.

Star sapphires: the magic of asterism

The phenomenon of asterism, the six-pointed star that seems to float on the surface of certain sapphires, results from inclusions of rutile needles arranged in a hexagonal structure. These stones, always cut in cabochon to reveal this effect, exert a particular fascination.

Here are the main criteria for evaluating a star sapphire:

• The sharpness and definition of the star's branches
• The contrast between the star and the background colour
• The intensity and uniformity of the colour
• The centred position of the star on the stone
• The overall transparency of the sapphire

Blue star sapphires are the most common, but there are also pink, violet and even black star sapphires, the latter being particularly spectacular because of the contrast they offer.

Colour-change sapphires: mineral chameleons

Some sapphires have the amazing ability to change colour in different lighting conditions. Typically, they appear blue-violet in daylight and purple or reddish under incandescent light.

This phenomenon, similar to that observed in alexandrite, is the result of a particular chemical composition that absorbs and reflects light spectrums differently depending on their source. These fascinating stones are among the most sought-after by collectors for their unique character.

Natural and synthetic sapphires: the expert's eye

Since the early 20th century and the work of French chemist Auguste Verneuil, there have been synthetic sapphires. These stones, chemically identical to natural sapphires, are produced in laboratories. They can be recognised with a magnifying glass by an experienced gemmologist, in particular thanks to their curved growth lines, whereas they are straight in a natural sapphire.

The difference in price between natural and synthetic sapphires is considerable, which is why it is so important to have your stones professionally appraised before making any major purchase. Gemmological laboratories can issue certificates attesting to a stone's authenticity and precise characteristics.

Sapphire, a colourful world to explore

The different colours of sapphire take us on a fascinating journey through the light spectrum, each hue telling a unique geological story. From the mystical depth of blue to the softness of pink, from the sunny brilliance of yellow to the rarity of Padparadscha, sapphires are much more than just gems - they are witnesses to nature's infinite creativity.

Whether you're a collector, a jewellery enthusiast or simply curious, don't hesitate to explore this colourful universe. In Paris, Les Pierres de Julie offers you a selection of vintage jewellery showcasing these mineral wonders in all their nuances.

For a free appraisal of your sapphire jewellery or to discover our collection, drop in to our boutique in the Village Suisse (15th arrondissement) or contact us online. Our team will be delighted to share its passion for these extraordinary stones with you.