Gemstones 101 - All About Sapphires

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The word "sapphire" comes from the Greek word sappheiros or sapphirus, which is derived from the Hebrew sappir.

Sapphires are the Birthstone for September.....But if you don't happen to like Blue Sapphires, did you know that Sapphires come in every color of the rainbow?

Except for RED  - A RED Sapphire is a RUBY!

Both Sapphire and Ruby are from the Corundum family of Gemstones

September's birthstone has come a long way since the days when any and every blue stone was called a sapphire. 
Though its fame is shared with its "Big Three" counterparts ruby and emerald, sapphire has enjoyed a long run as one of the world's most beloved gemstones, earning itself a place of honor in crown jewels, royal accessories, museums, and even in modern royal engagement rings. 
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Care	Ranking a hard 9 on Mohs' scale, sapphire is safely cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush. As long as it's not oiled or glass-filled, sapphires and sapphire jewelry should be safe in  ultrasonic and steam cleaners. Be careful to avoid particularly harsh detergents and aggressive scrubbing with oiled sapphires.
			The color blue immediately comes to mind when one thinks of sapphire, sapphire actually comes in all colors of the rainbow--except red, because red corundum is called ruby. Sapphires other than blue are considered "fancy sapphires," some of the most popular of which are pink, yellow, and purple, including the beloved and very rare pinkish-orange padparadscha sapphire. Almost all sapphires are heated to improve or alter their color..