While sapphire is often associated with its iconic deep blue tone, this exquisite gemstone exists in an array of captivating colours. From radiant yellows and soft pinks to vivid greens and the classic cornflower blue, sapphire offers a spectrum that has enchanted collectors and jewellery connoisseurs for centuries.
A member of the corundum family, sapphire is celebrated not only for its beauty but also for its exceptional resilience, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Its name, derived from the Hebrew sappir, meaning “the most beautiful thing”, is a fitting tribute to its timeless allure. As we delve into the remarkable world of coloured sapphires, we explore their unique origins, the natural forces behind their hues, and the regions that continue to gift us these remarkable treasures.
Blue Sapphires
When you think of sapphire, the first image that springs to mind is that of a deep blue stone. And 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; however, 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 extreme heights, particularly for Kashmir sapphires, which have become extremely rare over the years.
The different variations of a blue sapphire typically include light blue, medium blue, cornflower blue, vivid blue and royal blue.
Explore our selection of blue sapphire jewellery
Pink Sapphires
Pink sapphires are especially prized for their delicate charm and subtle rarity. Their captivating hues, which range from soft blush to vibrant fuchsia, are the result of trace amounts of chromium, the same element that gives rubies their rich red tone, though in gentler concentrations.
Positioned between the fiery passion of a ruby and the timeless elegance of a blue sapphire, the pink sapphire evokes a sense of femininity, grace, and quiet strength, well established for romantic gifts for anniversary jewellery. In recent years, it has seen a renaissance in fine jewellery, becoming an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings among those seeking something both distinctive and meaningful.
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Green Sapphires
Green sapphires are among the most elusive and refined members of the sapphire family. Their distinctive colour, created by subtle traces of iron, offers a captivating alternative to emeralds. combining a unique depth of hue with the added benefit of exceptional hardness. Their colour spectrum ranges from gentle, leafy greens to rich forest tones, occasionally touched by alluring bluish undertones. Still relatively undiscovered by the wider public, green sapphires remain a hidden gem and prized by collectors and connoisseurs seeking something truly distinctive and rare.
Yellow Sapphires
Less widely recognised, the yellow sapphire brings a radiant brilliance to fine jewellery, illuminating each piece with its warm, golden glow. Its distinctive colour is derived from iron, though in varying concentrations compared to green sapphires, resulting in a spectrum that ranges from delicate lemon tones to rich, golden hues, occasionally kissed with subtle orange undertones. Sourced primarily from renowned gem-producing regions such as Sri Lanka and Madagascar, yellow sapphires present a sophisticated alternative to topaz or yellow beryl. With a superior hardness, they not only dazzle but also promise enduring beauty, making them a compelling choice for elegant, long-lasting designs.
Padparadscha Sapphire
The Padparadscha sapphire, named after the Sinhalese word for “lotus blossom”, is one of the rarest and most enchanting gemstones in the world. Much like the flower that inspired its name, this extraordinary sapphire captivates with a delicate fusion of pink and orange hues, often likened to the soft glow of a Sri Lankan sunset or the gentle warmth of salmon tones. This mesmerising colour combination is exceptionally rare, making Padparadscha sapphires some of the most sought-after and valuable stones in the sapphire family. True Padparadscha sapphires are defined by a very specific colour spectrum from pinkish-orange to orange-pink with low to medium saturation. To qualify, a stone must also have evenly distributed colour and be free from any enhancements beyond traditional heat treatment.
How the different colours are formed
Different shades of sapphire are created through a combination of natural geological processes and, in some cases, human enhancement. Here is a brief overview of the process that sapphires go through to create the variations of colour.
- The primary reason sapphires take on different colours is the presence of trace elements during their formation. While pure corundum (the mineral that sapphires are made of) is colourless, the introduction of elements like iron, titanium, chromium, or vanadium changes how light interacts with the crystal. For example, blue sapphires are typically coloured by a mix of iron and titanium, while chromium creates pink and red hues.
- In many cases, sapphires are heat-treated to improve or deepen their colour. This widely accepted practice can enhance a stone’s clarity and make its hue more vibrant. Heat treatment also helps to remove colour zoning or natural cloudiness, improving the stone’s overall appearance and quality.
- Colour zoning is another factor that influences a sapphire’s final appearance. As the crystal grows in nature, changes in temperature and chemistry can cause parts of the gem to form in different shades. Skilled gem cutters can work around these zones to bring out the most even and attractive colour possible.
- Finally, there are sapphires that have been artificially coloured through a process called diffusion treatment. This involves heating the stone with additional elements, like beryllium, which penetrate the surface and change the colour. While this method can produce striking results, it’s considered less valuable than naturally coloured or traditionally heat-treated sapphires.
Handcrafted Sapphire Jewellery
David Morris creations are an alluring blend of contemporary style flair and the world’s rarest sapphire gems which have been left untreated. The durability of the extreme shimmer of a sapphire is the perfect stone for cutting-edge creativity and design making a luxury collection of coloured sapphire jewellery equalled by meticulous craftsmanship in the creation of rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
Selecting and crafting only the finest of jewels, our collection of sapphire jewellery perfectly echoes the rich history through modern design, including the rarity of a pink sapphire, blue sapphire, yellow sapphire and luxurious rubies. The most important quality in any sapphire jewellery piece is colour, and for the sapphires in our collections, we select only the most beautiful velvet-blue stones, a deep but slightly smoky royal blue made famous by the unmistakable sapphires of Kashmir.