Types of Sapphires: Colors, Meanings, and Vibes

The birthstone for September, a symbol of wisdom and good fortune, and one of our most popular gemstones, sapphires are the ultimate statement for an engagement ring. Scientifically, sapphires belong to the corundum gemstone family - a durable aluminum oxide mineral. Ranking a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, they are durable enough for daily wear, second only to diamonds.

At Alexis Russell, we strive to offer a unique variety of ethically sourced stones for every bride's vibe. Each type brings its own distinct rarity, price point, and personality. As one of the traditional four precious gemstones, sapphires have been prized for generations - from Princess Diana to Elizabeth Taylor.

For something beyond classic blue, here is your guide to the sapphire colors we offer.

1. Blue Sapphires: Timeless Magic

• classic blue hue comes from trace amounts of iron and titanium during formation

• cornflower blue is the rarest shade

• primarily mined in Australia, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka

2. Fancy Sapphires: A Rainbow of Possibilities

• "fancy" refers to all sapphire colors outside blue and red (red corundum is classified as a ruby)

• Pink: colored by traces of chromium

• Purple: a blend of chromium, iron, and titanium

• Orange & Yellow: combination of iron and chromium variations

• Teal & Green: features trace amounts of iron

• White: pure corundum with no other trace elements

3. Opalescent Sapphires: Ethereal Vibes

• for the brides looking for a dreamy stone and gives a "head in the clouds" feeling

• features an almost milky iridescence that looks lit from within

• comes in a variety of colors like blue, teal, pink and purple

• colors shift in the stone depending on the light

• can lean more translucent or more pastel

• primarily mined in Australia, Madagascar and Sri Lanka

4. The Magic of Montana Sapphires

• mined across four primary Montana, USA locations: Dry Cottonwood Creek, the Missouri River, Rock Creek, and Yogo Gulch

• famous for their earthy pastel blue-green and teal hues,

• can also be found in pink, yellow, bicolor, and color-changing

• highly sought after for their traceable origins and low-impact mining practices

5. Padparadscha Sapphires: Sunset Glow

• derived from the Sinhalese word for lotus flower, referencing the warm pinkish-orange petals

• considered the rarest and most sought-after color variety of sapphire in the world

• get their color from a rare balance of chromium and iron

• primarily mined in Sri Lanka and Madagascar

6. Color-Changing Sapphires: Nature's Magic Trick

• shifts hues right before your eyes depending on the light (fluorescent vs. incandescent/sunlight)

• color change is caused by rare traces of vanadium and chromium during formation

• most popular transition is a cool blue in daylight to a warm purple or violet under interior light

• primarily mined in Madagascar and Tanzania

7. Bicolor Sapphires: Ombré at Its Finest

• feature two distinct color zones that blend into an ombré effect

• both colors are on display from any angle and under any light

• bicoloring happens when iron, titanium, or chromium levels shift as the crystal grows over millions of years

• primarily mined in Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania

8. Parti Sapphires: Nature's Artistry

• features two or more colors within the stone

• most common color zones are blue, green, and yellow
  

• bands of color never form in the same pattern, every parti sapphire is 100% unique

• mined primarily in Australia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania

A Sapphire for Every Vibe

Finding an interest in a sapphire stone for your engagement ring opens a whole lot of doors. Endless hues and color combinations allow anyone to find a stone that matches their style - without sacrificing durability. Browse our collection of sapphire gemstone engagement rings or choose your stone and design your ring around the stone.