Sapphires are revered for their deep blue color, but can also be found in such shades as cornflower blue, pink and even black. The stone is second only to the diamond in hardness, and is considered the proper gift to give for the fifth, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries.
Discovery
The first time blue sapphires were found was in the late 1800s in Kashmir. When the stones started turning up in Simla, the Maharajah of Kashmir sent troops to take over mining operations.
Synthetics
In 1902, the first synthetic blue sapphire was created. The laboratories do such a good job of growing them that only gemologists can distinguish them from real ones.
Properties
The stones have many powers attributed to them. It's believed that wearing sapphires can bring inner peace, induce astral projection and telepathy, and cure mental illness.
Birthstone
The sapphire was formally named the birthstone of September when the American National Association of Jewelers, Jewelers of America created an official birthstone list in 1912.
Star of India
The 563-carat Star of India, which formed 2 billion years ago, is the world's most famed star sapphire. The stone contains an element called mineral rutile; its reflection of light creates the stone's star marking.
Princess Diana
When Princess Diana of Wales became engaged to Prince Charles, she selected an 18-carat engagement ring with a blue sapphire for the center stone. It cost 28,000 pounds ($46,000).
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