Sapphire

Sapphire, like ruby, is a variety of corundum; it gains its color from one or more metallic oxides that appear in the mineral as impurities. The Lone Star, a star sapphire cut in England in 1889, weighs 9,719.5 carats, or about four and a half pounds.

Trace amounts of other elements such as iron, titanium or chromium can give Pink-orange, purple, pink, yellwo, corundum blue or greenish colour. Pink-orange corundum are also sapphires, but are instead called ‘padparadscha’.

Because it is a gestone, sapphire is commonly worn as jewelry. Sapphire can be found naturally, or manufactured in large crystal boules. Because of its remarkable hardness, sapphire is used in many applications, including infrared optical components, watch crystals, high-durability windows.