am Sapphire, beloved for centuries as the ultimate blue gemstone. The ancient Persian rulers believed that it was my reflection that gave blue color to the heavens, indeed, my very name in latin, "Sapphiru," means blue.

     These diverse colors are referred to as "fancy" color Sapphires.
     One of Nature's most durable gemstones, Sapphire shares this quality with its sister, the Ruby. Red corundum is Ruby; all other members of this mineral species are called Sapphire.
     Sapphire is found in many parts of the world, but the most prized Sapphires are from Myanmar (Burma), Kashmir and Sri Lanka. The purer the blue of the Sapphire, the greater the price the gemstone can command, however, many people find that the darker hues of Sapphire can be just as appealing.
     Sapphire has been credited with profound powers such as the ability to protect the wearer against poisons and evil spirits. It occurs readily in sizes up to 2 carats, and yet, it is not unusual to see gemstones in sizes of 5 to 15 carats.