SAPPHIRE FORMATION - MyAntwerpDiamonds

Sapphires: Composition, Formation, and Origins

INTRODUCTION

Sapphires are one of the three precious colored gemstones. The others being Rubies and Emeralds. It is a variety of the mineral Corundum which is a mineral that includes both sapphires and rubies. Red corundum is known as ruby and all other colored corundum are known as sapphires with blue being the most common. Sapphires that are not blue are known as fancy sapphires and can occur in yellow, purple, orange, and green colors; “parti sapphires” show two or more colors. Sapphires are the single most versatile stone with so many color choices and a hardness only beaten by diamonds.

SAPPHIRES: COMPOSITION, FORMATION, AND ORIGINS

Chemically, sapphires are composed of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃). What gives sapphires their stunning colors are trace elements that become incorporated into the crystal structure during formation.
For example:
Blue sapphires owe their color to the presence of iron and titanium.
Pink sapphires contain traces of chromium.
Yellow and green sapphires are influenced by a combination of iron and other elements.
Sapphires have a trigonal crystal system, forming hexagonal prismatic crystals. They are exceptionally hard, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale—just below diamonds—making them suitable for daily wear in all types of jewelry.

FORMATION OF SAPPHIRES

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