Sapphire

gemstone · precious · blue · mineral

Made of aluminum oxide. Sapphires are crystals formed from a compound called aluminum oxide, the same material that makes up rubies too. Tiny amounts of other elements like iron and titanium trapped inside create the gorgeous blue color.

Not just blue. While sapphires are famous for their deep blue color, they also come in yellow, purple, orange, green, and pink. When a sapphire has two or more colors swirled together, it's called a parti sapphire.

Found in rocks. Natural sapphires form deep in the Earth over millions of years and are often found alongside rubies, zircon, and quartz. Miners dig them out of special rock formations and then cut and polish them to make them sparkle.

Made in labs too. Scientists can now grow sapphires in laboratories using special equipment, creating large crystal blocks called boules. These lab-made sapphires look just as beautiful as natural ones and are used in jewelry, watches, and electronics.

Royal jewels. Sapphires are precious gemstones that are super hard and durable, making them perfect for rings, necklaces, and crowns that people wear for their whole lives.