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September

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Sapphire

Sapphire derives its name from the Latin word sapphirus, meaning "blue," and is often referred to as the "gem of the heavens" or the "celestial gem" because its colors mirror the sky at different times of the day.

Just the facts

The modern popularity of padparadscha and pink sapphires aside, blue sapphires are traditionally the most coveted members of the sapphire family. Coming in a wide variety of hues, sapphires range in color from pastel blues all the way through to the depths of midnight blue.

Sapphires Include:

Australian, Ceylon, Kanchanaburi, Madagascan, Midnight Blue, Nigerian, Pailian, Shangdong, Tanzanian

Sapphire	September's Birthstone
Major Sources	Australia, Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand & Vietnam
Colors Found	Various
Family	Corundum: Al₂O₃
Hardness	9
Refractive Index	1.76 - 1.78; Uniaxial (-)
Specific Gravity	3.95 4.03
Crystal System	Trigonal