“A maiden born when September leaves
Are rustling in September’s breeze,
A sapphire on her brow should bind
`Twill cure diseases of the mind.”

Sapphires are the stone of holy blessing.  They symbolises truth, serenity and faithfulness, making them an excellent choice for an engagement ring.  Arguably the world’s most famous engagement ring, that of Kate Middleton and formally Princess Diana, contains an 18 carat sapphire.  It is said sapphires bring light, joy and peace to the wearer.

Although blue is the most recognised colour, sapphires can be found in many other colours except red.  They can occasionally be colourless and also found in shades of grey or black.  Sapphires with violet or purple hues are deemed of high quality whilst shades of green are undesirable.  Pink sapphires deepen in colour as the quality increases meaning the darker the pink, the more expensive the stone.  Orange and brown sapphires also occur.  Colourless sapphires can be used as diamond substitutes.

As with all stones, the cost of a sapphire is dependent on colour, clarity, size, cut, quality and region of origin.