Sapphire

About Sapphire

They are corundum in any color except red (which is ruby). Blue sapphires get their color from iron and titanium. The Star of India at 563 carats is one of the largest star sapphires. Princess Dianas engagement ring featured a 12-carat blue sapphire, now worn by Kate Middleton. Kashmir sapphires are the most prized - the mine was exhausted in the 1930s. Padparadscha sapphires (pink-orange) are among the most valuable colored stones. They are used in watch crystals and scientific instruments for their hardness. Sri Lanka has been a major source for 2,500 years.