sapphire: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos

Blue sapphire, natural specimen

Corundum of the variety sapphire from Ceylon

See All Images →

Topics

water sapphire silk star sapphire September gemstone corundum birthstone diamond emerald ruby mother-of-pearl garnet jade coral Cold Stones: 9 Gems That Will Make You Feel Like a Peasant pearl opal

Basalt sample returned by Apollo 15, from near a long sinous lunar valley called Hadley Rille. Measured at 3.3 years old.

(Bed) Rocks and (Flint) Stones