Colors
- Blue (the classic color)
- White
- Pink
- Orange
- Yellow
- Green
- Violet
- Purple
- Brown
- Black
- Padparadscha (pink and orange)
Browse other gems by color: Blue · White and colorless · Pink · Orange · Yellow · Green · Purple · Black
Sapphire meaning and history
Sapphire was believed to protect against harm and envy, and was worn by royalty and clergy.
Padparadscha sapphires are named after a lotus blossom.
Meanings and powers attributed to gems are history and folklore. We report them; we do not claim a stone can do anything.
How hard is Sapphire?
Sapphire is 9 on the Mohs scale, where talc is 1, quartz 7 and diamond 10. Toughness, its resistance to chipping and breaking: excellent, with no cleavage; does not tend to break when struck.
See every birthstone on the hardness chart
How to clean and care for Sapphire
| Warm soapy water | Safe |
|---|---|
| Ultrasonic cleaner | Usually safe for untreated, heated and lattice diffusion treated stones; not for filled or dyed stones |
| Steam cleaner | Usually safe for untreated, heated and lattice diffusion treated stones; not for filled or dyed stones |
Heat, light and chemicals: Resists heat, light and common chemicals; boric acid powder can etch it; mild acids can damage filled or dyed stones.
Treatments to ask about
Untreated and heat treated sapphire is very durable. Clean fracture filled, cavity filled or dyed stones only with a damp cloth.
Can you wear Sapphire every day?
Great for everyday rings Hard and tough. Fine for rings worn every day. Check other stones.
Compare Sapphire
Ruby vs Sapphire · Tanzanite vs Sapphire
Frequently asked questions
What is Sapphire?
A variety of the mineral corundum (the same mineral as ruby), known for its hardness and its wide range of colors.
What month is Sapphire the birthstone for?
September.
How hard is Sapphire?
9 on the Mohs scale. Toughness: excellent, with no cleavage; does not tend to break when struck.
How do you clean Sapphire?
Warm soapy water: safe. Ultrasonic cleaner: usually safe for untreated, heated and lattice diffusion treated stones; not for filled or dyed stones. Steam: usually safe for untreated, heated and lattice diffusion treated stones; not for filled or dyed stones.
What does Sapphire symbolize?
Sapphire was believed to protect against harm and envy, and was worn by royalty and clergy. Padparadscha sapphires are named after a lotus blossom. These are traditions and history, not claims about what the stone can do.
Sources
- GIA: Sapphire care and cleaning (hardness, toughness, stability, cleaning, treatments)
- AGS: September birthstone (what it is, colors, sources, history)
- American Gem Society: Birthstones (birthstone months)
Checked October 16, 2026.