Sapphire is a precious gemstone that belongs to the corundum mineral family, which also includes rubies. It is most commonly known for its striking blue color, but it can also occur in a variety of other colors, including pink, yellow, green, and even colorless. The blue hue of sapphire is caused by trace elements of iron and titanium, while other colors are a result of different impurities in the crystal structure.

Sapphires are prized for their hardness, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale, making them one of the hardest natural materials, second only to diamonds. This durability makes sapphires popular in fine jewelry, especially for engagement rings. They also symbolize wisdom, loyalty, and nobility in various cultures.

The most famous sapphires are often mined from regions such as Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Myanmar (Burma), and Madagascar, though they can be found in other parts of the world as well.

In addition to being used for ornamental purposes, sapphires are also used in industrial applications, such as in high-durability windows, scientific instruments, and watch crystals.