Sapphires have been prized as great gemstones since 800BC. Rulers of ancient Persia believed the sky was painted blue by the reflection of sapphire stones. And a great poet once described the sapphire as "the blue of a clear sky just minutes after sundown."

One of the “big three” of precious colored gemstones, along with ruby and emerald, sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. The word sapphire is derived from the Latin word "saphirus" and the Greek "sapheiros", both of which mean blue. 

While sapphire is generally known as a blue gemstone, it comes in a wide variety of colors and quality variations - known as fancy color sapphires, including pink, orange, yellow, green purple and violet. Intense vibrant colors are the most rare and valuable in every color. The rarest of sapphires, the Padparadscha sapphire, is a strikingly beautiful array of pink and orange. However, once a pink sapphire becomes redder than pink, it becomes a ruby.

Sapphires have long been one of the most popular gemstones for jewelry, but it is definitely having its “moment” – featured in fashion jewelry, engagement rings and wedding bands. 

“While sapphires of quality can be generational, new exciting designs featured in our salon are capturing the attention of a whole new group of collectors for their wearability and fun expressions,” said Richard Eiseman, Jr, president and CEO of Eiseman Jewels. “Michael Johnson, one of our in-house gemologists and curator of the estate collection, has a vast network of sources worldwide, enabling Eiseman to source the finest and most treasured gems reflecting rarity and value.”

Sapphires have been sought after since antiquity due to their rich color, brilliance, and durability.  These same qualities that have inspired desire for these incredible gems in generations past continue to make them one of the most prized gems today.

Our appreciation of the remarkable qualities of sapphires inspire us to search for, and provide to our clients the highest quality jewelry we can find containing the best sapphires in the world.