We can only guess what must have been going through the mind of the first person to hold one of these precious stones up to the sunlight and witness its vivid blue hue. The exact details of the initial discovery of Sapphire are lost to time, but we can be reasonably sure that the earliest stones would have been discovered in stream beds and the banks around them, having been washed from their original source by rains and erosion, and deposited downstream by nature. They take millions - sometimes even billions - of years to form.

Sapphires have been mined and prized since at least 800 BC.

Here, we explore more about the history and science behind this true blue beauty in much more detail. Its distinguished world-class color and breathtaking clarity have been leaving people speechless for millennia, and the gem has undoubtedly made its mark on history down the ages.Īlong with Emerald, Ruby and Diamond, it is one of only four gemstones classified as truly 'precious' and is an absolute must-have in any jewelry and gemstone collection. When it comes to iconic blue gemstones, Sapphire is simply unbeatable.

Cashmere sapphires