Sapphire Solitaire Necklaces

Sapphires come in an almost complete rainbow of colors except red. Part of the Corundum mineral family, and thus a relative of the ruby, the sapphire gets its name from the Greek “sappheiros,” which translates to “blue stone.” At the time, this name might have referred to lapis lazuli, the brilliant blue stone more prevalent in the ancient world. The rich blue of the sapphire, however, easily rivals that of any lapis, so its adoption of the name is appropriate.

For centuries the sapphire has been a stone of royalty, its rich coloring a reflection of wealth, status, and even heavenly beauty. Ancient Romans, for example, wore sapphires to both reflect their affluence but also to ward off ill will, as they believed the stones worked as a talisman.

By the Medieval age, clergymen incorporated the sapphire into their elegant vestments, as they saw its brilliant blue as a symbol of the wonders of Heaven. As time progressed the sapphire only escalated in popularity, and sapphire solitaire pendants and necklaces continue to be central pieces of one’s jewelry collection today.

Quick Facts

• Sapphires are the official gemstone of the 5th (and 45th) wedding anniversary
• The late Princess Diana’s elegant engagement ring featured a striking 12-carat Ceylon sapphire. The sapphire was enveloped in solitaire diamonds and was a showcase piece for the jewelry designer Garrard
• The world’s largest carved sapphire is the Millennium Sapphire. Weighing 27 pounds and totaling 61,500 carats, the gem became a means of artistic inspiration and a tribute to humankind’s accomplishments in the last millennium