About SapphiresThe perfect gift for any princessThe oldest jewel of the British Crown Jewels is a sapphire, originally owned by King Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. And then, of course, there’s that other one. Princess Diana’s engagement ring, which has been inspiring brides-to-be for more than 25 years, was a sapphire. Sapphire is the birthstone for lucky people born in September. Color and pedigreeMost people think of sapphires as ranging from light to dark blue, sometimes with a hint of green or violet. But sapphires also come in pink, white, yellow, purple or green. Southeast Asia and Madagascar are leading sapphire producers, as well as Australia, Sri Lanka and Africa. We offer a selection of beautiful lab-created sapphires, which are made with the same minerals that Mother Nature uses. Taking it homeOne reason sapphires are so prized is their legendary hardness. Sapphires rate a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, second only to diamonds. Their resistance to chipping and breaking is excellent. Clean sapphire jewelry with liquid jewelry cleaner or just mild soapy detergent and water. Ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe. Visit the Learning Guide for more information on sapphires. About Sterling SilverSterling silver isn’t just for the table anymoreSilversmithing is an ancient art that, like crafting gold, dates back to the Egyptian empires. Throughout history, silver has been valued for its luster and utility, and was particularly prized by native people in Mexico, Peru, and the American West. Like gold, silver is so soft it often needs to be alloyed, usually with copper. Sterling silver is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. Visit the Learning Guide for more information on sterling silver. | 
