Sapphires According to the ancient Persian view of the earth, the globe sits on an enormous blue sapphire that gives color to the sea and sky. Though the name sapphire literally means blue in Latin, a sapphire can be any color. Brilliant natural stones originate primarily in Australia, Burma (Mynmar), India, Kahmir and Sri Lanka. The supply of these stones is rapidly dwindling. Even rarer is the orange-pink Padparadscha (a Sinhalese word meaning "lotus flower") sapphire, which are highly valued for their astonishing color. Sapphire is a form of corundum. All gem-quality corundum that is not red is called sapphire, however, the name sapphire is popularly associated with the color blue. Variation in color, due to iron and titanium impurities spans many shades such as pink, golden, green, peachy orange, purple and colorless, but the most valuable is a clear, deep blue. The alternate colors are called 'fancy sapphire'. Color change sapphires are those that have two colors that exhibit different shades when the light source is changed from natural to artificial. Generally, the more clear and vivid the color, the more valuable the fancy sapphire. If the color is in the pastel range, the clarity should be good: because in lighter tones any inclusions are more noticeable. The trade usually recognizes gemstones with fewer visible inclusions to be more valuable than gems with visible inclusions. In a lighter colored gemstone, the cut is also more important: it should reflect light back evenly across the face of the stone, making it lively and brilliant. With darker more intense colors, the cut isn't as critical because the color creates its own impact. Sapphire and ruby comprise more than half of all gemstones sold worldwide. Sapphire's popularity is not based on color alone. Its hardness of 9 places it next to diamond (10), making it an excellent choice for jewelry worn daily and it is frequently featured in engagement rings. Sri Lanka produces the finest all-round sapphires in the world today. The very name commands a premium, and Sri Lankan gems have constantly increased in price. Good quality gems are also found in India and Burma. Sapphire of lesser quality comes from Australia, Thailand, Colombia, Cambodia, Kenya and Tanzania, and Montana (USA). Created sapphires whatever color they are, have the same chemical, physical and optical properties as the finest mined gems. Sapphire is the birthstone of September and the 5th anniversary stone.