Sapphire comes in every color but red, with the most popular color being blue. Since early times, the gem has been linked to royalty and romance. Famously, Princess Charles proposed to the late Princess Diana with a blue sapphire ring, which the Duchess Kate Middleton now wears as her engagement ring. The gem stands for nobility, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the gem for the 5th and 45th anniversaries.
Emerald is a popular, beautiful gem with its most desired colors ranging from bluish green to a pure saturated green. Historically, the gem was used to remove weariness and restore eyes by simply looking at it. Today, this phenomena is still recognized, as the color is known to relieve eye strain and stress. Legends also has that emerald wearers had the ability to foresee future events, fight disease, and were protected against evil spirits. Today, most significantly, the gem reflects spring growth. Emerald is the birthstone for May and the gem for the 20th anniversary.
Ruby is one of the most valuable colored gems because of its rich red color. The intensity of the color depends on how much of the element chromium is present in the gem, with more equating to a richer color. Early cultures believed that ruby represented the power of life because it was similar to the color of blood. Ruby was also considered the “king of precious stones.” Emperors, monarchs, and upper classes from all over the world regarded ruby as a precious stone that symbolized wealth, wisdom, prosperity, success, and romantic love. Ruby is a birthstone for July and the gem for the 15th anniversary.
