sapphire

American  

[saf-ahy^uhr] / ˈsæf aɪər /

noun

1. any gem variety of corundum other than the ruby, especially one of the blue varieties.

2. a gem of this kind.

3. the color of this gem, a deep blue.

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adjective

1. resembling sapphire; deep blue.

   a sapphire sky.

sapphire British  

/ ˈsæfaɪə /

noun

1. 1. any precious corundum gemstone that is not red, esp the highly valued transparent blue variety. A synthetic form is used in electronics and precision apparatus. Formula: Al 2 O 3

   2. ( as modifier )

      a sapphire ring

2. 1. the blue colour of sapphire

   2. ( as adjective )

      sapphire eyes

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sapphire Scientific  

/ săf′īr′ /

1. A clear, fairly pure form of the mineral corundum that is usually blue but may be any color except red. It often contains small amounts of oxides of cobalt, chromium, and titanium and is valued as a gem.

2. Compare ruby

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Usage

What does sapphire mean? Sapphire is a transparent gemstone known for its deep-blue variety. Sapphire belongs to the corundum family of minerals. Sapphires come in a variety of colors (including completely clear), but if a color is not specified, the word sapphire usually refers to the blue kind. This is the most well-known and is classified as a precious gem, meaning that it has a high commercial value. Some varieties of sapphire, like the one known as star sapphire, are considered even more valuable. Sapphire is popular in jewelry. It is one of the birthstones for the month of September. It is associated with the zodiac sign of Taurus. Some sapphires are synthetic, meaning they are manufactured, as opposed to being formed naturally. Due to its hardness, synthetic sapphire is used in a variety of practical applications, including as a material to make windows, lasers, and circuits. It is sometimes used as an abrasive, which is a material used for grinding and polishing. The word sapphire is also sometimes used to refer to a deep-blue color. Example: If I had the money, I’d buy that deep-blue sapphire ring.

Etymology

Origin of sapphire

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English saphir(e), saph(i)er, from Old French safir(e), saffir, saffer, from Latin sapphīrus, sappīrus, from Greek sáppheiros, perhaps “lapis lazuli, lazurite, sapphire,” probably from Semitic (compare Hebrew sappīr, and probably a loanword in Semitic); sappīr and related Semitic forms perhaps come from Sanskrit śanipuriya “dear to (the planet) Saturn,” equivalent to Śani “(the planet) Saturn” + priyá- “dear”; further origin uncertain

Explanation

If your grandmother gives you her sapphire ring, it will probably have a translucent blue stone on it, though you may end up with a rare yellow sapphire. This blue gemstone is commonly known as the birthstone for those born in September. The word sapphire has been kicking around English for more than 700 years and enjoyed at least two dozen spellings before settling on the current, counterintuitive one. The Greek origin, sappheiros, means "blue stone," although it probably refers not to the sapphire but to another blue stone, the lapis lazuli.

Example Sentences

Tour the Smithsonian Gem Collection whenever you want with this book on the histories of the Star of Asia sapphire, the Dom Pedro Aquamarine obelisk and the Hope Diamond.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 28, 2025

They found that the sapphire substrate was responsible for most of the remaining problems.

From Science Daily • Nov. 17, 2025

The stolen items included sapphire and emerald sets once worn by Napoleon’s wives and Empress Eugénie’s diamond corsage brooch.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2025

She completed the look with a sapphire and diamond brooch.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2025

Through the window he admires the darkening sapphire sky.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Related Words

• blue-green