Sapphires are usually known as the birthstone of September, as also the customary 45th anniversary gift. On the other hand, because of their physical traits and usefulness, sapphires find many other applications.
Basics
These prized gemstones get formed in nature from corundum mineral and come in a variety of colors but only those with non-red colors are accepted as sapphires, the red ones are known as rubies.
The countries that undertake mining of sapphires are: Africa, Australia, Burma, Brazil Ceylon,, India and Vietnam. They have also been produced synthetically since 1902. Such stones are devoid of any imperfections, a characteristic feature of natural variety. Manmade variety finds applications in engineering and industry.
Decorative Jewelry
The most popular use of sapphires is for making jewelry including rings, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and decorative jewelry. Easily, the most admired form of sapphire jewelry comes in the form of an engagement ring or an eternity ring.
Sapphires have a high refractive index, making them very luminous and thus desirable. Decorative jewelry comprising of sapphires is valued because of the hue, and tone. To further highlight their quality, sometimes the stone is subjected to very high temperatures.
Watch Faces And Crystals
The physical characteristics of sapphires ideally suit for making watch faces and watch crystals. Sapphire is glare-resistant, and the second hardest natural mineral. Its hardness is five times that of glass.
Optics And Lasers
Pure sapphire is highly transparent over certain wavelengths of light; making them a good choice for making of a variety of spectroscopy or special light devices like, infrared optics. Because of their ability to affect behavioral changes of light, Titanium-Sapphire lasers are the most preferred in the fields of ultra short pulse generators and wide wavelength-tunable lasers.
Outer Space
Recently, NASA has gone ahead with using sapphires for collecting particles from outer space. NASA chose to use gems like sapphires and others due to their low impurity levels, making them practical for detecting particles and infinitesimal traces of natural elements present in solar winds. Sapphire was considered an ideal choice for collecting noble gases like neon and helium.
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