Sapphire Color Guide
Color can be quite subjective, especially in colored gemstones. Below is our guide to how we classify sapphire colors on our website.
We use color-calibrated cameras to photograph each gem to showcase their truest color. However, sapphires can appear slightly different under varying lighting conditions. Because of this, we recommend submitting a video request once you’ve narrowed your selection to four stones, so you can view them on hand in both natural and incandescent lighting.
Blues
Blue, Light
Light blue sapphires have a pale tone appearing almost pastel.
Blue, Medium
Medium blue sapphires show a balanced tone with strong saturation, showcasing a classic, true blue color.
Blue, Deep
Deep blue sapphires have a darker tone with strong saturation, resulting in a rich, intense blue color.
Blue, Cornflower
Cornflower sapphires have a slightly violetish-blue hue with vivid saturation, resulting in a bright, highly prized blue.
Blue, Royal
Royal blue sapphires have a medium-dark tone and vivid saturation, resulting in a deep, velvety color.
Blue, Violet
Violet sapphires blend blue and violet hues, ranging in saturation from a softer, more purple undertone to deep violet-blue colors.
Blue-Greens
Blue-Green, Aqua
Aqua sapphires have a light tone and slightly grayish saturation, leaning toward green shades with high brightness.
Blue-Green, Teal
Teal sapphires combine equal parts blue and green for a rich color.
Blue-Green, Peacock
Peacock sapphires feature a vivid blue with a hint of green resulting in a strong color reminiscent of peacock feathers.
Blue-Green, Deep
Deep blue-green sapphires have a dark tone with strong saturation, resulting in an intense, moody teal color.
Blue-Green, Midnight
Midnight blue-green sapphires have an extremely dark tone that can look black in low lighting.
Greens
Green, Yellowish
Yellowish-green sapphires blend green with a strong yellow component, sometimes appearing olive-toned.
Green, Medium
Medium green sapphires have a balanced tone and strong saturation, resulting in a neutral, classic green
Green, Deep
Deep green sapphires have a dark tone with strong saturation, resulting in a rich, forest-green color
Green, Mint
Mint sapphires have a light tone with moderately low saturation, giving a cool, fresh appearance.
Green, Spruce
Spruce green sapphires blend green with blue hues, resulting in a color reminiscent of evergreen forests.
Purples
Purple, Light
Light purple sapphires have a paler tone and low saturation, resulting in a soft lavender hue.
Purple, Medium
Medium purple sapphires have a balanced tone, sometimes leaning slightly violet.
Purple, Deep
Deep purple sapphires have vivid saturation and a darker tone, resulting in a rich, intense purple color.
Pinks
Pink, Light
Light pink sapphires have a paler tone and low saturation, resulting in a soft pink color.
Pink, Medium
Medium pink sapphires have strong saturation, resulting in a lively, bright pink.
Pink, Deep
Deep pink sapphires have strong saturation, sometimes showcasing a red undertone, resulting in magenta or raspberry hues.
Other Colors
Yellow
Yellow sapphires range from from pale yellows to rich golden hues with varying degrees of saturation.
Orange
Orange sapphires range from bright and intense shades to golden tones with a warm appearance.
Padparadscha
Padparadscha sapphires showcase a rare blend of pink and orange hues, ranging in saturation, known to resemble a lotus flower.
Colorless
Colorless sapphires have a very light tone and no discernible saturation, appearing bright and transparent
Gray
Gray sapphires showcase silvery hues, sometimes with hints of other colors like blue or purple
Particolored
Particolored sapphires display two or more colors within a single gem. Read more about particolored gems here.
Brown
Brown sapphires display warm earthy tones, often with hints of yellow or green.
Black/Near Black
Near black sapphires display an extremely dark tone that absorbs most light, with strong saturation and minimal transparency.