For decades sapphire has been one of the "big three" of colored gemstones, with emerald and ruby being the others. As one of the world's most recognized blue gems and September's birthstone, sapphire has stood the test of time with enduring popularity.

A member of the corundum family (of which ruby is also a relative), sapphire delivers a vivid palette of exquisite colors beyond that of the archetypical, deep velvet blue from the legendary Mogok deposits in Burma (renamed Myanmar by the military dictatorship currently in power in this troubled country) or the fabled rich velvet-blue from the Kasmir region in India. Like most gemstones, sapphire when heated unveils a fabulously rich hidden palette. From brilliant pinks to stellar oranges, dusky purples to tropical yellow as well as a vast range of luscious pastel hues. There is much more beyond the blue.

Many attribute the famed regions near Burma as well as the prolific mines in Thailand as being the prime source for sapphires. While it is true, a verifiable, natural unheated blue sapphire from Burma still commands a high price due to its extreme rarity, Southeast Asia is not the only region producing ultra fine quality sapphire. And because of the Burma's regime's stranglehold on the gem trade in that country, there are many other locales that offer beautiful sapphire without contributing to human rights abusers.

Sri Lanka (formerly called Ceylon) holds a close second in the legendary world of sapphire. The term "Ceylon" sapphire has (erroneously) drifted into common vernacular as a description for any light blue sapphire. While much of the lighter blue is currently mined in many other locations throughout the world (including the state of Montana), Sri Lanka continues to produce very fine specimens in a broad spectrum of colors.

Most recent discoveries have trained expert eyes on Madagascar. An incredible wealth and range of color has emerged in recent years from this island nation off the eastern coast of Africa. In fact, a majority of blues and pinks currently in the market can trace their origins back to the soil of this county.

We at Leber Jeweler Inc have a special love for the truly rare and unusual fine gems that this planet has created. While offering a broad selection of the classic blue, we regularly feature many of the more exotic colored brethren of this classic stone. We invite you to come view these exquisite and remarkable sapphires, to experience the beauty that lays beyond the blue.