The grand dame of jewelry, Elizabeth Taylor had a passion for the gems that her lovers were happy to indulge. had Cartier mount a 62-carat sapphire he had bought from an Indian maharajah in a brooch for his first wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller in 2001, the piece sold for a then-record of $3,031,000 at Christie’s New York.

No matter the hue, this very special gem is rich in history and beloved by royals (FYI, Princess Diana and Kate Middleton share an 11-carat sapphire engagement ring), so September babies are in very noble company.Īmerica’s version of royalty - old money and celebrities - have also shown a predilection for the blue stones. Although blue Kashmirs are considered the most valuable, sapphires come in every color except red. If the stone you conjure is a deep cornflower blue, you’re seeing only part of the picture. Learn how to shop for the bright blue gems that star in vintage and antique sapphire jewelry, and why it's chemically impossible for a sapphire to turn red. The stone of choice for Napoleon, Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor has been a favorite of aristocrats and the well-to-do since the time of the Ancient Greeks.

Sapphire wedding rings