What color is sapphire?

Sapphire is a very valuable blue gemstone, but it can take on a variety of colors, including white, yellow, pink and green. It is made from a colorless mineral called corundum, but this mineral contains trace elements such as iron and titanium that can turn it blue.

When corundum contains trace elements of iron and chromium, sapphire takes on a gold or orange color. As a result of the various possible combinations of trace elements, sapphire can come in a range of colors. These are called "fancy sapphires." Sapphire is known for its durability, and has varying value, based upon the intensity of its color.