noun / adjective
sapphire
SAF-eye-er/ˈsæfaɪər/
Corundum typically valued as a blue gemstone.
The oval sapphire has polished facets and a rich blue color.
Etymology
Greek sappheiros named a blue precious stone, apparently not the modern sapphire but perhaps lapis lazuli. The name thus preserves a connection with precious blue stones even though its mineral reference changed.
In context
this was made specifically for the museum. This is our own Heart of the Ocean, worth a quarter of a million dollars. 24-karat white gold, and then a 155-carat Swarovski sapphire, surrounded by 58 round diamonds.
More examples
- Some sapphires are yellow or pink rather than blue.
- Synthetic sapphire protects the watch dial from scratches.
- She wears a sapphire scarf with her gray coat.
Forms
sapphire · sapphires