Sapphire is a gemstone-grade material, renowned for its exceptional transparency and hardness.
Physical Properties:
- Transparency: Sapphire possesses remarkable transparency, allowing light to pass through, making it highly valuable in optical and electronic applications.
- Hardness: Sapphire ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond, indicating outstanding scratch resistance and durability.
- Density: Sapphire has a relatively high density, typically ranging from 3.95 to 4.03 grams per cubic centimeter.
- Color: Natural sapphires can vary in color due to trace impurities, but the most common color is blue, especially deep blue.
Natural sapphires typically form deep within the Earth's crust, requiring high temperatures and pressures.
Some sapphires are found in ores, and notable sources include Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Australia, and Myanmar, among others.
Sapphire Formation and Origin
Uses:
- Gemstone Jewelry: Sapphire is a popular gemstone used in rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
- Optical Applications: Due to its high transparency, sapphire is employed in optical components, such as laser crystals, camera lenses, and watch faces.
- Electronic Applications: Thanks to its hardness and optical properties, sapphire is used as protective windows and components in electronic devices like smartphone and camera lens covers.
- Industrial Applications: Sapphire’s hardness and wear resistance make it useful in industrial cutting tools and bearings.