There are several attractive properties linked with sapphire. In terms of hardness on the Moh's scale of hardness, sapphire is one of the hardest gemstones available. While diamond is the hardest material on the Moh's scale with a rating of 10, sapphire comes close in terms of hardness with a rating of 9. This material offers excellent resistance to wear and a high level of thermal conductivity. Unfortunately, sapphire is prone to fracture and chipping if handled in a rough manner. Sapphire contains a little over 52 percent aluminum and 47 percent oxygen with traces of titanium and iron.
Sapphire gemstones have been used in jewelry for hundreds of years. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and pendants can all be designed around sapphire stones. Sapphire gemstones are also good complementary stones for jewelry arrangements designed around diamond or ruby gemstone centerpieces. Small cameos can be carved into pieces of sapphire.
Man-made sapphire offers many commercial applications. Ball bearings made out of synthetic sapphire are some of the most efficient ball bearings available. Synthetic sapphire ball bearings offer a heat resistance level in the 2,000-degree Celsius (3,632 degrees Fahrenheit) range. Synthetic sapphire ball bearings show less wear and tear over the long run compared to ball bearings made out of other materials. Sapphire laminate coatings applied to scanner windows prevent scratching. Many high-quality watches feature a synthetic sapphire coating to prevent scratching. Many lasers and precision electronic equipment employ synthetic sapphires.
Sapphires are available in many colors. In the gem trading community, sapphire refers to the blue variety of sapphire. Sapphires of colors other than blue are also referred to as sapphire with the visible color of the gem preceding the word "sapphire." While sapphire is mined across the globe, some of the most notable sapphire is exported from Madagascar and Sri Lanka. In America, sapphire is mined in states like Montana and North Carolina. Deep blue sapphire gemstones with excellent transparency can fetch several thousand dollars per carat.