Sapphire

[Fr., from Gk., from Heb.] A precious stone of a bright-blue color, next in hardne to the diamond, and next to the ruby in value. It is composed of alumina, colored differently. The red sapphire is the Oriental ruby, the green sapphire is the emerald, the yellow the topaz, and the violet is the amethyst. Colorle or white sap¬ phires are sold as diamonds. The finest blue sapphires come from Ceylon.