Sapphire

(săf’ir, or săf’ur) (Synop., § 130), n. [Lat. sapphirus, Gr. σαπφείρος, Heb. sappir, Chald. sam-pîr, Ar. safir, Fr. saphir, Pr. saphir, safir, sapphier, Sp. zafir, zafiro, It. zafiro.] (Min.) Pure, crystallized alumina.

Sapphire occurs in hexagonal crystals, and also in grains and massive. The name sapphire is usually restricted to the blue crystals, while the bright-red are called Oriental ruby; the amethystine, Oriental amethyst; the dull, massive varieties, corundum or emery. Sapphire is next in hardness to the diamond. Dana.