Creating wealth from your prospecting. Cutting precious gems. Extensive book and map section at: http://www.treasuresites.com/ Sapphire - the engagement ring stone requested by Princess Diana and many more throughout history. 9 on the hardness scale, sapphire is topped only by diamond (10). Sapphires can be any color (though they are most thought of as blue) or colorless, with one exception: red or shades of red, in which case they are classified as ruby (same hardness as sapphire). Here in the USA the sapphire is the precious (natural) stone most accessible to prospectors with everyday prospecting equipment (gold pan, sluice, dredge). Good luck in finding and cutting your precious sapphires and rubies! (less info)