A selection of our stunning Peacock Sapphires, also known as Teal Sapphires and Mermaid Sapphires. We have an array of different cuts and hues in these magical, hand-selected gemstones – contact our designers for photos and prices.

Teal, Peacock, and Mermaid Sapphires

Sapphires are widely known as one of the many precious gemstones available on the market. This precious gemstone is one of the few which continues to garner increased attention as the years go on. This continued attention can be attributed to Sapphire’s durability and unique beauty which continues to captivate the market. Everybody has heard of a sapphire but not everybody truly knows the ins and outs of this magnificent gemstone.

In this blog, we will guide you through everything there is to know about Sapphires and more specifically, the Teal Sapphire, a one-of-a-kind gemstone perfectly suited to someone searching for a piece of jewellery that is a little bit less mainstream and a little bit more magnificent.

1. What is Sapphire?

A Sapphire is one of the many precious gemstones used in jewellery but one of only two that make up the corundum family, the Ruby and the Sapphire. These gemstones are exceptionally durable and place second only behind diamonds on the list of the hardest natural minerals, with a ranking of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. The durability and uniqueness of the Sapphire have made it a sought-after gemstone throughout history and even today.

The traditional rich deep blue Cut and Polished Sapphire (left); Raw Uncut Sapphire | Mark Solomon Jewellers
The traditional deep, rich blue sapphire: Cut and Polished Sapphire (left); Raw Uncut Sapphire (Right)

One of the biggest unknowns about Sapphires is that this gemstone is available in many assorted colours of the spectrum. One of these is the Teal Sapphire, which is on its way to becoming one of the latest trends in the jewellery industry.

2. What is Teal Sapphire?

The colour teal is colour which is a combination of blue and green and which gets its name from the Eurasian teal bird which has a stripe on its head, just around its eye which consists of a similar colour. The Teal Sapphire is, as alluded to by its name, teal in colour and is an incredibly unique and special gemstone as no two are ever the same. The colour variations in each Teal Sapphire are unique and this quality makes these gemstones incredibly special and well sought-after.

Teal sapphire | The colour teal is colour which is a combination of blue and green and which gets its name from the Eurasian teal bird
The colour teal is colour which is a combination of blue and green and which gets its name from the Eurasian teal bird
Teal Sapphire, with its seductive interplay of deep ocean blues and vibrant greens | Mark Solomon Jewellers
Teal Sapphire with perfectly balanced blue and green hues

Teal Sapphires can look slightly different when exposed to different lighting such as indoor lighting and the natural light of the outdoors, an attribute that adds to the unique charm of this gemstone. Do not panic however as this is not a colour change “per se”, but a change in the reflection patterns experienced in different lightings which allows for a slight change.

3. What is the Origin of the Teal Sapphire?

Our Teal Sapphire is found in Southern Africa. Just as interest in this gemstone has grown over the years so have the sources of the gemstone with sites all over the world being discovered. Other sources include Australia and Asia.

4. What is the History of Sapphire?

There are many different folklores and myths about Sapphire from throughout history which can be found all over the world.

In Ancient Greece, when people sought answers from the oracle, they wore sapphire as a symbol to guide them. The history of the sapphire can also be traced to Asia where it was used during times of worship by the Hindu people and Buddhists used it as a symbol of spirituality. Throughout history, it was the belief that this gemstone was holy, and its natural shine and sparkle would only occur if worn by a pure person.

The legends even go as far as to describe the sapphire as a gemstone that has the power to not only heal in the spiritual world but also the physical world through healing diseases and wounds. An example of this can be seen in history whereby people would place a sapphire on their forehead which was believed to stop nosebleeds.

5. Why Choose a Teal Sapphire?

A Teal Sapphire is a tough and durable gemstone that is more resistant to damage such as chipping. The durability and toughness of this gemstone ensure it is an ideal gemstone for someone looking to wear their piece of jewellery on a daily basis.

teal sapphire custom ring
Teal Sapphire – Custom Design
Custom Teal Sapphire and Diamond Ring; with sapphires from Mark Solomon's personal collection, designed and hand finished and set in-house
Custom Teal Sapphire and Diamond Three Stone Ring; with peacock sapphires from Mark Solomon’s personal collection, designed, hand-finished and set in-house.


Research in the 21st Century has also indicated that many younger people seek uniqueness and something new and refreshing when exploring possible engagement rings. The Teal, Peacock, or Mermaid Sapphire, thus also acts as an ideal choice as an engagement ring as the centre stone. Sapphire, and the colour, Teal, will be a unique and special combination suitable for a special occasion such as an engagement.

Design Your Dream Peacock Sapphire Engagement Ring

The unique colour of these rare gemstones, teal, has been a colour of significance for many centuries. In Ancient Egypt, it was the belief that this colour represented faith and truth while Tibetan Buddhists had the belief that the colour represented the infinity of the sky and the sea. This symbolism has extended to modern times where the Teal Sapphire is a popular choice for people looking for engagement rings that are not mainstream but rather unique and special. The use of this gemstone in creating an engagement ring further symbolizes the faith, truth, and eternity that now exists between two people.

Contact us today to schedule a private consultation with one of our highly qualified designers to create your dream peacock sapphire engagement ring or jewellery piece.

Mark Solomon is a renowned Cape Town manufacturing jeweller as well as an award-winning Cape Town jewellery designer who takes much pride in turning a design into an exquisite reality within just a few days.

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