Sapphires have been a part of human history for centuries, with their use dating back to ancient Persia and Greece, and their discovery in Sri Lanka in the 13th century BC
More recent history
Sapphires have been popular with the British, with many adorning the Imperial State Crown, including the 104-carat Stuart Sapphire. Queen Elizabeth II also had a large collection of sapphires, some of which she inherited from family. More recently, Prince William gave a sapphire engagement ring to Kate Middleton in 2010, following in the footsteps of King Charles III, who gave a sapphire ring to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981.
