Sapphire, the birthstone of September, is a beloved gemstone. It's blue color has made it very popular over the years.

Here are 5 things you may not know about Sapphires.

-When you think of sapphires, you probably think of a rich blue color, but sapphires actually come in almost every color of the rainbow—including pink, peach, orange, yellow, green, teal, and purple. Red sapphires are better known as rubies (both are varieties of the mineral corundum).

-Sapphires are among the most durable naturally occurring elements in the world. Gemstones are rated on their ability to withstand scratching based on a system called the Mohs Scale of Hardness, and sapphires score a 9 out of 10. The only natural item that can scratch a sapphire is a diamond, which has a 10 on the Mohs Scale. The durability of sapphires makes them an excellent choice for engagement rings and other jewelry you plan to wear every day.

-Sapphires are found in many places throughout the world, including Australia, Tanzania, Thailand, Cambodia, Malawi, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, the United States, and more.

-Not only is sapphire the birthstone of September, it's also the traditional gift to celebrate the 5th and 45th anniversaries.

-Deep blue sapphires have long been associated with royalty (which likely contributed to the naming of the color “royal blue”). Royal blue sapphires were often worn by medieval kings, some of whom believed that the gemstones would protect them from their enemies.