9.0 on the Mohs scale.

Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Tanzania, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Malagasy Republic, Malawi, Pakistan, Zimbabwe (Rhodesia), United States (Montana, North Carolina).

Amethyst like in color. Some violet sapphires have color changing (to blue in daylight) tendencies.

Violet sapphire is always heat treated to produce, intensify or lighten color and/or improve color uniformity and appearance.

More information on gemstone enhancements.

Violet Sapphire is a member of the Sapphire gemstone family.