Blue Sapphire
HEX: #126180 | Modern Palette
Color Specifications
#126180
18, 97, 128
196°, 85% ,50%
85.94, 24.22, 0, 49.8
About Blue Sapphire
Blue Sapphire (#126180) is a color with RGB(18, 97, 128) and HSL(196.91°, 85.94%, 50.2%). It is commonly associated with Bold moods. In design, it fits Vivid, Cool styles and is suitable for Text, Button, Accent. Its complementary color is #803112, which creates strong contrast. Its triadic palette includes #801261 and #618012. The name comes from निलम (nilam) (Sanskrit).
- HEX: #126180
- RGB: 18, 97, 128
- HSL: 196.91°, 85.94%, 50.2%
- Mood: Bold
- Style: Vivid, Cool
- Use case: Text, Button, Accent
- Complementary color: #803112
- Triadic colors: #801261, #618012
- The name comes from निलम (nilam) (Sanskrit).
Live Components
Color Palettes
Color Harmonies
Complementary
The color directly opposite on the color wheel — creates maximum contrast and vibrance.
Analogous
Colors adjacent on the wheel — naturally harmonious and pleasing to the eye.
Triadic
Three colors equally spaced 120° apart — bold, balanced, and visually rich.
Split-Complementary
Two colors flanking the complement — high contrast with less tension than full complementary.
Tetradic (Square)
Four colors at 90° intervals — rich variety, best when one color dominates.
Monochromatic
Shades and tints of the same hue — cohesive, elegant, and easy to work with.
Shades & Tints
A seamless scale of #126180 from deepest shade to lightest tint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name, History & Etymology
History
The term 'sapphire' itself comes via Old French 'saphir', Latin 'sapphirus', and Greek 'sappheiros', which referred to a blue stone. However, in ancient times, 'sappheiros' might have referred to lapis lazuli rather than what we now call sapphire. The distinction became clearer over time. Blue sapphires have been highly prized for millennia, found in various ancient civilizations from India and Sri Lanka to Greece and Rome. They were often associated with royalty, divinity, and protection. The most famous historical sources include Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Kashmir, and Myanmar (Burma). The Kashmir sapphire, discovered in the late 19th century, is particularly renowned for its velvety blue hue.
First Recorded Use
Likely pre-1000 BCE, with written records appearing in ancient Indian texts and later in Greek and Roman writings describing the gem.
Cultural Associations
Blue sapphires are deeply embedded in various cultures. In ancient Persia, they believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire, which made the sky blue. In medieval Europe, sapphires were believed to protect against envy and attract divine favor, often worn by clergy and royalty. They are also associated with wisdom, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. It is the birthstone for September and is a traditional gift for 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries. The 'Star of India' and 'Logan Sapphire' are among the most famous blue sapphires in the world.
Code Snippets
/* Background */
.element {
background-color: #126180;
}
/* Text */
.element {
color: #126180;
}
/* Border */
.element {
border: 1px solid #126180;
}/* Linear gradient to complementary */
.element {
background: linear-gradient(
to right,
#126180,
#ED5013
);
}
/* Radial gradient */
.element {
background: radial-gradient(
circle,
#126180,
#ED5013
);
}// SCSS variable
$blue-sapphire: #126180;
// With RGB channels (useful for rgba() usage)
$blue-sapphire-r: 18;
$blue-sapphire-g: 97;
$blue-sapphire-b: 128;
// Usage
.element {
background-color: $blue-sapphire;
color: rgba($blue-sapphire-r, $blue-sapphire-g, $blue-sapphire-b, 0.8);
}