Sapphire: 6 things to discover it!

Sapphire: The magic of the blue stone

1. What is sapphire?

The Sapphire is a hard mineral of the Corundum family with a variety of colors. It is one of the 4 precious stones of Gemology (Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond) used in the world of goldsmithing to make precious jewelry. It got its name from the ancient Greek word sapphire, which comes from the Hebrew word spir means he who engraves everything, a concept perfectly in line with its status as the second hardest stone in nature, after diamond, on the Mohs scale[1] with a value of 9[2].

2. The alluring blue color of the stone

The Sapphire it is widely known for its incomparable blue color, a shade due to the presence of iron and titanium; however, it can also be found in other shades, such as yellows, purples and greens. Sapphire in red color is called Ruby. In addition to the beautiful color options some Sapphires present the Alexandrite phenomenon, that is, they change color depending on the light and our perspective.

3. How is its value determined?

Color and clarity are the main factors that mainly determine its value. Sapphires with a dreamy blue hue that remains unchanged in different lighting conditions are the most expensive. "Starfish" is a precious class of Sapphires that have small flakes of rutile (TiO2) inside with elongated pits creating starlike sparkles, while one of the most expensive sapphires in the world is the pink sapphire of Sri Lanka called Padparadscha means "lotus flower».

4. Which is the most famous sapphire;

The Sapphire has not been unfairly labeled as royal stone, as it adorns most crowns of royal families. Of course, the most famous Sapphire adorns the engagement ring given in 1981 by Prince Charles to Princess Diana and later in 2010 given to Kate Middleton by Prince William. A stunning 12 carat blue oval Ceylon Sapphire surrounded by 14 smaller diamonds.

5. What is its origin;

The largest deposits of sapphires are found in Sri Lanka, Australia, South Africa, the USA, India, Madagascar and Thailand. Alongside the natural ones, you can also find synthetic Sapphires on the market, which, due to their high resistance, apart from jewelry, are used in watchmaking and the manufacture of scientific instruments.

6. Symbolism & its properties

The Sapphire stars in various beliefs and myths of both East and West, as its dreamy blue color has been associated with creation, wisdom and the divine element. The ancient Greeks believed in its divine power and attributed its deep blue color to the reflection of the sky. Since its discovery in 1800 until today, the dazzling gemstone has been the most popular and beloved stone of royal families, as it was believed to have the ability to protect them from enemies and give them spiritual clarity.

Of course, in addition to being a powerful symbol of wealth, it is the birthstone of September offering peace, tranquility and balance to whoever wears it. The precious stone is considered to bring good luck and bliss, while its healing properties include mental peace and memory enhancement. Of course, it has been associated with love and devotion, which is why it is a frequent choice for a single stone engagement ring.

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[1] Mohs Scale: International scale for measuring the hardness of minerals

[2] Maximum hardness value is 10 in which the Diamond is located.