Sapphire Facts:
Color: Blue (Primary) Yellow,
Purple, Pink, Green and White (Fancy)
Birthstone: September
Mineral Family: Corundum
Hardness Level: 9.0 on the
Mohs Scale
The Sapphire: "Gems of the Sky"
The most charming and interesting fact about the sapphire
is perhaps the mythical story that the Earth rested on a great sapphire, from
whose reflection gave the sky is blue color. Available in multi-shades of blue
as well as other colors, the sapphire is one of the most popular and sought
after gemstones. Considered the "Gem of the Sky", the sapphire is beautiful,
transparent, constant, and durable.
Sapphire Properties
The sapphire, much like its neighbor-gem,
the ruby, is derived from
the mineral
corundum, one of the hardest minerals on earth. The ruby finds it origin in
the same mineral, being the red variety of the mineral in corundum. Although
pure corundum is colorless, small traces of other natural elements such as
chrome, titanium, iron, aluminum oxide, and vanadium are what bring color to corundum, from
which we derive the ruby and sapphire gemstones. The
gemstones in the corundum group consist of pure aluminum oxide which
crystallized into gemstones over a vast stretch of time as a result of pressure
and heat at great depths.
It was agreed upon by specialists after centuries of debate,
to classify all red corundum, color by chrome, as ruby, and all other colors,
including blue, as sapphires. "Fancy Sapphires", consisting of multiple colors
such as yellow, purple, pink, green or white sapphires were the "other" colors
classified as sapphires within corundum.
Symbolism & Meaning
Sapphires have procured many "myths" and legends
throughout history. The ancient Persians believed the Earth rested on a great
sapphire, from whose reflection the sky appeared blue. A gemstone courted by
royalty, sapphires were believed to protect kings against envy and harm.
Sapphires were supposed to have medicinal powers, especially the ability to
remove impurities from the eyes. As a result of such testaments of power, the
sapphires came to symbolize truth, faithfulness, sincerity, and even much akin
to its neighbor, the ruby, long-lasting and eternal love. Other symbols of the
sapphire include friendship, harmony, sympathy, and loyalty.
View
our Sapphire Rings Collection