Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. ~Albert Einstein
Considered by many as the gem of gems, Sapphire is a stone of wisdom, royalty, prophecy, and Divine favor.
A symbol of power, kindness, and good judgment, Sapphire is composed from the mineral corundum (the same as Ruby). It’s trace amounts of iron and titanium that make the corundum blue, ranging from very pale to very dark, from a green to a violet shade.
The name Sapphire comes from the Latin sapphirus, the Greek sappheiros, and Sanskrit sanipryam for “blue stone.”
A 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness (just shy of Diamond’s 10 ranking), Sapphire is found in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, and the U.S. (Montana), among other places. It’s the traditional birthstone for September (me!!) and the anniversary stone for 45 and 65 years.
Sapphires come in many colors — orange, yellow, pink, violet, green, gray, and black — but here we’ll be talking about the blue variety.
Tumbled Sapphires, thanks to Reveti Fine Jewelry, Palo Alto, CA
It’s believed that Sapphire brings joy and prosperity, preserves chastity, and promotes good health. Ancient peoples used it as an antidote for poison, protection against sorcery, and to increase awareness of angels. Sapphires are said to heal ailments of the eye and nervous system and to promote inner peace and concentration.
Prized as gemstones since 800 B.C., Sapphires were worn as talismans and considered a holy stone by both the Catholic Church and Ancient Persians, who believed the sky was painted blue by the reflection of Sapphires. Said to be a stone of the Apocalypse, Sapphires were worn by the Greeks for wisdom at Delphi, used by Buddhists to bring enlightenment, and made into Christian ecclesiastical rings. It is said the Law was given to Moses engraved on Sapphire tablets.
Sapphires are used in all forms of jewelry, including rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants. They’re a popular choice for engagement rings (remember the one Prince Charles gave Lady Diana?); however, if there’s a breakup, it’s best to remove it as Sapphire is a stone of attachment and could prolong the connection.
Ah, 69.35 carats of blue sapphire from The Natural Sapphire Company. Only $1.9 million!
For outstanding clarity and perfect color at a lower price, consider lab-created or synthetic sapphires since natural gemstones are a finite resource that will only decrease in number and increase in cost.
Besides its use as a valuable gemstone, Sapphire is used for solid state electronics, scientific instruments, watch crystals, and optical components.
Sapphire stimulates the Throat and Third Eye Chakras, improving communication and understanding of the messages received.
Feng Shui experts say Blue Sapphire uses water energy (quiet strength and purification), associated with the North area of a home or room and should be used in any room where you reflect, repose, or pray.
Sapphire is strong but can crack if misused. Clean your Sapphire with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Store it away from other pieces in your collection to prevent marring.
Note: The claims here aren’t meant to take the place of medical advice. They’re based on folklore and other sources, and likely “work” best if one’s belief is strong enough!
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
As usual, wonderfully informative gemstone post, Debbie! Sapphire’s remind me of my mother because she loved them. In fact, she had a beautiful blue sapphire and diamond ring that my father gave her that was in the shape of small leaves that wrapped around her finger. It was not only beautiful, but the design was very unique.
(remember the one Prince Charles gave Lady Diana?) Yes I do! And I also remember the one Richard Burton gave to Elizabeth Taylor, which was designed by Bvlgari. Which ironically enough, was a company I worked for for many years. I worked for their fragrance division.
“Sapphire stimulates the Throat and Third Eye Chakras, improving communication and understanding of the messages received.”
Yes, you are spot on about that. 🙂
Thanks so much for another great post, my friend. I really enjoy these! Have a super Sunday!
X
Thank *you* for your kind words, Ron — they’re much appreciated! I’m glad you’re enjoying these gemstone posts. I’m learning a lot right along with all of you, and everything I learn serves to make me appreciate these stones more.
My birthstone is the lovely Sapphire, and I’m fortunate to have earrings and a ring made up of it. As a child, I had a small Sapphire (probably glass, but I thought of it as sapphire!), and I used to love watching the colors flash when I held it in front of a light. We never tire of things that bring us beauty!
Wishing you a beautiful week, my friend — and hope you get a little snow since you love it so much! xx
I love Sapphire’s Debbie. Nothing nicer than a sapphire ring surrounded in diamonds. (Doesn’t have to cost 1.9 million either.)
Sapphires do seem to sparkle when placed next to diamonds, don’t they? And you’re right, John — spending $1.9 million, while that’s a gorgeous ring, doesn’t warm one’s finger any better than spending far less!
Ha haha.
Gosh, that ring is beautiful. I didn’t remember that Princess Diana’s engagement ring was a sapphire; good choice, I’d say. It’s interesting that it’s found in Montana. I always think of these gemstones coming from far-away places. It’s nice to know that there are some right in our backyard — so to speak.
If it’s a stone that promotes kindness and good judgment, perhaps we should outfit some of our politicians with sapphire rings or tie tacks!
Linda, I wonder if that’s why Sapphires were chosen as ecclesiastical rings. Those fellas, too, probably could stand for a bit of kindness and good judgment!
I also learned that one can “pan” for sapphires! Now that sounds like an interesting, enjoyable day trip — and wouldn’t it be great when people admire the jewelry you’re wearing, to be able to say you’d found it yourself! Here’s the link: https://gemmountainmt.com/
I love sapphire! My earliest piece of “real” jewellery was a sapphire ring that my mother gave me – the sapphires were tiny but so sparkly and full of life. I don’t think she paid $1.9 million for it though…
HaHa, she probably didn’t! But as John said earlier, one doesn’t have to spend a fortune to have good, quality stones that give you pleasure. Years ago, I had a Sapphire ring which was stolen during a break-in. Eventually, it found its way back to me, and I had a jeweler redesign it into earrings. I couldn’t bear the memories if I’d kept it in ring form, but I LOVE it as earrings!
I didn’t know Sapphires came in many colors…who knew? My birthstone is ruby…can’t wait until you blog about rubies. LOL!
Ruby, huh? Well, yes, that’s a great idea, Tanya — thank you, and of course, I’ll be glad to post about those gorgeous red stones! I appreciate any and all suggestions — who knew there were so many different stones to learn about?!
Very beautiful, I like to look at rings and jewellery like this but would never want to own something this expensive!
I’d be afraid to wear it, too! Something that probably needs to be insured by Lloyd’s of London is far too expensive to wear with blue jeans and sneakers, ha!!
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