Gemstone Spotlight: Sapphire
A strand of Cambodian sapphire faceted rondelle beads. Photo credit: Michelle Pajak-Reynolds
Sapphire History and Lore
Desired for centuries as the ultimate blue gemstone, sapphires got their name from the Greek word sappheiros which means “blue color.” Deep blue sapphires are considered stones of wisdom, protection and nobility by nearly every culture and religion. Since Medieval times, Catholic cardinal priests have worn ecclesiastical rings set with sapphires as symbols of Heaven and the church as their spouse. In the Jewish traditional teachings in the Talmud, the Tablets of the Law, or Ten Commandments, given to Moses on Mount Sinai were carved on sapphire tablets as a symbolic reminder of the sky, heaven and God’s throne. Ancient Persians believed the earth rests on a giant blue sapphire and its reflection is what makes the skies blue.
In energy healing, blue sapphires are believed to awaken the throat and third-eye chakras, and ease the flow of energy within the body and spirit. Sapphires are also related to activating the unconscious mind during meditation and dreaming.
In our modern times, one of the best-known blue sapphires is a 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds set in 18 karat white gold in the engagement ring first worn by Princess Diana and then given by her son, Prince William, to Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Sapphires were the traditional birthstone for April during the 15th-20th centuries and became the modern birthstone for September in 1912. Sapphires are also the birthstone for the zodiac sign of Taurus and popular gifts for 5th, 45th and 65th wedding anniversaries.
Origins and Gemology
While blue is its best-known shade, sapphires are available in almost every color of the rainbow. Sapphire is a variety of corundum, an aluminum oxide mineral that varies from transparent to opaque. In its pure form corundum is clear and colorless. Trace elements are what give sapphires their unique shades. In blue sapphires, iron and titanium are responsible for the celestial hue. Various levels of vanadium will produce violet and color-change sapphires. Green and yellow sapphires form when various levels of iron are present. Iron combined with chromium create orange or padparadascha sapphires. Pink sapphires occur when chromium is present and when the chromium level is high enough it will turn the corundum red. Red corundum is known as ruby.
Rough (unfaceted) ethically-sourced Umba sapphires from Tanga, Tanzania. These gems are unique to the Gerevi Hills, north of the Umba River, in the Umba Valley of Tanzania. Umba sapphires are known for their incredible color varieties not typically found in other parts of the world. Photo courtesy Josephat Maboi, gemstone miner and dealer at East Africa Gems.
Sapphires in all shades are found in Africa, specifically Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Some of the best-known deposits for blue sapphires are in Asia, Cambodia, Laos, Kashmir, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Sizable sapphire deposits have also been found in Australia and in the state of Montana within the United States.
Caring for Sapphire Jewelry
Second to diamonds on the Moh’s Scale of Hardness, sapphires are one of the strongest gemstones and can be cleaned with warm water and gentle soap. Let your jewelry pieces soak for a few minutes and then gently scrub with a soft brush, like an old toothbrush, rinse and let dry on a soft lint free cloth. Sapphires can scratch softer stones, including pearls and opals, so it’s best to store sapphire jewelry separately from your more delicate pieces.
Please note, all metaphysical and healing properties listed are collected from a variety of sources and shared for educational, historical and entertainment purposes only. The authors and Michelle Pajak-Reynolds Studios LLC do not guarantee the validity of such statements nor is any of this information meant to treat medical conditions. If you have a medical concern, please consult your medical provider for appropriate treatment options.
