Sapphire is a gemstone that shows power and eternal life.
If a person has ever seen a sapphire, it will forever remain in his memory. This is truly a true stone of kings, with a stunning blue, it shines fantastically, and has ancient and rich historical roots. Since ancient times, sapphire has symbolized the power of world rulers and kings; after a lot of time, it has not lost its greatness.
Where did sapphire come from or dive into history
From the moment of its discovery, this precious stone began to conquer humanity with its durable characteristics and unprecedented beauty. It was first found on the Asian continent, in the east and southern part. Another name for sapphire is corundum. A little later, other minerals with similar features and origin came under this name.
There is a myth in India that sapphire can bring immortality to a person. If we rely on a legend from ancient times, the creator of the mineral created it in such a way that it became a fossil and did not fall into the hands of ordinary people.
Sapphire is rightfully considered the mineral of rulers and kings, since it was they who loved it very much, considering the mineral a symbol of limitless power.
As everyone knows that Solomon's seal is made from this precious stone.
The historical roots of sapphire are also curious. Scientists believe that the gem received its name from different nationalities. An interesting fact is that the Romans classified sapphire as lapis lazuli. The ancient Slavs called all such precious stones baus.
It is interesting that the name of sapphire has quite an ambiguous connotation among experts. Scientists include only bluish corundum among them. But in jewelry, this is a large layer of varieties of corundum of the most beautiful colors (only red is not included). The famous rubies are called red gems.
Princess Diana adored sapphires; for her wedding, her future husband gave her jewelry with this particular stone. Currently, it has been inherited by her daughter-in-law; a photo of the royal couple’s sapphire stone can be easily found on the Internet.
Famous Jewels
Jewelry with deep blue sapphire, without cutting or refining, was used by the first rulers and church hierarchs. The most famous artifacts:
- seal of King Solomon;
- ring of the first Christian pontiffs;
- ring of the English monarch Edward the Confessor (11th century);
- ring with an insert of the most expensive shade: rich, medium blue with purple reflections, plus 32 diamonds; went at auction for $5 million.
Princess Diana loved products with sapphires. Style icon Lady Di made the gem popular. The gold ring with a pink stone, once given to Diana by Prince Charles, was given by their son to his fiancée Kate Middleton on their engagement day. After the wedding, she inherited the rest of the jewelry. Along the way, it turned out that in thirty years the price of the ring had risen a hundred times.
Where are sapphires mined?
Industrial centers for the extraction of gems are located in the United States of America, the People's Republic of China, Thailand, Madagascar and some other areas.
A fun fact is that the largest sapphire currently available was found by chance and was mistaken for crystal.
For a long period of time it was used as a paperweight, but after contacting an expert, it turned out that it was really a gem. The discovery took place in the sixties of the twentieth century, in the United States of America.
There is no mass mining of sapphire in Russia. Sometimes found on the Kola Peninsula, the local stone is gray in color.
Medicinal properties
Sapphire is one of the most powerful healing stones. It is credited with such medicinal properties as lowering blood pressure, treating diabetes, and eliminating neuroses. The mineral works well in the fight against insomnia and anxiety. Also, the stone is used in the treatment of severe wounds. In this case, not only the stone itself is used, but also the water that was infused on this stone. There is an opinion that sapphire even treats diseases such as infertility.
Physical properties of sapphire stone
Corundum is one of the hardest minerals; its characteristics are second only to diamond. In terms of price, it is among the top five most expensive. The saturation of the shade is determined by the percentage of titanium and iron.
If sapphire is exposed to high temperatures, the color disappears.
However, under the influence of X-rays, the saturation level increases by an order of magnitude. Gems after this treatment are called refined.
What color are sapphires?
Jewelers select a large number of sapphires based on color. Blue remains the classic color. Other colors of gems can be:
- Blue. Essentially one shade is the main characteristic of sapphire, but it is not that common. They have a beautiful cornflower blue hue, there is no other color range. If the amount of blue color is less than eight ten five percent, then the gemstones are classified as fancy. In this case, a hue prefix is added to the name of the sapphire. The greater the saturation of the blue color, the price on the market for such a sapphire stone will be much lower.
- Black. This type of sapphire is transparent or translucent. In fact, such a gem is blue in color, but due to its density, it visually takes on a black color.
- Green. They have similar characteristics as the black counterpart. Only under high magnification can you notice that the gem is actually yellow-bluish. As a result of mixing colors, greenishness is obtained.
- Yellow. They are among the rare specimens, they are not so often found along with blue gems. The color range varies from yellow to bright orange.
- White. Pure white color is almost impossible to find. They usually take on a tint as a result of high temperatures and bleaching. The technique allows jewelers to create beautiful jewelry at a lower cost by replacing diamonds.
- Pink. Manganese gives gems their tenderness. They are more affordable in price than their diamond counterparts.
- Blue. Similar sapphires can most often be found in India. Gems are mined in Sri Lanka; their color resembles milk.
- Violet. A rare sapphire, the hue is given by the presence of vanadium.
- Grey. It is also one of the rare analogues, but its cost is not always at a high level.
In addition to the standard classification of sapphire by color, there are other magnificent types of gemstones. Jewelry specialists are divided into the following subgroups:
- Cat's eye. The stripe along its length resembles a cat's eye. Minerals of this kind are quite difficult to find.
- Alexandrite effect. This subgroup includes gems that have the ability to change colors depending on the light level.
- Stardom. Based on asterism (the reflection of rays in the inner faces of the stone), the best specimens are found in Thailand and have a greenish color.
- Tundura. Gems are mined in Tanzania. They are stones of amazing purity; similar analogues no longer exist. Many have asterism, the color range is very diverse. A carat on the market can be quoted from two thousand US dollars. In nature, sapphires of more than two carats do not exist in such a subgroup.
There are gems that do not fall under any classification known to specialists and jewelers, and have amazing unique characteristics.
Cost of jewelry
Leading jewelry brands offer a wide range of stone jewelry to suit every taste and budget. Initial cost of products (rub.):
Silver products:
- ring – 1790;
- earrings – 2,490;
- necklace – 1,490.
The silver setting of the jewelry with a stone makes sapphire accessible to people of average income.
Necklace with sapphires
Gold items:
- ring – 5 490;
- earrings – 12,990;
- suspension – 990.
Platinum accessories with sapphires are made to order.
The average cost of a stone in jewelry is 1,400 rubles. per carat
Healing properties. Who is sapphire suitable for as a magic stone?
Over a long period of history, healers have been engaged in research and discovery of new medicinal qualities of the gem. They found that sapphire can be used to cure various diseases. It is usually recommended for use in diseases of the heart, respiratory system, skin, diabetes, gynecology, mental disorders, etc. According to experts, sapphire will help get rid of a large number of diseases, but the color of the gem plays a big role in getting rid of ailments.
Both men and women can use it as a magical talisman.
The magic of jewelry
Esotericists and lithotherapists have found that magical and healing properties depend more on the color of the stone. Although it is better to choose jewelry worn closer to the problem area.
Therapeutic effect
The stone improves the functioning of the psyche, treats women’s ailments and strengthens the immune system.
For the purpose of healing, use a crystal of the desired color:
- blue – inflammatory processes, cardiovascular system, skin, headache;
- green – blurred vision or restless sleep;
- white – anxiety;
- yellow – weakened immune system, depression or stress.
It is undesirable to constantly wear jewelry with yellow inserts: the stone is energetically strong and can instill in a person unmotivated worry or anxiety.
Ring with yellow sapphire
The strongest healing effect is provided by sapphire silver jewelry.
Magic properties
Sapphire of any color makes a person better. A pendant or pendant is given to a child so that his character is formed correctly.
For specific purposes, choose an accessory with an insert of a suitable color:
- blue – necessary for naturally timid people to gain determination; organizes thoughts; a talisman for those wishing to develop superpowers;
- blue – a magnet of luck, love, an assistant in the process of learning; The specimen with the star is especially strong;
- white - awakens the owner’s potential, helping to achieve a goal on the physical plane or establish a connection with the subtle;
- green - makes egoists philanthropists, extinguishes domestic quarrels in the bud, and is used to remember dreams;
- pink - materializes what the owner is thinking about, so you will have to say goodbye to dreams of revenge and other negativity so that they do not attract;
- black is the number one amulet against enemies and dark forces, helps to believe in yourself again;
- stellate - “supervises” intuition;
- yellow – a talisman of the family hearth, a tool for practicing magicians to increase abilities, an activator of inspiration for creative people; the best frame is yellow gold.
A ring with a sapphire makes girls perspicacious and is worn on a date. At work, decoration will help you not to lose concentration and not forget about anything. Luxurious gold or silver earrings at a party will make the hostess the center of attention.
The magical properties of sapphire are enhanced by a gold frame. It makes the owner a confident leader and winner.
Zodiac
Almost all zodiac signs will feel the benefits of sapphire jewelry.
Zodiac sign | Compatibility (“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – strictly contraindicated) |
Aries | + |
Telei | — |
Twins | — |
Cancer | — |
a lion | — |
Virgo | — |
Scales | — |
Scorpion | — |
Sagittarius | + |
Capricorn | — |
Aquarius | + |
Fish | — |
The stone is neutral in relation to Pisces and Libra: for them it is just a decoration. Contraindicated for Capricorn. Its gem will weaken you physically and emotionally, and strengthen your natural obstinacy. For magical purposes, it is better to start using jewelry from your 36th birthday.
How to determine if a sapphire is real?
In terms of cost and status, the gem is one of the most expensive and popular, which is why they often try to counterfeit it. Typically, attackers use glass or synthetics in their work. To distinguish a real stone from a fake one and not confuse it with a similar one, you need to know some nuances:
- With a good level of light, you can notice the heterogeneity of the internal structure on the sapphire. The fake stone will look perfect.
- Hardness level. As mentioned above, sapphire has high strength and it is possible to scratch the gem with a diamond or other similar stone. It is almost impossible to do this in any other way.
- A real gem remains cold for a long time, while fakes immediately absorb heat.
- When passing through ultraviolet light, sapphire does not acquire a green color.
When gluing several precious stones together, specialists under a magnifying glass have the opportunity to detect deception.
So-called refined gems are also produced. They become more saturated under different influences. But manipulations are not considered counterfeit; the entire process must be indicated in the certificate.
Care instructions
The hardness of the mineral is high, but careful treatment and care will not hurt:
- to clean gold items, use a weak solution of soap or washing powder, a soft brush or napkin; as an option - warm water with soda and salt;
- expose the decoration in a soapy solution to the sun for 2-3 hours;
- After cleaning, thorough rinsing of jewelry is required;
- refresh jewelry with ammonia (4-6 ml per 170-210 g of water).
The method of fixing the stone matters. If it is glued and not mechanically secured, water cleaning is impossible. The jewel is carried into the workshop.
The gem does not tolerate household chemicals and ultraviolet radiation, so jewelry is removed while doing housework, cooking, or going to the beach. Store in a separate box or box with soft upholstery.