Yakhont is an outdated collective name for precious stones belonging to the group of blue and red corundums. These gems are rightly called royal - they were inlaid with the clothes of rulers, tiaras, crowns, scepters and thrones. Unofficially, hyacinths and cherry-colored amethysts are also classified as yachts.
Yakhont ruby
The term “yakhont” was first used in the 4th century BC. in Ancient Arabia and Persia (in Latin transcription - jakut). In Western European countries, the gem was called jachant, in Rus' - yakhont. In Ancient Greece, the stone was called hyacinth (hyakinthos). The large number of names has led to confusion. Yakhont began to be called any stone of red or blue color.
Today, the concept of “yakhont” is absent in the exact sciences. It can only be found in fiction or everyday life.
Physical and chemical properties
The chemical composition of yakhont is completely identical to corundum. This is crystalline alumina, in which the share of aluminum reaches 60%. The main impurities are iron and chromium. Titanium, nickel, manganese and vanadium are also present in small quantities.
The mineral has the following physical properties:
| Properties | Characteristics |
| Hardness | 9 points on the Mohs scale, in terms of strength, yachts are second only to diamonds |
| Fragility | increased |
| Density | 3.9 g/cm³ |
| Color | red, blue, purple, green, yellow, orange |
| Shine | predominantly diamond, mother-of-pearl |
| Kink | conchoidal, uneven |
| Cleavage | absent |
| Transparency | from completely transparent to opaque translucent |
| Iridescence effect | absent |
| Radioactivity | absent |
All yachts are characterized by the effect of asterism and “cat’s eye”. In the first case, a star with six or twelve rays can be observed on the surface of the processed crystal. The “cat’s eye” effect is manifested due to parallel inclusions of other rocks in the structure.
Varieties
Yakhonts are three types of precious stones: rubies, sapphires and hyacinths.
Ruby
Ruby
Ruby (red yacht) is one of the most expensive and sought after yachts. The admixture of chromium in the composition in greater or lesser quantities gives the stone almost all shades of red color - from soft pink to bright purple, deep red and burgundy. Depending on their color, rubies are divided into varieties:
- “Pigeon Blood” is a red-blue stone of high jewelry quality, mined in Burma.
- “Bull's blood” - this specimen is also mined in Burma, but its shade is more rich and dark.
- Pink (“Viennese hyacinth”) - the gem shines through at the edges and has a delicate tea rose color.
- Carbuncle is a bright red ruby.
In ancient times, rubies were used to decorate royal attributes, for example, the crown of Empress Catherine the Great, the cap of Monomakh, and the scepter of Ivan the Terrible.
Sapphire (azure, fantasy yacht)
Padparadscha sapphire
In mineralogy, sapphires are stones that are exclusively blue in color, but jewelers include corundums of all colors except red. The classic blue color of sapphire is provided by impurities of titanium and iron.
The following types of sapphire are distinguished:
- Classic - the rarest and most valuable stones of a delicate cornflower blue color.
- “Oriental emerald” is a green mineral, so named because of its external resemblance to emerald.
- "Padparadscha" is a gem of amber-yellow, pink-yellow and orange shades, which is especially valued in India.
- “Eastern amethyst” is a violet sapphire, the shades of which can vary due to impurities of manganese, titanium, chromium and iron.
Hyacinth (yellow yacht)
Officially, hyacinth is not classified as corundum, but in terms of strength and density, both minerals are almost identical. The stone is a type of zircon and has a delicate yellow-pink and yellow-orange color.
Origin of the name
The word came into Russian from Polish, where jachant means “precious stone”. In turn, the Poles took this word from the German language, and the people of Germany - from Latin. Now this name is used in literature, commerce, and also in everyday life. In science, it is customary to call stones corundums, and these in turn are sapphires and rubies.
The nugget has been known to mankind since ancient times. Residents of Burma believed that the mineral gave them protection from bad luck and illness, and medieval magicians used yakhont to predict the future. The precious gem was often used by crowned heads, emphasizing their status and noble origin.
Mineral deposits
Ruby
While corundum deposits can be found in almost all corners of the planet, large specimens of jewelry-quality yachts are rare.
The most common are red rubies, which are mined on all continents except Antarctica.
Deposits of pink rubies and orange padparadscha are being developed on the island of Sri Lanka.
Deposits of blue sapphires are located in India - Ceylon and Burma. Kashmir represents the most valuable cornflower blue stones on the world market.
Medium-grade purple and green sapphires are mined in Madagascar, Australia, Cambodia and Thailand.
The subsoil of the USA, India, Brazil, Vietnam, Russia and the USA is rich in hyacinths.
25% of all world sapphire production comes from Australian deposits.
Officially: in explanatory dictionaries of the Russian language
Explanatory dictionaries of the Russian language describe in detail what “yakhonty” means:
- Dahl's large dictionary of the living Great Russian language (compiled in the middle of the 19th century) reads - “lal, ruby. Yakhont is worm-shaped (crimson-blue), red, actually a ruby. Yakhont is blue, blue is sapphire. The following are not yachts at all: cherry - amethyst; yellow - hyacinth." That is, according to Vladimir Ivanovich Dahl, an expert on Russian literature, cherry and yellow varieties of gems are called so figuratively, for example, as an analogy one can recall the “tiger eye” stone, which has nothing to do with the huge cats themselves, except for external similarity.
- The dictionary compiled by the Soviet linguist Sergei Ivanovich Ozhegov (first edition in 1949) mentions “the name of ruby and sapphire in the old days.” The definition is given briefly, without details, and an example of the use of the word is given in a figurative sense: “The eyes burn like yachts.” That is, there is a lack of information in the mid-20th century about the use of the term in its direct meaning.
We see the same in the dictionary edited by D.N. Ushakov, 1935 edition - “Interpretation of ruby and sapphire in antiquity.” “The Fable of the Fox and the Grapes” by I. A. Krylov is also mentioned there. “...The hungry godfather Fox climbed into the garden; The bunches of grapes in it were red. The gossip's eyes and teeth flared up; And the brushes are juicy, like yachts, burning...”
Magical properties of the yacht
Ring with sapphire
The magic of a mineral can manifest itself in different ways depending on its color:
- Ruby is a symbol of passion, power and vitality. It can make its owner tougher and cold-blooded, but will not allow harm to others. The stone ignites the feelings of lovers and helps women awaken the true lady within themselves. In gold, ruby acts as a powerful amulet against the evil eye, damage and any kind of trouble.
- Blue and green sapphires develop spirituality. With their help, you can normalize your emotional background and gain self-confidence. The stone concentrates attention, has a beneficial effect on mental abilities, and this makes it useful for those who receive knowledge. The blue yacht will make businessmen and entrepreneurs more rational.
- Yakhonts of yellow, orange and pink-yellow shades are effective amulets for travelers, talismans of good luck for enterprising people. Stones of these shades will restore mental balance, give a good mood, a charge of vigor and positivity.
When choosing a yacht as a magical item, you should pay attention to its integrity. Scratched or cracked crystals can cause irreparable harm to their owner instead of benefit.
Where is it mined?
Many yacht deposits are located in Russia. These are mountains in the north of the Chelyabinsk region called Vishnevye, a group of ridges of the Southern Urals - the Ilmen Mountains, the Kola Peninsula, the Krasnoyarsk Territory, Karelia. Other deposits:
- India, Zanskwar;
- Sri Lanka;
- sandbanks and rocks on the border between India and Sri Lanka - Adam's Bridge;
- Burma;
- Thailand;
- Greece;
- O. Madagascar;
- Norway;
- USA;
- Canada.
Corundums are also produced artificially using heat treatment and various high-alumina raw materials. Modern production methods make it possible to obtain large, pure shade, transparent crystals in a short time. In appearance, artificial gems are not inferior to natural ones, but the latter are valued much higher.
Medicinal properties
Jewelry with sapphire
The properties of sapphire are successfully used in lithotherapy to treat many diseases and alleviate conditions:
- pain relief;
- reducing blood sugar and bad cholesterol levels;
- relief from paralysis and epileptic seizures (subject to basic drug treatment);
- elimination of inflammatory processes formed both in internal organs and on the outer skin;
- improving the functioning of the digestive organs;
- removing intoxication from the body;
- normalization of psycho-emotional state;
- restoration of vision;
- improving metabolism;
- treatment of sexual dysfunction in men.
When choosing a yacht as a healing amulet, you should also take into account its color. For example:
- Red crystals have a positive effect on the vascular and hematopoietic system, brain function, and joints. They are also recommended for use in epilepsy and paralysis.
- Blue stones help relieve headaches, heal skin diseases and inflammatory processes.
- Green and yellow yachts have a beneficial effect on the state of mind and psyche. They must be used to eliminate nervous tension and the consequences of stress, depression, and apathy.
Who is suitable according to their zodiac sign?
You need to choose a stone not only by its color or price. It matters a lot which zodiac sign you belong to. Many people believe that yachting is suitable for everyone. But that's not true. Each stone belongs to its own energy element, and cannot be equally useful for everyone. Yakhont is most suitable:
- Cancer - helps to find a suitable partner, get rid of tightness and shyness, and achieve success in achieving any goals.
- Sagittarius - with the help of a yacht, they will be able to always be in the center of attention, maintain power and increase self-confidence. With the help of the mineral it is easy to neutralize the pride and stubbornness of representatives of this sign. They become more tolerant of others if they wear ruby jewelry.
- For Leo women, the stone helps them find love, they become more attractive and charming. And men who represent this zodiac sign gain self-confidence and courage.
- For Aries, who are fiery personalities, the stone will give peace. He will direct the irrepressible energy of these individuals in the right and more peaceful direction. They begin to do useful work and gain the approval of others.
- Yakhont will allow Scorpios to find a purpose in life; they become balanced and softer if they wear jewelry with a gem.
- Capricorns need some time to get used to the properties of the stone. Representatives of this sign are calm by nature, and the yacht fills them with activity and makes their life more dynamic. The stone is especially useful for those Capricorns who are filled with ambition.
But yakhont is not suitable for Taurus and Virgo; it is better for them to choose another stone. The horoscope will tell you which one.
Products with yacht
Ring with hyacinth
The main areas of application of yachts are the jewelry industry and collecting.
Luxury and premium class jewelry is made from precious stones belonging to the concept of “yakhont”. Gems are inserted into earrings, rings, pendants and rings, framed in expensive metals - gold and platinum. Beads, necklaces and bracelets are made from lower quality samples.
Yakhont is very expensive, its price depends on the size of the stone, variety and quality. The cost of minerals on the world market is:
- Hyacinths – up to $140/carat.
- Padparadscha – from $160/carat. Collectible crystals weighing more than 5 carats cost more than $30,000/carat.
- Cornflower blue sapphires after heat treatment - within $350/carat, without heat treatment - from $1000/carat.
- Rubies are the most expensive yachts. Stones weighing up to 5 carats cost from $2,500/carat, high-quality stones over 5 carats cost from $100,000/carat. Pigeon blood rubies are considered the most expensive, their price reaches $500,000/carat.
Scope and scope
Today, the overwhelming majority of the gem-quality mineral is used in the production of expensive jewelry, but there are other areas of application of yakhont:
- As an abrasive material;
- Production of needles for record players;
- Production of laser installations;
- Optics.
Corundums of unusual shapes are in demand on the collection market. The largest specimen is known, weighing 459 g, bearing the name “King of Gems,” and belonging to an ordinary lawyer from India.
Medicinal properties
In lithotherapy, yakhont became famous as a stone that cures mental illnesses, as well as blood diseases. The mineral was believed to have the ability to purify the blood. It is able to relieve diseases such as:
- Epilepsy;
- Paralysis;
- Depression;
- Insomnia;
- Panic attacks;
- Phobias;
- Vision problems;
- Rheumatism;
- Otitis;
- Sinusitis;
- Bronchitis, etc.
Magic properties
The magical energy of the stone is multifaceted; depending on the color, there are three directions of influence of the mineral on a person:
- All modifications of yellow (sapphire, hyacinth) – luck and soul
Padparadscha or hyacinth are the main representatives of the yellow and pink shades of the yakhont group: they are responsible for the concentration of the energetic power of the soul in the stone.
The yellow yacht awakens hidden positive emotions inside a person, forcing him to notice joyful moments in the most difficult situations. Children love it very much, because proximity to such an amulet gives carefreeness and an unreasonable feeling of euphoria.
Yellow Yakhont is a stone for travelers. It is believed that it helps to become a welcome guest in any home, wards off adversity and brings good luck along the way.
As a soul stone, it is useful for people involved in activities such as pedagogy and psychology, it promotes recovery after a difficult day, and relieves moral exhaustion and emotional burnout.
- Red and its shades (ruby) – love and life
Despite the fact that the magical effect of ruby on a person is ambiguous: the mineral adds perseverance, hardness and stubbornness to character, as a yacht the stone carries only positive energy. Most likely, the name given to the nugget plays a key role here, influencing not only the fate of the mineral, but also the future of its owner. First of all, a yacht is a reflection of its owner. If a person experiences a strong attraction to something or someone (person, object, knowledge, etc.), the stone will absorb this attraction and contribute to the activation of vital forces, directing them to achieve what is desired.
But, you should be careful with such power if there are bad intentions in your thoughts. Negative energy can also affect the magical properties of the yacht: it will not become an “evil” stone, but will turn away from its owner, stop helping him and lose its brightness and shine.
Red Yakhont is a stone of love and passion. In ancient times, a ruby given to a loved one was considered a sign of all-consuming love and became a powerful amulet for the gifted person. In addition, such a stone could influence a person who has not yet fully decided, who feels more sympathy for a partner than love, activating the love power within the new owner.
For women, the yakhont is a special talisman; it helps them find themselves, become more natural and feminine, and find love. Turning to shamans for help, every girl secretly dreamed of receiving a ruby amulet as a gift, but not everyone became the happy owner of such a gift. In order for the stone to take root and act in the interests of its owner, it is necessary to clearly define your interests and not allow evil thoughts to penetrate your soul. Otherwise, the energy of the mineral will change and the girl wearing it may not acquire the groom she dreamed of, but an additional set of anxieties and complexes.
- All varieties of blue (sapphire) – wisdom and enlightenment
Sapphire is a stone of the mind. In addition to being the talisman of all sages, it is also endowed with the power of purification and renewal. This is a rare case when a nugget can help everyone: an adult or a child, good or evil, rich or poor.
It helps a lost person find a way out of the most difficult and seemingly intractable situations; a person who is unsure of himself or is overly modest will help to liberate himself and forget about embarrassment, and he protects children and the terminally ill from the evil eye and protects their minds from unclean thoughts.
It is important to remember that a sapphire whose surface has defects (cracks, scratches) cannot be used as an amulet or talisman: such a stone brings misfortune.
Sapphire can be an excellent assistant for students and schoolchildren, helping them to concentrate on the main thing - studying. Activates mental processes within a person, promotes rapid recovery of strength, improves memory and forces a rational approach to solving pressing problems.
Zodiac sign
| Zodiac sign | “+++” – recommended constantly, “++” – positive effect, “+” – recommended for wearing, “-” – prohibited |
| Twins | ++ |
| Cancer | +++ |
| Capricorn | + |
| Aquarius | — |
| Scorpion | ++ |
| a lion | ++ |
| Aries | ++ |
| Virgo | + |
| Sagittarius | +++ |
| Fish | + |
| Scales | ++ |
| Taurus | — |
Decorations
In ancient times, yakhont was considered the stone of rich and noble people. It adorned the crowns, scepters and robes of famous rulers.
Monomakh's hat is decorated with 4 huge rubies, and the royal regalia stored in the Kremlin number more than 200 yahonts.
Today it is the most expensive jewelry material, which has not lost popularity for many centuries. With its help, jewelry is made for every taste: pendants, rings, beads, earrings and much more. Even decorative figurines carved from solid stone are known.
The cost of such products amounts to thousands of dollars, depending on the metal in which the stone is placed, its optical properties and size.
How to distinguish an original from a fake
Hyacinth jewelry
from Yakhonta is often counterfeited, as they are in demand and their cost is quite high. For these purposes, both cheap synthetic materials (plastic, glass) and artificially grown crystals are used.
The properties of yachts are unique, so fakes are very easy to recognize. If you suspect a fake, you should pay attention to several distinctive signs:
- due to its high hardness coefficient, the mineral cannot be scratched by a metal object;
- The presence of microcracks on the surface of the yacht is acceptable, but the lines should not be straight;
- there should be no inclusions in the structure of a real stone (for example, air bubbles or other rocks);
- if a sapphire or ruby is dipped in milk, their shade will become several tones lighter;
- under ultraviolet rays, the yacht changes shade;
- This mineral has a uniform color and luster.
Like other stones of natural origin, yachts have a higher specific gravity and lower thermal conductivity compared to plastic and glass. This can be easily checked by touch if you place the stone on your palm.
Compatibility
Not suitable for every person. To determine how compatible a mineral is, you need to look at the zodiac sign and the person’s name. The value of the yacht determines the level of compatibility.
With zodiac signs
A distinctive feature of the yacht is its positive influence on the four elements of the zodiac signs. Air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) will gain inner, personal strength with the help of the mineral. Regardless of what yacht these signs acquire, they will receive a boost of self-confidence and a sense of balance from it.
Fire signs (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries) will make friends with the energy of sapphire. Their characteristics will mutually balance each other. In this way, the “fiery” owners of the stone will find inner harmony and a sense of happiness. The earth element (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) will become stronger in spirit with the help of hyacinth. Solar energy will have a positive impact on all areas of life - professional, interpersonal, personal. The yellow mineral will allow you to unleash your creative potential and find harmony with yourself. Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) combine with the characteristics of sapphire or hyacinth.
With names
The yakhont mineral is combined with the following female names:
- Svetlana.
- Darina.
- Arianna.
- Love.
- Karina.
- Ksenia.
- Pauline.
- Angelica.
- Julia.
- Anastasia.
- Eleanor.
And with the following men's:
- Stanislav.
- Igor.
- Michael.
- Andrey.
- Apollo.
- David.
- Martin.
- Stephen.
- Sergey.
- Vadim.
- Oleg.
With other stones
Due to the variety of colors, any stone will suit the yacht. It is known that the gem draws its natural energy from the Sun and belongs to the fire element. Therefore, favorable combinations, both external and energetic, will be:
- Turquoise.
- Eye of the Tiger.
- Adular.
- Rock crystal of different colors.
- Chrysolite.
- Amazonite.
- Topaz.
- Nephritis.
- Diamond.
How to care for stone
Ring with ruby
Yachontas are easy to care for. They are naturally highly durable and therefore resistant to mechanical stress. However, like any other mineral, it is not advisable to drop or subject yakhont to impacts or compression.
It is not recommended to leave the mineral for a long time in direct sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation negatively affects its shade and leads to discoloration.
Store the product in a separate box: the stone has a high strength coefficient, so it can damage other, softer minerals.
Periodically, the yacht needs to be cleaned of dirt. For this, universal means are used - warm water and baby soap. Chemicals containing acids or abrasives are prohibited from being used to clean stone.
Description of the gem
Corundums are varied in color, they are united by a common chemical formula - Al2O3, and the structure of the crystal lattice. The hardness of corundum is 9, density is about 4, melting point is 2000°C, birefringence is low. Yakhonts are resistant to various aggressive environmental influences, which is why they are used not only in jewelry, but also in industry, electronics, and medicine.
Precious minerals, which have a high price, combine the following characteristics:
- transparent appearance;
- color saturation;
- beautiful play of sun rays in the edges;
- brightness of glass shine.
Large bright red rubies and blue sapphires are highly prized. The description of yakhont stones in their raw form is different - they are uneven, opaque minerals. After processing they look completely different. In nature, corundums are found individually or accreted into groups of barrel-shaped, dipyramidal and tabular crystals.
