The sapphire, that favorite gemstone of royalty and birthstone of the month of September, captivating and fascinating in equal parts, entails a series of exceptional mysteries and curiosities. Known for its impressive blue color and its durability, in this post we will tell you some interesting facts about it that you probably didn't know.
The word sapphire comes from the Greek “sappheiros” and the Latin “saphirus” and in both cases it means blue.
Sapphires belong to the corundum family of minerals, which includes rubies. Both rubies and sapphires are made from the same mineral, aluminum oxide. The color difference is due to the presence of trace elements, being chromium for ruby and iron and titanium for sapphire.
Sapphire is the second hardest gemstone, ranking 9th on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This makes it very scratch resistant and suitable for jewelry including engagement rings.
The largest deposits of this stone are in Africa and South America, although they can also be found in India, Australia and areas of Thailand and Sri Lanka, among others.
In their natural state, sapphires can be found in a wide range of colors, such as pink sapphire, white sapphire, yellow sapphire or green sapphire, among others, although the most famous are blue sapphires. This blue color can vary from pale blue to deep blue, but it is the intensity of the color that is the important factor in determining its value.
The most valuable color of this mineral is cornflower blue, known as Kashmir sapphire; Another extremely valuable color is the orange-pink of the Padparadschah sapphire.
Sapphires have been associated with various symbolic meanings throughout history. They are often seen as symbols of wisdom, loyalty and nobility. In some cultures, sapphires were believed to protect against envy and harm and since ancient times have been used for protection, especially worn by royalty, clergy and warriors.
Sapphires are the birthstone for the month of September and it is believed that wearing a sapphire can bring good luck and protection to those born in this month. But regardless of the month of birth, it has also been associated with luck and success in various aspects of life. Not only that, it is considered a stone that helps with spiritual connection and meditation.
Throughout history, sapphires have played a prominent role in jewelry created for royalty. Queen Victoria already wore a beautiful tiara of sapphires and diamonds, but other members of the British royal family have also shown their taste for this precious stone, such as Queen Elizabeth II, who had a wide variety of sapphire jewelry, highlighting her tiara. or the Prince Albert Brooch. Lady Di also wore a spectacular diamond and sapphire engagement ring on her day, originally from Queen Elizabeth II, which was later worn by Kate Middleton.
This was not the only famous sapphire engagement ring. Other celebrities such as Elizabeth Hurley or Victoria Beckham wore designs with this stone to announce her wedding, in the case of the former, or as a gift to celebrate her engagement, as was Victoria Beckham's ring.
Sapphire is one of the most beautiful and coveted stones, perfect for wearing in different types of jewelry, such as earrings, rings or necklaces, and it has an interesting history full of symbolism. Remember that at José Luis Joyerías we have a wide catalog of jewelry with sapphires, do not hesitate to ask us for more information!
*This article has been generated automatically.