Sapphire – Overview

Sapphire is a precious gemstone, best known for its deep blue color, though it comes in a wide range of hues. It is a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminum oxide), and gets its color from trace elements like iron, titanium, chromium, or vanadium.

Key Characteristics:

• Color:
  

  • Most famous: Royal blue to deep blue

  • Also found in pink, yellow, green, purple, orange, white (colorless), and the rare Padparadscha (a mix of pink and orange)

  • Red corundum is called ruby, not sapphire

• Hardness:
  

  • 9 on the Mohs scale (second only to diamond)

  • Extremely durable and ideal for everyday wear

• Luster:
  

  • Vitreous (glass-like)

• Clarity:
  

  • High-quality sapphires are eye-clean, but inclusions like silk (rutile needles) can occur and sometimes increase value (as in star sapphires)

• Cut:
  

  • Often faceted in oval, cushion, or round shapes

  • Star sapphires are cut as cabochons to display asterism

• Pleochroism:
  

  • Exhibits two different colors when viewed from different angles (most noticeable in blue sapphires)

Sources:

• Sri Lanka (Ceylon): Known for vibrant blue and pink sapphires

• Kashmir: Legendary velvety blue sapphires (rare and highly prized)

• Myanmar (Burma): Rich, deep blues

• Madagascar: Major modern source

• Thailand, Australia, Cambodia, Montana (USA) – also produce notable sapphires

Symbolism & Lore:

• Associated with wisdom, loyalty, nobility, and divine favor

• Traditionally worn by royalty and clergy

• September’s birthstone

• Believed to protect against envy and harm, and to attract blessings

Metaphysical Properties (belief-based):

• Said to stimulate the Third Eye and Throat Chakras

• Promotes mental clarity, focus, and spiritual insight

• Associated with truth, integrity, and serenity