Sapphire is the birthstone for those born in September and symbolizes sincerity and faithfulness. As America's number one selling gem, it is the most widely recognized of all colored gemstones. Revered for its deep blue color, sapphire is one of the hardest natural gemstones. It is the non-red variety of the class of minerals called corundum (the red variety is called ruby) and is second only to diamond in its hardness.
Although blue is the most popular color, sapphire is also available in other colors. Trace amounts of other elements such as iron, titanium, or chromium can give corundum blue, yellow, pink, purple, orange, or greenish color. Padparadscha is the name for a rare orange-pink variety of sapphire and has a higher value than blue sapphires. Sapphires may also be colorless and are also found in shades of gray and black. Unlike diamond, which is made of carbon, sapphire is a combination of aluminum and oxygen.
The sapphire has a long and interesting history. Many believe the tablets containing the Ten Commandments were composed of sapphire. Ancient Persians thought the earth rested on a giant sapphire and its reflection gave the sky its color. Blue sapphires were believed to ward off evil and impart healing and calming properties.
Sapphires have been linked to royalty and nobility throughout recorded history. They were the gems of choice among clergy, emperors and kings in ancient civilizations. Some considered the sapphire to be a talisman that protected the wearer from harm and attracted divine favor.
Sapphires of fine quality are very rare. The cost of natural sapphires varies depending on their color, clarity, size, cut, and overall quality as well as their geographic origin. Significant sapphire deposits are found in Eastern Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and East Africa. In North America sapphires have been mined mostly in the region around Helena, Montana. A few gem-grade sapphires have also been found in the area of Franklin, North Carolina. Sapphires and rubies are often found together in the same area, but one gem is usually more abundant. The 423 carat Logan sapphire in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. is one of the largest faceted gem-quality blue sapphires in existence.
Sapphire was first created synthetically in 1902 and is hard to distinguish from natural sapphires except by gemologists. Sapphires are a good investment for their beauty, value and hardness. Swarovski crystals, very widely used in today's jewelry designs, are an affordable and beautiful alternative to sapphires.
Happy birthday to all our readers who were born in September!
