Sapphire meaning: everything you need to know about this precious stone
Marilyn Monroe used to say that a diamond is a woman's best friend, but we feel we can say that sapphire is no less. With its intense color and unscratchable hardness, it is certainly a stone that many would have the desire to wear around the neck or show off on the finger. However, the exceptional beauty of this gem helps to raise its price, which reaches almost inestimable figures, as is its inestimable value. Symbol of wisdom and introspection, if set in an engagement ring or wedding rings it serves to seal the eternal and faithful love between two lovers. To discover other curiosities about these precious gems, available in different colors and more than one cut, you just have to read this article!
Are you interested in astrology? Watch this video and find out which stones correspond to each zodiac sign!
What is sapphire?
Sapphire is a precious stone of immense value. It is a variety of corundum, easily recognizable by its bright blue or light blue color. This gem is made up of aluminum oxide and can only be scratched by boron nitride or diamond. Just like all corundum, sapphires have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, a rating system that goes up to 10, the value attributed to a stone such as diamond. This figure contributes to the maximum exaltation of the sapphire and consequently to the surge in its selling price since it is the only element of natural origin that stands out for this property.
Sapphire deposits are mainly found in Australia, Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Madagascar and India.
Usually, the cut of the sapphires is round or oval, but, when set in jewels such as rings (especially engagement) or necklaces, they more often have a heart, baguette or cabochon cut.
The meaning of this precious stone
There are several meanings that, over time, crystal therapy - the discipline that studies stones and their healing properties - has attributed to sapphires. First of all, we need to start from the etymology. The word sapphire derives from the Greek word sàppheiros, which means “blue”, but it could also have origins from the Hebrew language and, in particular, from the noun sappir, whose meaning is “the most beautiful thing”. These stones, in fact, have always been synonymous with beauty, purity, inner peace, royalty, but above all wisdom. This last meaning has very ancient origins. In the past, in fact, the sapphire was also known as "the stone of Saturn", a divinity that in astrology and ancient mythology was used to call the "Old Sage", by virtue of the wisdom entrusted to him.
What does it mean to give a sapphire as a gift?
Surely not everyone can afford to give a unique and sought-after gem like sapphire. If, however, you have the privilege of being able to purchase or receive a ring, a pair of earrings or other jewels with these gems as a gift, know that behind this gift there are important meanings that will contribute to enrich its already exceptional value. Those who give you a sapphire not only want to make you happy, but also want this blue stone, in addition to giving you a certain amount of wisdom and prudence, to help protect you and keep your goodness intact. It is also not uncommon that in wealthy and noble contexts, these precious stones are preferred for the creation of engagement rings as they are considered a good omen for marital happiness. Making the marriage proposal, placing this gem on the finger of the beloved, means promising eternal fidelity and making a commitment to ensure that this love story is as peaceful as possible.
What color are sapphires?
If we think of a gem like sapphire, its bright and brilliant blue color immediately comes to mind. This shade is due to the combination of hematite and rutile, but it is not the only possible color. Sapphires, in fact, can be of different colors such as black, yellow, pink, orange, green, red and even colorless white. In the past, when the color of these gems was not typically blue or light blue, they tended to be given the name of other stones, followed by the adjective "oriental". For example, a green sapphire was called an oriental emerald, while a purple colored sapphire was known as an oriental amethyst.
How much does a sapphire cost?
It is very rare that, by rummaging in people's jewelry boxes, one can find jewels made with sapphires and the reason is soon said. Suffice it to say that the minimum price of this stone fluctuates around 300/400 euros, while, if we take into consideration rings, earrings and necklaces signed by prestigious brands and with a greater number of carats, the sale price can rise and reach a value of 10 thousand euros.
How to recognize a real sapphire?
Alongside the authentic versions, there are synthetic alternatives. The first synthetic sapphires were made by the French chemist Auguste Verneuil. Today, in order to distinguish an original sapphire from its synthetic variant, it is necessary to subject the stone to a "careful observation under the microscope and to spectrometric and spectrophotometric analyzes. Obviously, it is not only the composition but also the price at which the gem is produced that changes. sold.
Some curiosities about sapphires
If you love sapphires in all shapes and colors and want to find out more about this extremely precious stone, below you will find some curiosities that you absolutely cannot miss:
- Among the jewels that have gone down in history, there is undoubtedly Lady Diana Spencer's engagement ring: made of white gold and crowned with 14 diamonds, it stands out for the huge blue sapphire in the center, an oval cut of 12. carat. Today this ring shines on the finger of Kate Middleton, to whom it was given by Prince William as a token of their love and as a tribute to the now deceased mother.
- The most famous sapphire in the world is known as the "Star of India" and is found at the Natural History Museum in New York. What makes it so special? Simple, its 563 carats.
