History of Sapphire
Mankind's history is intimately linked with sapphire. The Ten Commandments were supposedly carved on sapphire. Historians claimed that King Solomon's ring bore a large sapphire stone. The British Crown Jewels have large blue sapphires. And in the last century, it has become popular to give a sapphire engagement ring as a symbol of sincerity, fidelity and true love.
Modern Significance of Sapphire
Today, sapphire is assigned as the birthstone for the birth month of September. Some people who were born in the month of April may also claim sapphire as their birthstone. In astrology, sapphire is the ayurvedic birthstone for the birth month of August.
Sapphire is also the recommended gift for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversary. In addition, sapphire jewelry can also help in calming the mind because it is considered as the stone that brings forth serenity.
Sapphire Jewelry
Sapphire jewelry is usually cut into ovals to keep as much as the original shape of the stone as possible. However, many sapphires are also cut into rounds, similar to diamonds. Round-cut sapphires are usually expensive due to the extra work. However, the cut is just one aspect of sapphire jewelry. The other one is color.
Most sapphires are found in various shades of blue. The blue color is due to traces of cobalt. One of the largest blue sapphires, known as the Logan Sapphire, is exhibited in the National Museum of Natural History. Other colors of sapphire also exist, such as pink, orange, yellow, and white. Pink sapphires have traces of chromium in the crystalline structure, while yellow sapphires have traces of iron.
The impurities in sapphire crystals may or may not add value to the gemstone. For example, purplish sapphires are less valued than the vivid blue ones. White sapphires, with none of the above impurities, are used as less expensive substitutes for diamond. But the pink-orange sapphires, especially the padparadscha, are considered as rare and very expensive gemstones.
And finally, a type of sapphire that fascinated the world of gems is the star sapphire. The largest sapphire is a star sapphire. It is called the "Star of India," and it is presently protected by the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
