Popular Myths and Misconceptions About Blue Sapphires
Sapphires have long been seen as symbols of wisdom and strength. Used for everything from meditation practices to astrological forecasting, Sapphires have long been treasured gems of September.
Most of us know that sapphires like – Neelam Stone come in blue hues, but did you know corundum can also come in shades such as orange, yellow, pink, and green? These variations are known as Fancies; their hue comes from chemical impurities like iron and titanium.
1. Sapphires are only found in India
Fine sapphires of the highest quality come from Sri Lanka or, more commonly known in trade terms, Ceylon. Marco Polo famously traveled the globe carrying large Ceylon sapphires which he brought back home for sharing among rulers he visited.
Padparadscha sapphires, which feature two unique hues that recall tropical sunsets and lotus flowers, are considered among the rarest of all sapphires.
2. Sapphires are only blue
Although sapphires are most often considered Neelam stone, natural varieties also come in pink, yellow, green, orange, violet, and even white (colorless) hues – although those hues rarely appear in sapphire cabochons.
Certain sapphires also display an intriguing and highly prominent phenomenon known as “asterism” whereby inclusions create a star effect on their surface, offering rare and desirable properties for blue sapphires.
Sapphires have long been revered as symbols of purity and virtue, representing timeless purity in our daily lives and lasting loyalty and trust between individuals. Long associated with royalty such as ancient Persians, Greeks, and Romans; later medieval kings and queens also often wore sapphire rings as protection and amulets against harm and promote longevity.
3. Sapphires are only natural
Sapphires are prized gems renowned for their deep blue hue, which has long been associated with truthfulness, sincerity and loyalty. Also highly valued are their healing properties: ancient Persians believed the earth rested upon a giant sapphire that painted the sky blue.
But not all sapphires are blue! Original Neelam Stone come in various colors, including yellow, pink, green and colorless. Their varied hues can be attributed to trace elements present during stone formation: for instance rutile inclusions may produce an asterism effect while chromium elements make the stone redder (making a ruby). Lab-created sapphires only offer limited varieties; natural stones provide more variety.
4. Sapphires are only good for love
Quality sapphires evoke an idyllic night sky in their rich blue color, recalling ancient Greek belief that all was balanced on an immense sapphire which reflected off into space, giving rise to its reflection forming our sky and giving it color.
Submerge the gemstone in water before drinking its elixir to offset any potential edges!
Hindu and Vedic beliefs associate Saturn with Blue Sapphire gemstones, and wearing one is believed to bring wealth and good health. However, cultural practices vary and improper or irresponsible use of gems could have detrimental outcomes.
5. Sapphires are only good for eyes
Sapphires have long been treasured across cultures for their vibrant blue color. They have come to symbolize and embody symbolic or superstitious beliefs across time and space. In ancient Persia, for instance, people believed the world rested upon a giant sapphire that cast its reflection onto the sky, serving as a gemstone symbolizing wisdom, purity and goodness – while medieval European clergy often donned blue sapphires as emblems of heaven to protect themselves from envy or harm.
Gemstone values can be determined using four criteria: color, clarity and cut. A large sapphire with exceptional clarity and vivid saturation would be more expensive than its smaller counterpart which falls below this quality threshold.