Everything You Need to Know About Blue Sapphires

Blue sapphires are one of the most coveted material possessions in the world. From the Stuart sapphire set in the Imperial British crown to the Queen of Asia being discovered in a Sri Lankan man’s backyard, blue sapphires have always garnered the world’s attention.

Here’s all you need to know about this intriguing gemstone:

1. Composition

Blue sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum and has a hexagonal crystal structure. It is a precious gemstone that is made up primarily of aluminium oxide and contains traces of titanium, iron, chromium, magnesium and other elements. While blue sapphires are mined in several countries, some of the most famous blue sapphires like the Logan sapphire, Star of India and Queen of Asia are from Sri Lanka.

2. Etymology

Even though sapphires are available in several different colors, blue sapphires are the most famous. So much so that the word sapphire comes from the Latin word "saphirus" and the Greek "sapheiros", both of which mean blue. It also has roots in the Sanskrit term "sanipriya". When broken down, "sani" means saturn and "priya" means beloved: deeming sapphires quite literally "beloved of saturn". The hindu belief that people who wear sapphire are favoured by "shani" or the planet Saturn is still pertinent. Astrological beliefs surrounding this gemstone are very strong and most buyers are motivated to wear blue sapphire on account of their birth charts.

3. Blue Sapphire Myths

There are many myths associated with blue sapphires. The ancient Persians thought the world was propped up on a pedestal made of sapphires while the ancient Greeks believed sapphires were connected to the spirit world and considered the stone an integral part of fortune telling. The notorious myth about sapphires being cursed continues to dominate the psyche of many people. In some south asian cultures, sapphires are brought into the house on probation. Only if the days after the sapphires’ arrival remain disaster-free is the gemstone brought in permanently. On the other hand, some cultures revere blue sapphire as the healer and protector. Star sapphires are considered to be the stone of destiny.

4. Hardness

Sapphire scores 9 out of 10 on Mohs scale of hardness which is universally used to test the durability of gemstones. While the scale is largely relative, sapphire’s score is remarkable. It is the third hardest mineral after moissanite which comes in second with a score of 9.5 and diamond which dominates all other gemstones with a perfect 10.

5. Pedigree and Price

The price of a gemstone depends on several attributes. Sapphire is off to a good start as the third hardest mineral. Another important aspect is the refractive index which is the reading of how a crystal separates the spectrum of light. Sapphire gemstone have a pretty high refractive index lending them a lustrous shine. These qualities deem sapphire to be a significant gemstone. Further depending on color saturation, one carat of sapphire can cost up to $8000. However, more affordable options are also available. Blue Sapphire is the September birthstone as well as the gemstone used to represent 45 years of marriage. Want to have a look at the real deal? Visit GemsNY.

Kim Garth graduated with Honors in English literature. She is an author, an artist and a gem enthusiast. When she isn’t reading fiction or scribbling about sapphires, rubies and emeralds, Kim makes severe efforts to impress cats in her neighborhood.