Exploring the Symbolism Behind Sapphire Gemstones

Since the dawn of civilization , mankind has been fascinated with sapphires captivated with sweet hope over the ages. It has been a long journey for these beautiful blue stones which were first found in ancient Persia where people believed they were pieces of the pedestal that held up the earth and turned the sky blue timeless of blue sapphire pendants.

The ancient Greeks and Romans did not only appreciate sapphires as beautiful stones, but they also saw them as worthy symbols of the gods themselves and of great wisdom as well. These stones were worn by kings and high priests who believed that sapphires protected the possessor from danger and jealousy. The ancient Persians thought that a huge beautiful sapphire laid beneath the earth, and that was the reason as to why the sky appeared blue.

Many ancient Roman cultures, including Mediterranean, Persian and Chinese regions, and even Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) illustrates the existence of sapphires and suggests styles of sapphire trade routes. The network of commerce further gives evidence of the gem’s social and economic relevance in prehistoric communities.

Sapphires were also integrated into ceremonial articles of various kinds and used to adorn jewelry by the Ancient Egyptians as they regarded the stones as a means of linking them to the deities they worshiped. Sapphires are said to have been a part of Cleopatra, a greater and more influential leader, to increase one’s charisma and looks, while in ancient Egypt priests used to wear these stones so that they may read the oracles and the deep symbolism and meanings associated with the Sapphire Pendant Necklace, making it more than just jewelry.

India was no exception and sapphires were equally worshiped both in the temples and in the royal palaces. They were attributed to the planet shani and were used for astrological reasons. Sapphires are particularly mentioned in the Hindu scriptures as the stone of faith and spiritual advancement which explains their use in the embellishment of temples and avatar images.

The Byzantium period especially appreciated the use of sapphires in a wide variety of royal and religious facets, with a particular emphasis on the imperial court that looked for these gems. This fascination with the gems served to elevate them into nobility and spirituality, which is a perception that was present up to the medieval ages in Europe.

The ancient Chinese society was also fond of sapphires since they were believed to protect and enhance wisdom. The jade stones were usually sculptured into various religious icons as well as imperial seals which represented heaven and the approval of the heavenly powers to rule on earth.

In ancient cultures, healers also relied on sapphires as gemstones with therapeutic benefits. They were prescribed in treating eye infections, febrile states, and enhancing the health defense mechanisms. Such medical uses only increased the stone’s fascination and worth.

The hardness rating of sapphires which is second to diamonds made them ideal components in the ancient signet rings and seals. The aesthetic value added on to their practical use was the reason as to why they played a great role in the administrative and legal aspects in ancient civilizations.

These historical principles introduced sapphires as of great significance, which was a step to ensure their relevance in future. The important place attributed to sapphires in the ancient day is responsible for the present views and appreciation of the gems in every corner of the world and the deeper significance of sapphire rings for women by learning about their rich symbolism.

Crossing myriad ages, it is a common phenomenon to find that sapphires bedecked the helmets, batons, and even the general ornament stocks of those in noble ranks. For ages they have been associated with power, divine rule and bloodlines. British crowns boast of some remarkable sapphires among them Stuart Sapphire, measuring 104 carats and found in Imperial State Crown.

The most well known royal sapphire engagement ring of any contemporary history is said to belong to Princess Diana, who put it on her finger many years ago; at present, it is worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, Prince William’s wife. This 12 carat Ceylon sapphire encircled by diamonds has been the trend maker of engagement rings for almost all ages and once again made the whole world go crazy over sapphires in jewelry and the Gold Sapphire Rings collection to explore the unique meaning behind sapphires.

The Imperial family of Russia had splendid collections of sapphires, and the Pierrs Koutoukine sapphire brooch worn by Empress Maria Feodorovna is remarkable among these stories. This breathtaking accessory is made of a Ceylon sapphire weighing 260 carats, which also shows how much the Russian court valued such exquisite stones.

Created by Napoleon, and Empress Josephine sapphires also became a common feature in the jewelry of French royalty. Notably, the set of coronation jewels for the Empress included large sapphires. The French royal treasury also possessed a significant historical artifact in the form of the Ruspoli Sapphire, one of the 135 carat stones of which its history can be traced back to the medieval ages.

Queen Marie of Romania had a remarkable collection of sapphires that included a Cartier pendant shaped in the Art Deco style which highlighted royal jewelry of the time. Similarly, significant sapphire pieces were also worn by numerous members of the Austrian Habsburg dynasty and most of them have withstood the test of time.

Different cultures and traditions venerate sapphires for their healing abilities, distinguishing many physical and spiritual benefits from these stones. They have been called wise men’s stones, stones of truth, and stones of spiritual cleansing in ancient literature and the symbolic significance of sapphires and why they make meaningful sapphire studs.

In the system of Ayurveda , sapphires were thought to assuage fever, to treat certain diseases of the eyes, and to alleviate swelling. Sapphires are currently used by crystal healers to clear congestion within the throat chakra, which promotes the articulation of thoughts and feelings of the individual.

This particular gemstone is also connected to the third chakra eye, which contributes to intuitive skills and spiritual enlightenment. Some meditation practitioners believe that sapphires enhance the practice of meditation by helping the individual focus and better reach the states of consciousness.

On an emotional level, sapphires are associated with mental focus, emotional stability, and a sense of calm inner self. They are said to be very useful in tiding over anxiety and depression while improving one’s mental health in general and the symbolic beauty of sapphires featured in our Ring Diamond and Sapphire, perfect for meaningful jewelry pieces.

The stone was embraced in hurt relations because of its symbolism of loyalty and fidelity with many couples wearing sapphire-bedecked jewelry. According to some modern crystal therapists, wearing a sapphire can alleviate mental fatigue and allow a person to sleep peacefully.

Sapphires from Kashmir unearthed in the Himalayan state of Kashmir in the latter half of the 1870s are perhaps the most exquisite and valuable of all sapphires available for sale. These mythical stones come in a particular shade of blue cornflowers which has a slightly milky cast that many people describe as sleepy or velvety.

The high-altitude Kashmir original sapphire mines situated at an elevation of 4500 meters above sea level only lasted for a few years producing remarkable gemstones and soon dried up. The short span of production coupled with the premium quality of the gemstones has made Kashmir sapphires one of the most precious and expensive colored gems ever found.

The peculiar quality characteristic of Kashmir’s sapphires , is explained by the unique conditions of formation, i.e. geologic age and form. The precise temperature, the right pressure and a certain assortment of minerals formed the gems color and up to this day the texture of no other colored stone comes near it. The organization of their structure makes the light that bounces back towards the observer, soft, diffused and thus gives that characteristic velvety perception.

In today’s era , gemologists have educated themselves on the sophisticated methods that are utilized in the testing of Kashmir Sapphires to determine their authenticity owing to the fact that people have tried to fake them due to their greatness. The presence of certain growth lines and inclusions acts as a fingerprint indicating the origin of the gem.

At present, the akshatingen amravati sapphires auction the best performance over the sapphire prices, which have details of even hundreds of thousands of dollars per carat for exquisite specimens. This continued to rise their demand among collectors and investors involved in precious stones markets because no other significant deposits have to date been found.

The custom of using sapphire as an engagement ring soared to fame after Prince Charles gifted his then-fiancée Lady Diana Spencer a blue sapphire ring in 1981. This, however, does not mark the beginning of the association of sapphires with love and relations.

Persian myths from prehistoric times revealed that a huge sapphire held the world so that it was said the skies blue color emanated from its reflection. This invested them with the understanding of sapphire as a sign of divine transcendental love and loyalty. Victorian sapphire engagement rings wombs came into existence, when durable such as colored gemstones turned out to have some unique significance in the love language and the deeper meaning and symbolism of sapphires before you shop for your Sapphire Pendant White Gold.

The global growth of the sapphire engagement rings trend was coincidentally at a period of improved mining practices that set in during the late nineteenth century alongside global trade, which facilitated the availability of the gems. Sapphires are rated 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, which made them also practical to wear on a day to day basis, thus their high use in engagement jewelry.

Couples tend to appreciate notably the symbolism of loyalty and faithfulness that is often portrayed with blue sapphires. The deep blue color stood for trust, sincerity and devotion which are the basic attributes for a successful marriage.

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, wears the ring once worn by Princess Diana, which began a revival in the fondness of sapphire engagement rings, the effects of which were felt across the global jewelry market. A recent craze has witnessed the infusion of fresh ideas in the renovation of designs, as traditional patterns blended with modern designs.

Sapphires have great importance among the followers of many religions for instance in the holy scriptures and devotional paraphernalia of different religions. In relation to Christianity, sapphires are referred to in the Holy Bible on various occasions and one of such instance is in the book of Exodus when God’s heavenly throne is portrayed to be covered in stone slabs of the sapphire shade.

In Buddhism sapphires are precious stones that signify attainment of wisdom and devotion. The west blue colored shine is in harmony with most Buddhist practices. It embodies the spirit of the meditation and the process of reaching satori. Sapphires were embedded in the ground or the decorative parts of many ancient Buddhist temples.

In Islamic culture sapphires are appreciated, as ancient sources claim that the Prophet Muhammad used to wear these stones for their protective benefits. Islamic Medieval writers elaborated on the metaphysical properties of sapphires and their importance for connection with the God.

In Hindu beliefs dosh has been also linked with the ammonium ion, which is known as shani, and doshas are prominent in vaastu purusha mandalas. Many temples were constructed and decorated with sapphires as these were believed to bring divine blessings to the worshippers, and protect them.

These and the merrier have impacted the growth of secular art and architecture in most religions, sapphires have been found in such extremes to include from reliquaries of Christianity in the medieval period to muslim miswak and even hindu temples’s interior.

Sapphires of natural origin are created through a series of geological processes taking place, where high temperatures and pressure, as well as specific minerals, are present. These stones are all derived from the second hardest natural mineral on earth known as corundum or aluminum oxide and are colored due to trace elements such as iron, titanium, and chromium; iron and titanium mainly for blue sapphires.

The production of sapphires takes place at a temperature range of 500-1800oC and also requires a lot of pressure. This type of environment is mostly conducive in metamorphic or magmatic settings. Such a state has to be maintained for long periods, inter alia for the sake of allowing the growth of the crystals.

The major sources of sapphires are found in many continents and each is unique in the stones it produces. Kashmir sapphires, which are mostly now exhausted, have terrace formed stones of high altitude in the Himalayas. Sri Lankan sapphires are differently blue in that most of these valued stunning transparent stones have been mined from riverbeds and therefore take advantage of years of wear and tear.

Sapphires of high quality are also found in Burma and in the United States of America where its Mogok Valley is often considered one of the best sources of sapphires in the world. Their remarkable attribute is a deep blue color with a perfect level of clarity. These are darker stones than those originating from US deposits found in the Rocky mountains in the 1890s which have unusual absence of color zoning.

By the end of the last century nearly all the resources of Madagascar were realized and this island nation spread astonished with blue sapphires and numerous shades of the gemstones. Other countries such as Thailand, Cambodia as well as one of the or rather the only State in the United States, Montana are the other sources of these gemstones adding remarkable kinds to the inclusive market.

The Star of India sapphire , at a weight of 563 carats, is perhaps one of the best-known sapphires. This magnificent star sapphire, believed to have originally been mined in Ceylon, Sri Lanka, is currently being showcased in the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Looking at its size and perfect star formation, one can only marvel at how incredible nature can be.

Weighing 423 carats, the Logan Sapphire is prominently displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. This unblemished Sri Lankan-inch cushion diamond sapphire is regarded as one of the biggest cushion cut blue sapphire ever made. Led into the present museum are several historical individuals who owned the item for a period of time.

Weighing 104 carats , the Stuart Sapphire has been set into the British Imperial State Crown for centuries. Such a stone’s open display as part of a royal crown and evident use amongst even common crown wearers is testimony to the tyrannical authority these gems once commanded. The fact that it is placed in the crown has to do with the long history and tradition of the British monarchy.

A 62-carat segment, the Rockefeller Sapphire is the finest of Kashmir quality gems. It was also possessed by the Nizam of Hyderabad and John D. Rockefeller Jr., hence embodying the admiration for rare stones of the East and the West.

The Saint Edward's Sapphire, enshrined in the cross at the crest of the Imperial State Crown, is of very great significance since it is claimed that Edward the Confessor 11 owned it in the 11th century.

Indian culture incorporates sapphires with Saturn (Shani) in Vedic astrology, where it is believed that these gems will help alter one’s fate and act as a safeguard from adversity. They believe that the vivid blue color represents the sky and its blessings therefore, these stones are found quite a lot in temples and used during ceremonies.

Legends from the Persians also state that sapphires were the stones which rested on top of the earth causing the sky to be blue and as such, this stone is very much part of the Middle Eastern culture. The ancient Persians considered that sapphires wore by people protected them from evil and gave them the wisdom of the gods.

European societies historically associated sapphires with royal or church powers. In the medieval times, sapphires were also believed to safeguard against poisonous substances and would indicate if someone was telling the truth which made them much loved by the aristocracy and the church too.

In particular, the African cultures in areas where sapphires are found consider the gems as a link to many natural forces and wisdom of the ancients. Ancient medicine men also added sapphires in their work.

The most significant aspects of modern sapphire value appraisal are several, with color being the foremost. The most sought-after blue sapphires are those that have the rich and vivid blue shade, which is known to many as “cornflower blue,” although the market is quite favorable to numerous shades and colors besides this one.

The clarity will also determine the value of the stone, as eye-clean stones will command the prices at a premium. Sapphires, in contrast to diamonds, are significantly more likely to have natural inclusions, making the existence of completely clean specimens quite unheard of. These characteristics are then assessed by experts according to their effectiveness to the stone’s beauty and the stone’s durability.

The quality of the cut affects the aesthetics of the stone as well as the price. The rough colored crystal must be of the correct zoning and inclusion so that the master cutter can achieve the best of the finished stone possible. The cut should provide for the best color without compromising on the weight where possible and proper proportions.

The price changes exponentially with size and weight, and especially large good quality sapphires are in short supply hence highly treasured. The price per carat increases sharply for any stone larger than two carats especially if it is a good quality stone.

Place of origin is another important aspect of market valuation. Individuals should note that these particular sapphires most probably possess the highest price niched. In the contemporary marketplace for some stones, especially the large ones, a laboratory certificate is no longer a luxury but rather an absolute necessity.

The treatment status of a sapphire is another factor that affects its value, where untreated natural sapphires tend to attract very high prices. Enhanced heat treatment is still accepted in the market, but unlike treated stones, the value is not the same organized as the untreated stones of the same quality. Other procedures like diffusion or filling considerably lessen value.