The complete guide to Sapphire

Colour:

White, Colourless, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple ,Grey, Black and multicoloured.

Sources:

Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Tanzania, Madagascar, Australia and the U.S.

The World's Most Famous Sapphires

Star of India

Logan Blue Sapphire.

Blue Giant of the Orient.

Princess Diana's Sapphire and Pearl Choker.

Stuart Sapphire.

Rockefeller Sapphire.

Princess Diana's Saudi Sapphire and Diamond Suite.

Kate Middleton's Sapphire Engagement Ring.

The most famous sapphire is probably the Star of Bombay, a 182ct caboshon cut star sapphire originated from Sri-Lanka.

The beautiful violet-blue gem was given to silent film actress Mary Pickford by her husband, Douglas Fairbanks. she then bequeathed it to the Smithsonian institution and interestingly for Gin lovers amongst you, it is the namesake for british munifactured Bombay Sapphire.

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The magnificent 423-carat Logan Sapphire was cut from a crystal mined in Sri Lanka and is one of the world’s largest faceted blue sapphires. It is the heaviest mounted gem in the National Gem Collection, and in its silver and gold brooch setting is framed by twenty round brilliant cut diamonds, totaling approximately 16 carats. Historically the finest sapphire gems came from Sri Lanka, Burma, and the Kashmir region of India. Sapphires from Sri Lanka are typically light to medium blue in color and are commonly referred to as “Ceylon Sapphires.” As seen here, the Logan Sapphire is a mixed cushion cut and is blue in color with very slight violet overtones.

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The mysterious deep-blue royal sapphire has been a source of fascination and inspiration for humanity for at least as long as there are records of its existence. The word sapphire comes from the Greek word sappheiros meaning "blue color." It is one of the four precious gemstones, along with  diamond, ruby, and the emerald.

Technically, sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, a form of aluminum oxide. Although it is typically blue, it can also be found in all colors except red. The color red, though, is amply represented by a close cousin of sapphire, the ruby—another form of corundum.

A Symbol of Energy and Healing

While its rareness, color, and hardness is what makes sapphire so valuable as a gemstone, for alternative healers and others who study and collect crystals, the appeal of sapphire lies in its energy and healing properties. Blue sapphire is regarded as a stone of mental focus and order, inner vision and psychic awareness. In chakra theory, sapphire is said to help open the third eye to receive wisdom and insight, as well as the throat chakra, which allows you to communicate that vision to others.

In its healing uses, sapphire is sometimes compared to lapis lazuli, as both stones evoke the power of the deeply mysterious blue colour. In fact, the mineral referred to in the Bible as sapphire was very likely lapis lazuli. Unlike lapis lazuli, though, the sapphire stone has a brilliance and clarity of depth that seems to extend its illumination down into the soul of anyone who studies it. 

Associated with deep spirituality and devotion, sapphire is thought to bring peace and contentment to one's soul, as well as trust in the fulfillment of his or her destiny.

For new age enthusiasts and alternative healers, here are some additional properties attributed to the sapphire:

Protect from negative energy

Attract financial abundance

Promote mental clarity

Evoke the feelings of devotion

Strengthen integrity and intuition

Clear depression

Help eyesight

Bestow wisdom

Other Uses for Sapphire

Because it evokes the energy of loyalty, honesty, and devotion, the sapphire is often used in the design of engagement rings and romantic jewelry.

Buying Tips

For the gem trade, most of the high-quality sapphires available on the market today come from Australia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, China, and the U.S. Sapphires tend to be quite expensive in cut and polished gemstone form, but jewelry using raw, untreated sapphires may be available at reasonable prices—perfect for enjoying the energetic, healing properties of this magnificent crystal.