Sapphires
The Virgo Birthstone and for 45th Wedding Anniversary jewelry
A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind.
What are Sapphires?
What exactly are Sapphires? The definition of a Sapphire is as follows:
- The word Sapphire is derived from the Greek word "sappheiros" which means "precious stone". Sapphires are the blue transparent variety of corundum, highly prized as a gem
- Like diamonds, gemstones are graded by color, cut, clarity and carat weight.
- The Sapphire is a member of the Corundum (aluminum oxide) family. Crystal structure of the Sapphire, the September birthstone, is hexagonal (trigonal), dipyramidal
- It is one of the four precious gemstones, the other three are diamonds, rubies, and emeralds
The Colors of Sapphires
Sapphires come in a wide range of natural colors and shades. Sapphires are available in every color but red. Sapphires in colors other than blue are often referred to as fancy sapphires. The most valuable sapphires have a medium intense, vivid blue color. Black, gray, or green overtones mixed in with the blue will reduce a stone's value. A more pastel blue would be less preferred than a vivid blue but would still be priced higher than an over dark blackish blue color. Color is mainly caused by the gemstone's selective absorption of certain wavelengths of light called the body color. In gemstones, color consists of three components:
- Hue - the first impression of the color
- Tone - the lightness or darkness of color ranging from light to medium to dark
- Saturation - the intensity of a gemstone's color which is measured from dull to strong to vivid
- Pink Sapphires - A pink-orange sapphire is known as padparadscha
- Yellow Sapphires - A Yellow sapphire has a trace of iron that gives it the yellow color
- Blue Sapphires - Fine blue sapphire can be described as a vivid medium dark violet to purplish blue where the primary blue hue is at least 85% and the secondary hue no more than 15%
- White Sapphires - A colorless or white sapphire are sometimes used as diamond substitutes in jewelry
- Green Sapphires - A green sapphire has a trace of iron that gives it the yellow color
- Red Sapphires - A sapphire is any color of corundum except red, red corundum known as ruby
- Star Sapphires - A star sapphire exhibits a star-like phenomenon known as asterism
Birthstone Facts and Information about Sapphires
The following list provides Birthstone facts and information about the Sapphire:
- The Sapphire is the birthstone of the month of September
- Sapphires are also the Wedding anniversary gemstone for the 45th year of marriage
- Zodiac Sign: Virgo
- Virgo dates: August 23 - September 22
- Virgo - The Sixth Sign of the Zodiac: The sign of the Virgin
- Ruling Planet of Virgo: Mercury
- Alternate Birthstones of Virgo : Carnelian, Zircon, Sardonyx, Peridots and Agate
Symbolism, Significance and Properties of Sapphires
The properties with which the Sapphire, the birthstone of the Zodiac sign of Virgo, is associated are as follows:
- Truth, sincerity and constancy
- Clairvoyance, insight and interpretation
Healing Properties of the Sapphire
The healing properties of the Virgo birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to:
- Lowering fevers and inflammation
- Hearing problems, cancer and burns.
Sapphire Jewelry
Sapphire jewelry is extremely popular especially for those nearest and dearest. The tradition of giving gifts of jewelry containing these stones dates back thousands of years. The gemstone, or birthstone Sapphire is believed to conduct the energies of the planet Mercury with which it is sympathetic and that wearing jewelry containing the gemstone will focus the energies of the planet and sign through the gem. All different types of jewelry containing Sapphires are available including:
- Sapphire rings
- Sapphire bracelets
- Sapphire pendants
- Sapphire earrings
- Sapphire necklaces
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