It is the most prized and treasured gemstone and is most looked-for because of brilliant color, firmness, resilience, and sheen. This Neelam stone is known as the Sapphire stone and it has many astrological benefits.
Some interesting facts about Sapphire gemstone are:
- Sapphire is the official birthstone for those who are born in the month of September. This stone gives benefits to newly married couple. People who are born under Capricorn use this gemstone.
- The blue sapphire stone is considered to be attached to the most substantial planet- Saturn- in the group of all planets. Being placed at the right juncture in a person’s life, the stone is said to have great effects on the personal life of people.
- Some of the most popular sapphire stones are found in countries like Australia, Sri Lanka, the Indian side of Kashmir, Africa, and the United States. Sapphire stones are from corundum family.
- It is an extremely powerful mineral whose solidity can be measured in 9.0 moh, the second-strongest after diamond.
- Apart from natural blue sapphires, there are various ranges of colors starting from red, pink, yellow, white, purple, orange, and brown.
- However, blue is the most popular color of all times. Interestingly, the most distinguished Sapphire is Padparadascha sapphire, which appears pink in color.
- The word originates from Sanskrit, which means Lotus flower. In natural light, the color of the gemstone is apparently blue, but in artificial light it is violet.
- It is to be noted that because of its sturdiness, sapphires are used in heavy machinery and industrial uses.
- Sapphire has been quite popular since the ancient times. The Roman used it to adorn themselves or in the wardrobe. In earlier times, it was established that wearing the gemstone could heal snake bites, curb many serious diseases and prevents black magic and hexing.
- Sapphire is also known to change its color when exposed to different lights, varying from day light to incandescent light.
- Ruby and Sapphire are sister gemstones belonging to the same mineral family. Both have the same chemistry, but diverse trace elements.
- The name Sapphire has been derived from the Greek word sapphires, which is referred to another common blue sapphire gemstone, known as the lapis Lazuli.
- Considered to be a royal stone, it held great value even in the ancient times. French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte gifted a sapphire engagement ring to his beloved Josephine in the year 1796. The ring had a pear-shaped sapphire and a pear-shaped diamond held on a band made of gold. This historical ring was sold at an auction close to a million dollars at an auction. Even the engagement ring that Princess Diana was given was a royal blue Sapphire surrounded by diamonds.
- Sapphires exhibit a star effect because of a needle-like inclusion making a six-ray star pattern on the surface of the stone. It is only visible in cabochon-cut sapphire, which are called star sapphires.
