One of the rarest gemstones in nature, September's birthstone, the sapphire is most well-known for its strikingly vibrant blue tones. But did you know that sapphires come in almost every color and shade imaginable?! For more information on this beautifully colorful gemstone, check out our blog below!
The name "sapphire" was derived from the Latin and Greek words for "blue stone".
Many people believe that the word "sapphire" found its origin in the Latin word sapphirus and the Greek word sappheiros. Both words translate to "blue stone", however, some think that those terms might have been used to refer to lapis lazuli, as well as blue sapphires. Others think that it came from the word sanipriya, which is Sanskrit for "dear to Saturn", because in Indian astrology the sapphire is assigned to Saturn.
Sapphires come in every color, EXCEPT red!
Though sapphires are commonly thought of as dark blue, they actually come in a variety of shades and colors. These non-blue tones are called fancy sapphires, and we are in LOVE with them! From green, pink, and orange to purple, yellow, and black, sapphires appear in almost every shade, except red. Why? Because a "red sapphire" is actually just a ruby!
Sapphire gemstones symbolize heavenly favor, royalty, wisdom and loyalty.
The celestial blue color of this gemstone has long been thought to symbolize heaven, attracting divine blessings and granting its wearers wisdom in life's decisions. In ancient Greece and Rome, members of the nobility were convinced that blue sapphires protected their owners from envy and harm, so the gem was highly sought after. In more modern history, the gemstone got a more romantic reputation, when Prince Charles gave Diana a 12-carat blue sapphire engagement ring that is famous still to this day.
The rarest color of all is the padparadsha sapphire...
One of the rarest types of sapphires, padparadsha stones are known for their unusual pink and orange coloring that is not seen in any other type of stone. The word “padparadscha” is derived from ancient Sanskrit, and was used to describe the color of a tropical lotus flower. They are primarily found in Sri Lanka, as well as Madagascar and Tanzania, but are very rare and hard to come across.
Synthetic sapphire is commonly used in many industrial tools today.
Sapphires measure 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, which rates the hardness of a gemstone (they are second only to diamonds). Because of their natural durability and hardness, scientists have found many uses for synthetic sapphires in the modern world, ranging from integrated circuits and high-durability windows, to satellite communication systems and scientific instruments.
If you or a loved one is looking for a piece of sapphire jewelry for a birthday, anniversary, or as a statement piece, Dacels Jewelers wants to help you find the perfect gem! Allow us to guide you in finding the cut, color, and clarity that meets your jewelry needs, and we promise that together we will discover your sapphire match.