Sapphire, most readily recognized for its captivating blue hues, holds a prominent position in the world of gemstones, serving as the birthstone for September. However, its spectrum extends far beyond blue, encompassing a rainbow of colors, with red varieties being classified as rubies. Cherished for millennia, sapphire symbolizes fidelity, romance, and the soul, and its remarkable durability makes it a favored choice for both everyday wear and heirloom-quality jewelry. This article will delve into the history, geological origins, gemological properties, symbolism, and care of this exceptional gemstone, drawing exclusively from available sources.
History and Lore
The name “sapphire” originates from the Greek word “sappheiros,” and the gem has been revered for thousands of years. Historically, sapphires were associated with holiness, particularly during the medieval era, and were a popular choice for ecclesiastical rings. Ancient Sanskrit texts refer to ruby as “ratnaraj,” meaning “king of precious stones,” demonstrating a long-held appreciation for the corundum family, which includes both ruby and sapphire. Warriors in Burma (now Myanmar) were known to embed rubies under their skin, believing they offered protection in battle. Sri Lanka has a particularly rich history with sapphires and moonstones, with mines in Meetiyagoda renowned for producing blue moonstones with an unmatched intense sheen. Sapphires, beyond their protective qualities, have long been linked to royalty and romance, embodying notions of fidelity and the soul.
Geological Formation and Sources
Sapphires are formed through an intricate interplay of impurities – iron, titanium, and vanadium – within the mineral corundum. These gems originate deep below the Earth’s surface and are often brought to the surface by volcanic activity. While sapphires are found in various locations globally, certain regions are particularly renowned for their quality and color. Sri Lanka is widely recognized as the world’s most famous source for the finest blue moonstones, and historically, a source of fine rubies, often exhibiting a lighter, more brilliant pinkish-red tone. Burmese rubies, however, are particularly highly prized. Sapphires themselves come in a rainbow of colors, and their formation is not always due to chemical impurities, as is the case with sapphires and rubies, but rather the interplay of elements within the corundum structure.
Gemological Properties
Sapphires belong to the mineral corundum, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide. Gemstones are evaluated based on their ability to resist scratching, a system known as the Mohs Scale of Hardness. Sapphires score a 9 out of 10 on this scale, indicating exceptional durability, making them an excellent choice for engagement rings and jewelry intended for daily wear. While blue is the most commonly recognized color, sapphires occur in pink, yellow, orange, green, peach, and violet hues. The most sought-after color variation is the Padparadscha sapphire, a rare pink-orange corundum reminiscent of a tropical sunset.
Alexandrite, a June birthstone, is also a variety of the mineral chrysoberyl, and is known for its color-changing properties, displaying green to bluish-green in daylight and a deep red to purplish hue under incandescent light. Alexandrite is often found in smaller sizes, typically under 5 carats, with larger stones being exceptionally rare and valuable. Diamonds, rated on the “4 Cs” – color, clarity, cut, and carat weight – are also highly valued for their durability and brilliance.
Symbolism and Metaphysical Beliefs
Throughout history, sapphires have been imbued with symbolic meaning. They represent love, passion, courage, and vitality, and are believed to bring success and protect the wearer from misfortune. Peridot, another August birthstone, is a symbol of strength and is believed to ward off evil spirits. Ruby, the July birthstone, is known as the “King of Gems” and embodies passion and vitality. Moonstone, a June birthstone, is associated with revitalization and hope. Alexandrite, with its unique color-changing property, is often compared to an analogy of love, presenting itself in different shades depending on the light. Pearls, also a June birthstone, have their own rich symbolism, though details regarding their specific meanings are not provided in the available sources.
Care and Cleaning
The exceptional hardness of sapphires (9 on the Mohs scale) contributes to their durability and relative ease of care. However, like all gemstones, they benefit from proper cleaning and maintenance. While specific cleaning instructions are not detailed in the provided sources, the gem’s resistance to scratching suggests it can withstand gentle cleaning with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Alexandrite, while valuable, also requires careful handling due to its relative rarity and unique properties.
June Birthstones: A Trio of Choices
While this article primarily focuses on sapphire, it is important to note that June boasts three birthstones: Alexandrite, Pearl, and Moonstone. Alexandrite, a relatively modern addition to the June birthstone list, gained prominence when it was initially believed to be more abundant than pearls. However, high-quality Alexandrite is now recognized as exceptionally rare and costly. The unique color-changing property of Alexandrite – appearing emerald green by day and ruby red by night – makes it a highly sought-after gem. Pearls and moonstones offer alternative options for those born in June, providing a range of hues and price points to suit individual preferences.
Other Notable Birthstones
Beyond sapphire, ruby, and the June birthstones, several other gems hold significance as birthstones. Emerald, the May birthstone, is associated with youth and good fortune and derives its vibrant green color from chromium impurities. Opal, the October birthstone, is known for its unique iridescence, created by light interacting with a network of spherical silica structures. Topaz, the November birthstone, symbolizes wealth and comes in a variety of colors. Turquoise, the December birthstone, is also a popular choice. Diamond, the April birthstone, is renowned for its brilliance and durability and is evaluated based on the “4 Cs.” Garnet, the January birthstone, and amethyst, the February birthstone, complete the traditional birthstone calendar. Peridot, the August birthstone, is known for its distinctive lime-green color and is believed to ward off evil spirits. Spinel, also an August birthstone, was historically mistaken for ruby and comes in a variety of colors.
The Rarity of Birthstones
The popularity of birthstones varies across different states and months. Peridot is the most common birthstone in 38 states, while ruby is the most common in 11 states. Sapphire is the most common birthstone in Hawaii, and emerald is the most common in Wyoming. The differences in popularity may be linked to birth rates in each month, with amethyst, tied to the shortest month of the year, consistently ranking as the rarest.
Conclusion
Sapphire, with its rich history, captivating colors, and exceptional durability, remains a highly prized gemstone. From its ancient associations with holiness and royalty to its modern-day popularity as a birthstone and engagement gem, sapphire continues to enchant and inspire. Its geological origins, gemological properties, and symbolic meanings contribute to its enduring appeal, solidifying its position as a true gem of heaven, beauty, and lasting value.