Exploring the Meaning and Geology of Natural Sapphire Formation

Meaning of Sapphire

Sapphire is derived from Latin word ‘sapphirus’ and Greek word ‘sappherios’ both of which have a common meaning ‘‘BLUE STONE’’. However, some may believe that the name sapphire has another origin from Sanskrit language ‘sanipriya’ having a meaning of ‘‘Dear to Saturn’’

Sapphire Crystal Structure

Sapphire has a trigonal or rhombohedral structure but it is generally considered to be a hexagonal crystal. Crystal morphology of sapphire is usually cylindrical and short columnar. Its geometry is usually granular.

Sapphire Stone Properties/ Chemical/ Technical Properties of Sapphire Gemstone 

Chemical Formula	Al₂O₃
Colour	Blue, White, Green, Colourless, Yellow, Multicoloured, Colour Zoning (possibility)
Hardness	9 (Mohs Hardness Scale)
Refractive Index	1.757 - 1.779
Streak	White
Crystal System	Hexagonal
Habit	Double pointy, barrel shaped, hexagonal pyramid, tabloid - shaped
Luster	Vitreous (glass – like) to adamantine
Cleavage		None
Transparency		Transparent to opaque
Fracture		Conchoidal
Tenacity		Brittle
Group		Corundum
Rock Type		Igneous rock, metamorphic rock

    

  How Sapphire gets its colour?

Sapphire belongs to the mineral family of corundum having a wide colour spectrum mainly ranging from very light blue to dark blue colour. Iron and Titanium are the main constituents that give sapphire its characteristic blue colour. However, iron also gives yellow and green shades to the stone.

Colour of sapphire other than blue colour gives the properties and meanings associated with the particular sapphire stone such as yellow sapphire, pink sapphire etc.

In violet – coloured stones, the main colouring agent is Vanadium. 

Pink – coloured stones also contain Vanadium as the main colouring agent.

History of Sapphire

Sapphire has been popular since Middle Ages. The blue colour of the stone symbolizes the heaven, divine favour and wise judgement. Blue sapphires were used as the holy stones to catholic church and ancient Persians. In the Greek era, sapphires were worn for guidance and for  seeking answers from the oracle.

Ancient Persians and Greeks believe in the protecting power of sapphires of their kingdom and royalty, therefore, used them in their crowns and jewellery.

Buddhists believe in sapphires as the source of spiritual enlightenment.

Hindus used to wear sapphires during their worships.

Christian Kings use sapphires in the ecclesiastical rings for they have a firm believe in the strong protective power of the sapphire gemstone.

According to the Hebrews, Ten Commandments are engraved on the tablets of sapphire gemstone.

That is why Historians evidenced and believe that lapis lazuli in Bible is referenced as blue gemstone.

Sapphire stone as Birthstone

Sapphire is the birthstone of September and symbolizes truth, faithfulness, joy and wisdom.

Locations of Sapphire Stone/Where it is found?/ Sapphire gemstone location around the world

Some of the important locations that are the sources of sapphire are:

• Sri Lanka
• Burma (Myanmar)
• Thailand
• Cambodia
• Tanzania
• Australia
• Madagascar
• Kashmir, being famous for its Kashmir Blue Sapphire.
• Famous Batakundi Kashmir Sapphires from Pakistan in Purplish Blue variety
• Afghan Sapphires
• Hunza, Pakistan Sapphire Sapphires
• India, Eastern state of Orissa
• United States, North Carolina, Montana

What are Geological and Geographic Occurrences of Sapphire?

Geological and geographical occurrences of sapphire gemstones are:

• Igneous Rocks
• Metamorphic Rocks
• Hydrothermal Veins
• Alluvial Deposits

Sapphire Price Guidelines. Value of Sapphire Gemstones

Prices of different types of sapphire gemstones are listed in terms of quality as follows:

Blue Kashmir Sapphire

        Top Quality = $9,000-$50,000 per carat

        Very Good Quality = $7,000-$42,000 per carat

         Good Quality = $2400 - $22,500 per carat

• Pink Sapphire

       Very Good Quality = $160 - $8400 per carat

        Good Quality = $140 - $7800 per carat

         Fair Quality = $50 - $150 per carat 

• Yellow Sapphire = $50 - $1625 per carat
• Purple Sapphire = $280 - $1840 per carat
• White Sapphire = $50 - $800 per carat
• Green Sapphire = $20 - $240 per carat
• Black Sapphire = $4 - $290 per carat

Traditional Meaning and Myths about Sapphire Gemstones

Sapphire is one of the most precious gemstones and is the birthstone of the month of September. Historically, it was the birthstone of April month.

Since the Middle Ages, sapphire has been believed to have a deep connection with the majesty and tranquillity of the heavens that’s why the Kings and Royals during the Middle Ages wore sapphire in their crowns and royal jewelleries.

Sapphire has been important to the ancient Babylon's for making its use in astronomical tablets to have a prediction of astronomical events and changes.

In the ancient times, Hebrews believe and associate sapphire with the quality of wisdom. They believe that sapphire was the stone of Joesph, who has the great wisdom power, to refrain from temptation.

During the 2nd century AD, it is said that sapphire was worn for protection and safety.

The ancient Greeks believe that sapphire has an important association with the God of Apollo.

At the commandment in Delphi, sapphires were worn with a firm belief that the stone has a strong connection with the spirit world.

Persians in the ancient times state their belief that the blue colour of the sky is the true reflection of the small bits and pieces and chips of the blue sapphires on earth.

In the Hindu culture, there is the evidence of the strong belief among the hindus that the tree Kalpavriksha is a divine tree that grants all the wishes and desires, the roots of which are made up from and contains blue stones of sapphire.

Sapphire has been regarded as a sacred stone and is associated with a mythological thought that it has the great healing powers and is used to cure diseases and illnesses and has the special antidote property to poisons. Charles V, the great holy Roman Emperor, used to wear a ring set of sapphire to treat the eye and visual diseases.

Another associated myth is The Asteria, the Star Sapphire, also known as Stone of Destiny, symbolizes Faith, Destiny and Hope and a living star appears with the change in the movement or direction of stone as well as change in the direction of light.

In the Buddhism, sapphire has important traditional value of being the 4th stone in the magical necklace of Vishnu.

Princess Diana, The Princess of Wales, was granted with an engagement ring made of sapphire which is then later on was given to Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge.

Thus, sapphire is one of the precious most valued gemstones that symbolizes a number of great royal qualities such as truth, wisdom, nobility, sincerity, faith, hope, destiny and royalty and has a great historical and traditional value.