Precious stones are a true gift from nature, but many forget that they come from the bowels of the planet. Each of these stones has its particular charm, color and value in the jewelry market. The sapphire is one of these gems, with its characteristic blue color, and it is considered one of the four most important stones in the world. However, there are emblematic pieces made with this beautiful stone, so today you will know which the most famous sapphires in the world are.
The origin of the word sapphire comes from the Latin term sapphirus and refers to a bluish gem that belongs to the corundum family. There are other shades of this stone such as pink, yellow and green. Also, it is said that the sapphire is the blue sister of the ruby, because the two share similar characteristics, such as the material with which they have been composed, the mineral corundum, the red one is which is known as ruby and the blue one as sapphire.
The sapphire is of the gems that do not show its brilliance until it is cut into facets, so many of the most famous in the world belong to this group. Among the most famous sapphires in the world is the largest sapphire: the Star of India; which has a weight of 563.35 carats and was discovered in Sri Lanka at least 300 years ago. It is gray-blue, with a slightly whitish quality caused by the mineral rutile. It is currently at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Another emblematic sapphire is the one on Lady Di’s engagement ring, a jewel by Garrard, which has an oval carved sapphire of 12 carats in the central part, surrounded by 14 diamonds of a total of 18 carats and the setting is 18 carat white gold.
Now, one of the oldest known sapphires is the 104-carat Stuart dating from 1214. This fine blue gem, which has some faults, passed through the hands of some kings and cardinals; until it was finally mounted on the State Crown of Queen Victoria of England.
Similarly, among the cut sapphires, the largest in the world, was the Queen Maria’s of Romania, which has 478 carats. It has an impressive color, it comes from Sri Lanka and has not been treated by anyone. According to the story, it was bought by King Ferdinand of Romania in 1921 for his wife, Queen Mary. Today it is exhibited in the Diamond Fund of the Armory Museum of the Kremlin in Moscow.
Finally, the sapphire is a gem present in many real gems such as the tiara, the necklace and the earrings of Queen Elizabeth II, the Crown of St. Edward and many more, without a doubt a stone coveted by many.