Sapphire is a gemstone of absolute beautyrecognizable by its various shades of blue—to which it owes its name, which in Latin means bluish gem—and by an extreme hardness that is only surpassed by diamond.
The beauty and chemical composition of the sapphire place it in the club of the most expensive pieces, next to diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Although there are other varieties of sapphires in pink, yellow and green, the most precious and abundant are those of the characteristic blue color that comes from titanium, one of its compounds in addition to iron and aluminum oxide.
Geographically, sapphires are concentrated in Africa and part of Asia. In Thailand, Sri Lanka and Madagascar they are the most common and in various shades of blue, while in Kashmir and the Burmese they are of a more intense tone, also more scarce and more expensive, since the value of these stones is determined by the intensity of their blue. To a lesser extent, sapphire deposits are also found in South America and Australia.
The best way to determine the exact color of the sapphire is by exposing the stone to daylight or fluorescent light. Chemically, the stones with the best color go through a process of exposure to 180 degrees Celsius in order to cut them and intensify their color.
The greatest utility of this gem is appreciated in the world of jewelry in which it is used for necklaces, earrings and rings. The sapphire is also one of the frequent stones in the jewels of the monarchies, such is the case of the British, whose crown has a good number of them. Also a sapphire adorned the engagement ring that Carlos gave to the remembered Princess of Wales.
One of the most spectacular sapphires in the world is a 50-carat piece, found in Sri Lanka and exhibited by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, but the star of the collection is the Star of Asia, a 330-carat sapphire.
On the other hand, the sapphire does not escape a special symbology. Since the beginning of time he has been the protagonist of stories and legends. According to biblical tradition, the tablets of the 10 commandments of God delivered to Moses were made of sapphire, and since then the stone became a symbol of divine power and hence its adoration by kings and religious.
Another unique story originated by the beauty of this stone, comes from an ancient Persian belief. This civilization was convinced that the Earth was wrapped in a huge sapphire and that the blue of the sky was nothing but the beautiful reflection of this precious stone.
Generally, sapphire is associated with sincerity, honesty, peace and joy. Without a doubt, its beauty can only generate the most beautiful thoughts and the most authentic admiration among those who have the opportunity to admire a stone of special color and brightness.