Sapphire

The name 'Sapphire' derives from the ancient Greek word for 'blue'.

The ancient Persian rulers believed that it was the reflection of Sapphire that gave the heavens its magnificent color.

Sapphire has been credited with cavernous powers of protecting the wearer against poisons and evil spirits. It is the birthstone for September and a good luck charm for the sign of Taurus. It was the customary stone for the official rings of bishops and cardinals, as it was supposed to make the wearer devout and attract divine favor. Sapphire has long been an emblem of truth, sincerity and constancy and in an engagement ring, this marriage symbolism can be combined with a gem whose amazing beauty and strength are worthy of such sentiments.

Its beauty, magnificent colours, its transparency but also its resistance and permanence are characteristics which gemstone lovers and experts assign to this gemstone – however, this does not only apply to blue Sapphire as will be pointed out later on. Sapphire belongs to the corundum group which is set apart from other gemstones by their very good hardness (Grade 9 on the Mohs’ scale). They are second in hardness to diamonds only, and diamonds represent the hardest mineral on Earth! Because of their good harness, sapphires are easy to care for as gemstones and demand from their wearers only the usual and normal care.

Alternate Names of sapphire are, Pukhraj, Padparadscach (orange-pink), Neelam (blue).