September is for Sapphires
This Precious Gemstone Occurs Naturally in an Array of Colors.
Dec 30, 2008
September’s birthstone, the sapphire, is a variety of the mineral corundum. Due to where it is mined, it can occur in nearly every color—from colorless to brownish, and virtually any color in between., but it is most commonly blue.
The red variety of corundum is always called a ruby, although it is essentially the same mineral. In addition to the “conventional” blue, the stone can range from the deepest orange—in a hue just shy of a ruby’s red known as “paparadascha.” A natural top-of-the-line “paprapdascha” is more valuable than the common blue sapphire and can bring in thousands of dollars per carat commanding as much as $30,000 per carat weight September’s birthstone, the sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum. Due to where it is mined, it can occur in nearly every color—from colorless to brownish, and virtually any color in between., but it is most commonly blue. When people think of sapphire, it’s almost always blue.
The red variety of corundum is always called a ruby, although it is essentially the same mineral. In addition to the “conventional” blue, the stone can range from the deepest orange—in a hue just shy of a ruby’s red known as “padparadscha.” A natural top-of-the-line padparadscha is more treasured than the more common blue sapphire and can bring in thousands of dollars per carat commanding as much as $30,000 per carat weight.
Where in the World?
Sri Lanka yields the highest quality of this gem. Madagascar, Thailand, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Madagascar and Australia also generate sapphires. In the U.S., Montana’s capital Helena and other nearby places, and they’re found in North Carolina—along with its share of rubies. Some American mines are actually open to the public.
Faux-Real Sapphires?
A French chemist developed a process to create synthetic sapphires and rubies. Bits of other minerals determine its color. These “sapphires” are flawless—which is not true of natural ones. Their hardness and durability—like diamonds-- makes them useful in industry—specifically in semi-conductors, optics, watch crystals, among other uses. . (A sapphire’s hardness on Moh’s scale is second to a diamond’s.)
The controversy lies in its use in the gem trade. Treating the stone can visibly transform a non-quality sapphire in to one that appears of beauty. They can be virtually indistinguishable from a naturally occurring sapphire. These “nature identical” stones can fool anyone except a true expert.
Some high quality sapphires, like rubies, when cut into a round, domed “cabochon”—as opposed to a faceted cut-- this reveals a six-starred patter. The higher the quality and the more visible the “star” makes the sapphire more valuable.
Sapphire: What’s in a Name?
Many theories concern the etymology of the word “sapphire. It may have come from the Sanskit “Sani,” “pira” and which means “beloved Saturn” providing a plausible explanation to its significance as the stone of Saturn. Ancient Greece used the word “sapphires”—probably because of its color.—sapphires,. The Greek root “Sapp” refers to the night-sky color of blue corundum. Sappir may also have its roots in Hebrew, which may have referred to all blue gems.
Sapphire Lore
- sapphires could cure several diseases: colic, rheumatism, poor eyesight, and even mental illness.
- the six-point star in a star sapphire represent the qualities of faith, hope, and charity.
- sapphires symbolize romantic love and imparts faithfulness and devotion.
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