What is the meaning of sapphire ?

The meaning of sapphire, a precious stone imbued with beautiful values, has fascinated and inspired us for centuries. Let's explore its symbolism, as well as the other key reasons why this gem is exceptional.

Symbolism and meaning of sapphire

Sapphire, especially the meaning of blue sapphire, symbolizes several remarkable values. However, this meaning extends to some sapphires of other colors, each of which can also embody different virtues.

There loyalty and fidelity are the main ones. The others meanings of sapphire are relatively close. Beliefs span the centuries and it is very likely that since Antiquity, the sapphire has been associated with truth and justice in the West. And according to some interpretations, the Tablets of the Law in the Bible are made of sapphire.

It was often a sacred stone, in Egypt, India, and ancient Greece, linked to there protection, but also to therewisdom.

Sapphire is also the birthstone of September. Discover what is your birthstone.

The origins of sapphire

Sapphire has been known for a long time, although it was often confused with lapis lazuli in the past. Gradually, starting in the late 18th century, mineralogists began to scientifically identify it.

There are three types of rock: sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic. Sapphire is mined from the last two, across several continents. Some mines are rich in sapphires of particular colors, specific shades of blue, or of excellent quality.

THE Ceylon sapphire (Sri Lanka) is renowned for its quality, allowing it to be used in jewelry. Others are sought after in jewelry, such as those from Burma, Kashmir in India and the Madagascar sapphireMines are also found in Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, Brazil and the United States.

Sapphire deposits are not exploited because the quality is not up to scratch, as in Puy-de-Dôme.

Read also our guide to choosing an engagement ring.

The physical properties of sapphire

All sapphires are corundums, a family of very hard minerals. Sapphire has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, the main standard used since the 19th century to evaluate and compare the strength of minerals. ruby also belongs to the corundums. While this stone owes its color to chromium oxide, blue sapphire is rich in iron and titanium. The colors vary, not the crystal structure, which is based on aluminum oxide. For care, see our guide "cleaning a blue sapphire ring".

The virtues of sapphire in lithotherapy

Lithotherapy attributes energetic properties to stones, bringing psychological and physical benefits. According to this practice, psychic virtues of sapphire are emotional calming and balance, mental clarity, the return of joy or hope, the stimulation of inspiration, intuition, creativity.

Regarding his physical virtues, sapphire is said to promote health and sleep, helping with sleep problems and various pains, such as headaches. It has protective virtues, as with the spiritual meaning of sapphire.

Many lithotherapy enthusiasts wear the stones directly on their skin to benefit from their virtues.

The meaning of sapphire in love and its success

There is no direct meaning of sapphire in love, but fidelity and loyalty are obviously important for romantic relationships. And as a stone of protection, considered to be conducive to peace, serenity, stability, sapphire evokes fulfillment and lasting connection.

Besides its beauty, the fact that it is a very hard stone explains why the sapphire engagement rings are extremely popular. Sapphire is resistant to scratches, shocks, temperature variations, chemicals, etc. It is also popular for special, unique occasions, such as sapphire wedding.

The multiples sapphire colors, considerably different from each other, for example the pink sapphire, and different from blue sapphire, existing itself in various shades, are fascinating for lovers of beautiful jewelry and unique creations, as for jewelers.

Finally, kings and royal families certainly contributed to its popularity. In France, this dates back at least to Louis XIV and his Great Sapphire, one of the crown jewels.

Evaluating the quality of a sapphire

The quality of a sapphire is evaluated according to 4 criteria, which makes it possible to determine a certain level and a price.

• The color: the color of the heated sapphires is improved by a fully accepted technique, which is not the case with other treatments.
• Carat weight: Large sapphires are more easily found in certain regions. Many sapphires are less than 2 carats, for example this white sapphire
• Clarity: Gemstones have inclusions, which are various natural imperfections. These are not always visible to the naked eye, and this makes for higher-quality, more brilliant stones for jewelry.
• Cutting or faceting: this involves creating a certain number of facets and obtaining different shapes. Although the oval sapphire Although common, it is also frequently cut into a pear shape or a round shape, in any case the blue sapphire. Choosing to cut a sapphire into a certain shape depends on several parameters, including the fact of losing a minimum of material.