Sapphire
From Giftypedia
The most famous source for sapphire is Burma and Kashmir region of India. The Kashmir sapphire is a lovely velvety blue color and the Burma sapphire is also considered a fine gem. Today, both these locations produce very little and the main sources for sapphires are Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia and Cambodia.
The United States, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China and Madagascar also produce sapphires. Sri Lanka sapphires range from soft blues to deep hues and they are the producer of most of the sapphires on the market. Madagascar is quickly becoming a major producer of fine sapphires and Tanzania is known for producing sapphires of different colors.
[edit] World Famous Sapphires
Discovered over 300 years ago the largest star sapphire is the Star of India. This sapphire is 563.35 carats and is now in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. This sapphire is unusual not just because of its size but that it also has stars on both sides.
The 104 carat Stuart Sapphire is the oldest known sapphire dating back to 1214. This sapphire is on display at the British Crown Jewels collection at the Tower of London where it is on the back of the British Imperial State Crown.
Queen Marie of Romania's Sapphire is 478 carats and is the largest known cut sapphire. This stone is featured at the Diamond Fund Exhibition in the Kremlin Armoury Museum in Moscow.
[edit] Sapphire Folklore, Myths and Legends
The Sapphire is said to have healing properties for mental illness and to protect one from mental illnesses. Some reference that these healing powers are only for a Taurus who wears the sapphire.
The sapphire symbolizes sincerity and being faithful in a relationship and to give spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.
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[edit] The Many Colors of the Sapphire
The color is one of the most important factors when determining the value of a sapphire. The intensity of the color can also influence how the sapphire is cut. A stone with very dark color will be cut more shallow to allow light to reflect on the stone, a stone with lighter color will be cut deeper to intensify the color.
Blue Sapphire - The most popular of the sapphire family, the blue can range from a light pastels to midnight blues. The most expensive of the blues are in the middle range. The cornflower blues give unbeatable color.
Yellow Sapphire - Often the most unappreciated of the sapphire family, yellow sapphires are often found in large crystals with colors ranging from buttery cream to canary yellow. These sapphires provide beauty and value all in one stone.
Green Sapphire - The best bargain of the sapphire family and the least demanded.
Pink Sapphire - One of the higher valued sapphires, the pink can range from pastel to a hot pink. The stones that flirt with red side of the pink spectrum, called hot pink, come at a premium price. The pink is also often paired with the blue sapphires, instead of diamonds to give a comparable contrast.
Purple Sapphire - One of the most beautiful colors, royal colors that range from a rich deep purple to soft lavenders and violets. Some purple sapphires can change colors. In the candlelight the sapphires are purple or violet and in sunlight they can change to a blue hue.
Padparadsha Sapphire (pronounced "pod-pa-rod-shas") - The most valued and rarest of all the sapphires, this sapphire combines 3 colors, pink, purple and orange. The name comes from the Ceylonese word for lotus blossom whose color is a pinkish hue.
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