BLUE SAPPHIRE STONE HISTORY

Blue sapphire is a precious stone, just like ruby, diamond, and emerald. There are many shades of the stone, such as yellow, green, and even transparent, tanzanite, white, and pink, but it is mainly known for its blue tone. The 4Cs (Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color) are the same criteria for pricing blue sapphires as for diamonds and rubies. Because it is particularly difficult to work, crimp, and cut, it is a relatively delicate corundum. Blue sapphires are priced largely on the basis of their pigmentation, as you can see. The more it is sought after, the more valuable the stone will be. The most sought after are gray blues, Ceylon, and stones that have a bright dark purple or purple blue color. The most expensive blue sapphire today is the Padparadscha sapphire, which means lotus color in Sinhala, because of the scarcity of its orange. The stone can take on a milky or silky sheen thanks to microscopic inclusions. If there is enough, they cause a chatoyancy or asterism effect. We speak most of the cases of a cat’s eye sapphire or a star sapphire.

The stone symbolizes sincerity, loyalty and truth in relationships. It brings peace, wisdom and joy to its owner. In all royal families, sapphire has been a stone used to make jewelry and crowns which are priceless. These have been passed down from generation to generation. The stone brings hope, protects against betrayals of loved ones and helps to resolve conflicts in diplomacy and tolerance. On the occasion of a marriage proposal, blue sapphire is an ideal gem. The name of the stone comes from the Greek “sappheiros” which can be translated as “blue”. This term was first used to designate lapis lazuli. The use and trade of stone are old. Five centuries BC, the Romans and Greeks were already using imported stones. As with all famous gems, blue sapphire can be described in many mythological accounts. The blue sapphire was revered by the ancient Egyptians because it considered it to bring justice and truth. For the Persians, the pigmentation of the sky is explained by the hue of the stone which is associated with the earth’s crust. Thanks to its reflections, it was able to color the sky. For the Catholic Church, the stone is the symbol of purity. This is the reason why the cardinals have the habit of wearing a ring adorned with a sapphire on the right hand which blesses the people. Many beliefs and legends refer to the blue sapphire , as it was the only one known as such.

As early as 480 BC, the Greeks imported sapphires. According to beliefs, Prometheus stole fire and sapphire from the Gods. In Delphi, when going to consult the oracle of Apollo, the Greeks had to carry this precious mineral. This made it possible to effectively question the oracle and to have a better understanding of the answers provided. The blue sapphire was called “the jewel of the God of the sun”, ie Apollo. In the Exodus, the blue sapphire is described as one of the stones of the throne of God. Aaron’s breastplate would include one that symbolizes the tribe of Issachar. Heavenly Jerusalem also has one of these stones. Traditionally, King Solomon wore a magical ring adorned with a blue sapphire to symbolize his wisdom. This ring, known as the Seal of Solomon, is said to have allowed him to control demons and spirits while allowing him to talk to animals. The Queen of Sheba was seduced by it. The talisman of the Patriarch Abraham carried a stone. According to some historians, the Tables of the Law given to Moses were carved in blue sapphire on the mountain. However, other historians claim that the tables are actually carved on lapis lazuli.

The blue sapphire stone is an important symbol for the Catholic Church. Indeed, its pigmentation which recalls that of the sky is associated with purity, because the light approaches God. The cardinals wore the stone on a ring on their right hand which has been used for blessing since the 13th century. This allowed them to prove their loyalty to God. Likewise, Charlemagne wore one of these stones on a pendant which was called “Charlemagne’s talisman” and which was given to him by Haroun ar-Rachid. It is rumored that Charlemagne wore it as an amulet to show the whole people his devotion to God. It is found quite frequently in the aristocracy and in royalty. It is common to find it on the jewelry of Kings, Queens and high nobility. Its blue shade represented European royalty, and more particularly the French royal family. The choice of pigmentation dates back to the Capetian dynasty since it was expensive to produce and relatively infrequent. It was therefore a way to prove that the royal family had the financial means to afford such beautiful stones. In medieval popular beliefs, the blue sapphire granted its owner the will to preserve his chastity and to reveal betrayals and frauds. It also provided protection against the plague, the abnormal increase in body temperature, poisons and skin problems that were quite common at the time. It seems that the stone was used to fight against black magic. People believed that the color of the stone could change if its wearer was unfaithful. So, his faults would have been exposed in the light of day. The Blue sapphire is considered a defense against jealousy and against evil. For Buddhists, the blue sapphire was revered since it is consecrated to the Gods. It is supposed to inspire meditation and prayer. In addition, it brings happiness and peace to its wearer.