Gemstone Spotlight: All About Sapphires
Gemstone Spotlight: All About Sapphires
Rough Cut Sapphire, GIA
Sapphire symbolizes sincerity, truth, faithfulness and nobility. For countless centuries, sapphire has adorned royalty and the robes of the clergy. The elite of ancient Greece and Rome believed that blue sapphires protected their owners from harm and envy. Clerics of the Middle Ages wore sapphires because they symbolized Heaven. Ancient Persians believed the earth actually rested on a giant sapphire, which made the sky blue. Thought to have healing powers as well, Medieval Europeans believed that sapphire cured plague boils and diseases of the eye. The sapphire birthstone was also thought to be an antidote to poison. (GIA)
Among the more famous records of sapphires includes Princess Diana's engagement ring. Lady Di selected a 12 carat oval cut Ceylon blue sapphire with a halo composed of 14 round diamonds. The blue sapphire was Diana's favorite gemstone, and she was known to wear a lot of blue to bring out the color in her blue eyes. Further, the Princess' jaw-dropping gem brooch was truly fit for a queen, as it belonged to Queen Mary. Diana had this diamond-and-sapphire brooch converted into a necklace with a seven-strand pearl choker, and it remained one of few statement jewelry pieces that she wore through and after her divorce.
Polished Cut Sapphire, GIA
5.00CTW Cushion Cut Sapphire Ring, Landsberg Jewelers
Information and photography courtesy of GIA. More information here.
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