Saphire has four root words, in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and Sanskrit, "sanipriya" meaning "dear to Saturn".
Sapphire is said to protect against harm and envy.
Sapphires are well known among the general public as being blue, but it can be nearly any color, including blue, yellow, green, white, colorless, pink, orange, brown, and purple.
The variety of colors makes Sapphire one of the most interesting precious stones - it
comes in almost every color of the rainbow.
Legends & Lore
In ancient times, the Persians believed the earth rested upon a huge blue sapphire. The reflection from this jewel was said to give the sky its color.
Its powers include spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.
Sapphire is believed to provide healing properties for colic, rheumatism and mental illness (remedy for various ailments, poisons, melancholy and disorders).
It is also considered an anti-depressant, telepathy, clairvoyance and astral projection.
Sapphires were once believed to be protection against snakes.
It was said that if poisonous reptiles and spiders were placed in a jar containing the stone, the creatures would immediately die.
Before and during the Middle Ages, it was worn by priests as protection from impure thoughts and temptations of the flesh.
Medieval kings of Europe valued these stones for rings and brooches, believing that it protected them from harm and envy.
Warriors presented their young wives with sapphire necklaces so they would remain faithful.
It was believed that the stone's color would darken if worn by an adulterer or adulteress, or by an unworthy person.
History
Sapphire was the gem of Apollo, Greek God of prophesy and was worn by his worshipers visiting his shrine in Delphi to seek his help.
It was used by ancient Etruscans as far back as the 7th century B.C.
Also, it is a common theory that the Ten Commandments were written on tablets made of Sapphire.
One of the most famous sapphires rests on the Imperial State Crown, worn by Queen Victoria in 1838.
It resides in the British Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
This gem is called the St. Edward's Sapphire because it once belonged to Edward the Confessor, who wore the stone on a ring during his coronation in 1042.
Sapphire represents truth, sincerity and consistency.
Sapphire engagement rings are given to express the commitment and loyalty of their heart.
Prince Charles chose a blue sapphire for Princess Diana's engagement ring.
Meanings & Symbol
Sapphire chastity & hope, Clear Thinking, Wisdom, Truth, Sincerity and Consistency.
Sapphire is a symbol of Faith, Goodness and the Purity of the soul.
Sapphire & Ruby
Sapphires and rubies are structurally the same kind of stone (corundum), differing only in color and very minor element differences.
Sapphire is the second hardest natural mineral known (9.0 on the Mohs' scale).
The rich, royal velvet blues have traditionally been the favorite color, but unusual colors like the pinkish-orange (the padparadscha) can be the more expensive.
Sapphire is the mineral corundum, and all colors except the deep reds are called Sapphires.
The truly red corundums are called...Ruby!
Sapphires can exhibit color change (from one color to another depending on the light) and have inclusions which, when properly cut, can make stars appear on the surface of the stones. This is called 'cats eye'.
