Collection: Sapphire

SAPPHIRE

History and Symbols

Sapphire, in Latin sapphirus, derived from the Greek sappheiros, means “blue”. In Hebrew, sappir translates “the most beautiful thing”. However, it has other translations in other languages ​​such as Hebrew, Chaldean or Sanskrit. In the latter language, sapphire is understood “sacred to Saturn”. The origin of this name seems plausible, given that in Indian astrology, sapphire is the precious stone attributed to Saturn.

Blue sapphire is mentioned in many mythological and religious stories. The Persians were convinced that the blue of the sky came from sapphire. In the Bible, the throne of God is famously bright blue due to the presence of sapphires. Additionally, sapphire is one of the twelve stones set in Aaron's breastplate. It is also found in the foundations of Jerusalem.

The French form of sapphire dates back to the 12th century in one of the manuscripts of the monk and poet Philippe de Thaon, then later, during the Renaissance, in the dictionary of Jean Nicot, a French diplomat renowned for his introduction of tobacco to France.

In Antiquity, sapphire was associated with the Gods, Jupiter among the Romans, Zeus among the Greeks, Indra in India. However, the descriptions made by Theophrastus (371 BC - 288 BC) and Pliny the Elder (23 AD - 79 AD) suggest that it was rather lapis lazuli. However, rare engraved sapphires were found during archaeological excavations. An Egyptian intaglio, representing a princess or a queen dating from the 2nd century BC, is kept at the National Library.

In the 4th century, the Franks and Visigoths possessed unique expertise in goldsmithing called cloisonné. Artisans incrust colored stones into fine compartments using copper or gold. This process, also used in Merovingian and Carolingian art, was applied to Teudéric's reliquary box, the so-called Saint-Martin vase or Charlemagne's ewer. All these magnificent creations are set with sapphires.

In the Middle Ages, sapphires adorned various objects and jewelry. Many vases and chests have been found decorated with gems such as garnets and sapphires. A sublime 135-carat sapphire is currently on display at the Natural History Museum. This is the large sapphire of Louis XIV.

The largest sapphire in the world is a black star sapphire from Queensland, Australia. A young boy brought it home and used it as a doorstop. His father, a miner, identified it as a precious stone and decided to sell it. The jeweler Harry Kazanjian was the first buyer for the sum of 18,000 dollars who cut this magnificent stone. Today, it is called the Black Star of Queensland, it weighs 733 carats, or nearly 150g, and it is estimated at $100 million.

Just like the ruby, the sapphire belongs to the corundum family and that of precious stones, just like the diamond or the emerald. It has this incredible blue color due to its composition of iron and titanium. It has a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. Only diamond can scratch it, because it has a hardness of 10 on this same scale. Sapphire is formed in small rivers running through the mountains, then extracted from deposits.

Main deposits

The main deposits are located in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand and Madagascar.

In Lithotherapy

Sapphire has a huge impact on the mind. It improves memory, strengthens concentration and develops intuition. It is recommended for students, especially during exam periods, and for people undergoing retraining. It promotes spiritual elevation and meditation.

Furthermore, it stimulates creativity and inspiration. This fabulous blue mineral increases the imagination and is perfect for all artists, writers, sculptors, etc.

It symbolizes anchoring, stability, solidity and loyalty. Thus, it is the stone of engagement. It allows you to overcome the difficulties and trials of life alone or as a couple. Wearing a sapphire strengthens courage and will to achieve your goals.

Stone of patience, tenacity and loyalty, sapphire is perfect for people who are too busy, too stressed. Sapphire soothes anger, jealousy and resentment. It calms worries, regulates nervousness. At the same time, it breeds perseverance, self-confidence and self-assurance.

This stone is perfect for hyperactive people thanks to its soothing action. It provides serenity, restores the joy of living and enthusiasm. It releases buried fears and fears. It removes the blockages caused by childhood trauma.