Sapphire

September is not only the “ back to school “ month but it is also the birthstone month of Sapphire. This beautiful gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, an aluminium oxide (α-Al2O3).

It is typically blue in colour, but natural “fancy” sapphires also occur in yellow, purple, orange, and green colours; “parti sapphires” show two or more colours. Interestingly the only colour which sapphire cannot be is red – as red coloured corundum is called ruby, another corundum variety. The blue         coloured sapphire is most desirable in a rich cornflower blue colour.

This stone is also the traditional 45th wedding anniversary stone.Thought to be a stone of wisdom it helps bring learning, and mental healing. As it is believed it activates the third eye and throat chakras which allows one to access a deeper level of consciousness and bring a positive attitude toward life. Sapphires can be used to increase self-motivation and discipline, as well as to bring about calm       energies when the mind is busy.

Believed to symbolise wisdom virtue and good fortune to Royals it is no coincidence that Kate Middleton’s engagement ring is a beautiful cornflower blue sapphire. As in an Engagement ring a    sapphire means faithfulness and sincerity.

As Sapphire is one of the hardest gemstones and is 9 on the Mohs’ scale it is also used such as         infrared optical components, high-durability windows, wristwatch crystals and movement bearings, and very thin electronic wafers, which are used as the insulating substrates of very special-purpose solid-state electronics.

Drop in to your local association of fine jewellery to view their extensive collection of Sapphires