Sapphire stone – properties, virtues & benefits

The sapphire gemstone has been prized for centuries for its deep blue color and dazzling beauty. Discover the history and characteristics of this fascinating gemstone, as well as the uses and meanings it can have in jewelry and lithotherapy.

SAPHIR CHARACTERISTICS

• Chakra: Throat (5th chakra).
• Properties: Emotional balance, mental clarity, wisdom, intuition, sPiritual healing.
• Astrology: Saturn.
• Zodiac: Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius, Capricorn.
• Elements: Air and Earth.
• Colors: Blue, dark blue, light blue, yellow, Pink, white.
• Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale.
• Chemical Formula: Al2O3 (corundum).
• Associated god: Apollo (Greek god of music and poetry).

PIERRE SAPHIR – HIS STORY

The term “sapphire” derives from the Greek word “sappheiros”, meaning “blue”. As early as the 5th century BC, the Greeks and Romans used sapphires from Sri Lanka. The Egyptians regarded the sapphire stone as sacred and revealing of justice and truth, while the Persians believed its reflections were responsible for the blue color of the sky. In Catholic tradition, sapphire is associated with purity and cardinals traditionally wore it as a ring on their right hand.

SAPHIR IN ANTIQUITY

The sapphire stone is mentioned in the Old Testament, where it is said that the Tables of the Law were made from this stone. However, this mention is symbolic rather than literal, as it would represent Moses’ vision of God. The Greeks and Romans associated sapphire’s blue color with celestial and divine power. It’s worth noting that ancient descriptions of the sapphire stone may differ from those we know today. In fact, the Greeks referred to blue stones with golden dots, which would correspond more closely to laPis lazuli. Furthermore, the color of the stone was often associated with a supposed sex of the stone, where dark blue sapphires were considered male and paler ones female.

SAPHIR IN THE MIDDLE Ages

In the 4th century, the Franks and Visigoths introduced the complex technique of cloisonné goldsmithing, creating thin compartments in copper or gold to house precious stones. In Catholic tradition, the sapphire is associated with divine purity and the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that King Edward the Confessor of England gave his ring to a beggar who became St. John the Evangelist. A giant sapphire of incredible beauty is said to be located in Mary’s former home, which has been converted into a rich basilica over the centuries. In the Louvre, a 15th-century religious work dePicting Jeanne de Navarre is adorned with sapphires. In those days, gemstones were used to embellish jewelry such as sapphire pendants, bracelets, necklaces, as well as objects such as hanaps, large vase-shaped glasses.

MODERN TIMES AND THE SAPHIR

The Grand Saphir de Louis XIV is an intense blue gem weighing 135 carats, originally from Ceylon and probably given as a gift. Although its shape has long given the impression that it was a rough stone, it has probably been recut. Legend has it that it was discovered by a seller of wooden spoons in Bengal, and later belonged to an Italian prince named Ruspoli. In reality, they are two separate stones. The Black Star of Queensland, also known as the Black Star Sapphire, was discovered in Australia by a young boy. The stone remained unknown until it was sold to a jeweller who revealed its beauty by cutting it. With a weight of 733 carats, it is currently valued at $100 million.

SAPHIR STONE – ITS ORIGIN AND COMPOSITION

Sapphire is one of the four best-known gemstones, along with diamond, ruby and emerald. It’s a variety of corundum, an aluminum oxide that can come in different colors. Sapphire is composed of aluminum oxide crystals containing impurities, also known as oxides, which give it different shades of color. The color of sapphire can be modified by heat treatment. Sapphire deposits are found in several countries, including the United States, Sri Lanka, China and India. The Ceylon region is famous for its magnificent blue sapphires. There are several varieties of sapphire, including blue sapphire, star sapphire, yellow sapphire, Pink sapphire and green sapphire.

SAPHIRSTONE – VERTIES AND PROPERTIES

Sapphire has beneficial psychological and psychic effects, including promoting insPiration, sPiritual upliftment and meditation. It calms mental activity and anger, encourages dynamism and reduces fears. It stimulates creativity and concentration, relieves sadness by restoring joie de vivre, and boosts self-confidence, courage and perseverance. Sapphire also regulates hyperactivity and promotes sleep.

On a physical level, sapphire also has beneficial effects. It soothes bodies subject to anger, relieves headaches and joint pain, regenerates skin, nails and hair. It also treats body temperature disorders and tissue irritation, strengthens the venous system and regulates blood effusions. Sapphire relieves pulmonary and resPiratory disorders, eye disorders, stimulates the body’s vitality and can be used as an elixir directly on skin, hair and nails.

STONE SAPHIR – CLEAN AND RECHARGE

Sapphire stone can be cleaned and recharged in a variety of ways to maintain its energy and beneficial properties. Here are some options:

Cleaning:

• Distilled water: Place the stone under running distilled water for a few minutes to eliminate accumulated negative energies.
• Fumigation: pass the stone through sage, palo santo or cedar incense smoke to purify it.
• Earth: Bury the stone in the earth for a few hours or overnight to connect it to nature and cleanse it deeply.

Loading:

• Sunlight: Place the sapphire stone in the sun for a few hours to recharge it with positive energy.
• Moonlight: Place the sapphire stone in the light of a full moon for one night to recharge it with soft, soothing energy.
• Rock crystal: Place sapphire stone on a cluster of rock crystals for a few hours to recharge with neutral, amplified energy.

WHERE DOES THE NAME SAPHIR COME FROM?

The name “sapphire” comes from the Latin “sapphirus”, which was borrowed from the ancient Greek “sappheiros”. Originally, the term “sappheiros” referred to a blue gemstone, probably laPis lazuli, but it was later used to describe blue corundum, which is now commonly referred to as sapphire. Corundum can also be Pink, yellow, green, purple or transparent, but blue sapphire is the best-known and most popular. The blue color of sapphire is due to the presence of traces of titanium and iron in the stone.

WHICH CHAKRA DOES SAPHIR ACT ON?

Sapphire is associated with the throat chakra, also known as the fifth chakra or Vishuddha in Sanskrit. The throat chakra is located in the throat area and is associated with communication, self-expression, creativity and truth. Sapphire can help open and balance this chakra, promoting clear, honest communication, boosting self-confidence and releasing emotional blockages. It can also support meditation and concentration, helPing to calm the mind and bring mental clarity.

WHICH ASTROLOGICAL SIGN IS ASSOCIATED WITH SAPHIR?

Sapphire is associated with several astrological signs, including Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius and Capricorn.

SAPHIR STONE SUMMARY

Sapphire stone is a gemstone of the corundum family, often associated with the color blue, although it can also be yellow, Pink or other colors. In lithotherapy, sapphire is considered a stone of wisdom, truth and discernment.

Sapphire is said to help calm the mind and promote concentration and mental clarity. It is also said to stimulate communication, creativity and intuition. Sapphire is also considered a stone of protection, which can help repel negative energies and strengthen the aura.

Sapphire is often used in meditation to help access higher states of consciousness and foster connection with inner wisdom. It can also be worn as jewelry to benefit from its therapeutic properties.