Wearing gemstones for protection and good fortune is an essential aspect of Indian astrology. In India, individuals are often advised to wear a specific gemstone based on their horoscope or zodiac sign. In Western countries, birthstones have gained popularity, where each month is associated with a particular gem. In India, more and more people are adopting this practice as well. This article provides information about the birthstone for September, Sapphire, to help you make an informed decision when purchasing this gemstone and ensure that the seller does not mislead you.
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Thousands of foreign tourists visit India every year and purchase colorful gems to take home with them. The gem business in India is growing, with more and more retail gem dealers setting up shop. This is partly because of the demand for gemstones in Western countries for use as birthstones. Retail gem dealers in India often cater to foreign tourists by knowing about their beliefs and customs related to gemstones, which helps them make sales.
Sapphire, a gemstone that is prized for its beauty and durability, has traditionally been thought of as being blue. These varieties of Sapphire are found not only in India but worldwide.
In Western countries, Sapphire is the birthstone for those born in September. For many Indians, “sapphire” conjures up images of a deep blue gemstone. In Indian languages, Sapphire is known as “Neelam,” which means blue. The word “sapphire” is believed to come from the Persian word “safir,” which means “beloved of Saturn.” In Sanskrit, Sapphire is referred to as “shanipriya.”
In the past, Sapphire was primarily considered blue. However, it has been discovered that Sapphire can occur in various colors, including pink, purple, orange, yellow, white, golden, green, bicolor, tricolor, and even a combination of many colors in a single gemstone known as “party” sapphire. As a result, it has become common practice in the gemstone industry to refer to yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, pink Sapphire, and other varieties as “fancy” sapphires. These different colored sapphires are all still considered to be sapphires, despite their distinct hues.
The natives of Western countries should follow Indians to wear birthstones. There is no need to seek wisdom or get a Muhurta. Foreigners born in September do not even need to ask whether they should wear blue Sapphire or any other fancy sapphire when wearing Sapphire as their birthstone. They are only concerned about which color sapphire will suit them. Most people consider it appropriate to wear blue Sapphire, however. In this article, we will focus only on Neelam (Sapphire).
Ruby and Blue Sapphire are members of the same family:
Before 1800, it was not known that rubies and sapphires were members of the same family, the corundum group. In addition to Sapphire, other fancy sapphires also belong to this group. The red Sapphire, which we call ruby, is the only exception. The different varieties have been given misleading names, such as “oriental peridot” for green Sapphire, “oriental topaz” for yellow Sapphire, and “padparadscha” (lotus flower) for pink Sapphire.
Although they are members of the same family, ruby is more valuable than Sapphire. This is why sapphires are generally priced lower than rubies. Kashmir sapphires are an exception to this rule, as they are highly prized for their exceptional quality and beauty.
Assumptions about Blue Sapphire:
There are many stories associated with Neelam (Sapphire). One reason is that Hindu astrologers place great importance on blue sapphires. They advise those with Capricorn or Aquarius zodiac signs to wear blue Sapphire. They also recommend it for individuals experiencing difficult Saturn placements in their horoscope. In Hindu belief, Saturn is a fierce planet that can bring both good fortune and destruction, depending on its alignment with an individual. Sapphire is believed to have the power to transform a person’s fortune instantly, and this reputation leads to a mixture of fear, curiosity, and respect for the gemstone. It is up to each individual to determine the truth of these beliefs.
In Western countries, Sapphire has traditionally been associated with purity. It is said to be a guardian of honest and simple people and is believed to bring blessings from the gods. In ancient times, people wore sapphire talismans while traveling, which were believed to protect against illness and bring peace, joy, and wisdom. Sapphire was also thought to have the ability to make a person wealthy suddenly.
Many texts mention Sapphire as a possible treatment for various ailments. It is recommended to wear blue Sapphire to help alleviate arthritis, stomach pain, and mental diseases.
Prominent gem dealer and author Dr. A. Ayub writes in ‘Navamaniyas‘: “In ancient times, the word ‘mani’ used to mean ‘sapphire’. It is said that Shankar kept Halahal poison in his throat, which turned his throat blue, and he was called ‘Neelkanth‘ or ‘Manikanth‘. The color blue is defined in two ways – blue like the ocean or blue like the sky.” He further explains, “Sapphire is associated with the universe because of the blueness of the sky. A freckled blue sapphire is called ‘Indranil‘ or ‘Gagganil‘.”
About Sapphire in the famous book ‘Manimala’ written in 1879 by Sourindra Mohun Tagore It has been said that – “The deep blue sea, or the neck of a peacock, has the color of Indranil or sapphire, like the blue bubbles of clear water or the throat of a peacock.”
Indranil, a type of blue Sapphire, is typically heavier than other sapphires. Placing in a glass of milk can turn the entire milk blue. This is one way to identify a genuine Indranil gemstone. In Hindu tradition, blue Sapphire is considered an essential component in instruments, talismans, and ornaments prepared for Navagraha, or the nine celestial bodies in Hindu astrology. For the peace of the planet Saturn, it is placed in the center of the instrument facing west. In Christianity, amethyst is often used similarly.
Significance:
According to the Christian religious text Exodus, God is said to have given Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, which were inscribed on sapphire plates. The people of Persia believed that the earth rested on a massive Sapphire and that the sky was blue due to its shadow.
Hardness :
In chemistry, Sapphire, known as aluminum oxide (Al2O3), is a hard type of gemstone. After diamonds, ruby and Sapphire are the following hardest gemstones. Sapphire’s hardness is rated at 9 on the Mohs scale. Its durability makes it an ideal choice for use in rings and other jewelry, as it is resistant to scratching. Sapphire can also be cleaned by boiling it in water.
Different types of sapphire colors:
The specialty of colored gems is their color. The depth, maturity, and coolness of the color of Sapphire make it valuable and important.
Different types of Sapphire have different colors depending on the elements found in them, such as iron and titanium in blue Sapphire; vanadium in purple Sapphire; small amounts of iron in yellow and green sapphires; And pink sapphires are formed due to the presence of chromium.
‘Cornflower blue‘ colored sapphires are considered all over the world. This variety is also known as Velvet Sapphire, and it is of superior quality and found only in Kashmir.
Princess Diana Memorabilia – Diana Shows Off Her Magnificent Diamond And Sapphire Engagement Ring As She Shares A Happy Moment With The Prince, 1981
The world’s best Sapphire – ‘Cornflower Blue’ of Kashmir:
Suppose someone gazes upon the beauty of a cornflower or velvet sapphire from Kashmir. In that case, they may not be interested in any other sapphire. This is why Kashmiri sapphires can be worth more than 100 times more than any other sapphire. These deposits of Kashmiri sapphires are located around Sujam village in the Peddar region of the Zanskar mountain range, about 200 km from Srinagar. A landslide in the village in 1906 led to the discovery of sapphires and made the area famous. However, the village is situated at an altitude of 16,500 feet. It can take up to 13 days to reach due to the harsh weather and challenging conditions. Due to these challenges, Sapphire mining was only possible for a few months out of the year, and production has now stopped completely. However, around 100 years ago, Sapphire was being mined in abundance in this region.
Even today, Kashmiri sapphires can be found in antique jewelry, jewelry belonging to royal families, and at important auctions. Experts believe that there is a belt in the Hindukush mountain ranges of Afghanistan stretching to the Himalayan mountain ranges where these gems can be found. These gems are thought to include those found in the Zanskar mountains.
World famous Sapphire
“It is considered rare to find large sapphires. Like diamonds, larger sapphires are also given names. The largest sapphire cut, weighing 536 carats, is known as the “Star of India” and is housed in the American Museum of Natural History. The 330-carat “Star of Asia” is located in the Smithsonian Museum. The faces of US presidents Washington, Lincoln, and Eisenhower, each weighing an estimated 200 carats, are also carved in Sapphire.”
Sri Lankan Sapphire:
After Kashmiri sapphires, Sri Lankan sapphires are next in popularity. However, Madagascar sapphires from Illakaka are also considered to be in the same category. These sapphires are treated with heat in Thailand to enhance their color and are known for their exceptional transparency. Sri Lankan sapphires often have uneven color distribution, with some areas appearing lighter or darker than others. As a result, a skilled gem cutter must carefully study the depth of color before determining the best shape for the gemstone.
Sri Lanka produces a large number of Sapphires and fancy Sapphires each year. Sapphires with a milky or yellowish whiteness are called “Geuda” in the local language and are made more beautiful through heat treatment. Currently, Geuda Sapphires hold a special place in the world market.
Sri Lankan Sapphire is called Ceylon Sapphire in the market. The Ratnapura area is famous for sapphires found in Sri Lanka from very ancient times. The variety of pink Sapphire is known as ‘Padparadscha’.
Sapphire has been declared the ‘National Gem’ of Sri Lanka. Recently, the government there had also released a colorful stamp related to Sapphire.
Pailin’s Sapphire:
Sapphires have been mined in the Pailin region since the 15th century, with production reaching its peak in the 19th century. The sapphires found in this area have a blackish tinge, which is why they are considered lower quality than those from Sri Lanka.
Sapphires of Madagascar:
Madagascar is a treasure trove of gems, with its abundance of sapphires transforming the fortunes of the town of Illakaka and affecting the price of sapphires in the global market. Traders from Thailand and Sri Lanka have set up shop there. The sapphires from Madagascar are of good quality and reasonably priced, with the rough stones often being shipped to Sri Lanka and Chanthaburi for cutting and carving.
Thailand Sapphire:
Kanchanaburi is a well-known location for finding sapphires in Thailand. Sapphires have been mined there for several decades but are still of lower quality than those from Pailin or Sri Lanka. These sapphires often have a light gray tinge. However, heating has improved the quality of Kanchanaburi sapphires. They have gained a reputation in the global market, with some being found in sizes as large as 50-60 carats. Sapphire is an essential contributor to Thailand’s colored gemstone trade and a significant foreign exchange source. As a result, Chanthaburi, the second-largest city in Thailand after Bangkok, is known as the city of gems due to its importance in the gem heating industry. Regar, a hand tool, carefully handles even the most minor gems without damaging them.
Australian Sapphire :
Sapphire is mined on a large scale in Australia. Since 1870, 50 percent of the world’s total sapphire consumption has come from Australia. Australian Sapphire is considered to be a milder type. Here the deep blue or blue/green type of Sapphire is found in the mines of Queensland. Like other countries, sapphires here are also sent to Thailand for cultivation. It is said that Australian sapphires are within everyone’s reach.
Sapphires of Myanmar (Burma):
Good quality rubies, sapphires, and spinels can be found in the highlands of Mogok in Myanmar. In 1966, the 63,000-carat “Bhar’s Star Sapphire,” weighing 12.6 kilograms, was also discovered there. The sapphires from Mogok not only have a bright blue color, but some also have intricate designs. If the balance of design and color is correct, they are considered high quality. Still, sapphires with insufficient brightness are less valuable.
Chinese Sapphire :
Chinese Sapphire is almost black, depending on the color, and is probably the cheapest too. Only this specialty of this Sapphire makes it more salable.
Sapphires from other countries:
The Tunduru mine in Tanzania is known for producing sapphires that can be enhanced through heat treatment to increase their quality and make them suitable for the high-quality gem market. These sapphires have been successful since 1995. In Nigeria, there is a wide variety of sapphires available. Still, the gems from the Mabira mine are small and of similar quality. The mines in North Carolina and Montana in the United States are also known for producing sapphires.
In addition to Kashmir, there are other sources of sapphires in India:
India has a broad belt of sapphire sources known to geologists as the “Mobile Belt of the Eastern Ghats.” In this belt, sapphires can be found in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Experts believe that this belt also extends to Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
STAR SAPPHIRE Sometimes, Sapphire appears to have three main rays emanating from it, creating the illusion of a star with six arms. This type of Sapphire is carefully carved to create a pote. The three main rays of the star sapphire are believed to symbolize luck, faith, and hope.
Color Enhancement :
Most sapphires (99.99%) are heat treated for color enhancement. The only reason for this is that the color obtained by heating is permanent. The process of enhancing Sapphire by heating has unwritten recognition in the market. A lot of heat is not required to heat Sapphire. Kashmiri sapphires are naturally beautiful, so there is no need to enhance them by heating them.
Precautions :
Sapphire is a hard stone, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it very difficult to scratch. It is also resistant to heat, meaning it is not affected by the heat found in a kitchen. As a result, sapphire rings and other jewelry can be cleaned by placing them in hot water. However, Sapphire is vulnerable to damage from sour or acidic substances.
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