Sapphire
Physical Information
Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum (aluminium oxide). Blue sapphire gets its colour from traces of iron and titanium. Sapphire also exists in pink, yellow, green, purple and colourless. Only red corundum is called ruby instead of sapphire.
With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire is one of the hardest natural minerals, so it is very durable. Important sources include Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania and Australia. Many faceted sapphires are heat-treated to improve their colour, which is a common and accepted practice. Rough and tumbled sapphire is often opaque and less intense in colour than jewellery stones.
Metaphysical Properties
Sapphire is known as a stone of wisdom. It has long been linked with royalty, loyalty and truth. It is believed to bring calm thinking, focus and discipline. Many people use it when they study, make important decisions or want to stay true to their word.
Blue sapphire is associated with the throat chakra and the third eye chakra. People often choose it to support clear communication and to trust their intuition. It is also a classic symbol of faithfulness, which is why it is a favourite for engagement rings.
