Sapphire Jewelry by Peter Boston

Sapphire Jewelry by Peter Boston
The blue brilliance of the rarest of gemstones, the sapphire, has been revered for thousands of years, its color thought to represent seraphic or celestial qualities. The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and that the reflection of the sun gave the sky its blue color. Jewish tradition holds that Moses was given the Ten Commandments on tablets of sapphire, making it the most sacred of all gemstones. Is it just coincidence that more than half the people on earth identify blue as their favorite color?
The purest of sapphires would be white or transparent. The blue color comes from small amounts of other elements, primarily iron and chrome, which are fused into the stone within the deep bowels of the earth. Sapphires come in many colors. The aspects at which a raw stone is cut can affect the color. A ruby is a red sapphire of such beauty that it developed its own mythology. Passion and faithfulness in the same gemstone. The most highly prized blue sapphire is mined more than three miles high on the Roof of The World - the Hindu Kush mountain range in Kashmir.
Only diamond is harder than sapphire. When cut into a cabochon (a convex, unfaceted form), some sapphires exhibit asterism; that is, a six-rayed star can be seen in the interior of the stone. Such stones are called star sapphires and are highly valued by gemstone collectors.
The sapphire has long symbolized truth, sincerity, loyalty, and faithfulness. In many countries sapphire is the most desirable engagement gem because of its symbolism, and perhaps because the giver hopes to endow his betrothed with those very same qualities. The ancients esteemed star sapphires as an almighty amulet, a guiding and protecting star for travelers and seekers of all kinds. These gems were considered so plenipotent, they were said to continue to protect the wearer from evil even after being passed on to someone else.
The birthstone tradition is from the Breastplate of Aaron described in the Bible (Exodus 28, 15-30). The breastplate was a ritual garment set with twelve gemstones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, the twelve signs of the zodiac, and the twelve months of the year. Sapphire is the birthstone for September, the month when the most babies are born. The zodiac sign is Virgo.
About the Author
neverenufjewelry.com is an online jewelry store with fine crafted sapphire jewelry, diamonds, watches, and other metals and gemstones.