Facts About Sapphires

Sapphire History

Sapphires have been prized as great gemstones since 800BC.  Rulers of ancient Persia believed the sky was painted blue by the reflection of sapphires.  Blue sapphires were a holy stone to the Catholic Church and to Ancient Persians.  To some religions, the blue color of the sapphire represents the heavens.  Translations in several languages reveal sapphires to be dear to Saturn.

Ancient lore held that the tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written were actually sapphire.  Kings used to wear sapphires around their necks as a powerful defense from harm.  They were said to attract divine favor.  In the 12th Century, the sapphire was known as the most appropriate stone for ecclesiastical rings.  The Sinhalese believed that the star sapphire served as protection and a guard against witchcraft.

For Buddhists, a Sapphire represented friendship and loyalty.  For others, Sapphire is the stone of prosperity.  During the 18th century, Sapphire was used to test female loyalty, changing its color if its wearer was unfaithful.  Sapphires have long been used as talismans for protection, to ward off diseases, and to bring peace, happiness, and intelligence.

The great Oriental traveler, Sir Richard Francis Burton, had a large star sapphire which he referred to as his "talisman".  Just the mere sight of the stone was believed to bring luck and he showed it to people everywhere he went.

Sapphires enjoyed immense popularity with royalty throughout history.  King Solomon wore a sapphire ring, and modern times see the Crown Jewels of Britain to have a lot of sapphires in them.  The Museum of Natural History in New York is home to the one of the most notorious sapphires (and largest cut) in the world, the "Star of India," a sapphire of 563 carats.

Sapphire Lore

The sapphire has, for centuries, been seen as a symbol of the heavens, a guardian of innocence, a promoter of good health, and a preserver of chastity.  It is believed to bring gifts of fulfillment, joy, prosperity, inner peace and beauty.  Some wore it to ward off illness or as protection while traveling.

In the middle ages, people believed wearing a sapphire suppressed negative thoughts.  It also has been long believed to have a curing power for natural ailments.  In ancient Persia, ground sapphires were used as an all purpose medicine.  Ivan the Terrible of Russia stated that the sapphire strengthened the heart and muscles and endowed a person with courage.  Others said it was an antidote for poison- it killed snakes on site and if engraved with the figure of a man or a ram, would cure all illness and elevate the owner to a high position.

The color blue and the blue stone indicated wisdom, and generous thinking.  It is also associated with the study of heaven and the stars.  During the 11th and 12th centuries, sorcerers honored the sapphire more than any other stone as it enabled them to hear and understand the most obscure oracles.  Not only did they help to get in touch with astral and psychic realms, but also they provided protection for those who took those journeys.

But the most important attribute of the sapphire was said to be the protection against sorcery- it was thought to banish evil spirits and send negative spells back to the sender.  Sapphires were once used to guard off poisonous creatures and kill snakes hiding nearby.  Sapphires are said to have a powerful and transformative gemstone energy that may work quickly.  They will help you connect to the universe, that is, they can open your internal and spiritual self to the powers of the universe.

Healing Properties

Of all sciences and systems that talk of the healing properties of sapphires, most that they focus on are its blue rays and their potency in clearing away negative thoughts, negative emotions and stresses.  Naturally, the wearer experiences inner peace.  It is also said to aid the wearer in memory and in mental recall, focus and concentration.  Another belief is that it reflects harmful spells back to the sender and protects from evil eye.

Sapphires are also thought to increase communication with and connection to spirit guides, or angels.  They activate and manifest one's life purpose and focus and karmic agreements for soul growth.