Don’t you find sapphires mesmerizing? Regal and intense, sapphires have been associated with luxury and refined taste for ages. If you love blue sapphire gemstones, then you must read on, as we will tell you all that you need to know about the different types of blue sapphires and what makes them so unique.
While sapphire gemstones are available in various colours, such as pink, yellow, orange, green, black, purple, violet, light blue, and orange-pink, throughout history, the blue sapphire gemstone has been revered as a magical gem. Since the beginning of time, sapphires have been connected with special meanings and symbolism.
Among the traditional coloured gemstones, blue sapphire is a timeless piece. It is prized for its striking hue, and also ranks 9 on the Mohs scale for hardness and durability. Sapphires are abundantly found in Sri Lanka, Burma, Afghanistan, and Thailand. Besides this, they are also extensively mined in Australia, Brazil, and several African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Nigeria. Additionally, the Montana mine in the US is becoming the industry’s top supplier of sapphires. There are some locations well known for producing a particular type of sapphire. The best blue sapphire, for instance, is made in Sri Lanka.
What Is Blue Sapphire?
Corundum is a mineral that creates sapphires. It is the second-hardest substance after diamond and is a source of aluminum oxide. Sapphires and rubies are two different types of mineral corundum. While blue is the most well-known colour of corundum, all other colours—including colourless corundum or white sapphire are also sapphires.
Corundum crystals encounter chemical impurities as they develop deep inside the earth. These impurities subsequently alter the colour of the crystal. If the impurities contain chromium, the crystal tends to change colour and goes on to manifest into a ruby. Similarly, if the contaminants include iron and titanium, the crystal changes into sapphire, which is blue in colour.
Colour
The colour most strongly influences the worth of blue sapphire. The importance of a blue sapphire’s colour outweighs its clarity. There are many different shades of blue sapphire, from light blue to cornflower blue to royal, navy, and midnight blue. The primary sources of such coloured stones are Sri Lanka, Burma, Madagascar, Tanzania, Australia, and Thailand. Kashmir once produced exceptional sapphires, but no new deposits have been discovered there in about a century.
Cost
Blue sapphire prices and value vary according to the gemstone’s size and quality. The most crucial factor is colour; the most valuable ones are saturated and they are neither too light nor too dark. Since blue sapphires typically have more clarity than rubies, eye-clean gems are the most prized. The rarity and extremely rapid price growth of gemstones weighing more than two carats are well known. Any high-quality blue sapphire weighing more than 5 carats is extremely rare. Even relatively costly stones, like sapphires, can occasionally have a slight inclusion. Exemplary gemstone values can vary significantly due to minute colour variations.
Various Types of Blue Sapphire
Blue sapphire comes from various sources, each with a distinctive colour, clarity, and significance. Mentioned below are the different types of blue sapphire gemstones.
Kashmiri Blue Sapphire
The finest blue sapphires are produced in Kashmir’s mines, but since mining, these blue precious stones was halted in 1938, Kashmir blue sapphire has been unavailable on the marketplace. However, Kashmir blue sapphires are still the best because of their dark blue to violet-blue tones. Because of their clarity, little grey masking, and fewer dark spots (extinctions), these gemstones are regarded as imperial.
Burmese Blue Sapphire
Blue sapphires are widely found in Myanmar, also known as Burma. Burmese blue sapphires, second to Kashmir in quality and price, are among the best and most expensive. These gemstones, discovered in the Kachin State of Burma, stand out from other blue sapphire varieties due to their distinctive deep blue hue. Burma blue sapphires are a superb choice for jewellery because they are transparent and have high clarity.
Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire
Sri Lanka is renowned for producing the third-finest blue sapphires in the world, right after Kashmir and Burma. The Sri Lankan sapphires are found in light to medium tones with uneven colour distribution throughout the gemstone.
The most sought-after blue sapphires come from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), where the crystals are clear and have deep colours. The highest quality stones are extracted in the mines of Ratanpur, Rakbaana, and Gaunda. When it comes to astrological use and benefits, the rich blue sapphires from Ceylon are the most coveted.
Thai Blue Sapphire
Thailand is one of the popular blue sapphire destinations. The quality and clarity of these precious stones are considered excellent, and that is because these stones undergo heat treatment. Chanthaburi and Kanchanaburi are the main locations in Thailand where blue sapphire is mined. These priceless gemstones are transparent sapphires, lighter in colour than blue sapphires, which are dark in colour. These sapphires, also known as Bangkok blue sapphires, have a beautiful blue colour and high clarity. As a result, they are frequently used to create numerous jewellery pieces.
Australian Blue Sapphires
These blue sapphires, extracted from Australia’s crust, stand out for having a dark blue colour akin to ink. These gemstones are heated to create sapphires that are light blue in colour.
Royal Blue Sapphire
The royal variety is the rarest and most expensive variety of blue sapphire gemstones. Due to its continued high demand in the jewellery industry, it commands a high price. Other varieties of blue sapphires are still reasonably priced despite being less expensive. Royal blue is considered the ideal colour, especially for jewellery like rings, pendants, bracelets, and earrings. Teal sapphires are blue sapphires with a deep royal blue colour and a tinge of green.
Blue Sapphire Symbolism
The blue sapphire stone has served as jewellery throughout history, a deterrent to evil and a representation of love, fortune, and good luck. In ancient times, the Persians believed that the sky reflected the blue sapphire stones. In Hinduism, this gemstone is regarded to be the greatest gem and is used in temple worship.
The most potent planet in astrology is widely acknowledged to be Saturn, and the power of the blue sapphire is connected to this planet. If Saturn weighs heavily on a person’s astrological chart, it usually results in delayed success. This is where the blue sapphire benefits come in as the stone is believed to reduce the impact of Saturn. This Saturnian stone can improve your fortune and bring you success in your personal or professional endeavors. It can be described as a powerful energy source. This extraordinary gemstone has a reputation for instantly altering lives. In short, blue sapphire is regarded as the most potent gem in astrology.
Also Read: Blue Sapphire Astrological Benefits
Benefits
- Blue sapphire ensures quick success. The wearer is rewarded with financial and professional growth by overcoming and breaking through life’s barriers. Losses of the wearer are quickly recovered as well.
- Blue sapphire dramatically helps in enhancing concentration and goal-oriented focus. As a result, both professionals and students who work in demanding, goal-oriented environments can significantly benefit from it.
- A person who wears a blue sapphire will be rewarded with numerous business and professional opportunities, leading to fame and fortune and helping them overcome their troubles.
- The wearer of a blue sapphire stone is empowered and inspired to pursue their goals and become well-known. Those involved in the arts—including art, singing, jockeying, cinematography, directing, drama, dance, and martial arts—can gain a lot from the blue sapphire stone.
- The blue sapphire stone is also advantageous for one’s health. Wearing this stone can boost your metabolism and keep your body healthy. It aids in the prevention of numerous conditions and diseases of the stomach, groin, feet, and skin. Additionally, it aids in preventing and treating illnesses and diseases affecting the nervous system, such as bone cancer, kidney-related problems, stroke, paralysis, etc.
- A shield-like effect is provided by this stone, which is very protective. Wearing a blue sapphire stone shields the wearer from criminal activity, mishaps, theft, and issues brought on by natural disasters like fire, flood, and storms. It aids in defense against the evil eye, enemies, resentment, and hexing, among other things.
Caring for Blue Sapphire Gemstones
Blue Sapphires are strong and long-lasting when they are natural and untreated. They are a popular modern gemstone because of these factors. If you want to know how to take care of blue sapphire bracelets, rings and other jewellery made with this lovely stone, then don’t miss the points mentioned below:
- Blue sapphires are resistant to breaking, cracking, or chips. It is therefore best to store your blue sapphire jewellery in a separate box, away from other gemstone-encrusted jewellery pieces.
- Avoid wearing your jewellery when doing household chores, gardening, or engaging in sports.
- Don’t subject your priceless blue sapphire jewellery to harsh pressure changes or sudden temperature swings.
- Make frequent cheques of your jewellery to ensure that the stones are secure.
- Be sure to take off your blue sapphire jewellery when taking a bath or washing your hands. Also, store it securely to prevent it from falling into the drain.
- Visit a professional jeweller if your blue sapphire jewellery needs to be sized, polished, or repaired.
Also Read: Are Blue Sapphires a Good Option for Promise Rings?
Cleaning Blue Sapphire Gemstones
Even though blue sapphires are hard and durable, the natural qualities of this stone may be diminished by daily wear or strenuous work. Therefore, this stone must be regularly cleaned to retain its brilliant qualities. If you are keen to know how to clean a blue sapphire bracelet, then these steps will help you:
- Use a soft microfiber cloth to remove the oil and dirt that have built up on the blue sapphire jewellery.
- Put some mild soap and warm water in a bowl. Add the jewellery to the soap and water mix.
- Use a soft toothbrush or a jewellery brush to remove the dirt on the jewellery. Get into those hard-to-reach areas with the brush and clean them thoroughly.
- Run the jewellery under warm water to clean it thoroughly. Make sure there is no soapy residue left behind.
- To dry the jewellery, use a soft, clean microfiber towel. Once it has dried, the jewellery can be worn or put away.
Conclusion
Everyone who appreciates gems is enamored by the intense and timeless blue colour of blue sapphire stones. It is a good choice for jewellery meant for everyday wear, such as a blue sapphire ring and bracelet. It compares favorably to diamonds in terms of price, toughness, and longevity. In addition to being stunning, this stone has exceptional metaphysical qualities, and in astrology, it is also very advantageous to the owner because it is thought to bring good fortune and a lot of self-confidence. If you are planning on making this beautiful gem a part of your collection, then now is the time!
FAQ
Angara uses heirloom blue sapphire gemstones to create gorgeous blue sapphire-studded jewelry.
An intense, velvety, deep royal blue is the ideal hue for blue sapphire. Sapphires in this shade are considered AAA quality, the finest, and the most expensive.
