Photos: A custom designed pendant by Craig Brady.
The sapphire is second only to the diamond in hardness, making it a durable gemstone for setting into jewelry. A gift of sapphire represents sincerity and faithfulness.
Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum. Corundum is found in every color of the rainbow. Red corundums are known as rubies and all other hues are known as sapphire -- even though the word sapphire comes from the Greek word "sapphirus," meaning blue. And the rich, deep blue of the September birthstone is considered the most desireable of all sapphires.
These gemstones were mined as early as the 7th Century BC from India and what is now Sri Lanka. They are found today in Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Myanmar, Thailand, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China, Madagascar, and the United States. Large specimens of corundum crystals are rare; the 563-carat Star of India can be seen in the American Museum of Natural History.
Ancient civilizations believed that the world was set upon an enormous sapphire, which painted the sky blue with its reflection. This legend, as well as the belief that the ten commandments were inscribed upon tablets made of sapphire, gives September’s birthstone a royal place among gemstones.
Mention this blog and receive 20% off any blue sapphire item in stock during the month of September! (Excluding Pandora.)
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