The multifaceted nature of sapphires makes them even more captivating beyond their beauty. And I find them even more beautiful when they are mined responsibly, protecting us all and the planet. More on how we source our sapphires soon!
The Radiant Beauty, Symbolism and Magic of Sapphire - The Many Colors of the September birthstone
As a jeweler with a deep-rooted passion for the magic of gemstones, I've always been drawn to the beauty and versatility of sapphires - the birthstone for September.
Sapphires are the second hardest natural gemstone after diamonds, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale (diamonds are 10). This makes them incredibly durable and perfect for everyday wear.
When we think of sapphire, a singular image of a deep blue gem easily comes to mind, reminiscent of the ocean at twilight. But sapphires are not confined to the classic deep blue; they dance across a broad spectrum of colors, each holding its own unique symbolism and charm.
Today, I'd like to take you on a journey through the colorful world of sapphires and share why I love to include this gemstone in my jewelry designs.
The Full Spectrum of Sapphire Colors
While a sapphire is typically envisioned in blue, it naturally occurs in an array of colors—from the deepest blues to the vibrant pinks and the rare enigmatic Padparadscha, and even colorless whites.
Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, which is primarily composed of aluminum oxide (). The basic chemical structure of sapphire is quite simple, but its various colors come from trace impurities and the presence of other elements that affect its crystalline structure. Each hue is a window into the natural forces that shaped them, involving different trace elements like iron, titanium, chromium, and copper.
1. Classic Blue Sapphire: Helping You Speak Your Truth
The Blue Sapphire Crystal:
The classic blue color in sapphires is mainly due to the presence of iron and titanium. The blue tint arises when titanium ions replace some aluminum ions in the crystal lattice, and iron is present. Light absorption resulting from electron transfer between the iron and titanium ions gives the sapphire its blue color.
The Symbolism of Blue Sapphire:
The traditional blue sapphire remains a symbol of nobility, truth, and sincerity. A true classic, its allure in jewelry is timeless and universally admired. Embodying a depth of emotion and the expanse of the skies and seas, blue sapphires feel right at home in my beach-inspired Boheme Collection.
The Magic of Blue Sapphire:
Blue sapphire is closely associated with the throat chakra. It is believed to facilitate better communication, self-expression, and insight. By activating the throat chakra, blue sapphire enhances the ability to communicate clearly and truthfully.
I love designing with blue sapphire to encourage you to speak your truth:
2. Mystic Purple Sapphire: Sharpening your Intuition
The Purple Sapphire Crystal:
Purple sapphires are generally caused by a combination of chromium and iron impurities. The exact shades can vary depending on the relative concentrations and distribution of these elements within the crystal. Purple sapphires are rare, often found in small deposits and unique formations. Their mystical color makes them a prized collector's gem, especially in deeper shades
The Symbolism of Purple Sapphire:
Purple sapphires carry connotations of spiritual awakening and psychic awareness. They are thought to enhance meditation, calm the mind, and open one’s eyes to the mysteries of the universe. They encourage you to listen to the quiet whisper of your inner voice and wisdomThe Magic of Purple Sapphire:
The Magic of Purple Sapphire:
Purple sapphire, often less common than other sapphire colors, holds a unique position in the spectrum of gemstone energies. It primarily resonates with the Third Eye and Crown Chakras, making it an exceptional stone for spiritual insight and higher consciousness.
These gorgeous purple gems are MOYO sapphires directly sourced from the miners by Anza Gems for Reciprocity Jewels
3. Vibrant Pink Sapphire: The Power of Love
The Pink Sapphire Crystal:
The presence of chromium is responsible for the pink color in sapphires. The higher the chromium content, the deeper the pink hue. In some cases, the pink can deepen to a red, which classifies the gem as a ruby (also a variety of corundum).
The Symbolism of Pink Sapphire:
Pink sapphires are for those who embrace the softer side of strength, as this color symbolises the gentleness of love paired with the power of passion. They range from delicate blushes to bold magentas, each shade singing a song of love.
These gems are perfect for expressions of romance, perfectly suited to commitment jewelry.
The Magic of Pink Sapphire:
Pink sapphire resonates with the heart chakra, which governs love, compassion, and emotional balance. It is believed to open and purify the heart, encouraging feelings of love, forgiveness, and acceptance. Pink sapphire is thought to attract positive relationships and to enhance emotional connections.
In my jewels, I use pink sapphires to celebrate the love, often as accents on talismans like the Bonne Etoile and the Petit Skull charms:
4. Exceptional Padparadscha Sapphire: A wearable Sunset
The Padparadscha Sapphire Crystal:
This rare orange-pink sapphire shows a combination of chromium and iron impurities. The delicate balance between these elements gives Padparadscha its unique and highly prized two-toned color. The chromium contributes to the pink color, similar to that found in rubies, while the iron adds yellow and orange hues. The exact balance and distribution of these trace elements, along with the specific state of oxidation of the iron, create the unique sunset color that is neither purely orange nor pink but a blend of both. These beauties are exclusively mined from Sri Lanka and Madagascar.
The Symbolism of Padparadscha Sapphire:
The rare and precious Padparadscha sapphire symbolizes the exotic and tropical beauty of the lotus flower from which it gets its name. It is often associated with creativity and artistic excellence, making it a prized gem
The Magic of Padparadscha Sapphire:
The orange tones in Padparadscha sapphires stimulate the Sacral chakra, promoting vitality and a passion for life. This can help enhance creativity, improve emotional connections, and foster a sense of wellness and pleasure.
The pink elements of Padparadscha sapphires connect with the Heart Chakra, the center of love and compassion. This chakra influences our ability to give and receive love from others and ourselves. The influence of Padparadscha sapphires can help to open the heart, encouraging forgiveness, understanding, and the unconditional acceptance of others.
By balancing both chakras, Padparadscha sapphires can facilitate a harmonious blend of love and creativity, making them particularly beneficial for those seeking to enhance their artistic expressions and interpersonal relationships.
I sure know that I need one for my own collection...
5. Radiant Yellow Sapphire: Harnessing the Power of the Sun
The Yellow Sapphire Crystal:
Yellow sapphires get their color mainly from iron impurities. The iron ions cause light absorption in the blue part of the spectrum, thus reflecting yellow light.
The Symbolism of Yellow Sapphire:
Yellow sapphires sparkle with the cheerful zest of sunlight. These gems carry the joy of a sunny day and are believed to attract wealth or prosperity and bring wisdom. In Vedic astrology, yellow sapphires are particularly revered and believed to bring financial abundance and success.
The Magic of Yellow Sapphire:
Yellow sapphire stimulates the solar plexus chakra, the center of personal power and confidence. This gem is thought to enhance the wearer’s willpower, ambition, and success. It brings about a cheerful disposition by fostering a positive and optimistic outlook.
6. Fiery Orange Sapphire: Let your Creativity Flow
The Orange Sapphire Crystal:
Trace elements of chromium (Cr) and iron (Fe), along with the influence of heat treatment, contribute to the vibrant orange colors.
The Symbolism of Orange Sapphire:
Orange sapphires blend the energy and enthusiasm of red with the happiness of yellow, symbolizing vitality and a zest for life. They are believed to represent your inner fire and creativity, providing ample artistic inspiration to the wearer. Orange sapphire infuses the wearer with a playful spirit and an enduring curiosity. It embodies the joy of living and assists in looking at the world with a renewed sense of wonder and adventure. For those feeling stuck or in a routine, orange sapphire can rekindle the inner spark and motivate a fresh approach to life’s challenges.
The Magic of Orange Sapphire:
Orange sapphire, with its warm and vibrant hues, is particularly associated with the Sacral Chakra. This chakra, located in the lower abdomen, is the center of pleasure, creativity, and emotional balance. It is crucial for igniting passion and enthusiasm. By activating this chakra, orange sapphire enhances creativity and encourages the expression of emotions and sensuality. It helps to dissolve any blocks that prevent the flow of creative ideas and emotional connections, making it an excellent stone for artists, writers, and anyone engaged in creative ventures.
A fiery Leo myself, a sign ruled by the sun, I love the warm glow of orange sapphire, like the one used in these Boheme Rings:
7. Tranquil Green Sapphire: Deepen Your Bond with Mother Earth
The Green Sapphire Crystal:
Green sapphires result from a combination of iron and titanium impurities. The mixture and interaction of these elements contribute to the absorption of light that produces a green color.
The Symbolism of Green Sapphire:
Green sapphires are among the rarest sapphires. They echo the hues of tranquil forests and symbolize the integrity and tranquility that comes from a deep connection with nature. Green sapphires are also associated with the vitality of nature, symbolizing life, renewal, and growth.
The Magic of Green Sapphire:
Like pink sapphire, green sapphire is also connected to the heart chakra, but it emphasizes healing and calmness rather than emotional warmth. It is thought to bring a soothing energy that relieves stress and promotes a deep inner peace and emotional resilience.
8. White Sapphire: Encouraging Clarity of Mind
The White Sapphire Crystal:
White sapphires lack the trace elements required to produce color, such as chromium, iron, titanium, or vanadium, which are responsible for the colors seen in other sapphires. They are composed almost entirely of pure aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The crystal lattice of white sapphires does not have the distortions or inclusions that can affect light absorption and refraction, which allows them to appear clear and colorless.
The Symbolism of White Sapphire:
White sapphires stand for clarity, honesty, and purity. They can be used as a substitute for diamonds in engagement rings due to their similar appearance and the purity they represent. White sapphires are believed to bring wisdom and clarity of mind to their wearers.
The Magic of White Sapphire:
White sapphire is linked with the crown chakra, the gateway to spiritual consciousness. It is said to bring clarity and self-mastery, promoting a sense of unity and connection with the universe. White sapphire enhances mental clarity and focus, helping to clear scattered thoughts and paving the way for a deeper spiritual insight.
Structural Influence
In addition to chemical impurities, the way the crystal lattice forms can also influence color. For example, anomalies in the crystal structure, such as dislocations or vacancies, can lead to varied absorption and reflection of light, subtly changing the gem's appearance.
See more sapphire jewels HERE:
The Art of Choosing and Wearing Sapphire Jewelry
Choosing a sapphire is as much about the color that speaks to your soul as it is about the quality of the gem. The best sapphires offer vivid saturation and clear brilliance, regardless of their color.
I aim to respect the natural beauty of sapphires by crafting settings that enhance their color and allow light to animate their inherent glow. Each jewels is designed to be a talisman, bringing the wearer the energies of the stone not only through physical contact but also through the beauty it radiates.
As always with my designs, I encourage you to take the meaning that resonnates with you, and leave the rest...
A word of Caution: Color Treatments in Sapphires
You should know that sapphires often undergo treatments to enhance their natural colors and clarity. The most common method is heat treatment, which improves color saturation and overall appearance without altering the gem’s essence.
Another method, less common, involves diffusing chemicals into the sapphire to deepen its color.
It’s important for you to be aware of these treatments, as they can affect the gem’s value and should always be disclosed, as it will affect how you should care for your gem.
Conclusion
I believe we are naturally drawn to the energy that we need to bring into our lives. Each color of sapphire offers a different narrative, a different emotion, and a unique energy. In the world of fine jewelry, these gems play the role of both muse and canvas, inspiring designs that speak to the heart and soul of the wearer.
Whether you are drawn to the serene blues, intuitive purples, passionate pinks, sunny yellows, fiery oranges, soothing greens, or clear whites, sapphires offer a way to express your inner self in a manner that is as enduring as it is beautiful.
I invite you to explore the spectrum of sapphires in my collection, each piece crafted with love and a commitment to artistry and sustainability. Let the colors of sapphires bring joy and richness to your life as they have to mine.
Our Boheme clicker can be customized in most sapphire colors, and I love upcycling your unworn jewels, especially sapphires. Get started on your custom project HERE
A favorite look featuring sapphires from the collection:
