Sapphire

Facts

When we talk about the sapphire, most gemstone lovers will immediately think of a velvety blue, a color attractive on many people. Sapphire is the birthstone for the month of September and the recommended gift for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.

Second only to diamonds in hardness, sapphires are easy to care for and demand from their wearers only the usual and normal care.

Like the ruby, the sapphire is derived from the mineral corundum and the crystalline group of oxides. All colors of corundum except red are known as sapphires. Fancy sapphires come in many colors, including yellow, purple, pink, green or white. The epitome of individualism, fancy sapphires are the perfect choice for women who love unique colored gemstone jewelry.

Fascination

The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and its reflection coloured the sky, from midnight blue to the bright azure of the noon sky in the Mediterranean, from the golden sunrise to the fiery reddish-orange sunsets and delicate violet of the twilight.

Sapphire symbolizes loyalty and faithfulness, while at the same time expressing love and yearning. That's why many women choose sapphire for their engagement rings and anniversary bands.

Caring For Sapphire

After removing your sapphire jewelry, wipe it with a soft cloth to remove dirt and other residues. You can also use either an ultrasonic cleaner, or a solution of one part ammonia and six parts water to clean sapphire jewelry at home. If cleaning by hand, gentle scrubbing with a soft brush should loosen most dirt and greatly increase the brilliance of the sapphire, but be careful not to scratch the metal of your setting.

Store your gemstone jewelry in a case or a soft cloth, so the gems do not touch each other or parts of other jewelry. Sapphires are harder than gold, silver, or platinum and can scratch the surfaces of your other fine jewelry if they are not kept separate. You should also avoid spraying perfume, hair spray, and cleaning solutions around them.

Normal wear and tear will eventually weaken prongs and other metal components of your jewelry. As a result, it is good policy to have a professional jeweler examine your jewelry once a year. If necessary, a professional can repair prongs, ring shanks, and necklace clasps, and resize ill-fitting rings. While your jewelry is being handled by a professional, he or she can give your jewelry a professional cleaning and arrange to have a gem re-polished if it has been damaged by daily wear.