Deep blue is the colour of royalty, so it is no surprise a rich sapphire stone would centre Kate Middleton’s engagement ring. Once belonging to Princess Diana, this iconic ring caused sapphire sales to skyrocket in 2010 following the royal engagement announcement. Even before this proposal, however, sapphires have been adored and coveted for their intense colouring.
The name of this precious gemstone comes from the Greek word ‘sappheiros’ and the Latin word ‘saphirus’, both of which translate to mean blue. Despite the name, however, sapphires come in a range of colours from blue to yellow to pink. The only colour is cannot present as is red as it would then be considered a ruby. Naturally, blue is the most coveted colour variant.
Sapphire is one of the four main precious gemstones, including diamonds, rubies and emeralds. While found all over the world, the highest-quality and most prestigious sapphires come from Kashmir, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Montana.
The stone is believed to have healing properties, and is regarded as the stone of mental focus and order, inner vision and psychic awareness. Chakra theory also believes that sapphires help open one’s third eye, thus allowing wisdom and insight to enter.
This stone is much loved by celebrities such as Princess Diana, Penelope Cruz and Elizabeth Taylor.
Coloured stones have been trending in the engagement world for the past few years, and sapphire makes an excellent choice because it can double up as your ‘something blue’. When picking one out, always refer to the four Cs: colour, cut, clarity and carat.
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