Not this girl. I’ve always thought diamonds are rather cold and colorless. I much prefer color in my gemstones and since my favorite hue is blue, a sapphire wins hands down. Just as an aside, Jennifer McKenzie did a Thursday Thirteen on Blood Diamonds last week that was really interesting.
Anyway, to get back to sapphires:
Most people think of sapphires as naturally blue but in fact they come in an array of colors such as yellow, pink, orange and green. They are found naturally in corundum or can be manufactured synthetically. They are a remarkably hard and durable gem.
A sapphire is the birthstone for September and it is supposed to bring joy, peace, beauty, intuition, prosperity and fulfillment of dreams to the wearer. A sapphire is also thought to improve mental clarity and clear thinking. It clears mental garbage…hang on a tick…so that’s what I’m doing wrong…
Pause while Shelley goes to get her rings.
…okay, back now.
A sapphire is known as the stone of new love and commitment and is claimed to be useful in encouraging faithfulness and loyalty. It dispels evil thoughts and brings peace and amiability to its wearer. A sapphire is believed to offer powerful protection to its wearer from spells. It gives the wearer the ability to discern the truth and the future. A sapphire is also believed to offer healing properties for rheumatism, colic and mental illness. In Medieval times Sapphires were thought to be an excellent antidote for poison.
I learn some very interesting things in the course of my writing research.
If money were no option which gemstone would you buy from Tiffanys?
Related posts:
Sapphires for me as well. :)
by Gabriele February 26th, 2008 at 4:20 amI’m all about emeralds. But y’know, I wouldn’t say no to a big fat sapphire, either!!
by Wylie Kinso February 26th, 2008 at 6:59 amShameless plug alert … I’ve got an Ellora’s Cave book coming out in May that features a big mystical aquamarine!
Law of Averages ~ May 16th
Sapphires are my birthstone and (don’t tell the Redneck) I would have preferred it for an engagement ring.
by Jennifer McKenzie February 26th, 2008 at 7:58 amI think they’re BEAUTIFUL.
Great post, Shelley.
My favorite stone is turquoise and my second favorite is either moonstone or tourmaline . :)
But Sapphires are lovely.
by Cassandra Curtis February 26th, 2008 at 10:01 amI opted for a sapphire engagement ring when I got engaged. It’s a beautiful royal blue.
by pussreboots February 26th, 2008 at 10:29 amSapphires are beautiful but I think I’ll go for a diamond, particularly a pink diamond. I’ve been partial to them since J. Lo sported a pink diamond on her finger.
by Jane February 26th, 2008 at 4:01 pmAh, quite a few sapphire fans.
Wylie – I wouldn’t say no to an emerald. And I love the cover of your upcoming release. The artist has used great colors.
Jennifer – I won’t tell
Cassandra – Turquoise is pretty, too. It’s actually my birthstone so I should sing its praises as well.
Pussreboots – royal blue is such a pretty color. I didn’t realize sapphires came in other colors as well as blue until I did some research.
Jane – aren’t pink diamonds quite rare?
by Shelley Munro February 26th, 2008 at 5:00 pmI would opt for a yellow topaz. It is my birthstone.
by Estella February 26th, 2008 at 5:39 pmA Yellow Diamond – (not the bright canary) Just a medium yellow. MORE– At least 5 carats, (7 would be better) radiant cut in 18KT white gold in a very simple, raised basket setting.
You did say any stone, money is no option, right?
BTW, I love sapphires, yellow of course.
by Janet H February 26th, 2008 at 6:36 pmI did alot of reading on sapphires lately too! lol Did you know that in the 18th century Sapphires were used to test female loyalty, its color changed if its wearer was unfaithful. *blink*
I’m torn between Amethyst and sapphire. so why suffer I just buy both *g*
by Marissa Alwin February 26th, 2008 at 7:17 pmEstella – I just googled yellow topaz. Very pretty!
Janet – yes, no problems with money. I’m a fan of white gold, too. Sounds lovely.
Marissa – I wonder why we’re reading about sapphires.
by Shelley Munro February 26th, 2008 at 7:53 pmAnd exactly, why not have both!
I love sapphires, but I must confess I didn’t know anything about them before today! I’ve got a sapphire and diamond engagement ring, but we got it because it was just so pretty! (and sparkly, I am partial to sparkly things!!)
by Christina Phillips February 27th, 2008 at 12:23 amChristina – I have to agree. A little bling never hurt anybody!!
by Shelley Munro February 27th, 2008 at 12:29 amI like garnets myself – my birthstone. And I’m not opposed to a well cut diamond either – shiny and colorless goes with everything :)
by Jenyfer Matthews February 27th, 2008 at 3:06 amI’m partial to garnets as well, though my fav ring (before I lost it – grrr) was a simple black NZ river stone that had been set in silver. So gorgeous.
by amanda ashby February 27th, 2008 at 5:21 pm