Sapphire

Other names:

Oriental Topaz (yellow), Oriental Peridot (Green), Padparadschah (orange-pink).

Appearance:

Generally blue in various hues. Also orange, green, purple, yellow, pink and black. Can be transparent or opaque.

Common variations...

Sapphire is part of the Corundum group of stones and is almost identical to Ruby in both chemistry and structure. Ruby is red whilst other colours of Corundum are known as Sapphire.

Esoteric beliefs and associations...

Yellow Sapphire is associated with the planet Mercury, blue with Jupiter and orange-yellow with Venus. All sapphires are associated with the month of September, and with the God Apollo. Purple Sapphire is linked with the healing of severe disease and with inducing meditational states of mind. When any hint of light blue is present, it helps with patience, contentment and happiness. Dark blue often attracts changes of circumstances and psychic ability. Yellow Sapphire strengthens intellect, study and psychic skills (including divination). When over-all colouration is pink, love and friendships are helped. Orange colouration is often linked with energy, stimulation and stamina (both physical and spiritual), and the ability to cope in times of crisis.

Other useful information...

Sapphire was named from the Greek for 'blue'.

Physical properties...

Chemistry	Aluminium oxide. Pigments are iron and titanium (blue), vanadium (violet) and chrome (pink). Small amounts of iron produce yellow and green.
System/Structure	Hexagonal (dipyramidal, barrel shaped, tabloid shaped)
Refractive Index	1.766 - 1.774
Specific Gravity	3.99 - 4.00
Mohs' Hardness	9