For thousands of years, sapphire has fascinated with its beauty and the depth of its colors. Today, prized for the creation of necklaces and pendants as well as engagement rings, it continues to convey a prestigious symbolism. Discover the history of sapphire from Antiquity to the present day and its meaning!
History and etymology of sapphire
In French, the word sapphire appeared during the 12th century, borrowed from the Latin sapphirus, from the Greek sappheiros, two terms which themselves draw their origin from the Aramaic sampir or the Hebrew sappir.
The etymology of the word sapphire reveals the antiquity of the popularity of this gem. Remarkable for its rarity, purity and hardness, it is among the four precious stones alongside diamond, ruby and emerald. Stones that have been distinguished from other gems since antiquity, but were not officially categorized as such until the 18th and 19th centuries.
Sapphire, in particular, has fascinated several great civilizations throughout history. In ancient times, it was linked to the divinities: associated with Jupiter by the Romans, with the sky among the Persians, the sapphire was considered a sacred stone in Egypt, symbol of truth and justice.
In the Middle Ages, in the West, the association of the sapphire with spiritual power continued: knights wore it mounted on a ring to protect themselves in combat, as did clerics and popes on their rings and insignia.
During the Renaissance in Europe, the sapphire asserted itself as the stone par excellence of monarchs. At that time, the gemstone was increasingly used to adorn royal jewels, scepters and crowns.
It was during the Victorian era, during the second half of the 19th century, that the sapphire mounted in solitaire became popular on engagement rings. Since then, it has remained, along with the traditional diamond, the emblematic stone of the engagement ring.
Among the famous sapphires, in 1981, was the one on Princess Diana's engagement ring with Prince Charles.
The different colors of sapphire
Also called the "stone of the Popes" or "oriental gem", the sapphire is a gem from the corundum family, like the ruby. If ruby refers to red corundum gems, sapphire can display all the other shades specific to this mineral species, that is to say:
- • Blue when it contains titanium and iron oxides
- • Purple when it contains traces of vanadium
- • Pink when it contains chromium impurities
- • Yellow and green when it contains iron oxides
In the world of jewelry, blue sapphires have benefited from more visibility than sapphires of other colors. This is due to several combined factors:
- • The quality and rarity of blue sapphires from famous deposits such as those in Sri Lanka or Kashmir
- • The symbolism of blue, which evokes serenity and confidence
- • The historical and cultural association of blue with royalty, which has reinforced the popularity of blue sapphire among the elite over the centuries
The properties of sapphire
In addition to the depth and symbolic scope of its color, sapphire is prized in jewelry for its remarkable physical properties:
- • Its hardness and scratch resistance (second only to diamonds), which means that it is also used in watchmaking and optics
- • Its density, greater than that of quartz
- • Its transparency, which influences its value
- • Its refractive index, to which it owes its characteristic brilliance
- • Its dichroism, which allows for large shades of color depending on the viewing angle, more or less light or dark
- • Its thermal resistance, which allows its use in industrial processes, both in watchmaking and in high-tech
Meaning of the sapphire ring for engagement
The symbolic significance of the sapphire and the blue color, which has survived the centuries without changing, is reflected in the jewel on which the stone is set. An engagement ring adorned with a sapphire will thus symbolize sincerity, fidelity, and the nobility of a deep and lasting love.
The choice of sapphire, more daring than the traditional diamond, also allows you to personalize the engagement jewel, with the desire to reflect a unique personality. However, it conveys strong and timeless values.
If the diamond is associated with purity and eternity, the sapphire evokes mutual trust and shared wisdom. Its color, often deep blue, brings an additional touch of spirituality or even mysticism.
From Antiquity to the present day, the sapphire has continued to seduce with its brilliance, taking on a unique symbolism over the centuries. If you are looking for a rare piece of jewelry full of history, discover the collections of Bijouteries Gemme, specialists in antique and contemporary second-hand jewelry.
Do you have an antique ring with sapphire and are you looking to have it appraised? Discover our article on the appraisal of antique jewelry.
