Blue sapphire is a gemstone highly prized for its intense colour and brilliance. Here is a detailed description of blue sapphire:
1. **Chemical Composition and Structure:**
- Sapphire is part of the corundum family, which is composed mainly of aluminum oxide.
- The blue colour of sapphire is often attributed to the presence of small amounts of titanium and iron in its crystalline structure.
2. **Color and Varieties:**
- **Blue Colour:** Blue sapphire can have a wide range of shades, from light to dark blue. The intense and uniform colour is an important factor in assessing the value of sapphire.
- **Variants:** There are variants of blue sapphire, such as royal sapphire (with an intense shade of blue) or cornflower sapphire (with a shade of blue close to the colour of the hornflower).
3. **Hardness and brilliance:**
- Sapphire is one of the hardest gemstones, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale. This makes it scratch resistant and suitable for everyday use.
- Sapphire's brilliance is glassy, and a well-crafted stone reflects light spectacularly.
4. **Origins and Locations:**
- The main sources of blue sapphire include Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. Other notable sources include Kashmir (India) and parts of Africa.
5. **Value and Valuation:**
- Blue sapphire is valued according to colour, clarity, size and cut.
- The intense colour and the fact that sapphire is a rare stone can significantly influence its value.
6. **Symbolism and Meanings:**
- Sapphire is often associated with symbols such as loyalty, trust and protection.
- It is considered a gemstone suitable for engagement jewelry and is sometimes associated with nobility and royalty.
7. **Uses in Jewelry:**
- Blue sapphire is often used in luxury jewellery, including engagement rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
- Designs can range from simple cuts to more elaborate creations, highlighting the natural beauty of the stone.
8. **Care and Cleaning:**
- Sapphire is a hard stone, but exposure to harsh chemicals should be avoided. Cleaning can be done with warm water and mild soap, and stones can be wiped with a soft cloth.
Blue sapphire remains one of the most sought after and prized gemstones, bringing a combination of natural beauty and symbolic significance to the world of jewellery.
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