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Birthstone for September -
Sapphire
By Sam and Tami Serio
Morning Light Jewelry
September Birthstone: Sapphire
Birthstone
Properties: Brings physical and emotional balance.
Alternative
Birthstone: Agate
Sapphire is the birthstone for September and the gemstone given for
anniversaries of the 5th and 45th years of marriage. Taken from the Greek
word for blue, "sapphirus", sapphires have a time-honored tradition with
priests (who considered them symbolic of purity) and kings (who
considered them symbolic of wisdom.)
Sapphires were mined as early as the 7th Century BC in India and what is
now Sri Lanka. Today they are found in Sri Lanka, Australia, Nigeria,
Kenya, Tanzania, Kashmir, Myanmar, Thailand, China, Madagascar, and the
United States.
Against Which All Others are Measured - Sapphires, like
rubies, are a variety of corundum. The sapphire's color spectrum includes
pink and lavender varieties, a rare orange hue, and, of course, the
velvety blue sapphire that earned the gemstone its name.
Because of the way in which corundum crystals are formed, large sapphires
are rare and valuable. The priceless 563-carat Star of India, on display
at New York City's Museum of Natural History, is the largest and most
famous of "star sapphires" (sapphires that are cut to reflect light from
inclusions within the stone to reveal a bright six-legged star pattern).
To Your Health - So strong was the power of a sapphire, it was alleged that
a venomous snake put in a vessel made of sapphire would quickly die.
Sapphires therefore earned the reputation as an excellent all-purpose
medicine and were ingested as an antidote to poison. Additionally,
sapphires were ground into powders as a remedy for everything from colic
to rheumatism and mental illness. Sapphires were also believed to be
able to stop bleeding and cure disorders of the eye.
The Eyes Have
It - Egyptians associated the clear sapphire with the eye of Horas --
the all-seeing, all-knowing "eye in the sky" -- while the gemstone was
used by the Greeks to tap into the subconscious mind by stimulating the opening
of the "third eye."
A Mirror of the Soul - Husbands and wives in ancient times frequently
exchanged gifts of sapphires. Although the fact that sapphires represent
sincerity and faithfulness was undoubtedly the primary reason it was a
popular marriage gift, another motive may have been at work: it was
believed that a sapphire would not shine if worn by someone who was wicked
or impure. Sapphires were considered to be so powerful they
continued to protect the original owner even after being sold.
Say it with Sapphires - Clear sapphires, like diamonds, are the guardians of
love. When exchanged with a loved one, sapphires enhance feelings for one
another and attunes the two psyches. Sapphires have the power to banish
envy and jealousy, and are said to promote chastity in virgins and
fidelity in marriage.
The Authors of the above Article, Sam and Tami Serio have been
passionately involved with Jewelry and Gemstones for over fifteen-years.
For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to
visit
www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To
Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise,
informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to
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