It is rightly called the 'gemstone of the heavens', such is the mystical hue of sapphires. This breathtakingly beautiful gemstone occurs in almost all colors, from pink, yellow and white, to purple and orange. However, it is the heady blue hue of sapphires that are by far, the most sought after. This mystical blue that ranges from a seductive midnight blue to an enigmatic ocean blue with a fine velvety sheen, is the most popular sapphire worldwide.

The name sapphire, it is said, has been coined from various sources, a few examples being the Persian 'safir' meaning 'beloved of Saturn and the Latin 'Sapphirus' meaning blue. Sapphire has lots of lore and history to share. It is said, ancient kings wore this gemstone to stay away from evil and win divine favors and priests took help of sapphires to decipher Oracles. Sapphires also stand for purity, truth and endurance and hence are considered appropriate as the 5th and 45th wedding anniversary gifts. According to ancient lore, if an unfaithful partner wore sapphire, it's color and shine would dim eventually. Sapphire also happens to be the birthstone for those born in September, besides being the astrological stone for the zodiac sign Libra.

These stunning stones look beautiful in any form of jewelry, whether earrings, rings, pendants, bracelets or charms. When set in white gold or platinum, sapphires look charming. Sapphires look especially enchanting when coupled with diamonds. When the dazzle of diamonds fall on the intriguing blue sapphire, the effect is truly breathtaking. Being the hardest gemstones after diamonds, sapphires make a great accessory for everyday wear. While rings and earrings form an integral part of every woman's daily accessories, it's the pendants that truly steal the show. Sapphire pendants look lovely, as they sit right at the center of one's neck. Grabbing every bit of attention, a sapphire pendant wonderfully compliments any wardrobe, adding a touch of color and glamor. A pendant always adds a somewhat dressy quotient, and is ideal for special occasions. One may even choose to pair a sapphire pendant with everyday dressing to add an interesting element. Sapphire pendants also make wonderful gifts.

Caring for sapphires is a must, to retain their wonderful color and texture. Ideally, soaking them in warm water with a mild detergent, followed by a soft brush scrub works well. An occasional cleaning by a professional jeweler is also necessary. Proper storing of jewelry is equally important. Always ensure sapphire jewelry is wrapped away in individual tissue or soft cloth and put away in a jewelry box. Since these stones are hard, constant brushing and contact with other softer stones may lead to the surface of the latter getting damaged or scratched.

Like all other gemstones, color is the most important factor when choosing sapphires. The color of sapphire may vary due to it's place of origin. Sri Lanka remains a major source of sapphire to the world, with the pinkish orange 'Padparadscha' being found here alone. The ones from Australia happen to be deep velvety blue, while those from Kashmir in India are intense blue with a dash of violet. Other sources happen to be Burma, Madagascar, America and Cambodia.

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