Sapphire / Blue Sapphire

Common Name: Sapphire (Persian: Neelam; Arabic: Yaqoot-e-Kabood; Hindi: Neelman)

Nature/Identity: It is a renowned, high-grade mineral gemstone used for making jewels and settings.

Temperament: Hot in the first degree and dry in the third degree.

Color and Odor: Clear, transparent, bright blue. Taste: Bland/tasteless with no dominant flavor.

Harmful Effects: Harmful to individuals with a hot temperament.

Correctives (Antidotes/Modifiers): White ruby/sapphire and cooling substances.

Substitutes: Red ruby or yellow sapphire.

Planetary Association: Associated with Saturn.

Special Benefit: Exhilarating and a tonic for the heart and brain.

Optimal Dose: Up to 3.5 rattis.

Minimal/Deficient Dose: 1 to 2 rattis.

Actions and Properties: It is exhilarating, fortifies the heart and brain, and dissolves inflammation when prepared and ingested. Useful in epilepsy, anxiety/obsessive thoughts, palpitations, plague, hemorrhages, antidote for poison, and protecting against harmful environmental air changes. It purifies the blood and protects the innate heat (hararat-e-ghareezi) and vital forces. Holding it in the mouth dispels bad breath and quenches thirst. It acts as a heart tonic and mood elevator. When used as a kohl (surma), it strengthens eyesight and protects the eyes. (Makhzan)

Sapphire, known in Sanskrit as Neela, in English as Sapphire, and in Persian/Arabic as Yaqoot-e-Arzaq, is a supremely fine bluish gemstone. Its radiance, brilliance, and sky-blue color are deeply captivating. This gemstone has been famous since ancient times and is mentioned in the historical texts of both Hindus and Muslims. No other gemstone was considered to possess magical/tethered properties equal to this one. The Greeks dedicated it to Apollo (the name of a Greek deity). Due to its vivid color and lustre, this gem is widely used for personal adornment. Since the ancients found it extremely difficult to cut such hard gemstones, it was used less frequently in jewelry back then. Five favorable types of sapphire are described, along with various benefits of wearing them:

1. Godtu: Small in size but heavy in weight; wearing it fulfills the heart's desires.
2. Sangrat: Constantly radiant; wearing it increases wealth and affection.
3. Darnaari: Emits blue rays when held up to the sun; wearing it brings wealth and grain/agricultural produce.
4. Parshwat: Emits golden, silver, and crystalline glints; wearing it brings fame and renown.
5. Ranj-Ketu: When placed in a container, its brilliance causes the container itself to appear blue; wearing it brings prosperity and growth to one's offspring.

There is also a variety called Maha-neel; if placed in a hundred times its volume of milk, its radiance makes the milk appear blue. Another variety is called Indra-neel.

Apart from these, Sanskrit texts list six defective and inauspicious sapphires, the wearing of which is believed to bring various harms and losses:

1. Abraq: Possesses a cloud-like sheen on its upper part; it ruins life and wealth.
2. Tarash: Displays marks resembling a break or crack; it carries the danger of harm from wild animals like bears.
3. Chitrak: Contains a color distinct from the standard shades mentioned above; wearing it portends the ruin of one's community/people.
4. Mrit-Griha: Has a dull or muddy hue; it causes various diseases.
5. Asham-Griha: Contains what looks like a stone fragment embedded within it; wearing it creates a fear of death.
6. Rookhi: Displays white, porcelain-like spots; wearing it creates the fear of exile/expatriation.

Modern jewelers categorize sapphires into two main classes: first, Puraan (Old/Classic), and second, Naya (New). Each is further divided into three varieties:

1. Greenish blue or blue with a green tinge.
2. Reddish blue.
3. Deep blue (intense indigo/blue).

The Persians describe sapphire as a variety of ruby and thus call it Yaqoot-e-Arzaq (Blue Ruby), but in reality, it is a distinct gemstone separate from ruby.