Complete Path

Zodiac Signs

Libra

Date of birth... 24th September to 22nd October Sign... Libra / Scales Element... Air Ruling planet... Venus Compatible gem / Lucky stone... Sapphire, Opal Compatible colors / Lucky colors... White, Green, Yellow, Light blue Compatible numbers / Lucky numbers... 6 and 9 Compatible day / Lucky day... Friday

Properties of Favorable Gemstones for Libra / Characteristics of Compatible Stones for the Zodiac Sign Libra

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.

You are here

Properties and Nature / Attributes and Identity

Description

The mineral form of sapphire is a six-sided parallel-sided or hexagonal prism. For this reason, it is classified in the dichroic category. Its hardness is rated at degree 9; hence, it can only be cut by diamond. The color of sapphire is exceptionally fine and pleasing, ranging from bright blue to shades of purple and violet. In the texts of the Hindus, several other varieties of sapphire are described beyond these.

Thus, it is written: "Although the color of a genuine sapphire is blue—which is why it is called Neelam—other color tones and highlights also manifest within them. Accordingly, some sapphires resemble the lotus flower, while others exhibit blues like that of a steel sword, a bumblebee, seawater, or the throat of a cuckoo. Based on their shades, they are classified into four castes/types:

Brahmin Sapphire: Bluish-white (blue with a white tinge)
Kshatriya (Chhatri) Sapphire: Bluish-red (blue with a reddish tinge)
Vaish Sapphire: Bluish-yellow (blue with a yellowish tinge)
Shudra Sapphire: Bluish-black (blue with a dark/blackish tinge)

The specific gravity of sapphire ranges from 3.9 to 4.2. The chemical composition, refractive power, and other physical properties of sapphire match those of ruby (yaqoot). The only difference between sapphire and ruby is their color; namely, sapphire is sky-blue, whereas ruby is red. The color of sapphire is caused by the presence of chromium compounds. Under intense heat, white and yellowish sapphires turn clear/white, but the color of an oriental sapphire remains unchanged under gas light. However, inferior grade sapphires become dark, similar to the hue of amethyst under artificial light."

Related Pages

1 pages

Famous and Renowned Sapphires / World-Famous Sapphires

1. An English envoy saw a 951-carat, exceptionally fine-colored, and flawless sapphire in Ava (a famous historic city in Burma). 2. In the Royal Treasury of Paris, there is a large, beautiful, flawless, pear-shaped sapphire weighing $122\,\frac{1}{16}$ carats, which was originally acquired by a Bengali palanquin bearer (*doli-bearer*). For this reason, it came to be known as the *Rospoli* (after moving through the House of Rospoli family in Rome). It was later sold to a German prince, who in turn sold it to a French jeweler named Perret for 28,000 rupees. 3. Two sapphires are currently very famous in Europe, both of which were displayed at the 1863 London Exhibition. One is a black, pear-shaped, flawless gem weighing approximately 252 carats. The second was slightly lighter in weight; it arrived from India in 1856 where it had been cut, weighing 225 carats. It had a major flaw of a yellowish tinge. Upon being recut, its weight was reduced to 165 carats, and it was sold in Paris for 7,000 to 8,000 pounds. 4. A very large sapphire named *Marveilex* was seen in the Queen's crown, displaying a bluish color during the day and appearing like an emerald at night. Because sapphire is extremely hard, engraving work on it is rare. Only a few engraved sapphires are known to exist: 1. In Rome, there is a sapphire engraved with the image of Hercules. 2. The ruler of Liechtensten possesses a 53-carat sapphire engraved with a hunting scene along with the words *Constantius Aug*. The scene depicts a emperor thrusting a spear into a wild boar standing in front of a beautiful woman. 3. A fine $\frac{3}{4}$-inch square sapphire is engraved with the image of Pope Paul III. 4. A yellow, five-sided sapphire was seen engraved with the portrait of Henry IV along with the letters *C.D.F.* 5. A sapphire measuring $\frac{3}{4}$ inch in length and $1\,\frac{1}{2}$ inches in width was seen engraved with the profile of Caracalla. 6. An antique sapphire is engraved with the crest and arms of Cardinal Wolsey, among other such examples.

These pages are in the same category

Related Posts

6 posts

Famous and Renowned / Historic and Celebrated (Opals)

1. At the 1851 Exhibition, a Hungarian opal weighing $526\,\frac{1}{2}$ carats, valued at 10,000 rupees, was on display. 2. In 1866, two exceptionally fine, heart-shaped opals were extracted from the Hungarian mines; one weighed 186 carats and the second weighed 160 carats. 3. Pliny writes regarding one specimen: "This gem, equal in size to a betel nut and valued at 200,000 rupees, was in the possession of Senator Nonius. A man named Mark Antony demanded this gemstone, but Nonius refused to give it up and fled, taking the gem with him." 4. Among the royal collections of the world, there is a specimen weighing 17 ounces, roughly the size of a fist. 5. Currently, the finest opal is the one owned by Empress Josephine; due to its luminous radiance, it is famous by the name *The Burning of Troy*. 6. An opal is engraved with the portrait of Emperor Louis XIII. 7. An opal is engraved with the image of Juba. This gem resides in the gemstone collection of the Duke of Orléans. 8. Among the Hope collection of gems, there are several specimens; one measures 1 inch in length and $\frac{3}{4}$ inch in width, remarkably transparent and brilliant in color. It is engraved with the head of Apollo, surrounded by a halo of fiery rays.

Valuation and Price Determination / Factors Affecting Value

The value of this gemstone depends on its color. Hungarian opal commands a higher price than all other varieties. In ancient times, its value was equal to that of diamond. The Romans were very fond of it. Because very large stones are rare, they are exceptionally precious. Its price is also influenced by prevailing market trends and fashion.

Pisces

Sensitive dreamers who sense emotions deeply and provide compassionate support.

Aquarius

Visionary humanitarians who champion new ideas and community-wide revolutions.

Capricorn

Disciplined builders who take long-term responsibility seriously.

Sagittarius

Adventure seekers who pursue truth and sprinkle optimism everywhere they go.

You might also be interested in these posts