In the 16th century, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V wore a sapphire ring. Victims of and scorpion- and snake-bites drank water in which star sapphires have been soaked. It was also believed that the stone has the power to pull out venom from one’s bloodstream and nullify poison.

People believed that the power of this rare sapphire was so strong, that it would not diminish even after passing the gem to another person.

To that aim, they were very often worn by travelers and spiritual seekers. Sapphires were believed to provide an early warning of hidden dangers. As a result, star sapphires have often been used as protective talismans. There is a common belief that star sapphires ward off the forces of the dark and strengthen one’s faith. The protective symbolism of the blue star sapphire The stone also brings mental clarity, intelligence and understanding of one’s own circumstances as well as the intentions of others. It is believed that the star sapphire brings peace, calmness and tranquility to its wearer. This made it available only to rulers and spiritual leaders. In the tenth century, blue color was rare and expensive in Europe. According to this vision of the universe, the blue color of the sky comes from the sun rays reflecting on the faces of this giant blue crystal.ĭue to its blue symbolism, the sapphire has been regarded as an emblem of nobility, royalty, monarchy and aristocracy. For example, there is an old Persian belief that the Earth sits on a huge pedestal made of sapphire. Naturally, this gemstone is often linked to the sky, and has been called ‘the gem of heaven’. The star sapphire has two main features which remind us of the sky - a celestial blue color and a star-like formation when seen under light. In Hebrew, the sapphire was known as ‘ sappir,’ meaning ‘the most beautiful thing’. The name of the stone, sapphire, comes from the Latin word ‘ sapphirus’ and the Greek word ‘ sapheiros’ which mean ‘blue’. Arguably, the blue ones have earned the greatest reputation among them all, largely due to the associated blue symbolism. Star sapphires exist in several colors (including pink, black, gray, brown, orange and yellow). When light reflects from the sapphire, a luminous, star-like pattern appears on its surface. Gemology (the science of gemstones) describes asterism as an optical phenomenon or a light effect found in some crystals. Star sapphires are relatively rare - it occurs in approximately three percent of all raw sapphires. Star sapphire is a special type of sapphire that has the property of asterism.

Star sapphire earrings