| A brief history and some interesting factoids | | | | Diana a beautiful sapphire and diamond |
| about three of the world's most precious stones - | | | | engagement. |
| Sapphires, Emeralds and Rubies | | | | Emeralds |
| Sapphires | | | | Emeralds have known to have a long and dubious |
| Sapphire brings out the beauty of the colour blue | | | | history full of violence, romance and controversy. |
| signifying idyllic settings of sapphire blue skies, | | | | Although the exact dates remain unknown, it is |
| sapphire blue waters or even sapphire blue | | | | believed that the first emerald mines were |
| flowers. In the eighteenth century, any blue | | | | opened in Egypt. The Cleopatra emerald mine |
| gemstone was categorized as a hyacinth, for the | | | | opened as early as 300 BC. Emerald as a precious |
| bluish flower. Today, the correct nomenclature for | | | | gemstone was characterized by several unique |
| a sapphire is "corundum". Although traditionally the | | | | and diverse magical qualities. While some believed |
| word sapphire is known to denote a blue gem, | | | | that emeralds symbolized fertility and rebirth, |
| we also find sapphires in a wide range of colours | | | | scholars wore it to boost their memories and |
| including violet, green, yellow, orange, pink and | | | | attain wisdom and eloquence. Lovers wore |
| purple. | | | | emerald rings to learn the truth of their loved |
| The three most famous regions that produce | | | | one's intentions. |
| sapphires are Kashmir, Burma, and Sri Lanka. The | | | | In the sixteenth century Spanish conquerors |
| most prominent of them is the region of Kashmir, | | | | looted emeralds from the mines in South America |
| nestled in the Himalayas and produces | | | | and emeralds were since then linked with violence. |
| "cornflower" blue sapphires. Cornflower is an | | | | This event put South America on the gemstone |
| intense, medium-dark blue with a velvety | | | | map and since then, royalty in many different |
| appearance. Burmese sapphires are also beautiful, | | | | countries looked to South America for a supply of |
| but the blue is darker than those from Sri Lanka | | | | the beautiful green emerald stones to adorn their |
| which produces a much lighter and brighter | | | | rings, necklaces, bracelets and crowns. |
| variety. | | | | Ruby |
| Sapphires have been worn and loved for | | | | The word Ruby is symbolic of the colour red |
| centuries. In fact in the Middle Ages, clergies | | | | signifies fiery images of passion, romance, blood |
| favoured blue sapphire rings because the colour | | | | and power. The coveted red colour characteristic |
| represented heaven. While magicians believed that | | | | of the ruby ranges from medium red to dark |
| sapphire rings helped them command spirits, many | | | | orange red to purplish red. The deep red colour of |
| others were under the impression that they | | | | the ruby led people to believe that it had unique |
| warded off evils and even kept off the plague. | | | | medicinal powers. Thirteenth century medical |
| Sapphires rings and sapphire jewelry have been | | | | literature from India tells us that a ruby could cure |
| worn by royalty for hundreds of years and | | | | digestive disorders. While rubies were worn by |
| remain popular throughout history. The British | | | | warriors in Burma for protection from the enemy, |
| have known to have a long history with sapphires. | | | | some ancient cultures believed that rubies brought |
| The Imperial Crown is adorned with a sapphire | | | | peace and prosperity. Wearing a ruby ring brought |
| while Prince Charles is known to have given Lady | | | | you health, wealth, wisdom, and love. |