Blue Sapphire, Amethist

Known as indra neel and neel mani in Sanskrit and neelam in Hindi, the blue sapphire is a gem of the corundum family. The blue sapphire is the gemstone of the planet Saturn and helps to overcome problems related to this planet.

Sometimes white sapphires, rubies and blue sapphires are found in the same mine and that is why there is a mixture of colors in the crystals of these gems. Ruby is harder than white sapphire and blue sapphire is harder than ruby. What distinguishes them from each other is their hardness. Blue sapphire is hardest. Blue sapphire crystals are found as twelve-sided prisms.

Some Qualities of a Good Blue Sapphire

1. smoothness
2. transparence
3. uniformity in color
4. high specific gravity

Some Flaws of a Blue Sapphire

1. milky - brings poverty
2. dull (without luster or devoid of brilliance) - harms friends, brothers and near relations
3. film like a cobweb - brings disease
4. multicolored - increases anxiety and mental problems
5. greenish in shade - causes financial loss

Some tests for Identification of Real Blue Sapphires

1. A real blue sapphire emits blue light and, if placed in a glass of cow's milk, the milk appears to have a bluish tinge.
2. A real blue sapphire emits blue sparks when placed in a glass of water.

Some aspects of the Rituals for Wearing a Blue Sapphire

A blue sapphire should be bought on a Saturday when Saturn is posited in Capricorn, Aquarius or Libra. The weight should not be less than 4 rattikas. Weighing 5 carats is supposed to be auspicious. The gem should be flawless.

The gemstone should be bought in the evening hours and given to the jeweler on the same day, who should prepare a ring from a mixture of gold, iron and silver. For Saturn the following mixture of five metals is best: 1 part gold, 2 parts silver, 3 parts lead, 4 parts iron and 1 part copper. Instead of copper, zinc can be used.

The ring should be taken from the jeweler on a Saturday evening, and the best time to wear the ring is evening.

Saturn is a friend of Mercury and Venus. To add additional power to the ring, emerald and diamond could also be embedded in it. The back should be open to allow the gemstone to touch the skin.

Some aspects of the Medicinal Utility of the Blue Sapphire

Blue sapphire pishthi (paste) can be given for skin diseases, migraine, heartburn, nervous disorders, rheumatism, colic pains, lack of appetite and bloating of the stomach, among others.

Chief Sources of Blue Sapphires

Kashmir, Salem, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka