Gemstone History and Properties
Rubies and sapphires are composed from oxidized aluminium that became glasslike and transparent under immense heat and pressure. This crystalline material is known as corundum and is quute hard (9 on the mohs scale), and relatively resilient to heat, shock and chemicals. The difference between rubies and sapphires is in their color, with mist shades of red considered rubies and every other color as sapphires.
When it comes to Hindu gem therapy, each color of sapphire is assigned a different planetary association: blue and purple sapphires are considered Saturn’s gemstones, yellow and orange ones are Jupiter’s, green ones Mercury’s and pale and white ones are assigned to Venus.
The Yellow Sapphire wasn’t blessed with a long and illustrious history. Due to its rarity and similarity to other yellow stones, it was often lumped with others under the general names “Oriental Topaz” or “Ligurius” depending on the period and place. Daspite its relative obscurity, in southern asia where it could be found in ancient times it was quite appreciated and respected.
Legendary properties and historical uses
In the west, the Yellow Sapphire became available mainly after the middle ages, due to the prevalence of Persian Zircon and European Citrine. Unlike more distinctively colored gemstones, the powers attributed to yellow sapphires were the same as the ones attributed to other yellow stones.
The main attribute that made these stones popular is the similarity of their color to that of gold, which produced the popular belief still prevalent to this day that these stones bring money and wealth to their owners. Their yellow color was also associated with olive oil and ripened wheat, which made the connection to wealth even stronger. This symbolizm made the yellow stones popular as talismans among Merchants and the wealthy.
Among the medicinal properties ascribed to yellow gemstones, are the ability to lift spirits and give a zest for life, and as a result alleviate grief and depression. It was also said these stones could improve the appetite and digestion, an important trait at a time when a plump body was a sign of health and high status.
Another important trait ascribed to these gems was the ability to cure insomnia, which made them extremely popular among travelers and pilgrims who needed to constantly adjust to new sleeping hours and beds. Later on a belief developed that they could also protect from bandits and storms and this further increased their popularity.
The stone according to Hindu belief
In Hindu belief certain gemstones are connected to certain planetary deities, and these gemstones are able to transmit the energies associated with these deities to a person wearing them, allowing him to enjoy the benefits of those energies in the process.
According to Hindu belief, the Yellow Sapphire is a representation of the energy of Jupiter, the god Brihaspati, on earth. The god Brihaspati, who physically manifests as Jupiter, is considered the teacher\guru of all the gods.
The high status of this deity in the Hindu pantheon confers great meaning to the astrological effects of Jupiter on a person. According to vedic astrology, he is the indicator for growth and expansion, spirituality and children.
According to vedic astrology, a Yellow Sapphire is suitable for a person if Jupiter is well positioned in his natal chart, and is especially recommend if its placement is weak as that is an indicator for education problems and ill luck. If however Jupiter’s position is harmful, the use of yellow sapphires is considered dangerous, but less so than other gemstones.
Among the properties ascribed to a yellow sapphire when it suits a person, are the ability to improve his mood and psychological condition, his memory and his learning and teaching ability. In addition, it is said that the yellow sapphire helps to improve sleep, alleviate aggression problems, balance the body weight, improve the marital relationship and increase fertility. It is also said to assist a woman in finding a husband, and to improve a man’s finances.
If however, the yellow sapphire proves unsuitable it is said to usually not cause much harm, yet in extreme cases might induce obesity, cholesterol problems, diabetes and even cancer.
According to Hindu belief, if one wishes to gain the blessing of the Jupiter, he should wear an eye clean yellow sapphire that is set in jewelry made of yellow gold. The jewelry has to be made in such a way that the stone will be in contact with the skin, hence earrings are unsuitable. If the stone is set in a ring, the ring must be worn on the index finger of the right hand for right handed people or the left for left handed people and women.
Before wearing such a talisman for the first time, it must be washed in fresh milk and afterwards washed again in ganges water (or any other holy water). The talisman must be worn for the first time on a thursday falling close to the full moon, in the first hour after sunrise.
Aside from the yellow sapphire, several secondary gemstones are also associated with Jupiter: Yellow Topaz and natural Citrine.
Personal experience – Yellow Sapphire
After years of experience with gemstones both as a therapist and a patient, it became clear that every gemstone type has certain effects typical of this stone which can both assist in selecting the right gemstone and in identifying side effects due to unsuitable gemstone type or size.
In my personal experience, the yellow sapphire has a mild calming effect. Among the positive effects observed were improvements in concentration and memory, better sleep and a more optimitic outlook, along with a significant strengthening of the immune system.
In cases of incompatibility and excess, the side effects observed included restlessness and anxiety, drowsiness and too much sleep, and rapid weight gain.
Please note that the more profound effects mentioned were only observed after prolonged use of the stone.