For The Love Of Sapphires

From the Saudi Arabian set: sapphire and diamond necklace with earrings.

Diana, the Princess of Wales and I share something in common ... our mutual love of blue sapphires. Reportedly, Diana favored the gems because they matched her eyes, whereas, I adore all things blue and sparkly.

Sapphires (like rubies are corundums and the 2nd hardest stones after diamonds (which btw are crystalline forms of pure carbon). Whereas tons of diamonds exist in the world, sapphires are rare (followed by rubies, then emeralds). 

It takes Mother Nature thousands of years to form the precious stones. The intense blue color of the sapphire is caused by the addition of titanium and iron to the mineral corundum. 

A sapphire's color is the single most important characteristic in determining its value. More vital than its clarity, since, unlike diamonds, there are few clean natural sapphires (or rubies) in nature.

While sapphires are mined all over the world, the top quality ones come from (in best to next best order): 1) Kashmir, 2) Burma, 3) Ceylon/Sri Lanka and 4) Elsewhere (like Australia, Madagascar, Thailand and the USA among other places). It comes as no surprise that no new sapphires are mined in the most coveted areas like Kashmir or Ceylon making those sapphires rare, expensive and thus, unaffordable for the average person.

Moreover, sapphires (and other gems) need skillful hands to clean, cut, polish and craft them into fine jewelry. Ok, school's out for the summer!🎶🎵 And now the fun begins ...

Let's take a look at Diana, the Princess of Wales' exquisite sapphire jewelry collection. Alas, a love of blue sapphires is where the similarity of Diana and my lifestyle ends.🙂

Yet amazingly in life, when people can buy their own bling, other people fall all over themselves to give it to them for free! Upon her marriage, Diana received a suite of gorgeous blue sapphires, including a necklace, earrings (see 1st photo) and ring from the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, a man she had never met! The Princess of Wales already had her beautiful 12-carat sapphire and diamond starburst engagement ring, therefore she had the Saudi sapphire ring (of Burmese origin) turned into a comely double-purposed choker and headband (see middle photos). 

Diana's iconic 7 string pearl choker with a big center sapphire was refashioned from another gift. The sapphire at the center of the necklace started life as a brooch, an engagement gift from her mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, who has a few lovely sapphires of her own. 

Diana's sapphire and diamond drop earrings you see paired with her choker and headband (see middle images) were also favorites. 

Next, a sapphire bracelet (in the above photo on the left), as well as, Diana's prior mentioned oval sapphire with diamond earrings are both parts of that impressive Saudi Arabian wedding suite of jewelry.

In the above image, Diana wore the Saudi bracelet with a 2nd one: The bracelet on the right, featuring 8 oval-shaped sapphires and shimmering diamonds, is thought to be a gift from Dodi Al-Fayed.

Not only was The Princess of Wales a fashion icon, but she also had the crème de la crème of sapphires! It is impossible not to be in awe of what Mother Nature with man's artistry can do. So ooh and ahh worthy! Do you have a favorite?

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Another question to ponder: In Diana's day, a royal had to dress the part. Her wow factor brought attention to her charities. Likewise, today we have celebrities (without the expectation or crown) who champion the poor, while looking like they spend a million bucks on their couture gowns, jewelry and images.

Let's pretend it is you: Would you wrestle with having so much wealth knowing how poor over 50% of the world is? How do you reconcile the needs of many with the over-the-top materialism? It's complicated, isn't it?🤔



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In My Jewelry Box   
The Story Of Stuff: A Review
My Favorite Oscar Gowns 2018
Royal Engagement Rings: Let's Take A Look