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Diamonds may be a girl's best friend but for those born in September, sapphires are a true blue friend. Pictured are some of the dazzling showcase of sapphires found at Soloman's Fine Jewellers in Hamilton.

Diamonds may be a girl's best friend but for those born in September, sapphires are the gem of the heavens and of Kings.

Throughout history the stunning stone has been prized for it's spectacular colour and its reported mystical properties.

According to the book The Gem Kingdom, the ancient Persians believed that the earth sat on an enormous blue sapphire -- giving colour to the sky.

The early Christians and Jews related sapphires to the Apostle Andrew and suggested that the gem had mystical powers over the angel Herchel.

And legend has it that Moses was presented with the ten commandments on tablets of sapphires.

This alleged connection with divinity may be why Catholic Bishops and Cardinals have worn sapphires rings over the years and why the jewels of Kings, including the British Crown Jewels, contain large sapphires.

Allan Porter, of Soloman's Fine Jewellers on Front Street in Hamilton, said those in the 14th and 15th centuries believed the dazzling gem possess special healing powers.

"Sapphires was prescribed for boils,'' he explained. "But I wouldn't rely on that too much.'' The sapphire has been the gemstone of choice for royalty throughout the ages -- it could have something to do with the fact that it has long been held that sapphires symbolise truth, faithfulness and sincerity, It was reported that the Duchess of Windsor wore a diamond and sapphire bracelet on her wedding day and Princess Anne was given a sapphire engagement ring.

But it was the massive sapphire and diamond showpiece that Prince Charles gave to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 that launched a world-wide trend -- sapphires became the must-have stone for engagement rings.

Mr. Porter said that it was not until this century that diamonds became popular as engagement rings.

"Tradition engagement rings were coloured stones,'' he explained. "So you will find traditional Europeans will give coloured stones as engagement rings.'' Aside from its beauty -- especially for those who are not among the rich and famous -- durability is another reason why the sapphire is so widely worn. It is second only to diamonds as the hardest known natural substance.

"It is very durable,'' Mr. Porter said. "It can take the wear and tear of everyday life.

"In fact a synthetic form of sapphires is used as the pivotal points in watches,'' he added.

The finest sapphire are mined in Kashmir, Sir Lanka and Burma. The stones are also found in Australia, Thailand, Tanzania and even in the US.

When picking out a sapphire do not apply the same evaluating principles use to grade a diamond -- the four C's (cut, carat, colour and clarity) do not apply to coloured stones.

The most valuable gems have a medium intense, vivid blue colour and hold their brilliant colour under any type of light.

"You want it to be as intense as possible -- intense and clear,'' Mr. Porter explained. "The more inky the stone, the less valuable. You want to be able to see into it.

"They range in colour from light blue to dark. The colour is the key.'' But don't think that a brilliant blue is the only shade for sapphires. The gem comes in a variety of colours -- except red, which is considered a ruby.

"You can get them in pink, purple, yellow, green,'' Mr. Porter pointed out.

Mr. Porter advised those purchasing a sapphire to make sure their receipt accurately states what they are buying.

"Everything should be written on the sales receipt so you know what you are getting,'' he explained. "That way if you find out that it is not, for example a carat, you can go back.'' He said if buyers are worried that they did not get what they paid for, they could send their gem to the Gemological Institute of America, which will confirm the identity of the stone.

"They will charge you and it will take a couple of weeks,'' Mr. Porter added.

To keep your sapphire in tip-top condition, Mr. Porter recommended cleaning them in ultra sonic cleaners or a good jewellry cleaning solution.

"You only need to leave them in the solution for a minute or so,'' he explained. "You just want to get rid of the oil and soap residue that builds up.'' No caption