WorldWide Drilling Resource

19 SEPTEMBER 2015 Celebrating September’s Gem by Harry W. Short, Engineering Geologist The blue brilliance of the September birthstone, sapphire, has been treasured for thousands of years. Its color was once thought to represent heavenly or celestial qualities. Ancient Persians believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire and its reflection gave the sky its blue color. Jewish tradition holds that Moses was given the Ten Commandments on sapphire tablets. The sapphire reportedly symbolizes truth, sincerity, and faithfulness. The ancients regarded star sapphires as powerful guiding stars for travelers. It’s been said, sapphires are so powerful they continue to protect the wearer even after being passed on to someone else. Sapphire is a form of the mineral corundum, a crystalline form of aluminum oxide and one of the most durable minerals in existence. Most people relate to the sapphire’s deep-blue color which is caused by trace impurities of iron and titanium. Several other colors of corundum include yellow, reddish-orange, red, pink, gold, green, peachy-orange, purple, and violet. When cut into a cabochon (convex form), some sapphires show a star (asterism) in the interior of the gemstone; it’s often used in engagement rings. The hardness of the sapphire makes it useful for jewelry. Its hardness of 9, places it next to diamond (10), making it an excellent choice of jewelry for daily wear. It’s thought by many scholars, the tradition of birthstones arose from the breastplate of Aaron described in the Bible (Exodus 28:15-30). The breastplate was a ceremonial garment set with 12 gemstones representing the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 signs of the zodiac, and the 12 months of the year. White or colorless sapphires display a great deal of brilliance; they are attrac- tive, durable, and difficult to obtain. White sapphire is a natural precious gem and stands on its own merit as a precious gemstone. Brilliant and clean colorless sapphires are gaining popularity as a col- lector’s gemstone and, in some instances, sapphires have been substituted for dia- monds. Today, most sapphires are mined in Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, andAfrica. The finest all-round sapphires come from Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Sapphires of lesser value are found in Australia, Thailand, Colombia, Cambodia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Some also occur in alluvial deposits in Montana and North Carolina, in the United States. Happy Anniversary, WWDR ! Harry Harry Short may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Photo by Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com " ; # 511-,(2 0) 20'5&43 %9 4+(3( ,/( $/5)$&452(23 ; 08 029'0/ # ! : : $8 $,- 3$-(3 *,6(/3,/4(2/$4,0/$- &0. "(% ,4( 777 *,6(/3,/4(2/$4,0/$- &0. WorldWide SUPER MART™ November Issue Deadline: Ad Copy - October 1 st WorldWide Drilling Resource ®