Seventh Anniversary Gift Guide: Yellow Sapphire

Congratulations on making it to lucky number seven! This is a big milestone anniversary due to the long-standing symbolism behind the number seven. Many connect seven with hard-won wisdom, deep spirituality, powerful intuition, and a strong sense of self-awareness. In terms of married couples, seven is indicative of a mature relationship of two very compatible individuals whose dedication towards each other has allowed their union to stand the test of time. It is truly something worth celebrating! To tell your partner how much you continue to love them, you might consider one of the traditional gemstone gifts for this anniversary - the bright and happy yellow sapphire. 

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The tradition of presenting a partner with a gift that is specifically tailored to the number of years of marriage first came about in the 1500s in some Germanic nations. The ritual really took hold in English-speaking nations in the nineteenth century thanks in large part to the highly public romance between Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert. More recently, in 1937, the Jewelers of America, now called the American National Jeweler Association, published a list dictating what gift should be presented to a spouse depending on the exact anniversary that is being celebrated. This list has been modified over the years and remains for many the blueprint that dictates the traditional anniversary gifts.

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The yellow sapphire is a gem with a deep history. Let's start by looking at what the color yellow on its own symbolizes.

Symbolism of the Color Yellow

There is a ton of lore from ancient to modern times surrounding the color yellow. The Chinese believe that yellow is an authoritative color connected to royalty as well as the virtue of valor and general prosperity. Additionally, they connect yellow with the Earth element.

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We can continue this tour of cultures to Africa, where yellow, the color of gold, is associated with money, power, and continued future success. South American sensibilities opt for a more grounded connection, linking yellow with the sun - the source of light, warmth, and, ultimately, life. 

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Going in a slightly different direction, many European cultures link yellow with intellectual achievement. This is why some faculty of many universities wear yellow caps and gowns during graduation ceremonies.

Many today consider yellow an optimistic hue connected with hope, joy, friendship, and, most importantly, good luck. Hence the use of yellow sapphires as one of the official seventh anniversary present options.

What Are Yellow Sapphires?

The modern word "sapphire" derives from the Latin term sapphirus and the related Greek word sappheiros both of which translate as "blue stone". To this day, the term "sapphire" on its own specifically references the blue variety of the gem. Any sapphire that does not express that original blue color - indeed, sapphires come in all colors - is termed a "fancy-colored" sapphire except for red sapphires which you know as "rubies". 

The first recorded find of yellow sapphires comes from Sri Lanka, an ancient source of many gemstone species that has been actively mined for at least two thousand years. In India, Vedic astronomy connects yellow sapphires with the planet Jupiter. Not only does Jupiter represent insight and wisdom, it also is connected to power and wealth. Today, yellow sapphires are mined in many locations including India, Australia, and even the USA.

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Yellow sapphires are part of the gem species corundum which includes all colors of sapphire as well as their red sibling, the ruby. On the most basic chemical level, corundum is a colorless gem_. When different impurities are absorbed by the gem as it grows, the crystal takes on a color. A yellow hue, specifically, comes about as the result of iron impurities. The hue may also be triggered if the sapphire is exposed to naturally occurring radiation. 

One thing that you should be aware of when shopping for yellow sapphire seventh anniversary gifts is that many sapphires on the market have been heated to enhance the expression of yellow. This will be noted by the seller and will also be listed on any accompanying grading report. It is important to understand that heating is nothing to be wary of! In fact, heat treatment works so well on corundum that the majority of sapphires on the market have been heated to some degree. In fact, usually only the highest-quality stones that are sold at auction are left unheated. 

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One of the benefits of gifting your partner yellow sapphire jewelry for your seventh anniversary is that the possible expression of the color is vast. You can find pure yellow sapphires with intense coloration called "canary" sapphires, as well as delicate gems with a milder color. Yellow sapphires with a light color expression that shows some areas of paleness may be referred to as "scotch and water" sapphires. Some stones show hints of orange, brown, or green. This means that there truly are yellow sapphires out there to satisfy any and all personal preferences!

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A History of Yellow Sapphires

Thanks in large part to the positive associations connected to the color yellow, humans have been wearing yellow sapphires as adornment for many centuries! The ancient Greek and Roman peoples believed that yellow sapphires not only helped the wearer be prosperous and wise but also offered protection against evil spirits. Not a bad gift for a loved one!

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Later in the Middle Ages in Europe, yellow sapphires were incorporated into many religious items including rosary beads. Today, yellow sapphires are used in all types of jewelry from engagement rings to chandelier earrings. Thanks to their durability, you will enjoy your seventh anniversary yellow sapphire gift for many years to come.

Jewelry That Features Yellow Sapphires

Fortunately, sapphires of all colors are a very durable gemstone which is part of why they have earned the honor of being one of the traditional seventh anniversary gift items. Indeed, their hardness score which measures how difficult it is to scratch the surface of the gem is second only to diamonds. Here are a few different examples of jewelry that highlights yellow sapphires.

Rings

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Bracelets

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Natural vs. Lab-Grown Yellow Sapphires

Humans have admired natural sapphires for many thousands of years. You may be surprised to learn that the ruby red variety of sapphire was the very first gemstone to be created in a laboratory back in the late 1800s. Since then, procedures have been created to grow sapphires in all colors, yellow included.

You may be wondering what a synthetic gemstone is and question if it will hold up as well as the natural product. The good news is that synthetic gemstones are exactly the same as natural stones in terms of physical and chemical properties. This means that any synthetic yellow sapphire seventh anniversary gift that you give to your partner will last just as long and in the same condition as jewelry set with natural stones will. There are only two differences: how that gemstone came into being and its price tag. Whether or not this bothers you is an entirely personal choice. No one will be able to tell the difference between natural and synthetic yellow sapphires just by looking. 

Sapphires are unique in the gemstone world in that they can be synthesized using the greatest number of different techniques. This means that you can find gems of any possible color at affordable prices!

Some individuals are suspicious of synthetic gemstones, but the truth is that the presence of synthetic gemstones allows more people to enjoy real gemstone jewelry than ever before. As long as the seller clearly lists their inventory as synthetic so that there is no confusion, there is no problem. Selling at a fraction of the cost of natural gems, synthetic stones, including yellow sapphires, are perfect for people shopping on a budget! 

How to Care For Your Seventh Anniversary Yellow Sapphire Jewelry

As stated above, sapphires of all colors are very strong. They are highly resistant to scratching and breaking. Moreover, they are not harmed by many commonplace chemical products that you are likely to be exposed to on any given day like soaps and detergents. To keep your yellow sapphire anniversary jewelry looking its best, you can use a soft brush and soapy water when you notice your gems becoming a bit foggy and less transparent. For a more intense cleaning, ultrasonic machines are safe for any gem that does not have obvious clarity characteristics or fractures.

All in all, yellow sapphire jewelry is a fantastic seventh anniversary gift that your loved one will treasure for many anniversaries to come!

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