Raw sapphire is a fascinating object, very different from the cut sapphires seen in jewelry. In its natural form, corundum crystal often appears as hexagonal prisms or tabular shapes, with a rough, sometimes earthy surface that hides a deep blue within. It is this duality between the raw exterior and the royal blue that is revealed when the stone is wet or placed under light that makes raw sapphire so captivating. Miners in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Burma, and Madagascar experience this discovery with each extraction, when an ordinary rock turns out to be a blue corundum. Holding a raw sapphire in hand is to hold the raw material of one of the noblest stones in human history, before man left his mark on it.
In lithotherapy, raw sapphire is considered particularly powerful because its intact crystalline structure is believed to diffuse an energy of wisdom, truth, and clarity that is more direct and profound than the cut version. Placed on a desk, it supports reflection, concentration, and decision-making with remarkable lucidity. In meditation, held in the hand or placed on the forehead at the third eye, it helps access higher levels of intuition and understanding. It is also an exceptional collector's stone whose value continues to increase over time, especially for pieces with intense blue color and good crystallization.
For care, raw sapphire is one of the easiest stones to live with. A rinse with clear water and recharging in moonlight or sunlight are sufficient. With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, it is almost indestructible. You can handle it, transport it, hold it in your hand without any special precautions.
