The stone famous for its heavenly hue, the mystical power that made people in the past wonder, the royalty well expressed by kings, queens, and princesses of the time, these are just a few phrases to describe the beauty of one of the fascinating stones- 'the Neelam Stone"'

The sapphire comes from the Greek word 'sapphirus,' which refers to 'blue.' Though it's a common myth that resonates around the name of the stone that sapphire exists in only one color, there are several colors, out of which blue is common. This blue gemstone comes from the mineral called corundum. 

The color of the gem is due to the presence of trace elements in the crystal lattice. Blue sapphires are called 'Neelam' in Hindi and rank perfectly on the Mohs Scale of hardness. The perfect hardness makes it an ideal stone for jewelry. The fascinating lore of Neelam Stone since history and modern times connects the admiration for its beauty. 

The beauty of these stones lies in their formation, as it took millions of years to evolve into such amazing wonders. 

How is Neelam Gemstone Formed? 

The formation of this blue-colored gemstone involves various geological settings. For instance, the stones can be formed inside igneous or metamorphic rocks. Besides this, most sapphire deposits are found in alluvial and hydrothermal veins. The gemstone crystallizes in igneous rocks (basalt and syenite) or metamorphic rocks (schist and gneiss). The alluvial deposits of sapphire are eroded and transported by rivers and sediments in layers. The hot mineral-rich fluids that circulate through the fissures in rocks also lead to sapphire deposits. The Neelam Stone is found in various countries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Australia, Thailand, Madagascar, India, and the United States. 

History and Significance 

The celestial blue hues of this amazing gemstone have been related to many lores in the past. The blue hue of the gem is associated with heaven's blessings. The people in ancient culture wore sapphires to restore peace and innocence, influence spirits, and make harmony with enemies. The stone's cultural significance goes back to Middle Ages when the stone was believed to bring spiritual enlightenment. The kings and queens wore the stone to harbor power. The stone was mentioned in the Bible. As per the reference in Bible, the tablets of Neelam Stone (sapphire Ten Commandments as formerly called) were given to the Mosses by the Lord. Apart from associating the stone with divinity, it is also associated with royalty, faithfulness, sincerity, and truth. 

Characteristic and Composition 

The amazing blue variety of sapphires belongs to the corundum family. The gemstone has a perfect hardness and ranks just below the hardest mineral on the Earth- the diamond. The refractive index of the blue-hued stone is 1.760-1.772, an ideal value that states the brilliance and shine of the stone. The color of the gemstone is its characteristic property. The reason why some gems are red while others are green or in other shades lies in the chemical composition of the crystal. The corundum crystal, which forms the basis of Neelam Stone, comprises atoms (aluminum and oxygen) arranged in a hexagonal structure. The magnificent deep blue color of the stone is due to the presence of titanium and iron impurities in the crystal lattice. There are an array of colors exhibited by the gemstone. The color chart of the stone includes indigo blue, cornflower blue, violet-blue, royal blue, twilight blue, and peacock blue. Each of these stones offers benefits, be it financial, health, wealth, or marital relationships. Let's have a look at the astrological benefits of this stone. 

Astrological Benefits 

Each gemstone is believed to possess energy. The healing and magical powers of the stones have been known since ancient times. Also referred to as a September birthstone, this amazing gemstone is powerful, as per Vedic Astrology. Neelam Stone is one of the strongest gemstones among the nine ratings and works great when worn correctly. The major astrological benefits of the blue stone are as follows:

  • Stone for Good Luck and Wealth: This mystical gemstone is known to help the wearer get blessed with financial prosperity. With the financial success one is bestowed, the individual is more guided and is always followed by luck. 
  • Stone for personality development: The Neelam stone original helps make accurate decisions when surrounded by confusion and doubts. The stone helps in improving the focus and concentration of students. As per astrological charts, some believe the stone helps to imbue positivity and self-confidence. 
  • Health benefits: The stone aids in digestion and is beneficial in preventing the wearer from stomach-related ailments. Neelam Stone helps comfort the wearer with calmness, avoiding stress and anxiety. This blue-colored stone is governed by the planet Saturn, which helps handle neurological disorders. 

What is the price of Neelam Stone in India?

After the fascinating hue of the stone that people cherish since ancient times, one would have a curiosity to find out the price of the stone. As per the 4 C's, the costs of a stone are determined. 

  • Color: The stone's color is judged by three basic factors: hue, saturation, and tone. In the case of the blue variety of sapphire, color is the basic feature. The primary hue of the stone is blue, whereas the secondary hue can range from violet to green. When it comes to the price factor, the more blue color, more is the price. The tone and saturation of the stone also impact the cost of the stone. The finest Neelam gemstones have medium to dark tones and vivid saturation. Neelam gemstones from Kashmir and Sri Lanka are highly prized for their beautiful colors.   
  • Clarity: Natural Neelam stone is difficult to find (these are valuable instead), and many treated stones are available in the market. The inclusions in the stone hamper its clarity and color. Thus, these are treated with various methods. The prices vary in the range; the eye-clean gemstones ( free from any inclusions) are highly prized, whereas stones that grade 'very slightly included' or 'slightly included' are priced below this range. Treated Neelam stones are listed at the bottom. 
  • Cut: The cut of the stone is a desirable factor as it impacts the value of the stone. If the stone is perfectly cut by a skilled professional, maximizing its color, it is offered at a high price. Moreover, it is also important to maximize the final weight of the stone, minimizing undesirable inclusions. 
  • Carat weight: The price of the stone varies as the carat weight increases. Along with this, the stone's origin also accounts for price variations.

To conclude, 

These blue varieties of sapphires are valued for their hue. These stones are sourced from various regions, but those from Kashmir and Sri Lanka are highly desirable. The stone is related to multiple benefits and has been known for its mystical powers since ancient history. The quality of the gemstones is graded on various factors, most prominently the 4 C's. At Navratan, the prices of Neelam Ratna are graded the same. The gems are certified for their authenticity of being natural. One will be amazed to see the wide range of gemstones to browse for. So, when buying Neelam stone online, the one-stop destination is Navratan.