sapphire

Everyday

1. A sapphire is a precious stone, usually a clear, deep blue, used in jewellery. tree →
2. (adjective) Sapphire describes a bright, deep blue colour, as in «sapphire eyes» or «a sapphire sea». tree →
3. Sapphires can also be pink, yellow or other colours, except red, which is called a ruby. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on rocks and minerals, sapphire is a very hard gemstone, harder than most things except diamond. In stories, sapphires appear in crowns and treasure chests, and «sapphire» paints a rich blue sea or sky. A «sapphire wedding anniversary» is after 45 years of marriage. Phrases: «sapphire ring», «sapphire blue».

Examples

• The queen's crown was set with sapphires. tree →
• The sea was a deep sapphire blue. tree →
• Sapphires are very hard, so they don't scratch easily. tree →
• Gran's ring has a small sapphire in the middle. tree →
• Rubies and sapphires are made of the same mineral. tree →
• Some phone screens and watch faces use man-made sapphire glass. tree →
• They are made of rare sapphires, which were brought out of India a thousand years ago. tree →

Note

Countable noun. Spelled with double p and «ph»: s-a-p-p-h-i-r-e. Pronounced «SAF-fire». Ruby and sapphire are both forms of the mineral corundum.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Each stone on the breastplate stood for one of the tribes of Israel. The sapphire pavement shows the heavens' clearness at the vision on Mount Sinai. In the primary lessons: In science lessons on rocks and minerals, sapphire is a very hard gemstone, harder than most things except diamond. In stories, sapphires appear in crowns and treasure chests, and «sapphire» paints a rich blue sea or sky. A «sapphire wedding anniversary» is after 45 years of marriage. Phrases: «sapphire ring», «sapphire blue».

Examples

• and the second row a carbuncle, a sapphire, and an emerald; (Torah EXO.28.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the second row, a carbuncle, a sapphire, and an emerald. (Torah EXO.39.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• and they saw the God of Israel; and there was under His feet the like of a paved work of sapphire stone, and the like of the very heaven for clearness. (Torah EXO.24.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• The stones thereof are the place of sapphires, and it hath dust of gold. (Writings JOB.28.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. (Writings JOB.28.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• His hands are as rods of gold set with beryl; his body is as polished ivory overlaid with sapphires. (Writings SNG.5.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun. Spelled with double p and «ph»: s-a-p-p-h-i-r-e. Pronounced «SAF-fire». Ruby and sapphire are both forms of the mineral corundum.