Yakhont stone: what kind of stone is it, colors, properties and description

Yakhont is a mysterious and multifaceted stone; this is what some gems were called in the old days and is still called by people. In an attempt to unravel the mystery of the gem, let's look to the past.

At all times, a large number of legends, tales and fables hovered around precious stones, which left a trail of old stories about the Yakhont stone. Nowadays, this is more a literary than an everyday name for stone jewelry, but not everyone is ready to forget this attractive word.

History of the name

“You are my yakhontovy”, “my yakhontovy” - they said in Rus' about a loved one or a beautiful expensive thing with a ruby.

In the old days, any red expensive stone was called a yakhont.

The term dates back to the times of Ancient Persia and Arabia (IV century BC). In Latin transcription, the Arabic name for the beautiful red stone sounded like jakut. The ancient Greeks called the gem hyakinthos (“hyacinth”). In Europe he became a jachant, in Rus' - a yacht.

This has created confusion and misunderstanding with this term. At one time, in the scientific world, all red and blue corundums of jewelry grade were called yahont.

Today it has been decided: yakhont is an outdated name for corundum (ruby and sapphire), unacceptable for the exact sciences. They are used at the everyday, commercial level or in fiction.

In addition to rubies and sapphires, hyacinths are unofficially classified as yakhonts (in memory of Greece).

“Cherry Yakhont” is an archaic name for amethyst.

Description

In the modern world, the word “yakhont” has already left the lexicon, it is rarely used, and many people have already forgotten what a yakhont is. According to linguists, the name of the stone comes from the Arabic word “Yakut” and denoted rare gems with a rich color.

Yakhonts are considered precious minerals of the first order; according to their chemical structure, they belong to the corundum family. For a long time, ruby was called this, but other stones were also included in this group: sapphires and amethysts, whose color palette is much richer.

There is a huge variety of species, but all gems in this group share the following qualities and properties:

high transparency;
dazzling glass shine;
fracture - conchoidal;
hardness - 9 units. according to the Mohs scale.

Stones belonging to the yakhont group differ only in the content of metal impurities in the structure and color. Changes in the color palette are due to the presence of microimpurities of metals in the composition of the stone - iron, chromium, titanium.

The number of deposits of expensive crystals is limited; active mining is carried out only in five countries. These are India, Russia, Tanzania, Vietnam, Kenya. The raw mineral looks unremarkable, and by its external description it is difficult to distinguish it from simple stones or river pebbles.

“Yakhontovy”, what is it?

The expressions “you are my yacht,” “yakhon eyes” have been preserved to this day. The phrases deeply and thoughtfully emphasize that they say this to people who are dearly loved, dear to the heart on the one hand, and on the other, unattainable, not belonging in soul to the speaker.

As a striking example, I remember Baba Yaga from the cartoon “The Adventures of Little Brownie Kuzi”, who exclaimed “You are my Yakhontovy”, according to the plot she understands that she will not be able to keep Kuzma in her mansion, but she will try to the last.

And they make a compliment about the eyes, uttering the words “yachon eyes,” pointing to the beauty and vital sparkle of the eyes they like, comparing them with the beauty and shine of expensive jewelry.

Classification

The concept “yakhont” combines three types of stones: ruby, sapphire, hyacinth. Classification is also carried out by color.

Ruby

The color of the stone is the entire red range, from bright purple to pink through burgundy. This is the merit of chromium in the composition of the mineral.

Hyacinth

Yellow-pink or orange-yellow variety of zircon. It does not belong to corundum, although the stone is close to them in density and hardness. The unofficial name is yellow yacht.

Hyacinth

Sapphire

A blue variety of corundum whose color is created by excess iron and titanium. According to mineralogical canons, only blue corundums have the right to be called sapphires. But jewelers are generous, including corundums of any color except red (these are rubies). Such stones are called fancy.

Ring with sapphire

In Rus', the classic blue sapphire was known as the azure yakhont.

Varieties of sapphire:

Classic . The stones are pure cornflower blue. The most expensive and rare.
Padparadscha. Pinkish-yellow, orange or amber-yellow gem. Translated from Sanskrit as “lotus petal” or “sunrise”. A very rare, expensive mineral, especially valued by Indians. Often they try to replace it with ordinary yellow sapphire.
Eastern amethyst. A purple variety of sapphire. The tint is created by impurities of chromium, manganese, iron, and titanium. Today it is a poetic and commercial term.

In all yakhonts, there are star-shaped stones - with the effect of asterism (6- or 12-rayed star on the surface) and cat's eye stones - with parallel oriented needle-shaped inclusions of other minerals.

Their color can be any.

How to care for stone

Ring with ruby
Yachontas are easy to care for. They are naturally highly durable and therefore resistant to mechanical stress. However, like any other mineral, it is not advisable to drop or subject yakhont to impacts or compression.

It is not recommended to leave the mineral for a long time in direct sunlight. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation negatively affects its shade and leads to discoloration.

Store the product in a separate box: the stone has a high strength coefficient, so it can damage other, softer minerals.

Periodically, the yacht needs to be cleaned of dirt. For this, universal means are used - warm water and baby soap. Chemicals containing acids or abrasives are prohibited from being used to clean stone.

Therapeutic effect

When choosing a yacht as a healing stone, its color matters:

red ruby heals everything related to blood (pressure, blood vessels, heart, wounds); improves brain function; effective for epilepsy, paralysis;
blue sapphire – headache (even migraine), heart, skin, inflammation;
yellow stone – emotions (stress, depression).

All yachts strengthen the immune system and improve the functioning of the body as a whole.

Yellow sapphires are energetically strong, so it is not advisable to wear them constantly, so as not to feel restless or anxious.

Magic properties

The magical properties of the yacht are determined by the color and type of stone.

Red yacht

Ruby is the traditional embodiment of power, passionate love and vitality:

The mineral makes the owner more powerful, stubborn, even cruel. But this is determined by the aspirations of the person himself: what he secretly dreams of, he gets. However, bad intentions towards other people may not come true: the stone will stop working, which will be indicated by tarnishing.
Rubies were always given as a gift to communicate passionate feelings. The stone turned sympathy into love for the giver.
This is a ladies' ally. The owner of the gem will understand what she wants. He will find himself, his life's work or love. She will become a real lady.

Jewelry with ruby
Ruby, especially in a gold frame, is a powerful amulet against the evil eye, damage, and other external negativity.

Ruby is a royal stone, an attribute of the ruling class. Sapphire is the stone of nuns and clergy in general.

Blue stones

Sapphires of these shades help on a mental level:

They symbolize the desire for spiritual heights and wisdom.
Such a yacht is a stone for those who want to cleanse themselves physically and emotionally, find a way out of a hopeless situation, and gain confidence.
This is an ally of everyone who studies: it helps to concentrate and recover from intense mental work.
Business people will be advised on a rational course of action.

Necklace with sapphires
Blue jahont is especially useful for sick people, children or teenagers, as a talisman against the evil eye and evil intentions.

Yellow

The magic of sapphires in sunny shades “curates” peace of mind and luck:

They activate dormant positivity in a person, after which the owner of the stone or jewelry begins to rejoice at every gift in life and see the positives even in hopeless problems.
Indispensable for everyone working with people (service sector, pedagogy, communications, trade). They will recover faster after a working day.
This is an attribute of everyone on the road (travellers, business travelers, crews of long-distance vessels). It will protect you from adversity, problematic travel companions, and help you find shelter.

Necklace with yellow sapphire

Bright yellow shades inspire optimism, which is why they are chosen for shy people or children.

Yellow-pink

Padparadscha and hyacinth have the same properties as yellow minerals. But their energy is softer. Delicate yellowish-pink shades are indicated for sensitive people.

Yellow hyacinth

Regardless of color or type, only a natural solid stone is suitable as a magical or healing talisman. Damaged, scratched, and especially artificial ones will only cause problems.

How to distinguish an original from a fake

Hyacinth jewelry
from Yakhonta is often counterfeited, as they are in demand and their cost is quite high. For these purposes, both cheap synthetic materials (plastic, glass) and artificially grown crystals are used.

The properties of yachts are unique, so fakes are very easy to recognize. If you suspect a fake, you should pay attention to several distinctive signs:

due to its high hardness coefficient, the mineral cannot be scratched by a metal object;
The presence of microcracks on the surface of the yacht is acceptable, but the lines should not be straight;
there should be no inclusions in the structure of a real stone (for example, air bubbles or other rocks);
if a sapphire or ruby is dipped in milk, their shade will become several tones lighter;
under ultraviolet rays, the yacht changes shade;
This mineral has a uniform color and luster.

Like other stones of natural origin, yachts have a higher specific gravity and lower thermal conductivity compared to plastic and glass. This can be easily checked by touch if you place the stone on your palm.

Price

The cost on the world market is determined by how much the yacht weighs and what it looks like ($ per carat):

rubies – 2500+; five carats (and larger) of the highest quality – 100,000+, “pigeon blood” – half a million;
cornflower blue sapphires – heated 350+, without heat treatment 1000+;
padparadscha – 160+, a stone larger than a five-carat is considered collectible (30,000+.);
yellow – 120–140.

Price and quality certificate allow you to distinguish natural stone from fake.