![[Sapphire pic.png|250]] ## Description Sapphire was found in shades of pale blue to deep azure. A typical specimen had a base value of 1,000 gp. Sapphires were considered sacred by followers of [Aerdrie Faenya](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Aerdrie_Faenya "Aerdrie Faenya"), [Deep Duerra](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Deep_Duerra "Deep Duerra"), [Eldath](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Eldath "Eldath"), [Gaerdal Ironhand](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Gaerdal_Ironhand "Gaerdal Ironhand")—appropriate for sacrifice, or to be consecrated for use, or recognized as boons or omens when found. Black sapphires specifically were recognized as a sign of approval from [Bane](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Bane "Bane"), and sacred to followers of [Labelas Enoreth](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Labelas_Enoreth "Labelas Enoreth"), [Laduguer](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Laduguer "Laduguer"), [Lolth](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Lolth "Lolth"), [Shargaas](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Shargaas "Shargaas"), and [Vhaeraun](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Vhaeraun "Vhaeraun"). In most stones, dazzling blue color of sapphires was achieved via exposing them to extremely high temperatures. This process was called "cooking". The color change was permanent, however it did not affect the gem's durability. Base Value of 5000gp ## Powers Realmslore held that sapphires increased magical skill and strength and therefore they were used in creating magic blades and items that affected the mind, magical prowess, and the element of air. However, sapphires had a dampening effect on magically induced fear, rage, despair, or insanity and could partially protect the wearer from these effects. When used as a spell component, sapphires ensured the greatest initial effect (usually damage) upon first impact and the longest possible duration. The most auspicious time of day to use sapphires was [midmorn](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Hours_of_the_day "Hours of the day") With proper preparation, which included bathing the item in a mixture containing powdered sapphire, mounting a large whole sapphire of at least 5,000 gp value on an item such as a sword gave a better than 50 percent chance that the enchantment bonus would be increased. This could be done at the initial enchantment of the item or as a way of possibly improving an already enchanted item. Sapphires were a required material component for casting some versions of _[Drawmij's instant summons](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Drawmij%27s_instant_summons "Drawmij's instant summons")_. Crushed sapphires were a part of [ice golem](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Ice_golem "Ice golem") creation. The runes engraved on their bodies were imbued with snow-like [lichen](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Lichen "Lichen") and sapphire dust. ## Reputation Sapphires were considered prized gems among the [drow](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Drow "Drow"). They especially liked those of darker hues. Terar-shaped sapphire necklaces were often worn by the noble members of the noble [Baldurian](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Baldurian "Baldurian") [patriar families](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Patriar_families "Patriar families") during times of mourning. The precious stones represented the weight they felt after suffering great loss. [Akabar Bel Akash](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Akabar_Bel_Akash "Akabar Bel Akash"), like many other married [Turmishmen](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Turmish "Turmish"), wore a sapphire earing, that indicated his marital status. The [gem dragon](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Gem_dragon "Gem dragon") [sorceress](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Sorceress "Sorceress") [Nyadnar](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Nyadnar "Nyadnar") was especially fond of sapphires # Volo's Guide Sapphire is a brilliant blue, translucent corundum mineral. Sapphires vary from a clear, pale blue to a radiant azure. Sapphires augment enchantments, and so are widely used in the making of magical swords and other magical items, especially those related to magical prowess, the mind, and the element of air. An important exception to this boosting is magic that causes fear, anger, despair, or insanity: The wearer of a sapphire is par¬ tially protected against such effects. In magical processes, sapphires are best used at midmorn. (Elminster: When an item is set with a whole, large sapphire of not less than 5,000 gp value and bathed in a mixture containing powdered sapphire during its enchant¬ ment, there is a 55% chance that a magical bonus is augmented by 1; that is, a +1 sword will become a +2 sword. This can be done either when an item is created or to improve an existing one using a special process. As a spell component, sapphires make spells last for the longest possible time and deal the maximum damage in their first round of doing harm. Against magic or psionics that affect emotions or cloud the mind (including charms, feeblemind and geas spells, and insanity-causing effects), sapphires give beings wearing or bearing them a +2 bonus to all saving throws or allow a normal saving throw when none is ordinarily allowed. When dealing with sapphires, "midmom" means a half hour centered on 10 a.m.)