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Despite the fanciful name, Dwarven jewelers judge
that water sapphires are not sapphires at all -- and, indeed, the
term "water sapphire" dates from a confusion between the elven
language and Common (see "cordierite"
for more information.) These beautiful gems have a very peculiar
trait: when a water sapphire is viewed from different angles, its
color changes. Typically, a water sapphire is pale blue when viewed
from one side, perfectly clear when viewed from another, and a soft
honey yellow when viewed from the third, creating a dazzling play of
colors like sunlight upon water. The angle of light also affects the
hue. Unsurprisingly, water sapphires are
aligned with the elemental and spiritual aspects of water.
Stone-tenders say that water sapphire is
particularly good at restoring the balance of fluids within the
body, and they administer water sapphires to people who have been
dehydrated or who have become sick from grief and crying.
While their divinatory uses are wide, seers
particularly use water sapphires when trying to determine the
physical location of something or someone.
Among the elves, water sapphires symbolize clear
sight, both physically and intellectually.
Historically, water sapphire aided the elves of
Ta'Ashrim in the days when the Ashrim dominated the eastern sea.
Because the hue of water sapphire changed when light struck it from
different angles, the Ashrim made special lenses of water sapphire
which permitted them to determine the sun's exact position at any
time. Using these lenses, they were able to navigate far from any
coastline without fear of becoming lost. |
