It’s precious, it’s blue and it’s a jewel that can be interpreted in many different ways, from many different perspectives.

Named after this multi-faceted jewel, the all-female blues trio Saffire is exceptional, multi-faceted and has many different dimensions.

In a male-dominated blues industry, an all-female band is one of its more notable dimensions. However, members of Saffire have never gotten any discrimination or special treatment in the blues industry for their gender.

Instead of being restricted by their differences, the group has become a favorite in the blues world because of its approach to the blues.

Vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Andra Faye said because the group is made up of all women, the trio’s lyrics address subjects different from most that are addressed at blues shows.

“We’re women, so it’s hard for us to write from a men’s perspective,” Faye said. “We try to take a larger view of the world.”

So far, the group’s approach has worked.

In Saffire’s eight years of existence, the band has recorded five studio albums and earned gigs in blues clubs and performing arts centers all over America and abroad.

Due to Saffire’s popularity, larger venues are necessary to accommodate the band; however, not long ago, the trio played small clubs in its hometown of Fredericksburg, Va.

Faye said pianist/guitarist/vocalist Ann Rabson and guitarist/harmonicist/vocalist Gaye Adegbalola started playing clubs in Virginia in 1984. The duo gained such a following that in 1988, both women decided to quit their day jobs to become full-time blues players.

In 1990, the women released their first album under Alligator Records titled “Saffire — The Uppity Blues Women.” The debut album became one of Alligator’s biggest selling releases ever, winning Adegbalola a W.C. Handy Award for her song, “Middle-Aged Blues Boogie.”

Saffire quickly gained recognition and earned the privilege to share the stage with household blues and jazz names such as B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Ray Charles and Willie Dixon.

In 1994, the group’s studio bass player, Earlene Lewis, quit the band, and Faye was called to be her replacement. When Rabson and Adegbalola asked Faye to play with the group, Faye said she willingly quit her job as a nurse to learn how to play the bass.

“[Rabson and Adegbalola] had laid the groundwork,” Faye said. “It was easier for me to quit my job knowing they had gigs and could pay the bills.”

Since Faye has joined the group, the trio has released three more albums under Alligator Records and has played venues in exotic places such as Italy, Brazil and New Zealand — oh yeah, and Ames.

Faye said the group has played in Ames about five times since she became a member of the group, and the trio is looking forward to playing yet another gig here Friday.

Saffire — The Uppity Blues Women will play Friday night at the Maintenance Shop at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for students and $13 for general admission.