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September Birthstone – The Colourful Sapphire
The rainbow of colours available for the September birthstone is just one of the things that make this gemstone special and unique. It's one of the most popular gemstones today and is also a favourite choice for bridal jewellery. Learn more about the September birthstone, including its meaning, history, care and where to purchase.
What is the Birthstone for September?
The birthstone for September is one you probably see every day. You may recognize its striking blue colour. Contrary to common knowledge, the sapphire birthstone is found in many colours besides blue. The September birthstone can be found in colours like green, pink, yellow, orange, violet and white, also called colourless.
The sapphire symbolizes love, fidelity and power. It is also thought to reveal secrets. In addition to being September's birthstone, the sapphire gemstone is also used to celebrate the 5th and the 45th wedding anniversaries.
The Meaning of the Sapphire Gemstone
The September birthstone’s name comes from the Greek word "sappheiros," which translates to sapphire.
When most people think of the sapphire, they think of the readily available blue variety. It is the most popular variety used in jewellery. The blue sapphire variety may be referred to as Kashmir Sapphire, Ceylon Sapphire or Cornflower Blue Sapphire - but don't brush off the brilliant array of different sapphire colours.
All of the other variations of sapphire are known as "fancy" sapphires, as they create a rainbow of gorgeous jewellery options. Because the blue sapphire is the most popular, sapphire often refers to the blue sapphire. When speaking of the other varieties, the colour is usually specified.
Rubies and sapphires are identical in all their fundamental properties with the exception of colour. They both come from the same mineral. If the mineral is red, it's a ruby; any other colour is considered a sapphire. Sapphires can be found in popular blue variety as well as green, orange, yellow, pink and white.
Sapphires are found in places such as Madagascar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Australia. The rarest and most sapphire is the pink-orange padparadscha found in Sri Lanka. The name padparadscha means "lotus flower" in the language Singhalese, which is the language spoken in Sri Lanka.
In general, the sapphire gemstone is sought-after due to its colour, hardness, durability and lustre. The only gemstone harder than it is the diamond. In the jewellery world, the sapphire birthstone is considered one of the big three precious coloured gemstones – the other two being ruby and emerald.
When it comes to sapphire birthstones, the more intense the colour, the more valuable the gemstone usually is. The most favoured blue sapphire colour is a velvety blue to violet-blue, in a rich, darker tone.
History of the Sapphire Birthstone
You'll find this deep, captivating gemstone all throughout history, and it is also a notable gemstone in fashion and today's pop culture.
Historically, the sapphire birthstone has decorated royalty and clergy members for centuries. In this context, the sapphire birthstone has always been associated with royalty and romance.
The kings and queens of ancient Greece and Rome believed that sapphire protected them against envy and harm. During the Middle Ages, the clergy wore the blue sapphire variety to represent heaven. Others believed that the sapphire would attract blessings from heaven. Throughout history, the sapphire birthstone was thought to increase power, cultivate peace, influence spirits and reveal the secrets of oracles.
Today, the sapphire birthstone is a prominent symbol of nobility, truth, faithfulness and sincerity. Often, you'll find sapphires of various colours integrated into distinct jewellery pieces, including bridal jewellery. The use of the sapphire birthstone in engagement rings and wedding jewellery represents loyalty and commitment in a relationship.
Although it has always been popular, two iconic events heightened the September birthstone's fame. The first was the engagement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Diana herself chose this magnificent sapphire gemstone ring from a selection of bridal rings, bringing it to popularity. The second was the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton in November 2010. The couple choose to use Diana’s ring as their engagement ring, ensuring its historical value.
Care of Your Sapphire Birthstone
The sapphire birthstone is one tough beauty. The gemstone measures a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, second only to diamonds and moissanite. This means the gemstone is sturdy enough for any jewellery setting.
The sapphire birthstone is also easy to care for. For cleaning your sapphire, you can use warm, soapy water and a soft toothbrush. Because the gemstone is so durable, it's also fine to use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner for your sapphire gemstone.
Because the sapphire is so hard, it should be stored separately from softer gemstones, like opals or pearls, as they can get scratched or damaged. It is recommended to place your sapphire jewellery in a small bag or pouch when keeping it near other jewellery.
Shop the September Birthstone
This colourful sapphire gemstone can be found in a variety of popular jewellery styles. And its brilliant beauty doesn’t limit itself to those lucky to be born in September! The sapphire – especially the blue variety of sapphire – is the second most popular gemstone after the diamond.
Sapphire looks beautiful set in any precious metal, but when it is set in white gold or sterling silver, its brilliance and colour can truly shine.
Visit your local Peoples Jewellers retail store to find exceptional September birthstone jewellery and sapphire gemstone jewellery. You can count on Peoples to have both classic and contemporary sapphire jewellery that celebrates life, love and that special September birthday.