September's Sapphire: A Dazzling Journey Through the Birthstone's Beauty and Lore
The Virgos and Librans of the world may be born with an inherent connection to a very special stone.
The September birthstone, sapphire, is a rare gem with a captivating story to tell. It has been the subject of myths, superstitions and beliefs for centuries and holds a special relevance even in today’s modern society and royal family.
Take a dazzling journey through sapphire’s lore, and discover why it’s so much more than a beautiful stone.
The history and lore of sapphire
Sapphire has held a unique type of significance through the ages.
The Ancient Persians believed the sky was blue because the earth rested on a giant sapphire, while Medieval Europeans believed sapphire had healing powers.
For centuries, the sapphire has been coveted by royalty and was worn by many notable figures, from the Maharaja of Kashmir to Princess Diana.
It has truly stood the test of time.
And while that’s largely down to the stone’s beauty, rarity and durability, the beliefs and myths that surround sapphire also play a part.
Stories are passed between cultures and generations. Many believed sapphires could protect them from harm, others thought sapphires gave them access to the “spirit world”, while many thought it brought riches.
Today, we know sapphire as the September birthstone, making sapphire jewellery the perfect gift for loved ones born in September. It’s not known exactly why sapphire became associated with the month of September, but many believe it’s because the stone represents the same qualities as September’s zodiac signs, Virgo and Libra.
Those qualities include wisdom, trust and purity.
Although the September birthstone is sapphire, it’s also sometimes linked to the Taurus star sign, as we can see in this poem:
“If on your hand this stone you bind,
You in Taurus born will find,
‘Twill cure diseases of the mind,
The Sapphire.”
The science of sapphire
While there are plenty of myths and make-belief around sapphires, we can’t ignore the real-life magic in every stone. The geological formation of sapphires is an impressive story.
Sapphires are such a rare feat because they demand complex yet perfectly timed processes to take place.
The gemstone occurs naturally thanks to the shifts and chemical changes that constantly take place on Earth. As aluminium and oxygen atoms combine under intense heat and pressure, deep within the earth, sapphires (also called corundum) are formed. The process can take thousands - even millions - of years.
Certain locations around the world provide the best conditions for mining sapphires, and are where some of the most beautiful and famous sapphires are found.
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Tanzania, Kashmir, India, Vietnam and Australia are celebrated for producing some of the world’s most stunning sapphires.
A closer look at the science of sapphire
- Composition: Sapphires are made of aluminium oxide (A1203)
- Hardness: Rated 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness
- Melting temperature: 2053°C
- Other properties: Good thermal and chemical resistance
- Formation: Formed by nucleation and growth
The Colours of Sapphire
September’s birthstone, sapphire, is most commonly associated with a rich blue hue. But you might be surprised to hear that sapphires can come in just about any colour of the rainbow (apart from red, which is a ruby!)
Colour is the primary influence on the value of sapphire, with more vivid tones being in higher demand than lighter sapphires.
Here, we touch on some sapphire colours, but the actual range is even more expansive than this.
Blue
The most popular colour of sapphire. Sapphires come in every shade of blue, with the rarest being cornflower blue and royal blue sapphires.
Pink
Pink sapphires range from light pink to a more intense pink-purple. They form because of chromium trace elements in the stone’s crystal, and are very rare.
Yellow
This sapphire ranges from light yellow to orange-yellow. The colour is created by the presence of iron. Darker yellow/orange sapphires tend to be the most popular.
Colourless
Colourless, or “white” sapphires also occur naturally. The colourless nature is due to an absence of elements like iron, titanium and chromium.
Padparadscha
This extremely rare sapphire variety is a mix of pink and orange. These gems are native to Sri Lanka, and have chromium and iron to thank for their unique colour.
Famous sapphires in history
The world’s most show-stopping sapphires come with fascinating tales. Take a quick trip to some of the most famous sapphires in history.
Logan Blue Sapphire
One of the largest blue faceted sapphires in the world, the Logan Blue has associations with wealthy families and politicians.
The story goes that the 422.98-carat stone was originally found by a Sri Lankan native, who was beheaded because he didn’t share the discovery with his leader.
As of 1971, it’s been on display in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington.
By Chip Clark, Smithsonian staff - https://geogallery.si.edu/10002687/logan-sapphire, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116461673
Star of India
This sapphire’s tumultuous journey began in Sri Lanka.
It was famously stolen from the American Museum of Natural History and was later recovered in a bus locker in Miami.
This almost flawless sapphire weighs in at 563.35 carats.
This picture was taken by Daniel Torres, Jr. on January 14, 2007. - Transfered from en.wikipedia Transfer was stated to be made by User:Multichill., Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3203393
The Rockefeller Sapphire
The Rockefeller sapphire once belonged to an Indian Maharajah, before swapping hands to businessman and philanthropist, John D. Rockefeller.
So far, it has spent its life in the cherished collections of wealthy families.
The 62.02-carat stone sold for $2,850,000 at an auction in recent years.
https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-2022213
Sapphire in jewellery
As one of the hardest stones on the planet (second only to diamonds) sapphires make for the perfect everyday jewellery. They’re resistant to scratches and damages, and can truly last a lifetime - or more.
Sapphire engagement rings are often selected for the woman who wants something a little different. And, because the stones symbolise loyalty, truth and commitment, they have the ideal qualities to begin a beautiful, lasting marriage.
Sapphires are drenched in history but remain relevant today, with people like Victoria Beckham, Kate Middleton and Elizabeth Hurley famously wearing sapphire engagement rings.
Caring for sapphire jewellery
September’s birthstone is like no other substance on the planet, so it deserves complete love and care.
Caring for sapphire jewellery isn’t complicated, but taking the time to clean and store your jewellery properly will make a world of difference.
1. Clean your jewellery with warm, soapy water and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Do this every couple of months to remove grime and optimise your stone’s shine. Never use harsh chemicals.
2. Store your jewellery safely. Lock your jewellery in a safe, if possible. Reduce scratching by storing each piece in an individual pouch or lined jewellery box.
3. Don’t wear your jewellery when active. Take it off when you’re taking part in sports or other activities like climbing or swimming.
Choosing a sapphire: Buyer's Guide
You want to choose the perfect stone when you buy a sapphire.
And while the process is largely personal (which stones or jewellery speak to you?) there are some tips to follow to help you choose the best quality piece.
It’s worth knowing about the 4Cs, which are used as a way to grade sapphires, in a similar way to grading diamonds.
1. Colour
As you already know, sapphires go beyond blue. Choose the colour you’re drawn to and remember to look at how intense or saturated it is. Generally, the more vivid the colour, the better.
2. Cut
Gems are cut in ways to maximise their size and sparkle. Cut is different from shape; cut describes how a diamond is faceted and polished, while shape describes its outline. e.g. round or princess.
3. Clarity
Most natural sapphires have a few inclusions (or imperfections). The best sapphires don’t have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. A clearer stone can signify a higher grade.
4. Carat
Sapphires are measured by their carat weight and size in mm. Larger gemstones are usually rarer and therefore more valuable than smaller sapphires, which bumps up the price tag.
The perfect gift for September birthdays
The Virgos and Libras in your life deserve something beautiful, even if you just want to buy yourself a gift. September’s birthstone, sapphire, is a gem that’s full of mystery, history and charm.
Every single stone is a true natural wonder. And, since sapphires come in a myriad of colours, you can find a stone for every style.
For meaningful and beautiful gifts, explore the Australian sapphire jewellery at Sapphire Dreams.