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The birthstone for September is sapphire. Sapphires are members of the gem species corundum. Depending on the exact chemistry of individual stones, sapphires may present a whole spectrum of colors with the exception of red. This is because red corundum gems are put into their own category and called "rubies."
The blue variety of sapphire is a tremendously popular gemstone worldwide. It is part of the group called the Big 3 which also includes rubies and emeralds. Luckily for those born in September, blue sapphire is the most abundant and affordable option of the Big 3, making it widely accessible.
If you were born in September, you are very fortunate to have a birthstone that occurs in many different colors (just not red). Sapphires that have a predominately blue color are simply called "sapphire" with no other description required. All other colors of sapphire are considered "fancy colored" and these gems will be explicitly referred to by their hue. Examples of this are "purple sapphire" or "green sapphire." Like most colored gemstones, a sapphire's color is evaluated based on its hue, tone, and saturation.
Corundum is inherently a colorless gemstone. For gems to take on a particular hue, trace elements must be present in the crystal lattice. From a technical perspective, the color of sapphires is caused primarily by the combination of three elements: iron, titanium, and chromium. Different concentrations of these elements in relation to each other result in varying hues. Below is a breakdown of what causes color expression in sapphire, and which are the most highly desired.
Sapphires have captivated the imaginations of people for thousands of years. Thanks to this deep history, coupled with the fact that they occur in a whole rainbow of colors, rich cultural symbolism surrounding this special stone has developed in many cultures. This is especially true of blue sapphires because they are found in so many locations and have sometimes been considered the most beautiful of the blue gemstones. Here is just a sampling of the many myths linked with blue sapphires.
In ancient Greece, sapphires were associated with Zeus, god of the blue sky, and his son Apollo, god of the sun and prophecy. Oracles wore the blue variety of the September birthstone to enhance their ability to see into the future. A similar mythical association with the gem continued into the Middle Ages and sapphires were worn to help tap individuals into their intuitive "third eye".
The ancient Persians also connected the pure blue of sapphires with the sky. They thought that the heavens were blue because the air reflected the hue of a massive sapphire that held up the Earth.
From a religious perspective, the sapphire was an important gemstone. It is specifically referred to in the Bible twelve times. Some believed that the Ten Commandments were inscribed on a tablet made of the blue gem. During the Middle Ages, sapphires were worn by Christian religious leaders including Popes, Cardinals and Bishops to both reflect and strengthen their religious purity.
Continuing along this theme of purity, it was thought that the sapphire could act as a test of a woman's fidelity toward her husband. If a woman held the stone and it changed color, that meant that she had been unfaithful.
You can see that lore surrounding the blue variety of sapphires is ample. However, there are special meanings associated with the other colors as well. One of the themes which you will see repeated across the various colors - including blue - is a connection with the mind, wisdom, and protection. Here is a quick overview of some meanings associated with fancy-colored sapphires.
Yellow sapphire is thought to have a calming effect and help to strengthen marital relationships. Pink sapphire, like many of the red and pink gemstones, has romantic connotations. This gem reflects the loyalty of the wearer and is also believed to bring luck. Green sapphires are connected to spirituality and keeping one close is thought to improve mental clarity. Orange stones are believed to improve intuition and insight. Just as purple was often associated with royalty, the purple variety is affiliated with nobility and strength. Finally, many consider black sapphires helpful in grounding and centering one's mind and body.
Lastly, six-rayed star sapphires are especially important to Christians who associate the three crossbars with the principles of faith, hope, and destiny. These gems have been referred to as a "stone of destiny". They protect the wearer from both the Evil Eye and devils and are a favorite of travelers who wear them for extra protection.
Fortunately, there are many sapphire deposits spread out on different continents. From locations in Africa like Nigeria and Madagascar to Australia to Asian locales like China and Thailand, and even sources in the USA, sapphire mines are everywhere. This abundance is the driving factor that keeps sapphires the most affordable option of the Big 3. While there are many sources, many of the most famously beautiful blue sapphires come from Kashmir, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar (formerly Burma). The mines from these locations are so renowned that gems which are confirmed to have originated from there may be slightly more valuable than stones from other places.
Most sapphires on the market weigh under five carats. However, sapphires have been found weighing hundreds of carats in total! As with other gems, the value of individual sapphires is greatly dependent on their overall size coupled with the quality of their color and transparency rating.
All colors of sapphire are ranked as a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. This is second only to diamond which has a perfect score of 10. This high score means that sapphire is exceptionally tough and resistant to both scratching and fracturing. In fact, sapphire is so strong that it may scratch other types of softer gemstones if stored improperly and allowed to rub against them. Since it is a highly stable gem, sapphires may be cleaned in ultrasonic devices as long as they do not have significant fractures or have undergone usual treatments. Like most gems, you can clean your sapphire jewelry whenever needed using a soft brush with soapy water or a specialized jewelry cleaning solution.
As sapphire is such a durable gemstone, it can be used in all types of jewelry, including engagement rings that see daily wear. Whether you are shopping online or in a brick-and-mortar store, you will easily find a wide selection of sapphire necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, rings, and more. Moreover, sapphire is readily available in all sizes and at many price points. Blue sapphire in particular is extremely popular. Statistically, more jewelry featuring this blue gem sells than items that showcase any other colored gemstone.
When shopping for sapphire jewelry, here are a few factors to keep in mind. First, the best sapphires have "eye-clean" clarity, which means that they are perfectly transparent and have no internal inclusions or fractures that are visible to the naked eye. Secondly, the color distribution of some sapphires may not be perfectly even. Sapphires may have "color zoning" patterns, which describe a striped or blotchy appearance. If this zoning is obvious and distracting, it is considered a negative trait that lessens overall value.
If you are searching for trendy sapphire jewelry, look for round and oval brilliant cuts. These shapes have remained popular with both designers and consumers because they have beautiful sparkle patterns, and their shape complements many aesthetics.
The last point to address regarding sapphire jewelry is in regard to the synthetic stones available on the market. First synthesized over a hundred years ago, lab-grown sapphires, or synthetic sapphires, have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural sapphires. The only difference is the way they form - synthetic sapphires are created in a lab while natural sapphires grow in the earth. Synthetic sapphires are usually grown with vivid colors and fewer imperfections than most natural sapphires. However, the difference in price between comparable lab-grown and natural sapphires can be thousands of dollars per carat! While the resale value of synthetic sapphires is not nearly as strong as the natural option, lab-grown sapphires can be an economical choice if you want a bigger, brighter gem, or are seeking jewelry featuring many individual stones.
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The birthstone for September is sapphire. Sapphires are members of the gem species corundum. Depending on the exact chemistry of individual stones, sapphires may present a whole spectrum of colors with the exception of red. This is because red corundum gems are put into their own category and called "rubies."
The blue variety of sapphire is a tremendously popular gemstone worldwide. It is part of the group called the Big 3 which also includes rubies and emeralds. Luckily for those born in September, blue sapphire is the most abundant and affordable option of the Big 3, making it widely accessible.
If you were born in September, you are very fortunate to have a birthstone that occurs in many different colors (just not red). Sapphires that have a predominately blue color are simply called "sapphire" with no other description required. All other colors of sapphire are considered "fancy colored" and these gems will be explicitly referred to by their hue. Examples of this are "purple sapphire" or "green sapphire." Like most colored gemstones, a sapphire's color is evaluated based on its hue, tone, and saturation.
Corundum is inherently a colorless gemstone. For gems to take on a particular hue, trace elements must be present in the crystal lattice. From a technical perspective, the color of sapphires is caused primarily by the combination of three elements: iron, titanium, and chromium. Different concentrations of these elements in relation to each other result in varying hues. Below is a breakdown of what causes color expression in sapphire, and which are the most highly desired.
Sapphires have captivated the imaginations of people for thousands of years. Thanks to this deep history, coupled with the fact that they occur in a whole rainbow of colors, rich cultural symbolism surrounding this special stone has developed in many cultures. This is especially true of blue sapphires because they are found in so many locations and have sometimes been considered the most beautiful of the blue gemstones. Here is just a sampling of the many myths linked with blue sapphires.
In ancient Greece, sapphires were associated with Zeus, god of the blue sky, and his son Apollo, god of the sun and prophecy. Oracles wore the blue variety of the September birthstone to enhance their ability to see into the future. A similar mythical association with the gem continued into the Middle Ages and sapphires were worn to help tap individuals into their intuitive "third eye".
The ancient Persians also connected the pure blue of sapphires with the sky. They thought that the heavens were blue because the air reflected the hue of a massive sapphire that held up the Earth.
From a religious perspective, the sapphire was an important gemstone. It is specifically referred to in the Bible twelve times. Some believed that the Ten Commandments were inscribed on a tablet made of the blue gem. During the Middle Ages, sapphires were worn by Christian religious leaders including Popes, Cardinals and Bishops to both reflect and strengthen their religious purity.
Continuing along this theme of purity, it was thought that the sapphire could act as a test of a woman's fidelity toward her husband. If a woman held the stone and it changed color, that meant that she had been unfaithful.
You can see that lore surrounding the blue variety of sapphires is ample. However, there are special meanings associated with the other colors as well. One of the themes which you will see repeated across the various colors - including blue - is a connection with the mind, wisdom, and protection. Here is a quick overview of some meanings associated with fancy-colored sapphires.
Yellow sapphire is thought to have a calming effect and help to strengthen marital relationships. Pink sapphire, like many of the red and pink gemstones, has romantic connotations. This gem reflects the loyalty of the wearer and is also believed to bring luck. Green sapphires are connected to spirituality and keeping one close is thought to improve mental clarity. Orange stones are believed to improve intuition and insight. Just as purple was often associated with royalty, the purple variety is affiliated with nobility and strength. Finally, many consider black sapphires helpful in grounding and centering one's mind and body.
Lastly, six-rayed star sapphires are especially important to Christians who associate the three crossbars with the principles of faith, hope, and destiny. These gems have been referred to as a "stone of destiny". They protect the wearer from both the Evil Eye and devils and are a favorite of travelers who wear them for extra protection.
Fortunately, there are many sapphire deposits spread out on different continents. From locations in Africa like Nigeria and Madagascar to Australia to Asian locales like China and Thailand, and even sources in the USA, sapphire mines are everywhere. This abundance is the driving factor that keeps sapphires the most affordable option of the Big 3. While there are many sources, many of the most famously beautiful blue sapphires come from Kashmir, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar (formerly Burma). The mines from these locations are so renowned that gems which are confirmed to have originated from there may be slightly more valuable than stones from other places.
Most sapphires on the market weigh under five carats. However, sapphires have been found weighing hundreds of carats in total! As with other gems, the value of individual sapphires is greatly dependent on their overall size coupled with the quality of their color and transparency rating.
All colors of sapphire are ranked as a 9 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. This is second only to diamond which has a perfect score of 10. This high score means that sapphire is exceptionally tough and resistant to both scratching and fracturing. In fact, sapphire is so strong that it may scratch other types of softer gemstones if stored improperly and allowed to rub against them. Since it is a highly stable gem, sapphires may be cleaned in ultrasonic devices as long as they do not have significant fractures or have undergone usual treatments. Like most gems, you can clean your sapphire jewelry whenever needed using a soft brush with soapy water or a specialized jewelry cleaning solution.
As sapphire is such a durable gemstone, it can be used in all types of jewelry, including engagement rings that see daily wear. Whether you are shopping online or in a brick-and-mortar store, you will easily find a wide selection of sapphire necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, rings, and more. Moreover, sapphire is readily available in all sizes and at many price points. Blue sapphire in particular is extremely popular. Statistically, more jewelry featuring this blue gem sells than items that showcase any other colored gemstone.
When shopping for sapphire jewelry, here are a few factors to keep in mind. First, the best sapphires have "eye-clean" clarity, which means that they are perfectly transparent and have no internal inclusions or fractures that are visible to the naked eye. Secondly, the color distribution of some sapphires may not be perfectly even. Sapphires may have "color zoning" patterns, which describe a striped or blotchy appearance. If this zoning is obvious and distracting, it is considered a negative trait that lessens overall value.
If you are searching for trendy sapphire jewelry, look for round and oval brilliant cuts. These shapes have remained popular with both designers and consumers because they have beautiful sparkle patterns, and their shape complements many aesthetics.
The last point to address regarding sapphire jewelry is in regard to the synthetic stones available on the market. First synthesized over a hundred years ago, lab-grown sapphires, or synthetic sapphires, have the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural sapphires. The only difference is the way they form - synthetic sapphires are created in a lab while natural sapphires grow in the earth. Synthetic sapphires are usually grown with vivid colors and fewer imperfections than most natural sapphires. However, the difference in price between comparable lab-grown and natural sapphires can be thousands of dollars per carat! While the resale value of synthetic sapphires is not nearly as strong as the natural option, lab-grown sapphires can be an economical choice if you want a bigger, brighter gem, or are seeking jewelry featuring many individual stones.
Yes. Corundum was first synthesized at the end of the 19th century and there are currently several methods used to grow commercial sapphire. As long as it is clearly disclosed by sellers that stones are lab-grown, there is nothing wrong with sapphire synthetics! In addition to being more affordable than the natural gem, synthetics can be grown to large carat weights and often have beautiful, even color paired with exceptional clarity. The best lab-grown sapphires are so similar to natural ones that only a gemologist using magnification can identify them.
