September’s birthstone is the sapphire, which comes in a variety of colors. The traditional September birthstone color is deep blue, but sapphires can also be pink, yellow, green, orange, purple, and even black. The common thread between all sapphires is their beauty, durability, and symbolism. Let’s explore the different colors of September’s birthstone and what they represent.
Blue Sapphire
The most well-known sapphire color is a rich, deep blue. Blue sapphires range from light to dark, but the classic September birthstone color is a deep, intense midnight blue or cornflower blue.
Blue sapphires have been associated with wisdom, loyalty, and nobility throughout history. They symbolize focus, discipline, and mental clarity. In ancient times, priests and royalty wore blue sapphires to connect to the heavens and gain protection and insight.
The rich blue color comes from the trace element titanium. The more titanium present, the deeper and saturated the blue color. Most blue sapphires come from Australia, but they are also found in Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and East Africa.
Pink Sapphire
Pink sapphires exhibit a range of light pink to hot neon pink colors. Pink sapphires contain more chromium than blue sapphires, giving them their rosy hue.
Pink sapphires represent love, romance, and femininity. Their sweet, playful color is associated with tenderness, nurturing, and affection. Pink sapphires are perfect for celebrating new love, proposals, and anniversaries.
The most prized pink sapphires come from Sri Lanka and Madagascar. Burma and Tanzania also produce beautiful pink sapphire gems.
Yellow Sapphire
Yellow sapphires contain traces of iron that give them their rich golden color. They range from pale yellow to bright lemon-yellow. In India, yellow sapphires are traditionally given to celebrate new beginnings like careers and marriages.
The vibrant yellow color represents optimism, happiness, intellectual enlightenment, and hope. It brings a sunny energy to lift the spirits and strengthen confidence. Yellow sapphires are believed to sharpen the mind and enhance the ability to concentrate.
Fine yellow sapphires originate from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, and Australia.
Green Sapphire
Green sapphires come in a spectrum of verdant greens from light mint to deep forest green. The green color results from traces of iron.
Green sapphires symbolize life, nature, wellness, and renewal. They represent growth, fertility, and the abundant beauty of the natural world. Some believe wearing a green sapphire improves intuition and brings good fortune.
Most green sapphires are mined in Australia or Thailand. Green sapphires from Kenya also display excellent color.
Orange Sapphire
Orange sapphires contain chromium like pink sapphires, but they lean more toward the yellow-orange spectrum. Colors range from peach to vivid orange.
The fiery orange hue represents joy, creativity, enthusiasm, and vitality. Orange sapphires are energizing stones that encourage bravery, innovation, and socialization.
Sri Lanka produces most of the world’s orange sapphires. Some also come from Australia, Madagascar, and Tanzania.
Purple Sapphire
Purple sapphires exhibit a range of lavender, violet, and lilac tones. Traces of chromium and iron give these gems their rich purple color.
Purple sapphires are strongly connected to royalty, nobility, and spiritual awakening. The color purple represents luxury, ambition, and mystery. Some believe that wearing purple sapphire can enhance psychic abilities and bring wisdom.
Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar are the main sources for purple sapphire crystals. Thailand and Australia also produce some purple sapphire gems.
Black Sapphire
Black sapphires are actually very dark shades of blue, purple, green, or gray. They appear black in low light but may display deep blue, purple, or green tones under bright light.
Black sapphires are associated with self-control, resilience, and releasing frustration. They provide grounding energy during challenging times. Black sapphires can also symbolize glamour and intrigue when worn as jewelry.
Thailand produces the majority of black sapphires, followed by Australia. Small deposits are also found in Africa and the United States.
The Color of Your Birthstone
| Sapphire Color | Meaning | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Wisdom, loyalty, focus | Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka |
| Pink | Love, romance, femininity | Sri Lanka, Madagascar |
| Yellow | Joy, intellect, optimism | Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia |
| Green | Nature, wellness, growth | Australia, Thailand |
| Orange | Creativity, vitality, bravery | Sri Lanka, Australia, Madagascar |
| Purple | Spirituality, royalty, ambition | Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Madagascar |
| Black | Resilience, release, glamour | Thailand, Australia |
The color of the sapphire has special meaning and symbolism. When selecting your September birthstone, consider choosing a color that aligns with your goals, personality, or interests. The table summarizes the different sapphire colors and their significance.
How Color Affects Value
In general, more saturated and vivid colors are considered most valuable for sapphires. However, color preferences have changed throughout history, so value is also based on current demand.
For a long time, the cornflower blue sapphire was the most prized. The advent of precision cutting brought out the brilliance in highly saturated pinks, oranges, and purples. These rich colors grew in popularity and value.
Today, buyers are drawn to both classic blue hues and vivid pinks, yellows, and greens. Sapphires in lighter tones or with gray, brown, or greenish secondary hues are less valuable.
Black sapphires were not appreciated until the 1920s when art deco designs made them fashionable. Their value continues to increase today.
Color deeply impacts a sapphire’s worth, but carat, cut, and clarity also determine overall value. Work with a reputable jeweler or gemologist to assess the fair market price of a colored sapphire.
Choosing Your Sapphire Color
Part of the beauty of sapphires lies in their diverse rainbow of colors. When picking your September birthstone, select a color that resonates with you personally. Consider:
– Your favorite color
– Your personality, goals, interests
– Outfits you will wear it with regularly
– Whether you prefer a classic or trendy look
– Sapphire color meanings that speak to you
The color should complement your style and represent something meaningful about who you are. An ideal sapphire reflects your essence and brings you joy each time you wear it.
Caring for Colored Sapphires
Proper care is essential for protecting the brilliance and fire of your colored sapphire over time. Here are some tips:
– Store sapphires separately to prevent scratching and tangling.
– Clean with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft brush. Avoid harsh chemicals.
– Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are safe for sapphires.
– Consider having sapphires professionally cleaned once a year.
– Don’t expose sapphires to chemical spills or large changes in temperature or humidity.
Sapphires are one of the hardest, most durable gemstones, rating 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. With some basic precautions, your colorful sapphire jewelry will last a lifetime.
Conclusion
Sapphires come in every color of the rainbow, each with its own meaning and personality. Whether you prefer classic blue or bold orange, selecting a sapphire in your favorite hue makes a September birthstone feel special. Sapphires not only represent September but express individuality and character. With proper care, these colorful gems will brilliantly adorn September-born jewelry lovers for generations to come.
