The birthstone for the month of September is sapphire. Sapphires come in a range of beautiful blue shades and have been prized as gemstones for centuries. In this article, we will look at what September’s birthstone, the sapphire, looks like including its color, cut, clarity and more. We’ll also explore some of the history and lore around this gemstone as well as its symbolic meanings.
What is a Sapphire?
A sapphire is a precious gemstone variety of the mineral corundum. Sapphires are closely related to rubies, which also fall under the corundum family. The only difference between rubies and sapphires is their color – rubies exhibit a deep red color whereas sapphires refer to all other color varieties of corundum.
The most prized and valuable shade of sapphire is a rich, deep blue. These deep blue sapphires are sometimes referred to as ‘true blue’ sapphires. However, sapphires also naturally occur in a range of other colors including pink, purple, orange, green and yellow. The color in sapphires is caused by trace impurities of different elements present in the corundum stone. For example, presence of chromium leads to the deep blue sapphires, while iron and titanium result in the rare and prized orange, purple and green varieties of the stone.
Color
The September birthstone displays a range of hues but most commonly exhibits a rich, deep and intense blue color. The primary color associated with September’s sapphire is a deep cornflower blue or medium dark violetish blue. This vibrancy of the blue is one of the factors that determines the value and quality of the sapphire.
Some of the other blue shades that September’s sapphire can display are:
- Sky blue
- Indigo – This is a dark blue tone with slight purple undertone
- Navy blue
- Cornflower blue
- Royal blue – Has hints of purple
While blue sapphires are most common, September’s birthstone can also occur in other more rare colors:
- Pink
- Padparadscha – Orangey pink color
- Yellow
- Green
- Colorless/white
- Purple
The intensity and richness of the color is an important factor in determining the value of the sapphire stone. Stones that exhibit a more intense hue command higher prices. Colorless sapphires are quite rare but lack the brilliance of colored varieties and are not as desirable.
Cut
Sapphires are cut and polished into a variety of faceted shapes. The precise cuts are made to maximize the color, brilliance and fire of the gemstone. Some of the popular cuts for September’s birthstone are:
- Round
- Oval
- Cushion
- Emerald
- Princess
- Radiant
- Asscher
- Heart
The round brilliant cut is the most common as it displays exceptional brilliance. Oval and cushion cuts are also popular as they show off the lovely blue color well. Vintage and antique sapphires may be cut in geometric shapes like emerald, Asscher and triangle.
Well-cut sapphires have excellent light reflection and sparkle. The cut impacts the visual performance and radiance of the gemstone.
Clarity
Most sapphires exhibit some inclusions and flaws internally. Finding an entirely flawless sapphire is extremely rare. Unlike diamonds, absolute perfection is not expected of sapphires. In fact, some tiny rutile inclusions in the right orientation can enhance the beauty of the stone by creating a star effect.
Sapphires are evaluated for clarity just like diamonds but the standards are somewhat relaxed. Stones with minimal noticeable inclusions to the eye are considered high quality. September birthstone sapphires usually fall in the eye clean to slightly included range for clarity. Heavily included stones will appear opaque and lack luster. Here is how sapphire clarity is graded:
| Clarity Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Eye Clean | No visible inclusions to the eye |
| VVS | Very very slightly included |
| VS | Very slightly included |
| SI | Slightly included |
| I | Included |
While an eye clean or VVS grade sapphire would be ideal, very slightly included stones are also widely used in jewelry and command high prices. Moderately included sapphires are more affordable but lack brilliance when viewed up close.
Carat
Sapphires are available in a wide range of sizes. Small stones can weigh less than one carat and large sapphires can be over 100 carats. However, most September birthstone sapphires used in jewelry range from about 1 to 5 carats.
Pricing depends not just on carat weight but also color, clarity and cut quality. Two sapphires of equal carat weight can have vastly different values based on the overall stone quality. Larger stones do tend to be rarer and more valuable but color intensity is also a key pricing factor.
Here are some common carat sizes that September’s sapphire birthstone is found in:
| Carat Weight |
|---|
| 0.5 carats |
| 1 carat |
| 2 carats |
| 3 carats |
| 4 carats |
| 5 carats |
History and Lore
Sapphires have been treasured since ancient times. Here’s a quick look at some key historical highlights:
- Sapphires were mined in Ancient Persia around 800 BC.
- They were popular in ancient Greece and Rome for their beautiful blue color and were associated with the skies.
- During the Middle Ages, European royalty and clergy wore blue sapphires as a symbol of wisdom and purity.
- Ancient Buddhists believed sapphires had spiritual enlightenment powers.
- Kings wore sapphires as a talisman of protection against harm.
- Ancient Hebrew scholars associated this gem with the Ten Commandments.
- Many cultures considered the gem to be a guard against evil and poison.
For centuries, sapphires symbolized nobility. The rich blue color connected it to the heavens. Sapphires were seen as the gemstone of kings, mystics and priests in many civilizations due to these auspicious associations.
Symbolic Meaning
As September’s birthstone, the sapphire carries important symbolic meaning:
- Wisdom
- Loyalty
- Integrity
- Truth
- Commitment
- Focus
- Insight
Its blue color connects it with sympathetic qualities like faith, honesty and constancy. For centuries, kings and nobles gifted sapphires to their loved ones as a pledge of trust. The durability and permanence of the sapphire crystal is linked to enduring values.
The sapphire is also associated with mental focus, intuition and spiritual insight. In meditation, it is believed to help quiet the mind. Sapphires are seen as aids for spiritual counsel and life guidance.
Overall, the September birthstone represents fidelity, sincerity and integrity.
Jewelry Uses
September’s sapphire is a classic jewelry gemstone, worn in both men’s and women’s accessories:
- Rings – Especially engagement and wedding rings
- Necklaces
- Earrings
- Bracelets
- Pendants
- Brooches
- Cufflinks
Sapphire engagement rings are especially popular – the stone’s blue color and durability makes it an ideal statement of lasting commitment.
Small sapphires are also popular for accent stones and as side gems along with diamonds. Sapphire’s hardness and brilliance allows it to be worn in all types of jewelry pieces without risk of damage.
September Birthdays
People born in September have sapphire as their traditional birthstone. The blue sapphire is the perfect complement to fall’s seasonal colors and September’s scenic countryside landscapes.
Sapphire jewelry or gemstones are ideal birthday gifts for those born in September. They also make great anniversary gifts – sapphires represent faithfulness and loyalty in relationships.
September-born personalities are said to embody the qualities of the sapphire:
- Wise
- Analytical
- Discreet
- Just
- Patient
- Dignified
So those who have September birthdays suit sapphire’s spiritual meanings and character attributes.
How to Clean Sapphire Jewelry
September’s birthstone is one of the most durable gem types, rating 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. Sapphires are resistant to scratching, chipping and everyday wear. However, built up dirt and grime can cause sapphire jewelry to look dull. Here are some tips for cleaning sapphire accessories:
- Use mild dish soap mixed with warm water. Gently scrub the piece with a soft toothbrush.
- Soak sapphire jewelry for a few minutes in an ammonia-based jewelry bath. These are available at most stores.
- Alternatively, soak the sapphire piece in a solution of 1 part household ammonia to 6 parts water.
- Rinse well after cleaning and dry with soft cloth.
- Avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners which may be too harsh.
Take care to thoroughly dry the crevices and metal workings of sapphire rings, earrings or pendants. This will prevent build up of soap residues or dirt. Proper maintenance keeps September’s birthstone looking its vibrant best.
Price and Value
September’s sapphire ranges widely in price depending on:
- Carat weight – Larger stones are exponentially more valuable
- Color grade – Vivid medium blue commands highest prices
- Clarity rating – Eye clean or very slightly included is ideal
- Cut and finish – Excellent precision and sparkle impact price
- Source – Sapphires from Kashmir (India) fetch astronomical prices
High quality sapphires certified for cut, color and clarity will have premium pricing. Here are some typical price ranges for september birthstone sapphires:
| Carat Size | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 0.5 carats | $50 – $500 |
| 1 carat | $500 – $2,000 |
| 2 carats | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| 3 carats | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| 5 carats | $10,000 – $25,000 |
Larger sized gems or stones exhibiting exotic hues can be valued into the millions. The most expensive sapphire ever sold was a 28 ct. Kashmir sapphire which fetched over $7 million at auction.
Where Sapphires are Found
The traditional sources of sapphires have been:
- Myanmar – Known as Burma, this Southeast Asian nation produces the highest volume of fine quality blue sapphires.
- Sri Lanka – The island country was famous for blue sapphires for over a millennium.
- Thailand – Kanchanaburi mines yield vivid blue and purple/pink sapphires.
- Australia – Sapphires are mined in New South Wales and Queensland.
- Cambodia – Pailin is a key sapphire mining area.
In the U.S., sapphires are mined mainly in Montana, North Carolina and Idaho. Sapphires suitable for gems are found in very few locations globally so production is limited. Kashmir in North India was famed for its intense blue sapphires but mining there ceased over a century ago.
How Sapphires Are Mined
Sapphires form under immense heat and pressure tens of kilometers below the earth’s surface. They are brought close to the surface through volcanic eruptions and tectonic shifts over geologic epochs. Mining processes to extract sapphires include:
- Alluvial mining – Sapphires in river bed gravels are extracted using simple hand tools and sieves.
- Pit mining – Involves digging pits up to 30m deep to reach bedrock where gems may be embedded.
- Terrace mining – Building terraces down hillsides to excavate gravel-rich layers.
- Bore mining – Vertical shafts bored into rock allowing tunnels to be dug.
Once mined, the rough sapphires are sorted based on their quality, size and color. Cutting and polishing is a skilled process done by gemcutters to turn the drab stones into radiant gems.
Synthetic Sapphire
While natural sapphires form underground over eons, synthetic sapphire can be manufactured in labs in just days. Identical chemical composition as natural stones means even experts struggle to distinguish them.
Synthetic sapphire has many uses:
- Jewelry – Cheaper synthetic sapphire is popular for fashion jewelry.
- Watches – As watch crystals for their scratch resistance.
- Electronics – As insulating substrates in semiconductors.
- Optics – In lasers, sensors and LEDs.
- Scientific – Crucibles to hold metals at extreme temperatures.
Synthetic blue sapphire costs a fraction compared to natural stones of the same size and quality.
Popular Sapphire Engagement Rings
Sapphires are a classic choice for engagement and anniversary rings. Their hardness makes them very durable for everyday wear. Sapphire’s blue color conveys faithfulness – a perfect symbol of commitment. Some popular sapphire ring designs are:
- Solitaire – A single large sapphire gem displayed in simple setting. Allows stone to take center stage.
- Halo – Central sapphire encircled by a ring of small diamonds for extra sparkle.
- Three stone – Row of three gems – sapphire flanked by two diamonds.
- Vintage – Timeless sapphire engagement rings with filigree engraving.
- Side stone – Sapphires make dramatic side stones next to a central diamond.
Beyond blue, sapphires in shades of pink, yellow and green also make for unique engagement ring stones.
Famous Sapphires
Some of the world’s most famous sapphires include:
- Logan Sapphire – This 423 carat blue sapphire is set in a brooch owned by Washington’s National Museum of Natural History.
- Stuart Sapphire – A historic 104 carat blue gem once set in the Imperial State Crown of England.
- Rockefeller Sapphire – A 62.02
