Sapphires have long been associated with certain qualities and symbolic meanings. In ancient times, sapphires were believed to bring wisdom, loyalty and purity. More recently, specific sapphire colors have become linked to certain months of the year.
September Birthstone
The vibrant blue sapphire is the traditional birthstone for the month of September. Blue sapphires range in hue from pale to deep azure. The deep blue shades are the most coveted and valuable. Sapphires in this saturated royal blue color represent faithfulness, stability and sincerity.
For centuries, blue sapphires have been given by lovers or spouses as engagement gifts. The durable gem was seen as symbolic of commitment and fidelity within a relationship. Sapphire engagement rings were especially popular during the Edwardian and Art Deco periods from 1900-1930. Blue sapphire continues to be a popular alternative center stone for engagement rings today.
The September birth flower is the aster or morning glory. But the sapphire is undoubtedly the most recognizable September birthstone. Those born in September strongly identify with the qualities associated with blue sapphire. They see themselves as loyal, honest and wise.
Other Sapphire Colors
While blue is the most famous, sapphires come in a rainbow of other hues. Sapphires belong to the corundum family of minerals. Red corundum gems are classified as rubies. All other corundum colors are considered sapphires. Some popular sapphire shades include:
– Pink: Ranging from pale blush pink to vivid hot pink. Pink sapphires represent romance, femininity and charm.
– Yellow: Varies from pale lemon yellow to brilliant golden shades. Yellow sapphires symbolize wisdom, intellect and creativity.
– Green: Emerald green hues. Signifies life, nature, health and prosperity.
– Purple: Violet to lavender tones. Associated with spirituality, royalty and mystery.
– Orange: Peachy orange to rich mandarin orange. Represents joy, warmth and enthusiasm.
– White: Colorless to icy white. Signifies purity, innocence and faith.
– Black: Opaque dark gray to jet black. Conveys power, sophistication and intrigue.
Non-Blue Sapphire Meanings
While blue sapphire has clearly defined symbolic attributes, the meanings associated with other sapphire colors are more varied. Here is an overview of the significance behind some popular non-blue sapphire hues:
Pink Sapphire
In addition to love and femininity, pink sapphires represent inner peace and tranquility. The soothing gem provides emotional healing and releases negative feelings. Light pink sapphire is sometimes given as a 60th wedding anniversary gift.
Yellow Sapphire
Yellow sapphire is considered an especially lucky gemstone that boosts financial fortunes. In ancient times, yellow sapphires were worn as talismans believed to attract wealth. The bright color energizes the mind and brings optimism and mental clarity.
Green Sapphire
Due to its verdant color, green sapphire is strongly linked to nature. The stone promotes balance, growth and abundance in all areas of life. Green sapphire is thought to have healing powers over physical ailments. Some wear the stone to improve vision, regulate blood pressure or ease muscle spasms.
Purple Sapphire
Purple sapphire aids in spiritual development and psychic enhancement. It facilitates communication with higher realms and sparks intuition and imagination. This is a great stone for dreamers, healers, clairvoyants and artists.
White Sapphire
The pure white stone provides clarity in times of confusion. It clears away negative thoughts and bolsters mental focus. White sapphire helps the wearer speak truths with confidence and live authentically.
Black Sapphire
Despite its dark color, black sapphire has many positive attributes. It boosts self-control and resilience during hardships. The grounding effects provide emotional strength and release stress. Black sapphire also enhances leadership skills.
Lesser Known Sapphire Facts
Beyond the commonly known blue gemstone, the diverse sapphire family has some fascinating lesser known facts:
– Sapphires come in every color but red. Red corundum is classified as ruby.
– Blue is the most popular sapphire color, but only accounts for 25% of the market.
– Padparadscha sapphires are prized for their exotic salmon color, a mix of pink and orange. The name means “lotus flower” in Sinhalese.
– Star sapphires display a star-shaped light effect known as asterism. Intricate “silk” inclusions in the stone cause the star.
– The Black Star of Queensland is the world’s largest star sapphire, weighing an exceptional 733 carats.
– Sapphires form over millions of years. Trace minerals are trapped inside the crystals as they form, imparting the color.
– Sapphires are nearly as hard as diamonds, rating 9 on the Mohs scale. Diamonds rate 10, while rubies rate 9.
– Sapphires are mined around the world, with the most coming from Sri Lanka, Australia, Myanmar and Tanzania.
– The U.S. states of Montana and North Carolina have recently emerged as significant sapphire sources.
– Certain treatments can enhance a sapphire’s color. Heat treatment is routinely used on many commercial stones.
Famous Sapphires
Some of the world’s most famous gemstones are sapphires. Their remarkable size, color and history solidify them a place in jewelry lore. Here are some of the most legendary sapphire gems:
Logan Sapphire
This magnificent 423 carat blue sapphire was discovered in Sri Lanka in the early 1900s. It was gifted to the Smithsonian Institution by Mrs. John A. Logan as a memorial to her husband, an American Civil War general.
Stuart Sapphire
The Stuart Sapphire is a storied 104 carat blue gem that once adorned the Imperial State Crown of Great Britain. The egg-sized sapphire boasts a rich blue hue and prominently sat at the front of the crown.
Rockefeller Sapphire
This stunning 62 carat sapphire was owned by John D. Rockefeller Sr. It sold in 2017 for over $6 million. The internally flawless gem displays an arresting cornflower blue color.
Ruspoli Sapphire
The 135.7 carat Ruspoli Sapphire has a documented history dating back to the 1600s. It originated in India before making its way into European royal collections. The current owner is the de Young Museum.
Star of Adam
This is the world’s largest blue star sapphire, weighing an incredible 1,404 carats. It exhibits a well-defined six-ray star pattern against a deep blue body color.
Star of Bombay
A 182 carat star sapphire of exceptional quality. It has a smooth dome shape that shows a sharply defined star effect. The stone is now housed at the National Museum of Natural History.
Star of India
This famous 563.4 carat star sapphire is one of the largest gems on display at the American Museum of Natural History. The stone likely originated centuries ago in Sri Lanka.
Sapphire Healing Properties
In crystal healing traditions, each sapphire color is believed to influence wellbeing in different ways:
Blue – Throat chakra stone that aids communication and self-expression. Calms the mind and relieves stress. Boosts insight and focus.
Pink – Heart chakra gemstone that promotes love, forgiveness and emotional healing. Radiates warmth and tender feelings.
Yellow – Solar plexus stone that increases mental clarity and focus. Builds confidence, optimism and personal power.
Green – Heart chakra activator that brings balance and prosperity. Instills compassion and strengthens bonds with others.
Purple – Third eye gem that boosts intuition and spiritual alignment. Enhances creativity, wisdom and psychic gifts.
White – Crown chakra activator that amplifies truth and purity. Clears confusion to take right action.
Black – Root chakra stone that dissolves negative energy. Provides resilience during adversity and change.
The table below summarizes the energetic properties and healing benefits associated with each color:
| Color | Chakra | Healing Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Throat | Communication, insight, focus |
| Pink | Heart | Love, emotional healing |
| Yellow | Solar Plexus | Mental clarity, confidence |
| Green | Heart | Balance, compassion, prosperity |
| Purple | Third Eye | Intuition, creativity, wisdom |
| White | Crown | Truth, purity, clarity |
| Black | Root | Protection, resilience, strength |
When worn or meditated upon, sapphires are believed to transmit their unique healing energies. The stones are thought to resonate at different vibrational frequencies corresponding to the various chakras or energy centers of the body.
Conclusion
While long linked with the month of September, sapphires come in a spectrum of colors beyond blue. Each hue carries different energetic and symbolic meaning. Sapphires convey wisdom, loyalty, creativity, tranquility, spirituality and many more virtues through their diverse palette. Some varieties like pink, yellow and white sapphire have grown in popularity for engagement rings. Whatever the color, sapphires capture the imagination with their stunning beauty, mystical properties and enduring allure.
