The sapphire gem, which has been prized for thousands of years, is the birthstone for September. The term sapphire typically refers to the blue variation of corundum, whereas ruby is the red version, but this birthstone is available in a wide range of different hues. “Sapphire derives from the Greek word sappheiros, and blue sapphire is one of the most popular colored stones. Sapphires have long been connected with monarchy and romance. They are also thought to represent fidelity and the soul. Continue reading to find out more about the September birthstone, including its origins and locations.
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Why is sapphire the September birthstone?
Sincerity, truth, faithfulness, and nobility have all historically been associated with the birthstone for September. Sapphire has been used for millennia to embellish kings and priests’ clothing. Ancient Greek and Roman nobility thought that blue sapphires shielded their owners from harm and enmity. Due to their association with Heaven, sapphires were worn by clergy during the Middle Ages. The ancient Persians thought the sky was blue because the world was actually supported by a massive sapphire.
The birthstone for September was also thought to have therapeutic properties. Europeans in the middle ages thought that sapphire could treat eye and plague blisters. It was once believed that the sapphire birthstone could neutralize poison.
The Rockefeller Sapphire, a 62.02 carat (ct) rectangle step cut stone discovered in Myanmar, is one of the most well-known sapphires (Burma). The stone was recut and remounted over the years after being purchased in 1934 by investor and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (18741960) from an Indian maharaja. The sapphire was first set as a brooch and afterwards as a ring with two triangular-shaped diamond side stones with cut corners. The sapphire engagement ring that Kate Middleton, the current Duchess of Cambridge, received from her son after Princess Diana wore it for the first time and it was set with a 12 carat blue sapphire may be the most well-known sapphire in recent years.
What is the birthstone sapphire said to symbolize?
The sapphire, the birthstone for September, is reputed to be one of the most sought-after gems throughout most of human civilisation. It stands for traits like sincerity, loyalty, and truth. The sapphire has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most regal and romantic gemstones on the world.
September’s Birthstone: The Sapphire
We all imagine the birthstone for September to be a vivid blue. It’s true that sapphire IS blue. However, it can also appear in a rainbow of hues, from the golden hue of a dawn to the blazing reddish-orange of a sunset to the delicate violet of dusk. In reality, the Graduate Gemologists from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) here at Jewelers Mutual informed me that sapphire comes in all colors except red since a “Ruby, Sapphire’s gem brother, is a red sapphire.
We also found that the hue of corundum, the crystalline form of aluminum oxide, is what distinguishes sapphires from rubies. The term “pure aluminum oxide” refers to a colorless material that contains trace amounts of all known colors “Elegant Sapphire.
Here’s where Sapphire colors come from:
- Iron + titanium = blue
- Iron is a green and a yellow color.
- orange: chromium + iron
The corundum crystal is known as a Ruby when it contains enough chromium to turn it red.
What to Look For in a Sapphire
The most expensive shade of sapphire is an intense pure blue that is frequently referred to as velvety blue or cornflower blue. The most expensive bracelet in history was a stunning bracelet made of Kashmir Sapphire and Diamond that was auctioned off for $6.9 million on June 1 as part of Christie’s Jewels: The Hong Kong Sale.
A beautiful pinkish-orange shade called “Padparadscha” after the Sinhalese term for the lotus flower is another priceless hue. With so many shades of sapphire available, there is probably a sapphire to suit every preference and price range. Find advice on purchasing your favorite gemstones on the website of the American Gem Trade Association.
The Gemstone for Romance
Sapphire has always been connected to both romance and aristocracy. Sapphire is a perfect gemstone for an engagement ring since it represents a promise of fidelity, devotion, and trust. Therefore, it was not a coincidence that Prince William asked Kate to marry him using Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring. This look-alike from Brilliant Earth will let you get as near to the genuine thing as you can. Sapphire is the stone used to commemorate 45 years of marriage.
How to Care for Sapphires
Sapphires are a strong and long-lasting gemstone. Sapphires are the hardest stones as a result. With a fresh toothbrush, warm water, and mild dish soap, you can safely clean them. Consult GIA for additional information on gemstones.
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Who has the birthstone sapphire?
The sapphire, the birthstone for September, is related to the ruby, the birthstone for July. Both are crystalline variations of the mineral corundum, which is composed of aluminum oxide. Ruby is the name for red corundum. And sapphires are the name for all other corundum crystals with gem-quality. On the Mohs scale, all corundum, including sapphire, has a hardness of 9. In terms of toughness, sapphire is now only second to diamond.
Sapphires typically come in blue gems. The exact colour varies depending on how much titanium and iron are contained inside the crystal structure, and they range from a very light blue to a deep indigo. The medium-deep cornflower blue is the blue that is most valuable. Fancy sapphires are sapphires that have additional natural colors and tints, such as colorless, gray, yellow, pale pink, orange, green, and violet. The varied colors of gemstones are caused by distinct types of impurities within the crystal. For instance, ferric iron gives yellow sapphires their color, whereas colorless stones are free of impurities.
In particular, New South Wales and Queensland in Australia are the largest sources of sapphires in the world. Australian sapphires are generally blue gemstones with a dark and inky appearance that are found in alluvial deposits of worn basalt. The Indian region of Kashmir was once well-known for producing the cornflower-blue stones. The Yogo Gulch Mine in Montana is a significant source of coal in the United States. Small stones for industrial usage are the main output.
Sapphire lore
The word sapphire has ancient language origins. It comes from the Latin word sapphirus, which means “blue,” the Greek word sappheiros, which refers to the island of Sappherine in the Arabian Sea, where sapphires were discovered in ancient Greece, and the Arabic word safir. Sapphire was known as the “Celestial Stone” in ancient Persia. It was Apollo’s diamond, the Greek god of prophecy. People who visited his shrine in Delphi to ask for his assistance wore sapphires. Sapphires were employed by the ancient Etruscans as early as the 7th century B.C.
The sapphire was said to stand for the purity of the soul in addition to being the birthstone for September. Priests wore it before and during the Middle Ages to guard against immoral thoughts and physical temptations. The kings of medieval Europe prized these stones for their use in rings and brooches because they thought it would protect them from harm and enmity. Warriors gave sapphire necklaces to their young wives in order to ensure their loyalty. The color of the stone was said to darken if worn by an adulterer, adulteress, or someone who was worthless.
Sapphires were long thought to offer serpent protection. People used to think that putting venomous spiders and reptiles in a jar with the stone would cause the animals to die right away. In the 13th century, the French believed that sapphire could change bad temper into good temper and ignorance into wisdom.
On Queen Victoria’s 1838 Imperial State Crown is one of the most renowned sapphires. It is kept in the Tower of London’s collection of British Crown Jewels. This gem is known as St. Edward’s Sapphire because it previously belonged to Edward the Confessor, who wore it on a ring during his coronation in 1042.
The birthstones for the other months of the year can be found here:
What makes sapphire so unique?
Diamonds are Sapphires’ only rivals in terms of durability. According to the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness, diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth, scoring a 10 out of 10. The Mohs Scale gives sapphires a 9 out of 10 for durability.
Has the stone sapphire a special significance?
It is said to help the mind focus and relax down as well as get rid of negative thoughts, despair, and mental strain. It is said to as the stone of fresh love and commitment and is said to be helpful in fostering loyalty and faithfulness. According to legend, sapphire brings prosperity, tranquillity, and mental peace.
Is sapphire a stone of luck?
The extremely potent stone known as Blue Sapphire, or Neelam in Hindu astrology, is said to represent Saturn. The stone, according to folklore, is exclusively intended for a select few. Some people will experience unimaginable fortune, wonderful health, and lifetime prosperity thanks to Blue Sapphire. Others, however, will experience turmoil and darkness as soon as the stone falls.
Therefore, testing the stone is the only way to determine its impact. The Blue Sapphire should be placed beneath the wearer’s pillow for a few nights. The stone is worth keeping if they have pleasant dreams and feel excellent energy! They should immediately return the stone if they have nightmares or poor luck.
Here’s the Takeaway:
The finest advise we can give is to respect different customs and civilizations. If a consumer buys Blue Sapphire jewelry and returns it in a short period of time, do your best to come up with a solution that benefits both parties.
Having said that, most myths are unfounded, much like all the other superstitions around gemstones. After all, Kate Middleton and Princess Diana are just two of the many famous people who have worn Blue Sapphire engagement rings.
What does it mean to wear a sapphire ring?
It’s natural to assume that since red is my favorite color, I would own a ruby ring. But when my husband surprised me with a trip to the resort jewelry store while we were on our honeymoon in Jamaica, that’s not what I fell in love with. A blue sapphire and diamond band that I still like wearing on my right hand now is the ring that I just couldn’t leave behind. Continue reading to learn more about the significance, superstition, and history of the magnificent sapphire.
Naturally, the clearer and more bright a gem is, the more precious it is, much like most other gemstones and even diamonds. There are a few different shades of sapphires, but blue is the most popular. Princess Diana’s, now Kate Middleton’s, engagement ring was the most well-known royal blue sapphire in contemporary history. The 8-carat sapphire in the center of the ring is surrounded by 14 diamond accents, and it is renowned throughout the world for its striking yet delicate beauty. But these leading ladies weren’t the first royals to wear sapphire jewelry with its lovely blue tones. Sapphires have been a favorite of royals for a very long time due to their priceless properties and significance as one of the earliest known jewels and having a hardness of 9 out of 10 on the Moh’s Scale, which means it has great hardness and won’t scratch easily.
The ancient Persians were devoted to sapphires and even thought the planet was built on top of a huge blue one. Because it reflected the blue diamond, they thought the sky was blue. Other cultures have long held the view that sapphires have both physical and spiritual healing properties.
So what does a sapphire mean in modern times? According to numerous traditions, sapphires are thought to represent holiness, knowledge, virtue, riches, and good fortune for kings. A sapphire in an engagement ring also represents faithfulness and sincerity. Nice, huh?
If you’re not a fan of the notion of an engagement ring made entirely of diamonds, consider a stunning sapphire ring or wedding band to mix things up a bit. It is simple to fall and stay in love! for years to come with such timeless beauty.
Why is it called sapphire?
Why Is Sapphire Used? Sapphire is a stone that symbolizes regal status. It is thought to draw wealth, favors, and gifts. It has been used to guard against harmful energies, as well as to promote spiritual clarity, clear the mind, and increase intuition.
Is sapphire a pricey stone?
It was previously unimaginable for the main stone of an engagement ring to be anything other than a diamond. It’s one of the biggest trends right now. (And evidence that everything old is new again: Prior to the middle of the 20th century, the majority of engagement rings weren’t made of diamonds.) Whether this development is related to Instagram or is merely cyclical, engagement rings are increasingly being adorned with a stunning variety of diamonds. You should definitely think about it if your loved one has a flair for the unusual.
The sapphire is a superb option for gemstone engagement rings, so start there. Sapphires are the second-hardest jewel after diamonds, making them perfect for daily wear. Next, consider the two most well-known brides-to-be from recent years: Sapphires can be found in both Lady Gaga and Meghan Markle’s engagement rings. But does that imply that you’ll have to spend like a star? Most likely, you want to know how much sapphires cost.
First, be aware that some sapphires command the highest prices. The Kashmir sapphire, often known as cornflower blue, is the most expensive variety. The precious orange-pink Padparadschah sapphire and the color-changing sapphire, which changes colours based on the light, are two examples of valuable rare and exotic hues.
The most costly sapphire ever auctioned sold for $135,000 per carat, with prices for other varieties ranging from $25 to more than $11,000 per carat. A large, low-quality sapphire will be substantially less expensive than a little, really high-quality sapphire since the price of a sapphire is dependant on its quality.