September Birthstone: Sapphire, The Stone of Hope

September birthstone sapphire is one of the most prized gems. With its long-standing history and gorgeous blue color, the gem has been the symbol of royalty, hope, and truth from the beginning. Many loved it for its beauty and high status but also for its mysterious healing powers.

The September birthstone is considered to be part of the so-called “The Big Three” of precious stones, along with ruby and emerald. But although the blue sapphire is the most popular one, the gem comes in many other colors, each with a special meaning that we are about to discover.

So read all about sapphire history, symbolism, and special meanings.

Get Familiar with September Birthstone

September birthstone sapphire is formed of the second-hardest mineral and belongs to the corundum family, the same as ruby. The mineral corundum is naturally colorless, but trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, and chromium result in sapphires coming in a wide variety of colors except red. Red corundum gems are put into their own category called rubies.

Iron and titanium are accountable for the sapphire’s famous and strikingly deep blue color. In addition, the more iron present, the deeper and darker the blue color of the gem. However, the September birthstone can also be white or black. Moreover, it can come in gorgeous colors such as violet, green, yellow, orange, pink, and purple. These colored gems are called “fancy sapphires.”

Sapphire’s Rainbow Colors

White sapphire is corundum without either presence of the elements, much similar to the diamond. In fact, it can be used as an affordable substitute for diamonds. Yellow and orange sapphires are a result of the presence of iron and chromium. Pink sapphires form due to high amounts of chromium, and purple sapphires combine all three trace elements.

Finally, some of these September birthstones can change color depending on the lighting. In fact, sapphires show the phenomenon known as asterism (the star effect). It is a star-shaped concentration of light reflected or refracted within the gem, making the sapphire jewelry even more outstanding and notable.

Where is Sapphire Found?

Luckily for everyone born in September and in love with this precious gem, blue sapphire is the most abundant and affordable of all other gemstones part of “The Big Three.” Meaning it is widely accessible in contrast to the diamond and ruby.

Kashmir, Myanmar (formerly Burma), and Sri Lanka are three historically significant sources of sapphires. Furthermore, significant quantities of the September birthstone have successfully been found in Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar, and the United States (Montana), among other countries in Asia and Africa.

History and Symbolism

The name of the September birthstone, “sapphire,” derives from the Greek word “sappheiros,” which is how a blue stone was referred to. Traditionally seen as a symbol of trust, loyalty, and honesty, this September birthstone has kept an important place in History.

Sapphires have been for a long time considered a “Holly Stone” by the Catholic Church, and Clerics of the Middle Ages wore them, believing they were a gift from Heaven. Ancient Persians believed and used to hold close to the September birthstone, convinced the Earth rests on a giant sapphire, which made the sky blue like a blue sapphire.

Sapphire mystical powers

These precious stones have also been closely connected to mystical powers and the Gods. For example, ancient Greeks associated sapphires with Zeus, who was the God of the blue sky in ancient Greece, and his son Apollo, the God of the Sun and prophecy. Therefore, Oracles wore the blue variety of the September birthstone in order to enhance their ability and help them foresee the future.

In the past, the gem was even used to test a woman’s faithfulness and devotion to her husband. By this meaning, if a woman held a sapphire and it changed color, that was a sign that she had been unfaithful. But on the other hand, the stone carries a long romantic tradition as it is a traditional gift to celebrate the 5th and 45th wedding anniversary.

In addition, during the Middle Ages, the stone was believed to open the “third eye.” So now, during your yoga meditation, you can use your September birthstone to help you tap into your third eye chakra, providing you with wisdom and insight and strengthening your spiritual connection.

Biblical Meaning

In the Bible, the September birthstone is mentioned twelve times. Moreover, a legend says the Ten Commandments were inscribed on a blue sapphire tablet. That said, during the Middle Ages, Christian religious leaders, including Popes, Cardinals, and Bishops, were noted to wear sapphires in the name of purity and holiness.

Metaphysical and Healing Powers

Apart from being a symbol of nobility and purity, the September birthstone is believed to bring peace, offer mental clarity, and have calming properties. Throughout history, people have claimed that stone has the capacity to heal diseases and provide protection.

Royalty in ancient Greece and Rome believed wearing a sapphire would protect them from harm and envy and give them good fortune and wealth. Furthermore, Medieval Europeans cherished the stone, believing it enhanced their overall health and kept them strong. They also used the sapphire to heal diseases of the eye and as an antidote when poisoned.

Fancy Sapphires Symbolism

As you can tell, blue sapphires are associated with many legends, myths, and beliefs. However, the rest of the colored birthstones also have special symbolism and some interesting lore surrounding them.

For example, yellow sapphires are believed to have grounding and calming effects while also strengthening matrimonial relationships. Pink sapphire is the most romantic one among the sapphire’s color varieties and is said to bring luck and loyalty in love. Following, the green sapphires are connected to spirituality and provide their owner with mental clarity.

Next, the orange gems are said to sharpen intuition and give insight. The purple sapphires are associated with nobility, power, and strength, and finally, the black sapphires are thought to have the ability to level the mind and body.

Lastly, there are the six-rayed star sapphires, who were especially important in Christianity due to their resemblance with the three crossbars, the principles of faith, hope, and destiny. These birthstones have also been referred to as a “stone of destiny” and are believed to protect from the Evil Eye and the influences of evil spirits.

Famous Sapphires

The Rockefeller Sapphire

This flawless 62.02-carat (ct) blue sapphire was mined in Myanmar (Burma) and given to philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. from an Indian maharaja. The Rockefeller sapphire was first designed as a brooch and later as a ring featuring two cut-cornered triangular diamonds.

Logan Blue Sapphire

Another famous gem among blue sapphires is the Logan Blue sapphire, also known as one of the largest gems in the National Gem Collection. This 423-carat sapphire originated from Sri Lanka and was named after Mrs. John A. Logan, an American writer, and editor from Missouri.

Princess Diana’s Engagement ring

Perhaps the best-known sapphire in recent history is the 12-carat engagement ring of Princess Diana. The amazing piece of sapphire jewelry was set in an 18-karat white gold ring and surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds. After Princess Diana’s death, her son Prince William with this engagement ring proposed to his wife, Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.

How to Take Care of Your Birthstone Sapphire

With a 9 rating on the Mohs scale, the sapphire and the rubies are the second hardest gems after the diamond. This makes your sapphire jewelry safe for daily wear and ideal to come in the form of rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, and other jewelry. However, keep in mind that sapphires are usually treated to enhance their color or clarity, so procedures such as lattice diffusion, fracture filling, and dyeing may demand extra care and attention.

Use warm, soapy water and a soft brush to clean your birthstone. In addition, ultrasonic and steam cleaners can also be used for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion–treated gemstones. But fracture-filled or dyed stones should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.

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