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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What gemstone symbolizes each month’s birth?
What stones represent each month’s birth? Garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, alexandrite, ruby, peridot, sapphire, tourmaline, topaz, and blue topaz are the gemstones associated with the months of January through December. Find out more about these well-known gemstones.
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:
Can sapphire be worn as a birthstone?
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.
Are there two birthstones for each month?
Although each month has a single birthstone traditionally, certain months have numerous birthstones. This fact does cause some confusion, but the variety of possibilities for some months was developed to give customers a choice of less expensive selections in addition to the more typical, pricey stones.
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.
Why is sapphire the birthstone for September?
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 stands for the sapphire?
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.
Are there two birthstones for Pisces?
What are the birthstones for Pisces? Aquamarine, bloodstone, and amethyst are the birthstones for Pisces. We’ll examine these stones in more detail and discuss why they are deserving of the title “stones of Pisces” in this gemstone guide.