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.
In This Article...
What are September’s two birthstones?
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:
Which three stones are September’s birthstones?
September is symbolized by these three gemstones. Find out why they are the birthstones for September and what they symbolize symbolically.
The ninth month of the Gregorian calendar is September. September is the start of fall in the northern hemisphere and the start of spring in the southern hemisphere. Since September was originally the seventh month in the Roman calendar, the term September is derived from the Latin word septem, which means seven. The Virgo and Libra zodiac signs are both represented in September. Aster and morning glory are September’s birth flowers.
Three distinctive gemstones serve as the birthstones for the month of September. We chose sapphire, lapis lazuli, and carnelian as the three distinctive gemstones that best exemplify September for this post. Let’s examine these wonderful September jewels in more detail.
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.
Does your jewelry contain sapphires? If so, make sure it is as well-protected as possible. Click the button below to receive an insurance estimate for jewelry in less than a minute. No private information is necessary.
What is crystal from September?
According to the American Gem Society, sapphire is the birthstone for September. Another well-known gemstone that is used as a conventional substitute for sapphire is lapis lazuli. Sapphire and lapis lazuli are available from Crystal Joys in both rough and polished forms.
What color is a Libra?
Pink and blue, which assist open the heart and soften one’s presence, are the colors of Libra. These soft colors, which represent a cool, tranquil air, give Libra’s demeanor a calming and endearing presence. Pink emphasizes Libra’s kind and compassionate character, while light blue heightens clarity and balance.
What colors suit Virgos?
Virgos are realistic, devoted friends, perfectionists, and self-improvement enthusiasts. Given that this sign represents the Earth, its colors of green and brown are appropriate. These hues can be found in nature, with brown representing dependability and wisdom and green representing freshness, health, and vitality.
What color best represents September?
What color is September? The deep blue sapphire, which is the birthstone for September, serves as the month’s official color. The midnight sky and the oceanic seas meet in the middle of this beautiful color. The color is also a common choice for September wedding color schemes since it represents loyalty and trust.
Alexandrite’s meaning?
Alexandrite is a gemstone with variable colors that shifts from a deep aqua green to a magenta to a lavender eggplant purple. The gemstone of good fortune, wealth, and intelligence is alexandrite. It can help you find the balance of who you are by representing the harmony between the physical and the spiritual.
The gemstone alexandrite is quite recent. In the 1830s, it was discovered in Russia. Due to the stone’s rich green color and the fact that the miners were actively looking for emeralds at the time, they initially believed it to be one. They didn’t realize they had found a brand-new gemstone until the light shifted and the stone became purple. Because its red and green hues mirrored those of Imperial Russia, it was given the name “Alexandrite” in honor of Alexander the II, the Tzar of Russia.
Today, however, the majority of alexandrites are from Brazil, East Africa, and Sri Lanka. In a laboratory, alexandrites can also be grown.