What is September birthstone? Sapphire, the official September birthstone, has captivated humans for centuries with its deep blue hue and rich history. From ancient myths to modern sapphire jewelry, this guide explores everything you need to know about this iconic gem.
Sapphire birthstone history
The sapphire’s history spans thousands of years and stretches across continents. In ancient Persia, people believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire and that its reflection gave the sky its blue color. In medieval Europe, sapphires were prized by clergy as symbols of heaven and worn by royalty to guard against envy and harm. These gems were also set into church treasures and coronation regalia, marking them as stones of divine authority.
14K White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ladies Ring
Major sources of sapphires began shaping history as trade expanded. Sri Lanka has been mining sapphires for over 2,000 years, producing gems that traveled along the Silk Road and reached ancient Rome and Greece. In the 19th century, Kashmir sapphires with their velvety cornflower blue became legendary after a landslide revealed rich deposits in the Himalayas, sparking intense demand across Europe. Later, Burmese and Madagascan sapphires entered the market, adding new shades and qualities to the world’s appreciation of the stone.
Sapphire symbolism and meaning
September birthstone meaning is rooted in loyalty, wisdom, and protection. People believed these gems could guide your thoughts, protect you on journeys, and even calm a racing heart. Here’s why sapphire has always mattered:
Wisdom and Knowledge: Imagine a philosopher in ancient times sliding a sapphire ring onto their finger, hoping for a spark of brilliance. Sapphires were thought to sharpen the mind and inspire clever ideas.
Loyalty and Fidelity: From royal engagement rings to meaningful gifts between lovers, sapphire became the go-to for showing trust that lasts.
Protection and Healing: Travelers tucked sapphires into their bags or wore them as talismans for courage. Healers swore they could ease stress and soothe the soul.
Spirituality and Divine Favor: Clergy and nobles saw sapphires as a link to the divine, a way to keep the spirit pure while attracting good fortune.
Truth and Honesty: More than a pretty stone, sapphire reminded people to speak their truth and act with integrity.
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Even today, the stone carries these layers of meaning, sparkling in sapphire rings, sapphire necklaces, and sapphire earrings. Every facet tells a story of loyalty, strength, and a touch of magic.
The September birthstone color palette
Sapphires may surprise you with a kaleidoscope of colors, not just blue. Gem experts often group them into two main categories:
Blue sapphire: the quintessential Choice
The September birthstone sapphire is most commonly blue, ranging from deep royal to cornflower shades. The Blue sapphire's meaning is tied to wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. Historically prized by royalty and religious leaders, these stones remain top choices for sapphire engagement rings and fine jewelry today. Kashmir sapphires, with their velvety blue hue, are considered the most desirable, followed by stones from Sri Lanka and Madagascar.
White sapphire: a brilliant alternative
White sapphires are completely colorless, often compared to diamonds for their clarity and shine. Their brilliance makes them a popular alternative for those seeking a diamond-like sparkle with the durability of sapphire. While diamonds typically steal the spotlight, white sapphires are a more affordable and unique option for engagement rings, offering a subtle elegance that still carries sapphire’s legendary hardness and symbolism.
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Pink sapphire: romantic and graceful
Pink sapphires vary from soft blush tones to vibrant fuchsia, making them a favorite for romantic jewelry. These gems are strongly associated with love, compassion, and feminine energy. High-quality pink sapphires from Sri Lanka and Madagascar are prized for their vivid, bubblegum-pink hues, while paler shades are loved for their subtle charm. Celebrities have also helped boost their popularity in engagement rings.
Mermaid sapphire: the fusion of blue and green
Mermaid sapphires are a relatively rare variety, displaying an ethereal mix of blue and green tones. The shifting color is often compared to tropical waters, giving these gems a magical and contemporary appeal. They are especially admired in custom jewelry designs, as no two stones ever look the same and each holds a unique balance of ocean-inspired hues.
Teal sapphire: modern and enigmatic
Teal sapphires are a step deeper into the blue-green spectrum, with richer saturation than mermaid sapphires. Their color evokes both mystery and sophistication, making them highly desirable for alternative engagement rings. Mined mainly in Australia and Madagascar, teal sapphires have been rising in popularity over the past decade, particularly for couples looking for a gem that feels modern yet timeless.
Padparadscha sapphire: the rarest of them all
Padparadscha sapphires are among the most prized gemstones, known for their unusual blend of pink and orange that mirrors the tones of a lotus blossom or a tropical sunset. Their delicate balance of color is what makes them so rare. Too pink and they’re classified as pink sapphires, too orange and they fall into the orange category. Because fine specimens are so scarce, especially those from Sri Lanka, padparadscha sapphires often command some of the highest prices in the sapphire family.
18K Yellow Gold Padparadscha Sapphire and Diamond Halo Ring
Yellow sapphire: warmth and optimism
Yellow sapphires radiate cheerful energy, ranging from pale lemon to golden canary hues. They have long been linked to prosperity, wisdom, and good health in Vedic astrology, where they’re considered especially auspicious. Jewelers admire them for their sunny glow, which pairs beautifully with both white and yellow metals. Their inviting color makes them a versatile choice for anyone seeking a vibrant yet meaningful gemstone.
Golden sheen sapphire: a celestial wonder
Golden sheen sapphires are unlike any other. Their defining feature is a shimmering metallic glow that moves across the stone as light shifts, a result of tiny inclusions of hematite and rutile. The effect is reminiscent of stardust or a solar flare, giving the gem a cosmic, otherworldly beauty. Because no two stones display the sheen in exactly the same way, each golden sheen sapphire is utterly one-of-a-kind and prized by collectors.
Green sapphire: nature’s subtle gem
Green sapphires bring to mind forests, meadows, and the calm of nature. Their colors range from soft sage and olive to deep pine, creating a palette that feels organic and grounding. Unlike emeralds, green sapphires are far more durable, making them practical for everyday wear. Symbolically, they are associated with tranquility, balance, and new beginnings, making them perfect for those drawn to earthy tones with a deeper meaning.
Purple sapphire: royal and unconventional
Purple sapphires shimmer in shades that vary from delicate lilac to rich violet. Their rarity and regal aura make them especially appealing to collectors who want something beyond the traditional blue. These sapphires often carry spiritual associations, linked with wisdom, imagination, and higher consciousness. Whether set in sleek modern designs or ornate vintage-inspired pieces, purple sapphires stand out as gemstones for those who value individuality.
Star sapphire: the stone of destiny
Star sapphires are natural marvels. When cut en cabochon, they reveal a star-like pattern that seems to hover on the gem’s surface, a phenomenon known as asterism. This effect occurs when rutile inclusions align just right to reflect light into a six- or twelve-rayed star. For centuries, these gems have been regarded as talismans of protection and good fortune, often worn to ward off ill will. Their mystical appearance makes them some of the most enchanting sapphires in existence.
Color-change sapphire: nature’s magic trick
Color-change sapphires are as close as gemstones get to performing magic. Depending on the light, they shift in hue, most commonly showing blue in daylight and violet or reddish-purple under incandescent light. This dynamic character makes them endlessly fascinating to look at, almost as if the gem is alive. Collectors cherish them not only for their rarity but also for the sense of wonder they inspire every time the light changes.
The Star of India: One of the largest star sapphires ever found, this 563-carat stone is famed for its striking six-rayed star effect, visible on both sides of the gem. Discovered in Sri Lanka and now housed at the American Museum of Natural History, it has fascinated gem lovers for centuries and even survived a notorious museum heist in the 1960s.
The Logan Sapphire: This 423-carat deep blue gem marks a benchmark for sapphire birthstone history.Originating from Sri Lanka, it was gifted to the Smithsonian Institution, where it remains a centerpiece of their gemstone collection. Its sheer size and clarity have made it a benchmark for sapphires worldwide.
Princess Diana’s engagement ring: Perhaps the most famous modern sapphire, this 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by diamonds caused a stir when Diana chose it in 1981. Unlike many royal rings, it wasn’t a custom commission but rather a piece from Garrard’s catalog. Today, it belongs to Catherine, Princess of Wales, linking two generations of iconic women to the stone. Read more about Princess Diana's engagement ring.
The Stuart Sapphire: Steeped in royal history, this 104-carat sapphire once traveled across Europe with the exiled House of Stuart. It eventually made its way back to England and is now set in the Imperial State Crown, resting in the Tower of London as part of the Crown Jewels.
The Rockefeller Sapphire: This remarkable 62-carat Burmese sapphire was once owned by the Rockefeller family and is considered one of the finest examples of Kashmir-like color outside of Kashmir itself. Its prestigious ownership and impeccable hue make it a reference point for sapphire collectors.
Buying guide: what to look for in a sapphire
Sapphires are treasures of nature, but not all are created equal. Knowing what affects their value will help you choose a stone that truly speaks to you.
The four Cs of sapphires
- Color: The heart of a sapphire’s value. The most sought-after is a vivid, velvety royal blue that appears neither too dark nor too light. For example, a medium-tone Ceylon sapphire may look brighter than a darker Burmese stone of the same size. Fancy colors like pink, yellow, and green can be more affordable but are quickly gaining popularity.
- Cut: Unlike diamonds, sapphires don’t follow a universal grading system. The cut is judged by how well the gem reflects light and shows off its color. An oval cut may enhance saturation, while a cushion cut can emphasize depth of tone. Poorly cut stones may appear dull or uneven in color.
- Clarity: Most sapphires have natural inclusions, sometimes called “silk.” A few fine needles can give the gem a velvety glow, while too many can make it cloudy. For example, a small feather inclusion is often acceptable, but fractures across the table will reduce both durability and beauty.
- Carat: Large sapphires with strong color are rare, which is why a three-carat sapphire of high quality can be exponentially more valuable than three one-carat stones. Keep in mind that sapphire density makes them appear smaller than diamonds of the same weight.
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Heat-treated vs natural sapphires
Heat-treated: Around 90% of sapphires on the market are heat-treated. This stable process enhances color and clarity, making stones more affordable while still durable. For example, a heat-treated 2-carat blue sapphire may cost a fraction of a natural untreated stone with the same appearance.
Natural (untreated): These are rare and command premium prices, especially with gemological reports from institutions like GIA or AGL confirming no treatment. Collectors and connoisseurs often seek these for their rarity and authenticity.
Ethical sourcing considerations
Origin matters: Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Kashmir, Madagascar, and Montana are among the best-known sources. Kashmir sapphires, famous for their velvety cornflower blue, are considered the most prized, though they are extremely scarce. Montana sapphires are valued for their traceable, ethical sourcing.
Responsible choices: Many buyers today ask about mining conditions and environmental practices. Look for sapphires sold with certifications or from jewelers who emphasize transparency. Choosing an ethically sourced gem means your sapphire carries beauty both inside and out.
Sapphire care and maintenance
- Cleaning and storing tips: Clean sapphires with warm, soapy water and a soft brush. Store them separately to avoid scratches from harder gems like diamonds.
- Why professional cleaning matters: Jewelers can check settings, polish the stone, and use ultrasonic cleaners safely, ensuring your sapphire retains its brilliance.
Alternatives to sapphire
- Lab-created sapphires: These share the same chemical structure as natural sapphires but are grown in controlled conditions, offering a budget-friendly and eco-conscious option.
- Other September stones: Historically, lapis lazuli was linked to September before sapphires became the official birthstone. Its deep blue shade still appeals to those who want a different connection to the month.
Written By: Gabriel Editorial Team
