September Birthstone Sapphire: The Gem of Wisdom & Loyalty!

September marks a transition in terms of seasons—the warm days of summer give over to fall’s cool crisp, and the countdown to holidays begins. That transition is embodied in a gem that expresses calm, intelligence, and trust: the sapphire. Most everyone can visualize a deep blue for a sapphire, but the gem is actually a lot more variable and rich in its background, both in terms of its long and complex history, its rich cultural heritage, and its deep, rich spiritual connotations.

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In this article, we will discover the rich heritage, colors, meaning, and value of September’s birthstone and its powerful connotation with yet another famous gem, the ruby. No matter whether you’re searching for birthstone jewelry, birthstone pendants, or custom jewelry, sapphire continues to occupy a position amongst the most lasting and cherished stones in the universe.

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Sapphire at a Glance: Quick Facts

Before diving into a discussion regarding sapphire’s origin and meaning, a quick summary of its most significant traits:

Feature	Sapphire
Mineral Family	Corundum (same as ruby)
Mohs Hardness	9 (extremely durable)
Common Colours	Blue, pink, yellow, green, violet
Found In	Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Madagascar, Australia
Symbolism	Wisdom, fidelity, safeguard, trust
Common Jewellery	Rings, pendants, earrings, and bracelets

Sapphire is the naturally hardest gem (besides diamond and moissanite), and thus an ideal one for wear and tear jewelry.

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What is a Sapphire? Learning about September’s Birthstone

Sapphire is a form of corundum, the same mineral that forms rubies. Sapphires and rubies have but a single difference, and that is in colour—rubies have no colour but red, but sapphires can occur in a near-any colour with one exception: red.

Sapphires are most notoriously paired with a deep blue, but can occur in:

• Pink (sometimes disputed to be rubies)
• Yellow
• Green
• Purple
• White (colourless)

These variations occur through trace elements in its crystalline form. Iron and titanium, for example, give a blue tinge to sapphires, and chromium forms pink ones.

Star Sapphires: Nature’s Exceptional Miracle

Some sapphires have an asterism, in which rutile inclusions in thin layers produce a star-shaped when a cabochon-cut gem is under a powerful source of light. Sapphires with such a star form, termed star sapphires, have a strong demand for their mystical, heavenly appearance.

How Sapphires Get Treated

Not all sapphires develop with intact deep blue colors. Most natural sapphires are subjected to heat in high temperature furnaces for several weeks at a stretch in an attempt to intensify their colors. It is a simulation of natural processes and brings out the characteristic intensity for which sapphires have become famous.

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Sapphire and Ruby: Two Sides of a Coin

Sapphire and ruby are mineral twins and both corundum gems. The key differentiation is colour—only a red corundum is a ruby, and any other colors fall under a sapphire.

A helpful metaphor for such a symbolic contrast is to imagine ruby as sword and sapphire as shield

• Ruby (birthstone for July) is a signifier of strength, courage, and energy and a stone of boldness and activity.
• Sapphire (September birthstone) connotes trust, protection, and wisdom and expresses solidity and purity.

This yin-yang principle is responsible for why sapphires appealed to monarchs, priests, and leaders and why rubies appealed to warriors and general adventurers.

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What Does Sapphire Represent? What’s Behind the Deeper Meaning of September’s Birthstone

1. Wisdom and Knowledge

For centuries, sapphires have been regarded a wise and insightful gem. In the past, priests and students have been wearing sapphires in a quest for clear thinking and inner enlightenment. Sapphires’ blue color signified the grandeur of the universe and sky and encouraged deep thinking and mental growth.

2. Trust and Loyalty

Sapphires have been a long-standing metaphor for faithfulness and devotion and have, for that reason, become a best seller for engagement and anniversary gifts.

• In medieval European times, queens and kings adorning jewelry with a sapphire stone in a gesture of devotion and integrity
• Sapphires are traditionally gifted for 45th wedding anniversaries, representing decades of loyalty and unwavering love.
• Many royal engagement rings feature a sapphire, including Princess Diana’s renowned sapphire ring, now worn by Kate Middleton.

3. Protection from Evil and Danger

Sapphires were in times gone by considered protective talismans. In medieval times, they were deemed to:

• Guard yourself against poison and disease
• Ward off gods and demons
• Strengthen wearer’s integrity and determination

Many rulers and leaders kept sapphire amulets with them in an attempt to maintain clear thinking and protection from deceit.

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How to Style Sapphire: Fashion and Jewellery

Sapphires have been valued for centuries in high jewelry, and with its durability, it can be safely worn at any occasion. In gold or silver, jewelry with a sapphire emits sophistication and refinement.

1. Birthstone Jewellery

Sapphire birthstone pendants represent a traditional way to introduce one with this gem. A dark blue sapphire pendant connotes sophistication and protection and is an ideal gift for anyone in quest of guidance or security.

2. Birth Rings

Sapphire birthstone rings stand high in most in-demand forms in which to have this gemstone. As a solitaire sapphire ring or with diamonds, this gem is an everlasting expression of trust and fidelity.

3. Personalised Jewellery and Personalised Necklaces

For a dash of personality, sapphire custom pendants with combination stones (diamonds, emeralds, etc.) make a definite one-of-a-kind statement. With personalized inscriptions and birthstones of family and friends, it is even more meaningful.

4. Sapphire Earrings and Bracelets

• Sapphire stud earrings add a touch of elegance to any outfit.
• Sapphire tennis bracelets make a high-class statement, perfect for a party occasion.

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Birthstone Chart: All 12 Birthstones in One Place

Curious about birthstones for other months? Look at our birthstone chart and discover the meaning and origin of each birthstone, beginning with January’s garnet and proceeding through December’s turquoise.

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The Enduring Legacy of Sapphire

Sapphires are much more than lovely blue stones. Sapphires are icons of intelligence, trust, and heavenly protection and, therefore, one of the most valued stones in history. Their association with royalty, faith, and love kept them in high demand for centuries, and with such enduring value, they have not fallen out of demand even to date. Whether worn in birthstone jewelry, birthstone pendants, or custom jewelry, sapphires make an exciting choice for whoever seeks beauty, durability, and significance. In case you’re a birthday baby in September or looking for a gem with fidelity and inner smartness, then a sapphire is an enormously grand choice.

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