Sapphire, the September Birthstone on the Offical Birthstone List, is a time-honored classic and a favorite among many. Sapphires and rubies are the hardest gems (other than diamonds). Therefore, this durability makes them great options for everyday wear, for rings, and especially wedding rings. Sapphires are one of our favorite gems at Copeland Jewelers! As a matter of fact, sapphires are the center stone in most all of our staff’s wedding rings.
Speaking of wedding rings, headlines were made when Kate Middleton received Prince William’s proposal with his mother’s 18-carat blue sapphire ring. Therefore, making the already popular stone an outspoken romantic symbol and prevalent trend for wedding jewelry once again. In addition, the September birthstone is the most popular colored wedding ring stone. Plus, sapphire, the September birthstone, is also the gem of the 5th and 45th anniversaries.
And, if you’re wanting to shop sapphire jewelry, check out our sapphire jewelry inventory.
September Birthstone Meanings
- Rid unwanted thoughts and bring peace of mind and joy with Sapphire.
- Your mind opens to intuition and the beauty around you with sapphire.
- Blue Sapphire assists in healing the body.
- With blue sapphire, the throat chakra is stimulated. Therefore, assisting you in communication.
- Traditionally symbolizes fidelity, sincerity, truth and nobility.
Down through the ages sapphire has adorned royalty and the robes of the clergy. Clerics of the Middle Ages wore blue sapphire to symbolize Heaven. In ancient Persia it was believed that the earth actually rested on a giant sapphire, making the skies blue.
Sapphires Wide Color Range
Sapphires come in every color except red because a red sapphire is actually a ruby. Moreover, sapphires and rubies are both corundum.
A good rule of thumb – as with many colored gemstones, the highest quality sapphires have the most intense color with good saturation across the entire gem. And, this is true for any shade of sapphire, from blue, violet, purple and lavender to yellow, orange, green and black.
Forever Classic Blue Sapphire
By far, the most popular color of sapphire is blue which ranges in shades from really dark midnight blues to very pale shades. The prettiest and most valuable shades are in the medium to medium-dark tones. However, the velvety cornflower blues to violet blues are the gold standard in the gem world. You have a highly prized gem if your stone has strong to vivid color saturation throughout the entire gem. You want a deep rich blue color without compromising the brightness of the stone.
Kashmir Sapphires
Within the most beautiful and valuable Kashmir sapphires, there are tiny inclusions that scatter light enveloping the stone in a glowing velvety effect. And, above all, with no effect on its transparency. Consequently, this beautiful, velvety quality attributes to one of the few times when inclusions in a stone actually add to its value.
American Yogo Sapphires
Like many gemstones today, sapphires are commonly heat-treated to improve their color and clarity. Because they are rare, an untreated sapphire with good clarity will bring a much higher price. A good example is the vivid blue varieties from Yogo Gulch, Montana, because these sapphires are usually untreated and, as a perfect blue, they fetch a high price. Unfortunately, these mines have not been active recently, therefore, making them more scarce and expensive. Furthermore, Yogos rarely contain the fine, needle-like rutile silk found in sapphires from other regions of the world. Consequently, they usually have more clarity than other sapphires.
The Rest of the Sapphire Rainbow
Sapphire comes in every shade of the rainbow except red. Called fancy sapphire, the major color categories are:
- oranges and yellows – from bright lemon, soft peach, and vivid tangerine
- pinks, lavenders, violets, and purples
- greens
- colorless or white – Purest corundum is colorless. Complete lack of color means the more valuable it is as a colorless sapphire
- blacks
In addition, the famous padparadschas have the highest per-carat-value for any of the fancy sapphires. You will find these sapphires are intensely saturated with color and range from light to medium shades of luscious pinkish-orange to orangey-pink. Consequently, these are sometimes described as sunset colors.
More Special Sapphires
Star sapphires and star rubies belong to the “Phenomenal” Corundum category. The star effect is called asterism. Most importantly, on the top of these unusual stones, you can actually see a “star” floating. Plus, the star appears to hover over the top of the stone as you move it. Because of this beautiful, mysterious effect, asterism is considered a desirable inclusion.
Next, are color-changing sapphires. Typically, the color is blue in daylight or fluorescent light and will change to violet purple to a very reddish-purple under incandescent light. Or, more rarely, from green to reddish-brown.