September Birthstone: The Timeless Sapphire
Few gemstones carry the prestige, beauty, and history of the sapphire. As September’s birthstone, the sapphire has long been cherished as a symbol of wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. With its deep blue hues and exceptional durability, the sapphire continues to be one of the most sought-after gemstones in fine jewelry today.
In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about sapphires, from how they form in the earth, where they are found, and their unique properties, to their history, symbolism, and modern appeal.
How Sapphires Form
Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, composed primarily of aluminum oxide. When trace elements like iron and titanium are present, they create the stone’s rich blue color. Corundum crystals form deep within the earth’s crust under high pressure and heat, often in metamorphic rocks such as schist and gneiss, or in alluvial deposits where weathering has carried them downstream over thousands of years.
Interestingly, sapphires can be found in a range of colors, pink, yellow, green, purple, and even colorless, but the rich royal blue sapphire remains the most iconic. The only color corundum cannot be is red; those gems are classified as rubies.
Sources of Sapphires
Sapphires are mined in several parts of the world, each region producing stones with distinct characteristics:
Sapphires are cut into a variety of shapes, from classic rounds and ovals to fancy cuts like cushions and emeralds. The way a sapphire is cut greatly influences its brilliance, as the cutter must carefully balance depth, color zoning, and clarity.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphires rank 9 out of 10, second only to diamonds. This makes them exceptionally durable and ideal for everyday wear, whether in rings, pendants, or earrings.
Healing and Symbolic Properties
Throughout history, sapphires have been associated with powerful healing and symbolic qualities:
The sapphire’s history is as rich as its color. Ancient Persians believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire, and its reflection made the sky blue. In medieval Europe, sapphires symbolized heaven, and clergy wore them to represent purity and wisdom.
Royalty has long favored sapphires as well. One of the most famous examples is Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, now worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales. This iconic piece cemented sapphires as a timeless symbol of love and devotion.
Why Choose Sapphire Jewelry?
Sapphires offer the perfect balance of beauty, durability, and symbolism. Their incredible hardness makes them suitable for heirloom-quality jewelry, while their rich colors add sophistication to any collection. Whether chosen as a birthstone gift, an anniversary present, or an engagement ring, sapphires remain one of the most meaningful gemstones.
At Hopman Jewelers, we carry a wide selection of sapphire jewelry, from classic solitaire rings to modern designs accented with diamonds. With expert guidance from our GIA Graduate Gemologist, you can feel confident in selecting the perfect sapphire that reflects both your style and story.
Few gemstones carry the prestige, beauty, and history of the sapphire. As September’s birthstone, the sapphire has long been cherished as a symbol of wisdom, loyalty, and nobility. With its deep blue hues and exceptional durability, the sapphire continues to be one of the most sought-after gemstones in fine jewelry today.
In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about sapphires, from how they form in the earth, where they are found, and their unique properties, to their history, symbolism, and modern appeal.
How Sapphires Form
Sapphires are a variety of the mineral corundum, composed primarily of aluminum oxide. When trace elements like iron and titanium are present, they create the stone’s rich blue color. Corundum crystals form deep within the earth’s crust under high pressure and heat, often in metamorphic rocks such as schist and gneiss, or in alluvial deposits where weathering has carried them downstream over thousands of years.
Interestingly, sapphires can be found in a range of colors, pink, yellow, green, purple, and even colorless, but the rich royal blue sapphire remains the most iconic. The only color corundum cannot be is red; those gems are classified as rubies.
Sources of Sapphires
Sapphires are mined in several parts of the world, each region producing stones with distinct characteristics:
- Sri Lanka (Ceylon): Known for vibrant, lighter blue sapphires often called "Ceylon sapphires." These gems are highly prized for their brilliance.
- Kashmir (India): Produces rare, velvety blue sapphires with a unique soft luster. Although production has slowed, Kashmir sapphires remain legendary.
- Myanmar (Burma): Offers rich, royal blue stones that are considered some of the finest in the world.
- Madagascar: One of today’s largest sapphire sources, producing stones in a wide range of colors.
- Australia: Known for darker, inky blue sapphires.
- Montana (USA): Produces distinctive blue-green sapphires, often treasured for their American origin.
Sapphires are cut into a variety of shapes, from classic rounds and ovals to fancy cuts like cushions and emeralds. The way a sapphire is cut greatly influences its brilliance, as the cutter must carefully balance depth, color zoning, and clarity.
On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphires rank 9 out of 10, second only to diamonds. This makes them exceptionally durable and ideal for everyday wear, whether in rings, pendants, or earrings.
Healing and Symbolic Properties
Throughout history, sapphires have been associated with powerful healing and symbolic qualities:
- Wisdom and Truth: Believed to enhance clarity of thought, honesty, and insight.
- Protection: Worn by clergy and royalty for centuries as a talisman against envy and harm.
- Calm and Serenity: Thought to bring peace of mind and help with focus and self-discipline.
- Healing: Some traditions hold that sapphires promote physical healing, particularly for eye health and mental clarity.
The sapphire’s history is as rich as its color. Ancient Persians believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire, and its reflection made the sky blue. In medieval Europe, sapphires symbolized heaven, and clergy wore them to represent purity and wisdom.
Royalty has long favored sapphires as well. One of the most famous examples is Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, now worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales. This iconic piece cemented sapphires as a timeless symbol of love and devotion.
Why Choose Sapphire Jewelry?
Sapphires offer the perfect balance of beauty, durability, and symbolism. Their incredible hardness makes them suitable for heirloom-quality jewelry, while their rich colors add sophistication to any collection. Whether chosen as a birthstone gift, an anniversary present, or an engagement ring, sapphires remain one of the most meaningful gemstones.
At Hopman Jewelers, we carry a wide selection of sapphire jewelry, from classic solitaire rings to modern designs accented with diamonds. With expert guidance from our GIA Graduate Gemologist, you can feel confident in selecting the perfect sapphire that reflects both your style and story.