September’s birthstone, the sapphire, is celebrated for its stunning hues and remarkable durability. As a member of the corundum family, sapphires rank 9 on the Mohs scale, making them exceptionally hard and ideal for everyday wear.
While most people associate sapphires with deep blue, they come in a variety of captivating colours, including violet, green, yellow, orange, pink and even colourless white—except for red, which is classified as ruby. This fascinating colour variation occurs due to trace elements within the crystal structure.
Historically, sapphires have symbolised sincerity, truth, and loyalty, making them a coveted choice for royalty and clergy. The name originates from the Greek word for “blue stone,” and ancient cultures believed that these gems could protect the wearer from harm.
Fun fact: In addition to being the birthstone for September, sapphires are also celebrated for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries and serve as the zodiac birthstone for Capricorn.
Blue is the classic colour of September’s birthstone, ranging from pale cornflower to a deep, velvety royal blue. The colour comes from tiny amounts of iron and titanium within the corundum crystal. This is the shade most people picture when they think of sapphire, and it remains the most sought after.
Sapphires in any other colour are known as fancy sapphires. The rarest is padparadscha, a delicate pinkish-orange stone named after the Sinhalese word for lotus blossom. Some sapphires even change colour, appearing blue in daylight and purple under incandescent light, while star sapphires show a six-rayed star that glides across the surface of the stone.
Sapphires are mined all over the world. Kashmir, Myanmar and Sri Lanka are the three historic sources most prized by collectors, and Kashmir stones in particular are famous for their soft, velvety blue. Today, large quantities of sapphire also come from Madagascar, Thailand, Australia and the US state of Montana.
Origin can have a real effect on value, which is one reason why many buyers ask for an independent gemmological report before choosing a stone.
September’s birthstone has been linked with wisdom, nobility and faithfulness for thousands of years. In ancient Greece and Rome, the elite believed that blue sapphires guarded their owners against harm and envy. Medieval clergy wore sapphires because the colour symbolised Heaven, and the ancient Persians believed the earth rested on a giant sapphire that made the sky blue.
That royal connection continues today. One of the most famous sapphires in the world is the 12 carat Ceylon sapphire engagement ring first worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, and now worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales.
Sapphire is one of the toughest gemstones, so jewellery set with September’s birthstone is well suited to daily wear. Warm, soapy water and a soft brush are all you need to keep an untreated or heat-treated sapphire clean.
Most sapphires are heated to improve their colour and clarity, a stable treatment that is widely accepted in the trade. Stones that have been fracture filled or dyed need gentler handling and should only be wiped with a damp cloth. If you are unsure, ask whether a sapphire has been treated before you buy it.
With their timeless beauty and rich symbolism, sapphires are not just a birthstone; they are a treasured gem for all occasions.
Garnet |
Amethyst |
Aquamarine |
Diamond |
Emerald |
Pearl |
Ruby |
Spinel |
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Sapphire |
Opal |
Citrine |
Zircon |
