If you or a loved one was born in the month of September, then you might just be more lucky than those born in April. While April babies have the diamond birthstone, what they don’t have is the royalty-tied, spiritual-filled sapphire, which happens to be the September birthstone.
The encapsulating deep blue hue has an interesting background wrapped in history that makes the ring all the more special to gift someone today. If you’re shopping for a September-born loved one or want to read up on your month’s birthstone, here’s everything to know about the sapphire and how to find the most elegant piece of sapphire jewelry that fits your budget.
What Is the September Birthstone?
Here’s everything to know about the interesting background of September’s alluring birthstone: the sapphire.
Meaning & Symbolism of Sapphire
Historical Significance & Legends
The sapphire dates all the way back to Ancient Greek and Roman times before becoming a wealthy symbol of royalty in the Renaissance period. Its royal ties were elevated in 1981 when Prince Charles proposed to Princess Diana with the signature sapphire ring that was later given to Kate Middleton in 2010 when Prince William proposed with the same ring.
Beyond its royal ties, the sapphire has interesting ancient myths and lore. In ancient times, the Greeks and Romans believed that sapphire stones brought protection and wisdom while others believed the stone bestowed blessings on their life. In Biblical times, it’s believed by ancient Hebrews that the 10 Commandments Moses received from God were written on stones of sapphires.
Cultural & Spiritual Symbolism
These myths and legends are where sapphires get the notion that they bring physical healing and divine protection. Other than being a striking blue jewel, the sapphire’s historical and Biblical ties have exceptional symbolism such as royalty, wealth, nobility, divine wisdom, and protection.
In the middle ages, the sapphire also adopted the symbolism of heaven as people correlated the blue shade of the stone to the color of the sky on top of the belief that sapphires brought healing and protection from God.
Sapphire Varieties & Color Range
Classic Blue Sapphires
A deep royal blue is the classic shade of sapphire, but there are other hues within this shade you can find in sapphire jewelry. You’ll also find hues like baby blue, teal, and cornflour blue in sapphire stone jewelry.
When people think of sapphires, blue tends to be the dominant, most-favorited color for the gemstone. That’s because this color’s historical ties and symbolism of nobility and wealth are what people most associate with the color of the stone. However, you’d be surprised to know that blue isn’t the only color you can find in sapphires.
Fancy & Padparadscha Sapphires
If you like what the sapphire stands for but want to branch out from the traditional blue, you’ll be happy to know that there’s a host of various shades you can choose from! Sapphires come in an array of colors from green to yellow, white, orange, and even pink!
But while you can find single shades, we love padparadscha sapphires. This unique, vibrant color blends pink and orange to create a sunset-looking visual. It’s often called the “seed of the lotus” since it’s reminiscent of the flower’s color.
Where Is Sapphire Found?
Major Mining Locations
Sapphires are mined all over the world with major mining locations being in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Australia, and Montana. Miners typically find sapphire stones in riverbeds once the stone has been eroded from its original location and carried downstream somewhere else. But they can also be found in metaphoric rocks.
Ethical & Sustainable Mining Practices
While real jewels are incredibly significant and rare, they come with a major downside: unethical mining practices. Mining for gemstones often causes habitat destruction, water pollution, and even unsafe or unfair work environments.
Thankfully, there are ethical and sustainable practices in place. Fair working wages and safe locations exist within Montana and Australia where it’s been documented that these locations have adopted fair-trade initiatives. Some mining locations have also started restoring the area they mine in and now use toxic-free chemicals to prevent pollution.
How to Choose & Buy Your September Birthstone
The Four Cs for Sapphires – color, clarity, cut, carat and their impact on value.
Similar to diamonds, sapphire jewelry comes with 4 characteristics that all play a part in determining the stone’s quality and value: color, clarity, cut, and carat. Here’s what to know about each when buying a September birthstone.
- Color: This breaks down the exact color of the sapphire. How vibrant the color is increases the value of the stone, especially when it’s the traditional deep blue color.
- Clarity: This observes how many internal flaws the gemstone has. The fewer flaws that’s found, the higher the value is of the stone.
- Cut: Cut refers to the various facets of the stone and how much brilliance the stone has to reflect light and make the piece sparkle.
- Carat: This determines the weight of the stone. The higher the weight, the higher the price.
Price Ranges & Budgeting Tips
Sapphire jewelry tends to cost less than diamond jewelry but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their expensive price points. Like a diamond, sapphires are priced based on their color, clarity, and carat weight so you can expect to pay more for a sapphire that contains a deep shade of blue, little to no flaws, and has a high carat weight.
It’s not uncommon to find lab-grown sapphire jewelry under $500, but there are some pieces that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. If you’re thinking about purchasing this September birthstone for an engagement ring or special gift, here are some budgeting tips to keep in mind while shopping:
- Choose a lab-grown sapphire: Lab-grown sapphires are still as real as those mined in the earth since they contain the same chemical and physical properties. The only difference is where they are created. Since lab-grown diamonds aren’t mined, they’re significantly cheaper.
- Lower your clarity and carat: Yes, we all love a big gemstone but they tend to come with higher price points. Try to find a sapphire necklace or ring with a lower clarity rating and carat weight to stick with your budget.
- Select a different color: If the traditional deep blue isn’t a need, try opting for a different shade like green, pink, or orange. These colors aren’t as sought after which makes them in less demand and cheaper than a classic blue sapphire.
Caring for Your Sapphire Jewelry
Cleaning & Maintenance
Real and lab-grown diamonds should both be cared for the same way to preserve the stone’s elegance and beauty for years to come. It’s recommended that sapphire jewelry is cleaned at home with a mix of warm water and dish soap every month or every other month before taking it to a professional to clean once or twice a year.
Follow these steps to clean your sapphire jewelry properly and safely on your own:
- In a bowl, mix together warm water and a few drops of dish soap.
- Soak your jewelry in the solution for 10-20 minutes.
- Gently scrub the stone with a soft brush or an old toothbrush to remove dirt or buildup.
- Rinse the soap off with lukewarm water before drying thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
Storage & Handling
Whenever your sapphire jewelry is not in use, it should be stored in either a soft-lined box or soft cloth. This keeps it shielded from other pieces of jewelry to prevent it from becoming scratched. You should also never wear your sapphire jewelry when you’re about to do strenuous exercises or sleep since these can scratch your stone too.
Sapphire as a Gift & Jewelry Ideas
Anniversary & Milestone Gifts
A September birthday isn’t the only reason to gift someone a sapphire; anniversaries are just as special for this gorgeous jewelry. With the stone’s ties to royalty and nobility – like the royal engagements – it’s fitting to shower a loved one with this highly symbolized stone to show your love, devotion, and commitment on any anniversary or major life milestone.
Popular Jewelry Styles
This September birthstone comes in an array of jewelry styles to best fit your loved one. Its most popular jewelry style tends to be rings or necklaces to make bold statements, but you can also showcase sapphires in a pair of complementary earrings or an elegant bracelet.
If you’re planning to propose and want a ring different from the standard diamond, there are beautiful options with this stone like our 14k Oval Shape Sapphire and Diamond 3 Stone Ring or 14k Round Sapphire Halo Diamond Engagement Ring.