September's Birthstone: Sapphire

The September birthstone has traditionally symbolised sincerity, truth, faithfulness and nobility. For countless centuries, sapphire has adorned royalty and the robes of the clergy. The elite of ancient Greece and Rome believed that blue sapphires protected their owners from harm and envy. Clerics of the Middle Ages wore sapphires because they symbolised Heaven. The Sapphire was reputed to have healing powers as well.

Sapphires belong to the corundum family, and apart from blue they can also come in violet, green, yellow, orange, pink, purple and intermediate hues. However, when it comes to determining the value of a coloured sapphire, this one is most valuable when it possesses a vivid, velvety, deep royal blue tone. When the colour of the stone is supported by good transparency, even distribution of colour, well-executed cut and high carat weight, then the value increases. High temperatures can be used to intensify the gemstone’s colour, or even get rid of the “silk” inclusions to make it look more transparent. In recent years, the Royal Blue Sapphire has become the most popular colour due to being in the world's most famous engagement rings: Catherine, Princess of Wales’ and Princess Diana’s.

Sapphire Colour/Transparency Chart

The most rare sapphire is the Padparadscha, a pinkish-orange sapphire named from the Sinhalese for lotus blossom. It was originally found in Sri Lanka and was considered a variety of the Ruby; although it can now be found in Tanzania and Madagascar as well. The differences between the Sri Lankan, Tanzanian and Madagascan Padparadscha relies on its colour: the ones sourced from Tanzania are browner, while the ones found in Madagascar are normally pinker than orange. This unique sapphire has caught the attention of the press and media ever since Princess Eugenie of York got engaged with a ring featuring this precious gemstone.