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Sapphire has been associated with royalty, wisdom, and devotion for over two thousand years. It has appeared in the Crown Jewels, in Princess Diana's engagement ring, and in the robes of medieval clergy who believed it represented heaven. For a gemstone, that is a substantial history to carry into a birthday gift.
The September birthstone is sapphire, and it is one of the most recognisable stones in fine jewellery. Deep blue is what most people think of first, but the full range of sapphire colours is considerably wider than that, and worth understanding before you choose a piece.
Manna Jewellers in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter stocks sapphire rings, pendants, and earrings in 9ct and 18ct gold. Browse thegemstone jewellery collection online or visit the showroom to view sapphire pieces in person.
The September birthstone is sapphire, also the traditional stone for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.
The most prized September birthstone colour is deep royal blue, caused by trace amounts of titanium and iron.
Sapphire scores 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond, making it excellent for daily wear.
Sapphire occurs in almost every colour except red. Red corundum is classified as ruby, not sapphire.
Padparadscha sapphire, a rare pinkish-orange variety, is among the most valuable in the world.
The September birthstone's meaning centres on wisdom, loyalty, honesty, and protection.
Both Virgo and Libra claim sapphire as their zodiac gemstone.
Sapphire is the September birthstone, recognised as such across multiple traditions for centuries. It belongs to the corundum mineral family, which it shares with ruby. The distinction is colour: red corundum is ruby. Every other colour, including blue, pink, yellow, green, and white, is sapphire.
The name comes from the Latin "sapphirus" and Greek "sappheiros," both meaning blue stone. The blue in a sapphire comes from trace amounts of titanium and iron in the crystal structure. The most historically celebrated sources were Sri Lanka, then known as Ceylon, and Kashmir in northern India. Kashmir sapphires from the 19th century remain among the most expensive coloured gemstones at auction, known for a distinctive velvety blue that diffuses light in an almost luminous way.
The September birthstone colour most people recognise is deep royal blue. But sapphire comes in a range wider than almost any other gemstone.
Blue sapphire is the classic variety, ranging from pale cornflower blue through to deep midnight blue. The most valuable shade is a saturated, velvety mid-blue. Stones with too much grey or green read as lower quality. Stones that appear very dark in certain lights are also considered less desirable.
Pink sapphire has become increasingly popular in engagement and stacking ring designs. The colour comes from chromium. The boundary between a deep pink sapphire and a ruby is a matter of saturation rather than a clear categorical line.
Yellow sapphire gets its colour from iron. It is a warm, sunny stone that suits yellow gold settings particularly well and is associated with optimism in several gemstone traditions.
Padparadscha sapphire is the rarest and most valuable of the non-blue varieties. Named for the lotus blossom in Sinhalese, the colour is a delicate pinkish-orange unique to this variety. Genuine padparadscha sapphires from Sri Lanka are exceptionally scarce.
White and teal sapphires are also found. Teal sapphires have gained popularity as distinctive engagement ring stones.
|
Sapphire colour |
What causes it |
Notes |
|
Royal blue |
Titanium and iron |
Most prized and recognised September colour |
|
Cornflower blue |
Lighter titanium and iron ratio |
Softer, delicate appearance |
|
Pink |
Chromium |
Popular for engagement and stacking rings |
|
Yellow |
Iron |
Warm tone, suits yellow gold settings |
|
Padparadscha (pinkish-orange) |
Chromium and iron balance |
Rarest variety, Sri Lanka origin |
|
Teal |
Iron and titanium |
Contemporary, popular for bespoke rings |
Sapphire has accumulated meaning across a remarkable range of cultures over thousands of years.
In ancient Greece and Rome, sapphire was believed to protect against envy and harm. Medieval clergy wore it to represent heaven and divine favour, which is why it appears so frequently in ecclesiastical regalia and royal jewellery from that period. Ancient rulers wore it for protection and to ensure fairness in judgement.
The modern meaning of the September birthstone centres on wisdom, loyalty, and integrity. Its connection to faithfulness makes it a popular stone for engagement rings. Princess Diana's sapphire engagement ring, now worn by Catherine, Princess of Wales, is probably the most photographed piece of sapphire jewellery in the world.
Sapphire is also the traditional stone for the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries, and a 65th anniversary is sometimes called a sapphire jubilee.
It is one of the best gemstones for everyday wear. Sapphire scores 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, with only diamond scoring higher. This makes it exceptionally resistant to scratching during daily use. Rings take more contact than any other piece of jewellery, and sapphire holds up to that better than most coloured stones.
The stone is also resistant to chipping under normal conditions. For engagement rings, anniversary gifts, and September birthstone jewellery meant for regular wear, sapphire is both practical and symbolic.
Sapphire works across almost every jewellery style, but the setting and metal colour make a real difference to how the stone reads.
For rings, a blue sapphire in a claw setting lets in maximum light and shows the colour at its most vivid. Yellow gold gives the blue a warmer, traditional feel. White gold keeps the setting neutral and lets the sapphire's colour read clearly without competing warmth.
For pendants and necklaces, a sapphire solitaire on a fine gold chain is one of the most versatile birthday gifts. The September birthstone colour at the collarbone is immediately noticeable and transitions easily between casual and occasion wear.
For earrings, sapphire studs in yellow or white gold work well for daily wear. Drop earrings with oval or pear-shaped sapphires suit evening wear and occasions.
For a bespoke piece made to a specific brief, Manna Jewellers' bespoke design service covers custom sapphire settings across all styles and metals.
The September birthstone is sapphire, one of the four precious gemstones alongside diamond, ruby, and emerald. It belongs to the corundum mineral family, scores 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, and comes in a wide range of colours, with deep blue being the most recognised and historically prized. Sapphire has been associated with September across multiple gemstone traditions for centuries.
The most recognised September birthstone colour is deep royal blue, caused by trace amounts of titanium and iron in the crystal. Sapphires also occur in pink, yellow, white, teal, and the rare pinkish-orange padparadscha variety. The only colour corundum can be while still being called sapphire is red: red corundum is classified as ruby.
Sapphire is associated with wisdom, loyalty, integrity, and protection. Medieval clergy wore it to represent heaven. Ancient rulers wore it for protection against envy. Today, it is most commonly linked to faithfulness and mental clarity, which is why it is a popular choice for engagement rings, significant anniversary gifts, and September birthday jewellery.
Sapphire is an excellent choice for an engagement ring. It scores 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, suits daily wear well, and its association with loyalty and devotion adds personal meaning. Blue sapphire is the most traditional choice, but pink, teal, and yellow sapphires are increasingly chosen for a distinctive look without compromising on quality or durability.
Both sapphire and ruby are varieties of the mineral corundum. The only difference is colour. Red corundum is ruby. Every other colour of corundum, including blue, pink, yellow, and white, is sapphire. The boundary between a deep pink sapphire and a light ruby is a matter of careful grading, as the chromium content that creates both colours exists on a spectrum rather than a clear dividing line.
Manna Jewellers has been in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter for over 40 years. The gemstone collection includes sapphire rings, pendants, and earrings in 9ct and 18ct yellow, white, and rose gold, all hand-finished in the on-site workshop at Hockley Street. Bespoke sapphire jewellery is available through the design service for anyone who wants a September birthstone piece made to their exact brief. Book an appointment to view sapphire pieces in person.
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