September Birthstone: Sapphire

Though the people born in September only have one birthstone, the sapphire can be found in a wide variety of hues. Sapphires are the mineral form of corundum, and while red sapphires are called rubies all other colors are considered variations of sapphires. The most typical stone found is blue, ranging from a light blue to blue-black. The most rare and valuable is a medium-to-light cornflower blue that is mostly found in Kashmir, India, though Australia is the most abundant source of sapphires.

The sapphire has historical importance in many different societies. It was the gem of Apollo, the Greek god of prophecy, and visitors wore sapphires to his shrine when seeking his help. Before and throughout the Middle Ages, it was said to be worn by priests to protect them from impure thoughts and temptations. The wives of warriors were presented with this stone to ensure their faithfulness, because it was believed that the stone would darken when worn by an adulterer.

Pictured below are just a few of the many different shapes and colors of sapphires that we have in our loose stone collection. While traditionally the September birthstone is a blue sapphire (pictured in oval and cushion-cabochon), nearly every color of the rainbow is available. Also pictured are trillion pink and purple sapphires and a brilliant yellow sapphire.