The Sapphire is the birthstone of September, and is often listed as one of the world’s most precious gemstones, along with Rubies and Emeralds. The Sapphire is traditionally blue in color, but can also be found in other fancy color varieties. The gemstone is most often associated with nobility and is used in different types of jewelry, thanks to its hardness and durability. Here, we will take a look at what the Sapphire gemstone really is, consider its origin, how its value is determined and also consider how these stones are used in jewelry.

The Color Varieties Of The Sapphire Gemstone

Sapphires are traditionally known for their royal blue color, which is one of the most important factors that makes these gemstones so precious to many people. A more intense blue color featured on a Sapphire gemstone equals a much higher price, while unattractive color features or the presence of a secondary color can greatly reduce the value of such a September stone. The blue color of a traditional Sapphire can range from a velvet blue up to a blue that contains hues of purple. Some Sapphires have a medium tone, while others are darker in color.

Apart from their most obvious color, being blue, September Sapphires are found in a variety of other colors as well. Some Sapphires reflect colors of green along with the blue, while others have their own distinctive color, such as the popular, yet rare pink Sapphire. There are also purple sapphires, yellow sapphires and orange sapphires.

Furthermore, Corundum’s Chameleons, a special kind of Sapphire that tends to change color when placed under certain circumstances, such as reflecting one color during daylight and another color during night time, have also been discovered. These are rare findings and much higher prices than the traditional options, as reported by the Gemological Institute of America.

The Meaning Behind The Sapphire Gemstone

The Sapphire gemstone is often linked to nobility and royalty, often due to the fact that several mentions of the Sapphire gemstone in history are in relation to royal families. A recent example would be the fact that Lady Diana received a September birthstone engagement ring that was fitted with an 18-carat traditional blue Sapphire gemstone during his proposal. Later on, the ring was, once again, used by Prince William to propose to his bride-to-be, Kate Middleton.

At a certain time, it was thought that the Sapphire gemstone represented the heaven. It was also thought that those wearing it would obtain blessings from a divine being. Some civilizations also believed that the Sapphire brought about answers from an oracle, while others thought the wearing of a Sapphire stone brought about enlightenment.

The Origin Of The Sapphire Gemstone

There are no specific time periods mentioned in the history of the Sapphire Gemstone, but the discovery of these gemstones have been dated back to ancient Greece. There are also mentions of Sapphire gemstones in certain religions, including both Christianity and Buddhism. Furthermore, Sapphires have been utilized as part of the Hindu worship service since ancient times.

Sapphire Gemstones In Jewelry Pieces

Sapphires are used in a variety of jewelry pieces. The stone ranks ninth out of ten on the Mohs hardness scale, making it just a little softer than the Diamond. This means Sapphires are more durable than most other natural gemstone, making it perfect for any kind of jewelry – even rings and bracelets that are worn on a daily basis.

Conclusion

Sapphire gemstones rank amongst the three most precious types of fancy September birthstone colored gemstones and are associated with nobility, enlightenment and wisdom. The stone has been dubbed the birthstone for September and is loved by thousands throughout the entire world. Some significant discoveries have been made in regards to the Sapphire gemstone, such as the 61,000 carat Millennium Sapphire, with a value of over $100 Million.