September Birthstone (Sapphire)

History and Meaning of September Birthstone

For centuries, royals have used this rare gemstone as an extravagant decor, as it comes in various colors that range from blue to pink. But even so, blue sapphires are still regarded as one of the popular choices among people due to their exquisite and dark appearance. If the color is velvety blue or violet, it will have the highest price since it’s among the most-sought shades.

Sapphires symbolize nobility, truth, and faithfulness. People in ancient Greece believed that sapphires protected them from different harms. They held sapphire in high regard since they believed it symbolized heaven. These beliefs are followed by ideas that sapphire could treat plagues and even act as an antidote for poisons.

Sapphires are hard for daily wear in a ring, ranking at 9.0 on the Mohs scale of hardness. According to research, sapphires are the second hardest and long-lasting natural mineral gemstone. It is excellent to use as jewelry to wear daily and is widely used in engagement rings for its preciousness and hardness.

Origin of September birthstone

The critical source of sapphire is Kashmir, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. September birthstone is also found in Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar, and the US.

The Mogok area in Myanmar is the local farm for producing September birthstones. They typically occur alongside ruby deposits but in much smaller quantities than their red counterpart.

Price of Sapphire Birthstone

The most valuable sapphire is the cornflower blue color, known as Kashmir sapphire. They can range in price depending on the price. The price ranges from $25 per carat to over $11,000 per carat. While the most expensive sapphire was sold for $135,000 per carat. The price is determined on the quality, that means low-quality sapphire is a lot cheaper than a small but very high-quality sapphire.

Determining the Quality of Sapphire

1. Color: The first thing to look for is color; make sure to look at the saturation of the stone. The more intense the color, the higher the value; therefore, always look for the one with the highest concentration.

2. Inclusion: Many sapphires come up with an inclusion that raises the possibility that the sapphire is synthetic. People should opt for sapphires with no inclusion visible to the naked eye. Any high-grade sapphire will not have inclusions.

3. Carats: A carat is one of the weighing metrics used to determine the value of beautiful gemstones like sapphires. Larger stones with high carat have better value and quality than the smaller ones. Other than that, the gemstone’s color is an essential factor that determines the carat of a sapphire.

Benefits of September Birthstone

Traditionally a favorite stone of priests and kings, sapphire symbolizes purity and wisdom. From the middle ages, the gem was believed to protect lovers and represent loyalty and trust.

Known as the “wisdom stone”, each color of the September birthstone brings its particular wisdom. It releases stress, depression, unwanted thoughts and spiritual confusion. It restores balance within the body, aligning the physical and bringing serenity and peace of mind.

Sapphire stimulates concentration and brings lightness and joy. It is also known as a "prosperity stone," attracting all kinds of gifts and fulfilling dreams. It treats blood disorders by reducing excessive bleeding and strengthening vein walls. The September birthstone is also used for cellular conditions, regulates the glands and calms overactive body systems.

Cleaning and Care of September Birthstone

Besides the September birthstone, sapphire is the traditional symbol for the 5th and 45th anniversary. Sapphires are durable and not prone to chipping, cracking, or breaking. All you need is warm water and a small amount of mild soap. Once you have a dish of soap and water mixture, let your sapphire soak for 20 minutes, brush the gem with a soft-bristled toothbrush and then rinse the jewelry with clean water.

For better cleaning of natural sapphires, you can use ultrasonic, as most jewelers usually use these cleaning methods. Due to its durability and positive spiritual background, sapphire makes a nice gift for your loved ones. It is the most popular gemstone used in engagements, notably one of the famous sapphire engagement rings belonging to Princess Dianna and is now worn by the Duchess of Cambridge.