September Birthstone
: Blue Sapphire
Birthstone Color:
Deep Blue
The striking deep
blue of a quality sapphire is reminiscent of a cloudless night sky.
Ancient civilizations believed that the world was set upon an enormous
sapphire, which painted the sky blue with its reflection. This
legend, as well as the belief that the ten commandments were inscribed
upon tablets made of sapphire, gives September’s birthstone a royal
place among gemstones.
Named after the
Greek word "sapphirus", meaning blue, Sapphires have long been a favorite
among priests and kings, who considered them symbolic of wisdom and
purity. These gemstones are prominent among the British Crown Jewels,
and Prince Charles chose this as the engagement stone for his fiancée,
Princess Diana.
In ancient times,
Sapphires were thought to be protective against envy, and even against
poisoning. A common belief was that a venomous snake placed in
a Sapphire vessel would rapidly die! Ground to a powder, the blue
stone was believed to cure colic, rheumatism and mental illness, and
to strengthen eyesight.
Sapphire is a variety
of the mineral corundum. Corundum is found in every color of the
rainbow, with red being designated as ruby and all other hues Sapphire.
But the most prized color of Sapphire is a rich, deep blue. These gemstones
were mined as early as the 7th Century BC from India and what is now
Sri Lanka. They are found today in Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Myanmar,
Thailand, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China, Madagascar, and
the United States. Large specimens of Corundum crystals are rare,
although the 563-carat Star of India can be seen in the American Museum
of Natural History. This is the largest and most famous of star
Sapphires, which are cut to reflect light from inclusions within the
stone, revealing a bright six-legged star pattern.
The Sapphire is
second only to the Diamond in hardness, making it a durable gemstone
for setting into jewelry. A gift of Sapphire represents sincerity
and faithfulness. As nourishing to the soul as gazing up at the sky
on a summer day, this brilliant blue gemstone is truly a heavenly choice!
Please check here
to view our selection of simulated and genuine sapphire items.
