Credit: Image courtesy of GIA Institute.

September is for Sapphires

When you picture a sapphire, chances are you’re thinking of a rich, deep blue. But here’s the surprise—sapphires actually come in a rainbow of colors! From golden yellows and vibrant oranges to lush greens, purples, violets, and soft pinks, these “fancy sapphires” are just as breathtaking as their blue counterparts. There is one color exception–sapphires and rubies both fall into the corundum species. Rubies have to have a certain hue of red or it is called a pink sapphire.

Strength & Brilliance

Sapphires aren’t just beautiful—they’re tough. Ranking a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, they’re second only to diamonds in durability. That makes them an ideal gemstone for jewelry you’ll wear every day, from engagement rings to anniversary gifts.

Credit: Photo by W.carter, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

A Gem Steeped in History

Sapphires have captured human imagination for centuries. Ancient Greeks wore them when consulting oracles, believing they could offer divine guidance. Buddhists saw sapphires as a path to spiritual enlightenment. In Hindu rituals, they were sacred offerings, while early Christian kings trusted sapphires to protect them in battle and symbolize heavenly favor. Across cultures, sapphires became synonymous with wisdom, faith, and nobility.

The Royal Symbol of Love

Fast forward to medieval Europe, where sapphires symbolized fidelity and protection from envy. Kings often wore them as talismans of power. But perhaps the most famous sapphire of all is a royal engagement ring: the stunning 12-carat sapphire given to Lady Diana by then-Prince Charles. Decades later, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with the very same ring, cementing sapphires as a global symbol of romance and timeless love.

Credit: Photo by Ian Jones , CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Beyond Blue: Rare Finds & Mystical Wonders

Among the most sought-after fancy sapphires are pink sapphires, treasured for their rarity and soft, romantic glow. Even rarer still are Padparadscha sapphires, gems with a mesmerizing pinkish-orange hue that mirrors the colors of a tropical sunset. Their name comes from the Sinhalese word for “lotus blossom,” and they’re considered some of the most valuable sapphires in the world. [Read more about Padparadscha sapphires here]

Another captivating variety is the star sapphire—gems that display a shimmering star-shaped pattern across their surface. This effect, called asterism, is caused by tiny inclusions within the stone, and these starry sapphires were once believed to hold extraordinary powers of luck and protection.

Credit: Image by James St. John, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Symbolism & Milestones

Sapphires carry layers of meaning—nobility, truth, loyalty, and romance. They’ve been the go-to gemstone for love long before diamonds took center stage in engagement traditions. Today, they’re still beloved as anniversary gifts, especially for the 5th and 45th years of marriage.

The Science Behind the Sparkle

Part of what makes sapphires so fascinating is that they’re allochromatic gems—their colors come from trace elements within their crystal structure. For example, iron and titanium create the classic blue hues, while chromium can bring out pinks. All sapphires belong to the corundum family, a mineral prized for both its beauty and resilience.

💙 Whether you’re drawn to their royal history, their mystical symbolism, or simply their dazzling colors, sapphires are much more than just September’s birthstone. They’re timeless treasures—shining symbols of love, strength, and wonder.

Shop our September Birthstone Collection to celebrate the beauty of this timeless gemstone.