Sapphire: A Complete Buying Guide for September Birthstone

Sapphire, the birthstone for September, is one of the most cherished and storied gemstones in the world. Admired for its stunning beauty, symbolic depth, and exceptional durability, sapphire has been associated with royalty, wisdom, and truth for thousands of years. Whether you're celebrating a September birthday or simply love the allure of colored gemstones, sapphire offers timeless elegance and rich cultural significance that few gems can rival.

What Makes Sapphire the Birthstone of September?

Sapphire has been revered since ancient times, making it a fitting gemstone for the month of September. Its deep blue hue has historically represented purity, truth, and protection. In ancient Greece and Rome, royalty believed sapphires could ward off envy and harm. In medieval Europe, clergy wore blue sapphires as symbols of the heavens, while nobles used them as talismans of fidelity and virtue.

Across various cultures, sapphire has symbolized wisdom, loyalty, and sincerity. Its durability and symbolic power have made it a natural choice for engagement rings, with the most famous example being Princess Diana’s iconic blue sapphire ring, later passed on to Catherine, Princess of Wales. This legacy has helped keep sapphire at the forefront of modern jewelry design.

Even today, sapphire is more than just a birthstone. It is a gemstone chosen for its symbolism as much as its beauty—used in gifts, milestones, and personal talismans to represent depth, trust, and lasting commitment.

What Is Sapphire?

Sapphire is a precious gemstone composed of corundum, a mineral made of aluminum oxide. It ranks 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it the second hardest natural gemstone after diamond. This remarkable durability means sapphire can withstand everyday wear, making it ideal for rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Optical and Physical Properties

Sapphire’s beauty also stems from its optical traits. It has a refractive index between 1.762 and 1.770, giving it brilliance and internal reflections when well-cut. Its luster is vitreous (glass-like), and many sapphires show pleochroism, meaning they display different colors from different angles. These optical features enhance sapphire’s visual appeal and contribute to its popularity in fine jewelry.

What Colors Does Sapphire Come In?

Although best known for its deep, velvety blue, sapphire is found in nearly every color except red. Red corundum is classified as ruby, while all other shades are considered fancy sapphires. These include:

• Pink
• Yellow
• Green
• Orange
• Purple
• Teal
• White
• Grey
• Black

Some sapphires even display multiple colors (parti-color) or change color under different lighting conditions. Blue remains the most traditional and widely recognized, but fancy-colored sapphires offer unique and vibrant alternatives for modern jewelry lovers.

Why Do Sapphires Come in Different Colors?

The variety of sapphire colors is caused by trace elements within the crystal structure. These elements replace small amounts of aluminum in the corundum:

• Iron and titanium create blue sapphires
• Chromium results in pink sapphires
• Iron alone can lead to yellow or green
• A combination of iron and chromium may yield orange or peach tones

Each element affects how the stone absorbs and reflects light, producing the rainbow of fancy sapphire colors we see today.

What Is Padparadscha Sapphire?

Among the rarest and most sought-after fancy sapphires is the padparadscha sapphire. Named after the Sinhalese word for “lotus blossom,” this gem displays a delicate and unique blend of pink and orange. Padparadscha sapphires are typically found in Sri Lanka and Madagascar and are highly prized for their rarity and exceptional beauty. Due to their limited availability and distinct color, padparadscha sapphires often command higher prices than most other fancy sapphires.

What Are Star and Color-Change Sapphires?

Sapphires can also exhibit fascinating optical effects. Star sapphires display a star-like pattern across the surface when cut into a cabochon. This effect, known as asterism, is caused by needle-like inclusions of rutile within the stone. Color-change sapphires, on the other hand, shift color under different light sources—for example, appearing blue in daylight and purple under incandescent light.

Natural vs Lab-Grown Sapphires

Sapphires can be either naturally formed or created in laboratories. Natural sapphires form over millions of years in the Earth’s crust and often feature unique inclusions. Lab-grown sapphires are chemically and optically identical to their natural counterparts but are grown under controlled conditions using techniques like the flame fusion or Czochralski process.

Lab-created sapphires typically have fewer inclusions and more uniform color, offering excellent value at a more accessible price point. Both natural and lab sapphires are considered real sapphires.

Are Sapphires Treated?

Yes, most sapphires are heat-treated to enhance their color and clarity. This is a standard, permanent, and widely accepted treatment in the gem industry. Some sapphires are untreated, known as “no-heat” sapphires, and these are rarer and often more expensive. Treatments should always be disclosed, and reputable sellers will provide gemological reports confirming whether a stone is treated.

Where Are Sapphires Found?

Sapphires are mined in several countries, each producing stones with unique characteristics. Key sources include:

Sri Lanka (Ceylon)

Renowned for high-quality sapphires with excellent brilliance and a wide range of colors. Traditional mining methods in Sri Lanka are low-impact and environmentally conscious.

Madagascar

A leading modern source for fancy-colored sapphires. Stones from Madagascar are often bright and clean, and ethical mining is increasingly emphasized.

Australia

Known for producing inky blue, green, and teal sapphires. Australian mining operations are subject to strong environmental and labor protections, with many companies focusing on sustainability and land rehabilitation.

Montana (USA)

Montana sapphires are famous for their steel-blue and pastel hues. Many American mines emphasize traceability, ethical sourcing, and environmentally responsible practices.

Kashmir and Myanmar

Although less productive today, historical mines in Kashmir and Burma (Myanmar) produced some of the world’s most prized blue sapphires with velvety textures and intense saturation. These sapphires are extremely rare and collectible.

Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing

Today, many jewelers prioritize responsible sourcing, partnering with mines and suppliers that adhere to ethical labor practices, environmental protection, and community engagement. Certifications and origin documentation can offer transparency, especially for higher-value purchases.

How to Choose a Sapphire?

When choosing a sapphire, several factors determine its beauty and value. Unlike diamonds, sapphires do not follow a universal grading system. Instead, buyers should focus on a combination of visual characteristics and reputable documentation.

Color

Color is the most important factor in determining sapphire quality. The ideal blue sapphire has a vivid hue with a medium to dark tone and strong saturation. For fancy sapphires, vibrant and evenly distributed color is also preferred.

Cut

Sapphire cuts are designed to maximize color rather than sparkle. Shapes like oval, cushion, and pear are common, but round, emerald, and custom shapes are also available. Well-cut sapphires will display brilliance and color evenly across the surface.

Clarity

Sapphires often contain inclusions, which are more accepted than in diamonds. Eye-clean stones are more valuable, but some inclusions can confirm the stone’s natural origin. Lab sapphires usually appear clearer and more consistent.

Carat and Size

Sapphire is denser than diamond, meaning it will look smaller at the same carat weight. Size is often measured in millimeters, and pricing is more influenced by color and quality than weight alone.

Origin

Certain origins—like Kashmir or Burma—can increase value due to rarity and historical prestige. Documentation of origin can support premium pricing for collectors.

Certification

Reputable gemological labs like GIA, IGI, and AGL issue sapphire reports detailing treatments, origin, and major quality indicators. Unlike diamond reports, these are not standardized, but still provide valuable information for buyers.

How Should You Care for Sapphire Jewelry?

Thanks to their high hardness, sapphires are excellent for everyday wear, but they still benefit from proper care and handling.

Cleaning

Use warm water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush to clean your sapphire jewelry
Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free cloth
Avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaners for treated or antique stones

Storage and Handling

Store sapphires separately in soft cloth pouches or jewelry boxes
Avoid wearing during sports, gardening, or cleaning to prevent scratching or impact
Remove sapphire rings before swimming or applying lotions and perfumes

Maintenance

Periodically check prongs and settings for security
Get jewelry professionally cleaned and inspected annually
Consider insuring valuable pieces with a jewelry-specific policy for added protection

Conclusion

Sapphire, the radiant birthstone of September, is a gemstone that embodies beauty, strength, and meaning. From its rich history and royal associations to its incredible durability and color variety, sapphire continues to captivate wearers across generations.

Whether you prefer the deep elegance of classic blue or the vibrant charm of fancy-colored stones, sapphire offers a versatile and meaningful choice for any jewelry collection. With proper care, your sapphire can become a lifelong treasure—one that speaks to truth, loyalty, and timeless grace.