What Is September’s Birthstone?
September 1st, 2021 / Alese Oldenburg
A birthstone is a special gemstone that signifies a birth month. The tradition of wearing one’s birthstone dates back to the 16th century, but it is still very much alive today. Wearing a traditional birthstone has sentimental value, be it wearing one’s own birthstone or that of one’s children or family members. Whether you’re shopping for a gift or a personal treasure, we’re here to answer all of your questions about the September birthstone.
So, what’s the birthstone for September? September’s birthstone is blue sapphire. Sapphires have a beautiful and storied past full of symbolism. Today, they are one of the most popular gemstones aside from diamonds. If you were born in September, consider yourself lucky to be able to call this precious gem your birthstone. Read on to learn more about sapphire and how to wear sapphire fine jewelry.
All About the September Birthstone
You may be familiar with the beautiful sapphire gemstone, but do you know its history, the plethora of colors it comes in, and its famous wearers? Let’s explore the uniqueness that is the September birthstone.
The September Birthstone Color
Sapphires are made of the mineral corundum, which most often appears in limestone and other rocks. Corundum is also the parent mineral of rubies (the July birthstone), which have a beautiful red hue. While the most popular color for a sapphire gemstone is deep blue, sapphires also come in other colors such as white, pink, violet, and orange, to name a few. When the color of a sapphire is anything but blue, it is considered a fancy sapphire. One of the most coveted fancy sapphires is the extremely rare padparadscha sapphire, a pinkish-orange color that ranges from light to medium in darkness.
Deep blue, however, is still the most popular and true color of sapphire. This hue of sapphire is what led ancient nations to believe the world itself was set upon a sapphire, causing the blue sky above. This color, too, is most closely associated with the September birthstone and jewelry that features it.
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The September Birthstone History
While the blue color is not considered a fancy sapphire, it has proven its elegance and timelessness since Ancient times. Long before it was a birthstone, sapphire was thought to ward off envy and even poison and heal. It was not only worn as jewelry and adornment on robes but ground into a powder to heal a variety of ailments. For these reasons, as well as its beauty, of course, it was sought after.
The largest and most famous sapphire was discovered in Sri Lanka in the 18th century. This is the 563-carat Star of India. Today, it is on display in the American Museum of Natural History.
While sapphire was associated with the month of September much earlier, it wasn’t until 1912 that the National Association of Jewelers created a standard list of the birthstones for each month.
The September Birthstone Meaning
The sapphire has held many meanings throughout time including wisdom, purity, sincerity, truth, faithfulness, and nobility. All of these noble attributes made the precious gemstone a favorite among kings and clergy. Its royal history dates back centuries but is also fairly recent. One of the most popular sapphire stones of all is the 12-carat sapphire that sat in the center of Princess Diana’s engagement ring to Prince Charles. The same ring now graces the ring finger of the Duchess of Cambridge, given by Prince William. Needless to say, modern sapphire engagement ring wearers are in good company, and sapphire engagement rings are still a beautiful option today.
All of this symbolism attracts many people to the sapphire, but its meaning of sincerity and faithfulness, as well as its place in the royal family, have solidified it as a prime stone for a unique engagement ring as well.
How to Select a Sapphire
Whether you have a September birthday coming up or you’re looking for jewelry with the blue stone, here’s how to choose a sapphire. Selecting a sapphire for yourself or someone special requires the same special attention as selecting a diamond. Given the popularity and rarity of high-quality sapphires, it may make sense to choose a lab created sapphire like the ones we carry at Diamond Nexus. Read on to learn how to select a sapphire that will shine beautifully in any piece of jewelry.
Pay Attention to Quality
Sapphires are one of the most durable gemstones, scoring a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means they are an incredible option for all kinds of jewelry, as they won’t easily scratch. However, as with any precious gemstone, it is important to ensure the quality of a sapphire stone before purchasing it.
Sapphires commonly have inclusions, but depending on the type and location of these inclusions, they can sometimes even enhance the look and light reflection of the stone. The most common inclusions are called needles because they look like thin, fine lines within the stone. Beware of imitation sapphires, which often appear flawless, but can be made of far less sturdy materials such as glass or tourmaline. By simply shopping for certified sapphires or having an experienced gemologist analyze the stone, you can avoid purchasing a faux sapphire.
If you are on the hunt for a sapphire without any inclusions, you will be better off with a lab created sapphire. Lab created sapphires are formed with advanced technology in a tightly controlled environment that often produces perfect stones. Plus, they are typically much more affordable than mined sapphires.
Choose an Optimal Cut
As with diamonds, the cut is an extremely important part of the overall quality of sapphires. Sapphires can be cut in a variety of shapes, so as long as the symmetry appears perfect, the stone is eye-clean, the sparkle is sufficient, and the shape is to your liking, it is an optimal choice for you.
How To Wear the September Birthstone
There are so many wonderful ways to wear the September birthstone, including a necklace, earrings, or a ring. Explore these options to discover which style of jewelry is the most suitable for you to show off your birthstone.
Pair It with the Appropriate Metal
The bright blue of a sapphire looks best set against the cool tone of white gold, platinum, or sterling silver. When shopping for sapphire jewelry, or choosing a setting for a sapphire, opt for one of these metals to ensure your precious gemstone stands out.
Highlight it with Diamonds
Sapphires also pair beautifully with other gemstones, certainly not the least of which is diamond. The contrast between the deep blue hue of a sapphire and the bright white of a diamond will have a scintillating effect on any piece of jewelry. Plus, because diamonds tend to reflect more light than sapphires, adding them to the setting of a sapphire necklace, bracelet, or ring will enhance the overall radiance of the jewelry. Even Napoléon took advantage of this gorgeous combination when he gave a two-stone sapphire and diamond ring to his wife Joséphine.
As a Necklace
One of the most famous sapphires is set in a gorgeous pendant necklace, surrounded by diamonds. This is the Blue Belle of Asia, a 392.52-carat cushion cut Sapphire. This isn’t the only necklace that features the September birthstone, though. Sapphire pendant necklaces are quite popular, actually. They are a stunning way to show off the stone’s captivating color and keep it close to the heart.
As Earrings
Sapphire gemstones look beautiful in necklaces, bracelets, and brooches, but if you want them to really stand out, consider a pair of earrings featuring this deep blue stone. Sapphire earrings complement all hair colors and skin tones. Plus, they can make anyone’s blue eyes pop. Consider a pair of stud sapphire earrings that you can wear from sunup to sundown or a brilliant pair of drop earrings featuring both sapphires and diamonds ideal for a special occasion.
As a Ring
When it comes to sapphire jewelry, rings are the most popular, and this wearable piece of jewelry is a wonderful way to showcase the September birthstone. The sapphire is striking as a center stone on a statement ring, such as a right hand ring, or an engagement ring, but a band made up of smaller sapphires of equal size is equally as stunning.
Create a Custom Piece
If you hope to give a piece of sapphire jewelry as a gift, what better way to personalize this present than with a custom design. With our custom jewelry service, you can create a one-of-a-kind engagement ring or another memorable gift around a gorgeous sapphire stone. You can also customize an existing Diamond Nexus piece to feature the September birthstone. This way, the piece of jewelry will be both sentimental and in a style you love.
Sources:
About Birthstones
GIA
Sapphire Buying Guide
History of Birthstones
LiveScience
Galerie
*Here at Diamond Nexus, we strive to provide valuable information while being clear and honest about our products. The Nexus Diamond™ alternative is a patented lab created diamond simulant that, among all simulants, most closely imitates the look, weight and wear of a diamond, with two exceptions – it is absolutely perfect in every way, and it costs significantly less. Price points and environmental facts expressed in this blog were taken from popular online retailers and may vary. Learn more about the environmental impact of mining by visiting our blog.