September Birthstone: Sapphire
The birthstone for the month of September is sapphire. Derived from the same mineral as the ruby, the sapphire is one of the most distinctive and recognizable gemstones in the world. With a striking appearance and a rich history, this unique gemstone makes a wonderful focal point for any piece of jewelry. Here is some more information about the radiant and elegant September birthstone.
The History of Sapphire
The word sapphire has many origins: the Latin sapphirus, the Arabic safir, and the the Greek word sappheiros. The name sapphire also may have come from the Greek island of Sapherine, located in the Arabian Sea, where large deposits of sapphire stones were found in ancient times.
Sapphire has been popular throughout the world for centuries. Sapphire was the gemstone of the Greek god Apollo, god of the sun. In the Middle Ages, sapphire came to represent purity. Medieval priests would wear sapphire to ward off impure thoughts, kings wore the gemstone to keep away harm and envy, and it was commonly believed that wearing sapphire brought you closer to heaven.
Qualities of Sapphire
Sapphire can be found all over the world but the biggest sapphire deposits are found in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. The rarest and most valued sapphires are located in Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma). The majority of sapphires in the United States can be found in the Yogo Gulch Mine in Montana.
Sapphires are typically blue stones that can range in hue from a lighter and paler blue to a deep indigo. They can also come in a rich and velvety violet-blue tone. Sapphires are also available in bold reds and pinks, but the deep blue is the most iconic sapphire tone.
Sapphire is a bold and beautiful gemstone that adds a striking visual appeal to any ring, necklace or bracelet. For your own customized sapphire jewelry, contact us today at Marlow’s Diamond and Design.