Sapphire—one of two birthstones assigned to those born in September, along with moonstone—has been popular for thousands of years. And in that time, it’s come to symbolize some pretty noble traits, among them faithfulness, nobility, sincerity, and truth.
In ancient times, sapphire was believed to provide protection for the wearer, and as a result it adorned royals, important clergy, and other illustrious citizens of Ancient Greece and Rome. Buddhists were also known to use sapphire to achieve spiritual enlightenment, while Hindus used the gem during worship. Ancient Persian rulers thought that the earth rested on a giant blue sapphire that reflected this color into the heavens—what a (literally) precious planet they perceived!
But let’s get down to brass tacks regarding the famous blue gemstone—which actually forms in a rainbow of colors, not only shades of azure, cerulean, and navy.
Sapphires are super hard. They rank a 9 on the Moh’s Scale, the measure by which gemologists rank hardness in gemstones (diamonds are a 10). This toughness makes sapphires extremely popular among jewelers and jewelry lovers; they’re ideal for engagement and wedding rings, which are worn daily and famously get knocked around.
These gems are sister stones to rubies in that both are forms of the same mineral, corundum, made of aluminum oxide and are crystalized in slow-cooling igneous or metamorphic rocks.
Where are sapphires unearthed? Madagascar, Kashmir, Myanmar, Australia, and Sri Lanka are the leading producers of sapphire. And Sri Lanka produced the mega-sapphire Princess Diana of Whales chose of her engagement ring, bucking the tradition of a diamond center stone (fun fact: she chose an existing style from U.K. jeweler Garrard’s catalog, meaning anyone with the monetary means could also purchase the ring). The gorgeous engagement ring was passed down to future British queen, Catherine “Kate,” Princess of Wales, in 2010. The other uber-famous sapphires was also dug up in Sri Lanka: the 422.99 ct. Logan Blue Sapphire has been on display at the Smithsonian since 1971 and is the second-largest faceted sapphire in the world.
To celebrate sapphires and toast you September Babies, we’ve rounded up 10 new sapphire jewelry pieces we're true-blue smitten with.
Alison Lou 14k gold, sapphire, and enamel Heart Cocktail By The Yard Bracelet, $1,515
Jennie Kwon 14k gold and sapphire Journey ring, $515
Tiffany & Co. Lock bracelet in 18k rose gold and sapphires, $14,300; tiffany.com
Suzanne Kalan Frenzy pastel sapphire hairpin, $3,400
Robinson Pelham Bee black diamond yellow sapphire earwish, $660
Arman Sarkisyan Evil eye locket, $6,300
Pyrrha Small sapphire faceted stone 14k gold stud, from $695
Moritz Glik Core sapphire ring round, $2,250
Esqueleto Sapphire scalene necklace, $1,850
Rebecca Overmann Montana sapphire Totem ring, $6,256
