What’s the best thing about being born in September? Cooler temperatures? Labor Day weekend? National Cheese Pizza Day (yes, that’s a thing)? Or is it that you have one of the most sought-after gems as your birthstone?
September’s birthstone is the sapphire, a stone as deep and mystical as the ocean and as wonderous as the night sky. When we think of sapphires, we typically imagine the romantic deep blue stone that graced Princess Diana’s (and now Princess Kate’s) wedding finger. Well, you may be surprised to know that sapphires come in a variety of colors like green, yellow, and pink.
All sapphires are a form of the mineral corundum. Blue corundums are considered sapphires, colorless are white sapphires, red are rubies, and all other colors are “fancy” sapphires.
What was that about rubies? That’s right rubies are actually red sapphires! Take that to your trivia night!
Because of their enchanting blue color, traditional sapphires have come to symbolize royalty, romance, sincerity, purity, truth, wisdom, fidelity, the soul, and heaven.
It’s no wonder they’re such a popular choice for engagement rings! Not only do they symbolize romance and fidelity they’re a 9 on the Mohs scale. Meaning they’re almost as durable as diamonds which measure in at a 10. This makes sapphires an excellent choice for everyday wear.
This gorgeous stone is also the traditional 5th and 45th wedding anniversary gift as it symbolizes wisdom. After all, if you haven’t gained any wisdom through those years, at least be wise enough to give an awesome gift!
Sapphires, rubies, and emeralds are known as “the big three” precious gems. Until recently all other gems were considered semi-precious.
Precious refers to the gems value. These gems command more respect, a higher price, and keep their value over time. Another reason for sapphires to be added to your wish list.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you that a sapphire should be your next gemstone purchase, consider these interesting (ahem weird) facts.
– In the 17th century it was believed that holding or wearing a sapphire would help you tell the future.
– In the 15th century they believed holding a sapphire near a spider would kill it.
– Grecian and Roman elite believed it would protect them from envy (because who’s ever envious of sparkling gems??)
Sapphires are found in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Brazil, Africa, and right here in the good ole’ US of A! That’s right! Montana produces a variety of beautiful blue, green, yellow, and pink sapphires. Yee Ha!
Here at Les Olson Jewelers, we pride ourselves in making pieces start to finish right here in the US. There will be no “Made in China” sticker anywhere near your custom jewelry. We love using Montana sapphires to complete this mission of creating jewelry right here, at home.
So, whether you have a loved one born in September, are celebrating a milestone anniversary, or have spiders to kill, choose a sapphire!
