September’s Birthstone: Why Sapphire Deserves More Attention

If diamonds are forever, sapphires have a very good argument for being unforgettable.

They are colourful, incredibly wearable, steeped in history and far more varied than most people realise. And, if you were born in September, you have the particularly lovely excuse of calling sapphire your birthstone.

Although sapphire is often associated with that classic deep blue, there is much more to this gemstone than one colour. In fact, one of the things I love most about sapphires is that no two feel quite the same.

So, What Actually Is a Sapphire?

Here is a piece of jewellery trivia for you… Sapphire and ruby are essentially siblings.

Both belong to the mineral family corundum. When corundum is red, we call it ruby. Almost every other colour is classified as sapphire.

So while blue sapphire may be the famous one, sapphires can also be pink, yellow, orange, green, purple, violet and even colourless. There are also colour-change sapphires that appear different depending on the light.

For me, this is where sapphire becomes particularly interesting from a design point of view. You are not simply choosing a sapphire. You can choose the exact tone, shape and personality that works for you.

And that is very much how we approach jewellery at The Diamond Expert. Rather than starting with what happens to be sitting in a display cabinet, we can source stones individually and design the finished piece around the person who will actually wear it.

And No, Your Sapphire Does Not Have to Be Blue

This is probably the sapphire fact that surprises people most. Some of the most beautiful sapphires I see are nowhere near traditional royal blue. You can find delicate blush pinks, rich greens, sunny yellows and beautiful peachy-orange stones.

One particularly rare variety is padparadscha sapphire, prized for its distinctive pink-orange colouring. Its name comes from the Sinhalese word associated with the colour of a lotus blossom.

Multi Colour Sapphire Ring

This breadth of colour is why I think sapphires work so well for bespoke jewellery. We can look at several stones together rather than telling you there is one particular shade you should like.

With sapphires, there is no single ‘right’ colour. It is about finding the stone that appeals to you most and our job is to help you do that.

Are Sapphires Suitable for Everyday Jewellery?

Yes, and this is one of their biggest advantages.

Sapphire scores 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond among the gemstones most people will encounter in fine jewellery. It also has excellent toughness, making it particularly suitable for pieces that are worn regularly.

Sapphire Criss Cross Ring

That is important if you are considering sapphire for an engagement ring. When we create a bespoke sapphire engagement ring, we look at much more than whether the stone is beautiful. We consider the setting, the wearer's lifestyle, the proportions of the ring, the metal and, importantly, how the wedding band will eventually sit beside it.

A beautiful centre stone is only part of a well-designed ring.

Why Are Sapphires So Good for Engagement Rings?

There is obviously one very famous example. The sapphire and diamond engagement ring worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, and now Catherine, Princess of Wales, helped make the combination of blue sapphire and diamonds instantly recognisable.

A sapphire engagement ring is a great option for somebody who wants something distinctive without choosing something impractical simply for the sake of being different.

Sapphire also works beautifully with diamonds. I particularly like the contrast between a richly coloured sapphire and the brightness of surrounding or side diamonds.

We can also design the wedding band at the same time, which I always encourage clients to consider. Even if you are not buying the band immediately, planning the two rings together means they sit properly as a pair rather than trying to solve the problem afterwards.

That small piece of forward planning can make an enormous difference.

What Determines Whether a Sapphire Is a Good One?

This is where buying coloured gemstones becomes interesting because it is not quite the same as buying a diamond.

With sapphire, colour is hugely important.

Coloured Sapphire Criss Cross Ring

The intensity, tone and evenness of the colour can all affect how desirable a stone is. Cut matters too. A well-cut sapphire should return light attractively across the gemstone rather than looking dark or flat in areas.

And this is exactly why I prefer clients to look at gemstones rather than trying to buy them from a specification alone. Two sapphires can sound quite similar on paper and look completely different when placed beside one another.

Part of our private jeweller service is doing that initial filtering for you. We source and assess options, explain what you are looking at in normal language and help you compare stones properly.

You do not need to become a gemologist to buy a beautiful sapphire. You do need somebody who knows what they are looking at.

Are Sapphires Treated?

Quite often, yes. Heat treatment has long been used to improve the appearance of sapphire and is widely accepted within the jewellery trade. However, treatments should be disclosed because different treatments can affect rarity, value and sometimes how a gemstone should be cared for.

This is one of those areas where transparency really matters.

If we are sourcing a significant sapphire for a client, I want them to understand what they are buying. Where appropriate, an independent laboratory report can provide further information about the stone and whether evidence of treatment has been detected.

There should never be mystery for mystery's sake when you are buying fine jewellery.

Ask questions. You are entitled to know.

Where Do Sapphires Come From?

Sapphires are found in several parts of the world.

Historically important sources include Kashmir, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, while sapphires are also found in Madagascar, Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Montana in the United States and elsewhere.

Origin can sometimes play a role in rarity and value, particularly with exceptional stones. Kashmir sapphires, for example, have become famous for their distinctive intensely saturated, velvety blue appearance.

But I would never recommend choosing a sapphire simply because a particular place name sounds impressive. The individual gemstone still has to be beautiful.

How Should You Look After Sapphire Jewellery?

Sapphire may be durable, but fine jewellery still deserves sensible care.

For most sapphires, warm soapy water is a safe way to clean them. However, some treated sapphires require different care, which is another reason it is useful to know exactly what you own.

I would also have regularly worn rings professionally checked from time to time.

Multi Colour Sapphire Ring

Remember, the sapphire may be extremely hard, but it is still being held in place by claws or a setting. Those are the parts we want to keep an eye on.

At The Diamond Expert, we can inspect your jewellery, check settings and advise you on any maintenance it may need.

Sapphire Is Not Just for September Babies

Of course, if you were born in September, you can absolutely claim sapphire as your own.

Sapphire is also traditionally associated with the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries, so it can make a very good anniversary gift too.

But personally, I do not think anybody needs a birth month or an anniversary to justify buying a gemstone they love. A sapphire could become an engagement ring, a pendant, a bracelet, a pair of earrings or the centrepiece of an entirely bespoke design.

It can also be a wonderful starting point for remodelling. If you already own a sapphire that has sentimental value but the setting no longer feels like you, we can look at redesigning the piece while retaining the gemstone itself.

Sometimes the best jewellery is not new at all. It is something you already own, looked at differently.

Why I Love Working with Sapphires

Diamonds have established grading systems that can make comparison relatively structured. Sapphires ask you to use your eyes a little more.

You have colour, saturation, tone, cut, origin, treatment and, ultimately, personal preference to consider. That is exactly the type of jewellery purchase where having an expert beside you makes a difference.

At The Diamond Expert, we can source sapphires specifically for you, show you different options, explain the differences, design your piece through our bespoke CAD process and create it through our workshop.

You are involved in the decisions, without having to navigate all of the technical detail alone.

And if September happens to be your birthday? I would consider that a particularly good excuse to start looking.

Thinking about a sapphire? Whether you have a particular shade in mind or have no idea where to begin, talk to us. We can source stones, compare options and create a piece designed specifically around you.

Rhona Fitzpatrick
Private Jeweller
The Diamond Expert