September Birthstone: Sapphire

September’s birthstone is the Sapphire. Did you know sapphire is the name given to the corundum mineral species when it appears (primarily) in shades of blue? Red corundum is classified as ruby. Any non-red shade–including pink and colorless–is considered sapphire. There are other categories known as “fancy sapphires” (violet, green, yellow, orange, pink and purple) and “parti-colored sapphires” (combinations of these colors). Some sapphires change color depending upon their viewing conditions, appearing blue in daylight or fluorescent light and purple under incandescent light. Sapphires even appear in gray, black, or brown hues. Titanium and iron are the trace elements that cause sapphire’s blue, which ranges from pure blue to greenish-blue or violetish-blue. The strength of sapphire’s blue depends on how much titanium is present-—the more titanium, the deeper the blue color.

SAPPHIRE: MEANING & ANCIENT LORE

• The name sapphire comes from the Greek word sappheiros, which probably originally referred to lapis lazuli.
• A stunning 18-carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds graces the world’s most famous engagement ring (given by Britain’s Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981). The most recent recipient of the ring is the former Kate Middleton, Princess Diana’s daughter-in-law.
• Deep blue sapphires have long been associated with royalty which may have contributed to the coining of the color known as “royal blue”.
• Sapphires are traditionally given on 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.
• A rare orangy-pink sapphire color is called padparadscha, which means “lotus flower”
• Sapphires are among the most durable naturally occurring elements in the world. The Apple Watch features lab-created sapphire glass in its screen!
• Traditionally, sapphires are believed to symbolize nobility, truth, sincerity, and faithfulness.

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