Sapphire, the birthstone of September

Have you ever wondered what is your birthstone and what that means?

Although the concern about one’s birthstone had been associated with religion in some parts of the world and with astrology in some others, the modern day birthstones have less to do with historical origins. Many jewelry and gemology associations mainly in the USA and UK have contributed to the formation of the modern list of birthstones.

If you were born in September, your birthstone is sapphire. While most people think of sapphires as blue gems, they actually come in a wide variety of colors, from yellow to purple, pinkish orange to black. White sapphires, otherwise known as colorless sapphires, have for many years been used as an alternative for diamonds. There are even sapphires which feature two or more colors in a single stone, and a rare variety which change color in different types of light.

Historically, sapphires are considered protective gemstones which shield the wearer from not only physical harm, but also bad intentions. Jeweler Ileana Makri channels this energy in her ‘tiny eye’ pendant, set with a blue sapphire surrounded by grey diamonds and inspired by the ancient belief in wearing jewelry in the shape of an eye to protect against evil and envious stares.

Some of the most celebrated women in the world have been associated with sapphires. Napoléon declared his love for Joséphine with an engagement ring that paired a gorgeous teardrop sapphire with a diamond; the ring sold at auction in France for $1.17 million in 2013.

But the world’s most famous sapphire engagement ring is the one worn by Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, which formerly belonged to Princess Diana.
Featuring an oval cut 12-carat Ceylon Sapphire and 14 diamonds, Diana was believed to have chosen the ring to celebrate her union with Prince Charles because it reminded her of her mother’s.

When Diana died in 1997, Prince Charles asked his sons William and Harry to select an object as a memory from their mother’s possessions. Prince William is reported to have chosen a gold Cartier watch, while his younger brother preferred the sapphire engagement ring. However, when Prince William decided many years later to ask his girlfriend Kate Middleton to marry him, the brothers exchanged items. The distinctive engagement ring is now one of the most valuable in the world.

Shop for sapphire jewelry here.