Sapphire: September’s Birthstone

Sapphire, the September birthstone, has been popular since the Middle Ages and, according to folklore, will protect your loved ones from envy and harm. Medieval clergy wore sapphires to symbolize heaven, while commoners thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings. Blue sapphires range from very light to very dark greenish or violetish blue, as well as various shades of pure blue. The most prized colors are a medium to medium dark blue or slightly violetish blue. Sapphire is a variety of the gem species corundum and occurs in all colors of the rainbow. Pink, purple, green, orange, or yellow corundum are known by their color (pink sapphire, green sapphire). Ruby is the red variety of corundum.

Although many people think all sapphires are blue, a sapphire is really a corundum of any color but red. The most prized colors are a medium to medium dark blue or slightly violetish blue. Sapphire is a variety of the gem species corundum and occurs in all colors of the rainbow. Pink, purple, green, orange, or yellow corundum are known by their color (pink sapphire, green sapphire). Ruby is the red variety of corundum.

Like other gems that have been prized for a long time, sapphire has suffered from identity confusion. In Roman times, the word sapphiros meant “lapis lazuli,” while green sapphires were “emeralds,” blue sapphires were “hyacinths,” and purple sapphires were “amethysts.”

In ages past, kings wore sapphires for protection from harm and envy. In the late Middle Ages, blue sapphire was favored for ecclesiastical rings because its color symbolized heaven. Magicians valued it because it let them understand prophecies and command spirits. Sapphire was also used as medicine for eye diseases and plague, and as an antidote for poison. Today, it is the traditional birthstone for September.