The birthstone for September is the beautiful Sapphire, which if you are a follower of mine on social media you will know that this is my stone of choice when it comes to making engagement rings and extra special additions to my collections.

So lets explore this stunning stone and learn more about it from what it symbolises through to where it comes from!

What colours are available?

We are all aware of the Blue Sapphire, but the colours don’t stop here!  Sapphire’s can occur in multiple shades of pink, yellow, green, purple, and of course the traditional white which I offer as a diamond alternative for engagement and wedding rings.

Sri Lankan Pink Sapphire – ethically sourced by Nineteen48

Are Sapphires valuable?

In my humble opinion, all gemstones are valuable when you take into consideration how they have been formed in the earth’s crust, excavated by hard working, knowledgeable miners and then formed and cut into elaborate designs by skilled gemstone cutters.  However, when talking about monetary value for Sapphires, then the blue Sapphire is the rarest and most highly prized colour which is reflective in cost. In fact Blue Sapphires are the rarest  blue coloured natural gemstone to date.

Sri Lankan Blue Sapphire & Fairtrade Gold Ring by Julia Thompson – and other assorted ethical sapphire gemstones in green, yellow & pink sourced through Nineteen48

In an engagement ring, a sapphire means faithfulness and sincerity.

Where do Sapphires come from?

Igneous rock (cooled lava or magma) is the perfect environment for Corundum to develop deep down in the Earth, it is high in aluminium, low in silicon and allows under the right pressure for not only Sapphire’s to develop, but also Rubies!  In fact the Sapphire and Ruby are essentially identical aside from their colour.

Of course, other trace elements will what determine the gem’s colour.  For example Sapphire’s that are blue shades are the result of trace amounts of iron and titanium.

Rough Tanzanian Sapphires ethically sourced by the female artisanal miners of Moyogems

How durable are Sapphires?

The Sapphire is second only to diamond and is considered one of the most durable gemstone available. The Sapphire is relatively resistant to scratching and chipping, making it ideal for every day jewellery wear, such as an engagement ring. So, if you are looking for a durable and cost effective alternative to diamond, then the stunning Sapphire is a top contender!

What do Sapphire’s symbolise and where does the name come from?

The Sapphire gets its name from two ancient terms, the Greek word sappheiros, and the Latin word sapphirus, both of which mean “blue.” Apparently, long before the Sapphire was officially discovered these terms were also used to describe the semi-precious stone no known widely as Lapis Lazuli, which also occurs in a rich blue colour.

Sapphires are believed to symbolise wisdom, virtue, good fortune and in an engagement ring, a sapphire means faithfulness and sincerity.

Triple White Sri Lankan Sapphire & Fairtrade Gold Engagement Ring by Julia Thompson – ethically sourced gemstones from Nineteen48

So there we have it, a valuable, durable stone who’s name is quite literally ‘blue’ and represents faithfulness, a stone that was forged deep within the earth’s crust from ancient lava to create a rainbow of beautiful colours for us to adorn ourselves with, to say ‘yes’ to and create lasting memories.

To enquire about having a bespoke Sapphire ring made for a special occasion, to pop the question with or to simply treat yourself to something extra special, then please get in touch.

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