Sapphire

September’s birthstone is the Sapphire, symbolizing wisdom, royalty, strength, kindness and wise judgment.  It is considered the gem of gems, the height of celestial hope and faith.  Ancient Greeks wore sapphires to channel the wisdom of Delphi when seeking answers from the Oracle of Apollo.

Sapphires are most commonly associated with a robust blue colour however they can also be found in white, pink or yellow, known as fancy sapphires.

Birthstone
September

Colour
Most commonly associated with a robust blue colour, sapphires come in white, pink or yellow. These are known as fancy sapphires.  

Hardness
9 (1 softest – 10 hardest)

Anniversary Stone
5

Care
Sapphires are relatively hard—9 on the Mohs scale. Sapphires have excellent toughness and no cleavage, which is a tendency to break when struck, making Sapphires a great choice for rings and other mountings subject to daily wear. 

Cleaning
Warm, soapy water is always safe. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion treated stones. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled, or dyed material should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Famous Sapphires

Black Star of Queensland
The largest gem-quality star sapphire is known as the Black Star of Queensland. Discovered in Australia in the 1930’s it weights 733 carats and is a black sapphire.

Star of India
The second largest is known as the Star of India, a 563.35-carat grey-ish blue sapphire.  The stone is almost completely flawless and most unusually it has the famous star pattern on both sides of the stone.

Known Treatments
Sapphires are often heated to intensify the colour and clarity.  Irradiation is also used to change colour, along with a diffusion treatment (heart and chemical application) to enhance the star pattern sapphires are famous for.