September Birthstone: The Complete Guide to Sapphire
What Is the Birthstone for September?
Sapphire is the birthstone for September. It is one of the four precious gemstones alongside diamond, ruby, and emerald, and it is the most versatile of them all in terms of color range, durability, and the breadth of jewelry applications it serves beautifully. While sapphire is most immediately associated with rich blue, it actually occurs in nearly every color of the rainbow except red, which is classified as ruby. Pink sapphire, yellow sapphire, teal sapphire, white sapphire, and the extraordinarily rare pink-orange padparadscha all belong to the same mineral species and carry the same September birthstone designation.
From the iconic blue sapphire on Kate Middleton's engagement ring, originally Princess Diana's, to the cornflower blue stones from the legendary Kashmir deposits that have not produced new material in over a century, sapphire has occupied the highest levels of fine jewelry across cultures and centuries. With a Mohs hardness of 9, second only to diamond, sapphire is one of the most practical as well as one of the most beautiful gemstones available for any jewelry application. This guide covers all the colors of sapphire, what to look for when buying, treatments, famous stones, and how to choose September birthstone jewelry that lasts a lifetime.
Sapphire — September's Traditional Birthstone
Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, aluminum oxide, colored by trace elements that substitute for aluminum in the crystal lattice. The blue color of classic sapphire results from trace amounts of iron and titanium together: neither iron nor titanium alone produces blue, but in combination they create an absorption spectrum that transmits blue wavelengths with exceptional efficiency. Other colors result from different trace elements: chromium produces pink sapphire, iron alone produces yellow, a combination of iron and chromium produces orange, and the absence of significant trace elements produces colorless or white sapphire.
The boundary between ruby and sapphire is a matter of color rather than mineral identity. Both are corundum, and the distinction is drawn at the point where red saturation becomes sufficient to classify the stone as ruby rather than pink sapphire. Everything else, every other color of corundum from colorless to blue, pink, yellow, green, orange, purple, and black, is sapphire. This makes sapphire the most color-diverse of the precious gemstones and the one that offers the widest aesthetic range for buyers.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Sapphire
Sapphire's symbolic associations are among the most consistent of any gemstone across cultures and historical periods. The word sapphire derives from the Greek sappheiros and the Hebrew sappir, and references to a brilliant blue stone of great value appear in ancient texts from Greece, Rome, Persia, India, and the Hebrew Bible.
In ancient and medieval Christian tradition, sapphire was associated with divine favor, the heavens, and the virtue of wisdom. The Book of Exodus describes the pavement of heaven as the color of sapphire. Medieval clergy wore sapphire rings as symbols of their connection to the divine, and the stone appeared in the regalia and personal jewelry of European monarchs as a mark of divinely sanctioned authority.
In the Hindu tradition, blue sapphire, known as neelam, is associated with Saturn and is considered among the most powerful and potentially transformative of all gemstones. The tradition of considering sapphire's astrological effects carefully before wearing it speaks to the stone's perceived potency and the respect with which it has been held in the Indian gem tradition for centuries.
Contemporary symbolism of sapphire centers on wisdom, loyalty, truth, and the kind of steady, deep commitment that endures beyond passion. It is the traditional gift for fifth and forty-fifth wedding anniversaries and is chosen for engagement rings by those who want a stone that symbolizes faithful, long-term devotion rather than the more intense passion associated with ruby or the eternal clarity associated with diamond.
A Brief History of Sapphire
The sapphires described in ancient texts from Greece, Rome, and Persia were most likely lapis lazuli rather than corundum, as the blue stone now called sapphire was not clearly identified as a distinct mineral until the medieval period. The corundum sapphires that dominate the modern market have been traded from Sri Lankan deposits, historically known as Ceylon, for at least two thousand years, and Sri Lankan sapphires were among the most prized gems in the medieval Islamic world and in Renaissance Europe.
The discovery of the Kashmir deposits in the Zanskar range of the Western Himalayas in the 1880s introduced a new quality standard that transformed the sapphire market and established a benchmark for fine blue sapphire color that has never been surpassed. The intense, velvety cornflower blue of Kashmir sapphire, with its characteristic soft luminosity and internal sleepiness, became the reference point against which all other blue sapphires are measured.
The twentieth century saw Burma emerge as a source for sapphires with a different but equally celebrated color profile, and the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries have seen Madagascar become the most significant new sapphire source in a generation, producing material across the full quality range including stones with Kashmir-comparable color.
Royal associations have been central to sapphire's cultural position throughout history. The British Crown Jewels contain several significant sapphires, and the tradition of sapphire in royal engagement jewelry extends from the medieval period to the present, most visibly in the 18-carat blue oval sapphire ring that Prince Charles gave to Princess Diana in 1981 and that Prince William gave to Kate Middleton when he proposed in 2010.
The Many Colors of Sapphire
Blue Sapphire — The Classic
Blue sapphire is the default meaning of the word sapphire in commercial jewelry and casual conversation, and it encompasses a range of blues from the palest sky blue through cornflower blue, royal blue, and deep navy. The most valuable blue sapphires sit in the medium to medium-dark range with vivid, saturated blue to slightly violet-blue color and high transparency.
The finest blue sapphires are described using the Kashmir color standard: a slightly violet-blue with a velvety, soft quality of light that comes from minute silk inclusions scattering light within the stone, creating a three-dimensional luminosity rather than surface brightness alone. This quality is found in Kashmir material and, in the best examples, in some Burmese and Sri Lankan stones. Intense royal blue is the dominant color of fine Burmese material, with a purer, slightly more vivid blue character than Kashmir. Sri Lankan sapphires tend toward a lighter, cleaner blue with excellent transparency.
Pink Sapphire
Pink sapphire is colored by chromium in concentrations below the level required for ruby classification, producing colors that range from delicate baby pink through hot pink and vivid magenta. The stone has experienced a significant growth in popularity over the past two decades as buyers seeking colored stone engagement rings have discovered that fine pink sapphire, with its 9 Mohs hardness and vivid color, offers an exceptional alternative to pink diamond or pink tourmaline.
The finest pink sapphires are a vivid, saturated hot pink or magenta with high transparency and no orange or purple modifier. Sri Lanka is the dominant source for commercial and fine pink sapphire, with Madagascar also producing significant quantities. The color boundary between fine pink sapphire and padparadscha is a matter of degree: as orange enters the pink, the stone moves toward the padparadscha classification.
Yellow Sapphire
Yellow sapphire is colored by iron in the corundum lattice and produces colors ranging from pale lemon yellow through vivid golden yellow and deep orange-yellow. It has a long history in the Indian subcontinent, where it is known as pukhraj and is one of the most commonly worn astrological gemstones associated with Jupiter and good fortune.
Fine yellow sapphire in a vivid, saturated golden yellow is an excellent and relatively accessible entry into the precious colored stone market. Sri Lanka and Tanzania are the primary sources for fine yellow sapphire. Yellow sapphire accepts heat treatment well, and most commercial material has been treated to achieve even, vivid color.
Padparadscha — The Pink-Orange Rarity
Padparadscha is one of the most coveted and most debated designations in the colored gemstone world. The name comes from the Sinhalese word for lotus flower, and it describes a rare sapphire whose color sits at the intersection of pink and orange, evoking the specific salmon, peach, and sunset tones of the Sri Lankan lotus blossom. Padparadscha is simultaneously pink and orange without being primarily either, and the balance between the two is what makes a true example so elusive.
The grading of padparadscha is contentious precisely because the color zone is so narrow. A stone that leans too far toward pink is simply a pink sapphire. One that leans too far toward orange is an orange sapphire. The padparadscha designation from a recognized laboratory, particularly GIA, Gübelin, or Lotus Gemology, is the most reliable confirmation that a stone genuinely sits within the accepted color range and commands the premium associated with the classification.
Fine padparadscha sapphire in vivid saturation and above two carats is among the rarest and most valuable of all sapphire varieties. At the top of the market, exceptional padparadscha can exceed the per-carat price of comparable ruby. Sri Lanka is the primary source of classic padparadscha, though stones meeting the color standard are occasionally found in Tanzania and Madagascar.
Teal and Green Sapphires
Teal sapphire, which displays a blue-green to green-blue color combining the blue of iron and titanium with green tones from iron and traces of other elements, has experienced a dramatic surge in popularity over the past decade, driven primarily by the engagement ring market. Teal sapphires offer a unique color that sits outside the conventional primary colors of precious stones and appeals strongly to buyers who want something distinctive and personal rather than traditional.
The finest teal sapphires have a vivid, saturated blue-green with high transparency and minimal grey modifier. Australian sapphires, particularly from the New South Wales region, produce a significant proportion of the world's teal and parti-colored sapphires, though material with particularly vivid color also comes from Montana, Madagascar, and Ethiopia.
Green sapphire proper, rather than teal, tends toward a purer green with less blue component and is less commonly used in fine jewelry. It is typically more affordable than blue or teal material and represents a distinctive option for buyers specifically drawn to green gemstones.
White and Star Sapphires
White or colorless sapphire is pure corundum without significant trace elements. It produces a brilliant, hard-wearing stone that has been used as a diamond alternative, though its lower refractive index means it produces less fire and brilliance than diamond. For buyers who want the durability and prestige of corundum at a lower price than a fine colored sapphire, white sapphire in a well-cut format is a practical choice.
Star sapphire is cut as a cabochon rather than faceted, which allows the asterism phenomenon to express fully. Rutile silk inclusions, the same needle-like inclusions that are partially dissolved by heat treatment in faceted stones, when oriented precisely in three directions intersecting at sixty degrees, reflect light into a six-rayed star that appears to float above the surface of the dome as the viewing angle changes. The finest star sapphires have a sharp, well-centered star, a vivid body color, and good translucency. The Star of India and the Black Star of Queensland are among the most famous examples of this phenomenon.
Where Sapphire Comes From
Kashmir — The Legendary Source
The Kashmir deposits, discovered in 1881 following a landslide that exposed sapphire-bearing rock in the Zanskar range at approximately 15,000 feet elevation in what is now the Ladakh region of India, produced intensely for approximately twenty years before output declined to near zero in the early twentieth century. The total amount of material recovered from Kashmir is believed to be small relative to other major deposits, and the rarity of Kashmir sapphire on the current market reflects this limited historic production.
Kashmir sapphire's defining characteristic is a slightly violet-blue color of exceptional saturation combined with the velvety, sleepy quality of light that results from minute silk inclusions. This internal texture softens the stone's appearance and gives it a glowing, three-dimensional quality that distinguishes it immediately from the brighter, more vitreous appearance of sapphires from other origins. Kashmir sapphire does not flash or sparkle in the way that a clean, well-cut stone from another origin does: it glows, and the difference is apparent even to untrained observers when the two are placed side by side.
A certified Kashmir sapphire with a Gübelin, GIA, or Lotus Gemology origin report is one of the most valuable colored gemstones available on the market and commands premiums that increase with quality. At the finest quality level, Kashmir sapphires regularly achieve prices per carat that rival the most expensive rubies and significantly exceed comparable diamonds.
Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Madagascar, and Australia
Sri Lanka, historically known as Ceylon in the gem trade, is the most consistent long-term source of fine sapphire in the world. Sri Lankan sapphires span the full quality range from commercial to exceptional and include material in every sapphire color: cornflower blue, royal blue, pink, yellow, orange, white, and padparadscha all originate from the island's alluvial and eluvial deposits, particularly in the Ratnapura and Elahera regions. The Ceylon designation carries its own origin premium at the fine quality level, particularly for unheated stones of classic blue color.
Myanmar produces blue sapphires from the Mogok Valley alongside its famous rubies. Mogok sapphires tend toward a rich, intense blue to blue-violet and are highly regarded for their color quality. They share the high chromium content and fluorescence character of Mogok rubies and represent some of the finest blue sapphire available.
Madagascar became the most significant new sapphire source in the world following major discoveries in the late 1990s. The Ilakaka deposit produces sapphires in enormous quantities across the full quality range. Madagascar has also produced sapphires with color profiles comparable to Kashmir and Ceylon material, and a well-selected, certified Malagasy sapphire represents excellent value relative to equivalent stones from more prestigious origins.
Australia produces sapphires primarily from Queensland and New South Wales, with the material tending toward darker, inkier blues and the teal to parti-colored range. Australian sapphire is widely used in commercial jewelry and represents an affordable and distinctive entry point into the market.
Montana — American Sapphires
Montana sapphires are among the most distinctive in the world, produced from alluvial deposits in the Missouri River drainage and from the Yogo Gulch pipe deposit in Judith Basin County. Yogo sapphires are particularly notable: they are cornflower blue, free of the inclusions that require heat treatment in most other sapphire origins, and appear in a relatively uniform, vivid color that requires no enhancement. Yogo sapphires are among the very few sapphires in the world that are routinely sold as untreated without the need for laboratory verification, because the deposit's material simply does not benefit from heat treatment.
The alluvial Montana sapphires from Rock Creek, Dry Cottonwood Creek, and the Missouri River produce material in a remarkable range of colors including green, blue-green, teal, yellow, orange, pink, and bicolor stones that shift color across the gem. Montana sapphires have developed a devoted following among collectors who value their American origin, unusual color range, and the ethical sourcing transparency that direct-from-deposit suppliers provide.
Sapphire Hardness and Durability
Sapphire rates 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, sharing this rating with ruby and second only to diamond at 10. As with ruby, this hardness is not merely a top ranking: corundum is significantly harder than the next tier of gemstones, and the practical implication is that sapphire resists scratching from virtually every material it will encounter in daily life.
Unlike emerald, which has high hardness but reduced toughness due to inclusions and fractures, sapphire has both excellent hardness and excellent toughness. It has no cleavage and fractures rather than splitting cleanly, which means it handles impact well and does not have the directional vulnerability that affects topaz, moonstone, and other cleaving gemstones.
This combination of extreme hardness and good toughness makes sapphire the practical equal of diamond for jewelry durability in most real-world applications. A sapphire engagement ring can be worn every day for decades, subjected to normal daily contact and occasional knocks, and show essentially no surface wear if stored properly. This durability is part of why sapphire is so frequently recommended by jewelers as the best alternative to diamond for engagement rings.
Sapphire Treatments
Heat Treatment: Industry Standard
Over 90 percent of sapphires in the commercial and fine jewelry market have been heat-treated to improve color and clarity. The treatment involves heating sapphire rough or finished stones to temperatures between 1,600 and 1,800 degrees Celsius, which dissolves rutile silk inclusions, intensifies color saturation, and in some cases produces color where little existed in the rough by converting colorless zones into blue through changes in the iron and titanium oxidation states.
Heat treatment is permanently stable, universally accepted in the trade, and required to be disclosed at sale. The presence of heat treatment does not disqualify a sapphire from the fine or collector categories: many of the finest sapphires at major auction sales are heat-treated, and the quality of color and clarity achieved through treatment is valued on its own terms. What matters is consistency of disclosure and the absence of more invasive treatments.
Diffusion Treatment
Diffusion treatment is a more invasive process in which a sapphire is heated in the presence of external elements, typically beryllium or titanium, that diffuse into the stone and alter its color at a depth of a fraction of a millimeter. Beryllium diffusion, which became widespread in the early 2000s, can transform pale or undesirable sapphires into vivid orange, yellow, or padparadscha colors. Surface diffusion of titanium produces a thin blue layer on the surface of otherwise colorless or pale stones.
Diffusion treatment must be disclosed and is considered a significantly more problematic treatment than heat alone. Beryllium-diffused stones showing padparadscha or vivid orange color were initially sold without disclosure until the treatment was identified and tests were developed to detect it, causing significant controversy in the sapphire trade. A laboratory certificate from GIA, Gübelin, or Lotus Gemology confirming no indications of diffusion treatment is important for any significant sapphire purchase, particularly in orange, padparadscha, or unusually vivid yellow colors where diffusion is commercially motivated.
Why Untreated Sapphires Command Premium Prices
Untreated sapphires, described on laboratory reports as no indications of heating, command substantial premiums over heat-treated stones of comparable visual quality, particularly at the fine and collector levels. The premium for unheated material can range from 30 to 200 percent or more depending on origin, color, and size, reflecting the genuine rarity of sapphire that achieves fine color in its natural state without any enhancement.
Unheated Kashmir sapphire is the apex of this premium structure: a certified unheated stone from Kashmir at fine quality represents the combined premiums of the rarest origin and the most valued treatment status, and the resulting per-carat prices reflect both. Unheated Ceylon sapphires with classic cornflower blue color and unheated Burmese blue sapphires are also among the most valuable colored gemstones available.
Famous Sapphires and Royal Jewelry
Princess Diana and Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring
The most famous sapphire in contemporary culture is the 12-carat oval blue sapphire surrounded by a halo of fourteen round brilliant diamonds, set in 18-karat white gold, that Prince Charles presented to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. The ring was selected by Diana from a catalog of jewelry designs and was notable at the time for being available to the general public rather than a custom commission, which was seen as an unconventional choice for a royal engagement.
When Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010 using his mother's ring, the piece became simultaneously the most replicated engagement ring design in the world and the most powerful symbol of enduring love in contemporary jewelry culture. The ring is estimated to be worth several hundred thousand pounds at current market values, substantially more than its original cost, and its blue sapphire center stone's exact quality characteristics and origin have been the subject of considerable gemological speculation.
The ring's cultural impact on sapphire demand cannot be overstated. Every major study of engagement ring trends since 2010 shows a significant increase in sapphire center stone selection, and blue oval sapphires in diamond halos have become one of the most consistently requested engagement ring configurations in the market.
The Logan Sapphire and the Star of India
The Logan Sapphire is a 423-carat blue sapphire of Sri Lankan origin currently in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. It is one of the largest faceted blue sapphires in the world and displays an exceptionally deep, vivid blue color from all viewing angles. The stone was donated to the Smithsonian by Rebecca Pollard Logan in 1960.
The Star of India is a 563-carat star sapphire, also of Sri Lankan origin, housed in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. It is one of the largest and most famous star sapphires in the world and displays a well-centered, sharp six-rayed star on both the face-up and face-down surfaces, an unusual characteristic in large star stones. The Star of India became briefly famous in 1964 when it was stolen from the museum in a daring overnight theft and recovered the following day in a Miami bus locker.
How to Choose September Birthstone Jewelry
Sapphire Engagement Rings
Sapphire engagement rings are one of the most consistently recommended choices for buyers who want a colored stone center for an engagement ring. The combination of 9 Mohs hardness, exceptional toughness, and extraordinary color range means sapphire can be worn in any setting style, in any metal, in any color preference, with genuine confidence that the stone will wear beautifully for a lifetime.
Blue sapphire in an oval cut with a diamond halo in white gold or platinum is currently the most popular sapphire engagement ring configuration, driven significantly by the influence of the Diana and Kate ring. Cushion-cut blue sapphires in yellow gold with a simple prong solitaire setting is the classic alternative and has a long history as a formal engagement ring. Teal and parti-colored sapphires in rose gold with minimal settings have become the go-to choice for buyers seeking something distinctively contemporary and non-traditional.
For buyers investing at a significant price point, a GIA or Gübelin certificate confirming treatment status and, where relevant, origin is important. Heat-treated stones are entirely appropriate for engagement rings and represent the best value at most quality levels. Unheated material commands premiums that are worthwhile for buyers who prioritize investment characteristics or collector quality.
Sapphire for Daily Wear
Sapphire's durability makes it one of the best gemstones for daily wear across all jewelry formats without restriction or special handling. Unlike emerald, pearl, or opal, sapphire does not require removal before physical activity, washing hands, or light chemical exposure. A sapphire ring, bracelet, or pendant worn daily will look essentially unchanged after decades of continuous wear if the setting is maintained.
For daily earrings, simple sapphire studs in round or oval cut provide a clean, versatile look that works across all contexts. The full range of sapphire colors, from classic blue to pink, yellow, teal, and white, gives buyers unusual flexibility to match their daily jewelry to their existing wardrobe and aesthetic.
Sapphire as an Heirloom Gift
Sapphire's durability, its position as a precious stone with a long established value history, and its extraordinary color range make it an excellent choice for significant gift jewelry intended for long-term ownership. A well-chosen sapphire ring or pendant in a quality metal setting will retain both its beauty and its value over generations in a way that softer, more fragile colored stones cannot match.
For heirloom gifts, a laboratory certificate documenting origin and treatment status transforms a beautiful piece of jewelry into a documented asset whose provenance is established for future owners. The certificate adds relatively modest cost to the purchase and significant documentation value over the lifetime of the piece.
September Zodiac Signs and Their Birthstones
Virgo (August 23 to September 22)
Virgo is an earth sign ruled by Mercury, associated with precision, discernment, practical intelligence, and a deep appreciation for quality over ostentation. Sapphire's association with wisdom and clarity of thought aligns well with Virgo's intellectual character, and the stone's extraordinary range of quality factors and origins rewards exactly the kind of careful, well-researched purchasing approach that Virgo brings to significant decisions.
Traditional gemstone associations for Virgo include sapphire, peridot, and carnelian. For a Virgo, the analytical depth available in sapphire buying is as much a part of the stone's appeal as its beauty: a sign that finds pleasure in understanding things completely will appreciate a gemstone where color origin, treatment grade, and quality nuance can be studied, appreciated, and communicated with precision.
The clean, precise visual quality of a well-cut, vividly colored sapphire suits Virgo's aesthetic preference for the refined and the genuinely excellent over the merely showy.
Libra (September 23 to October 22)
Libra is an air sign ruled by Venus, associated with beauty, balance, harmony, and an instinct for aesthetic judgment that makes Libra the zodiac's natural connoisseur. Sapphire's range of colors and its position as a stone of beauty, royalty, and refined taste aligns well with Libra's Venusian character and its appreciation for things that are both beautiful and significant.
Traditional Libra stones include opal, tourmaline, and sapphire, with sapphire particularly associated with the sign's qualities of fairness, wisdom in judgment, and the pursuit of harmony in relationships. A Libra drawn to sapphire often gravitates toward unusual color varieties, the teal, the pink, or the padparadscha, rather than the conventional blue, because Libra's aesthetic intelligence is drawn to discovering the most beautiful version of a thing rather than the most expected one.
Caring for Sapphire Jewelry
Sapphire is one of the easiest fine gemstones to care for, and its exceptional hardness and toughness mean that most of the precautions required for softer or more fragile stones do not apply.
Clean sapphire jewelry with warm water, a few drops of mild dish soap, and a soft brush. Work carefully around settings where grease accumulates behind the stone. Ultrasonic cleaners are safe for heat-treated sapphires in good condition without surface-reaching fractures. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning for sapphires with significant fractures or for diffusion-treated stones where the surface is already structurally compromised.
Steam cleaning is generally safe for sapphire set in platinum or white gold. Exercise caution with sapphires in yellow gold where the solder joining the setting may be softer, as repeated steam exposure can affect certain solder alloys.
Inspect settings on sapphire rings annually. The stone's hardness means it is virtually immune to wear, but the metal settings, particularly prong tips, are subject to the same wear as any other ring setting and should be checked and re-tipped periodically. Given sapphire's value at the fine quality level, maintaining the security of the setting is the most important care investment.
Store sapphire jewelry separately from other gemstones, including other sapphires. Despite its hardness, corundum surfaces in contact can abrade each other, and a sapphire can scratch any softer stone it contacts during storage. Fabric-lined compartments or individual soft pouches prevent this.
Sapphire is not affected by normal temperature variation, household chemicals at ordinary concentrations, or prolonged light exposure. It is one of the most stable and chemically resistant gemstones in regular jewelry use, and this stability is part of what makes it such a sound choice for pieces intended for continuous, long-term wear.
Sapphire at The Solist
At The Solist, we celebrate September’s birthstone with an extraordinary curation of sapphire jewelry from some of the world’s most distinguished designers. Discover intricate creations from Nanis, Fabergé, Gucci, Armenta, and more, each piece crafted to showcase the sapphire’s brilliance in its own distinctive way. From delicate studs to statement rings, these treasures are perfect for marking a birthday, anniversary, or simply indulging in a gemstone that never goes out of style.
A Gift of Meaning
For September birthdays, anniversaries, or anyone who treasures the deep, celestial beauty of sapphires, this gemstone is more than just a gift—it’s a keepsake rich with meaning, elegance, and history.
Celebrate September with sapphire jewelry, now at The Solist.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is September's birthstone?
Sapphire is the birthstone for September. It traditionally symbolizes wisdom, loyalty, royalty, and divine favor.
What color is the September birthstone?
Sapphire is most associated with rich blue, but it actually occurs in every color except red, which is classified as ruby. Pink, yellow, white, teal, green, and the rare pink-orange padparadscha are all varieties of sapphire.
Is sapphire a precious or semi-precious stone?
Sapphire is one of the four precious gemstones, alongside diamond, ruby, and emerald. Fine sapphires can rival ruby and diamond in price per carat at the top of the market.
How hard is sapphire on the Mohs scale?
Sapphire rates 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond. It is exceptionally durable and one of the best choices for everyday jewelry, particularly engagement rings.
What does sapphire symbolize?
Sapphire symbolizes wisdom, loyalty, truth, and royalty. It has been associated with kings, queens, and divine authority for centuries. It is also the traditional gift for fifth and forty-fifth wedding anniversaries.
Is sapphire a good engagement ring stone?
Yes. Sapphire is one of the best engagement ring choices available. It is nearly as hard as diamond, comes in every color, and is significantly less expensive than diamond at equivalent quality. The engagement ring worn by Princess Diana and now Kate Middleton is the most famous example.
What is padparadscha sapphire?
Padparadscha is a rare pink-orange sapphire named after the lotus flower in Sinhalese. It is one of the most coveted and expensive sapphire varieties, and fine padparadscha above two carats can exceed the per-carat price of equivalent ruby.
Why are most sapphires heat-treated?
Heat treatment improves color and clarity by dissolving inclusions and intensifying color saturation. Over 90 percent of sapphires on the market are heat-treated. The treatment is permanent, stable under all normal conditions, and disclosed at sale.
What is a star sapphire?
Star sapphire is a sapphire cut as a cabochon, a smooth dome rather than faceted, that displays a six-rayed star pattern called asterism when light hits the surface. The effect is caused by needle-like inclusions of rutile oriented in three directions within the crystal.
Is Kashmir sapphire still mined?
Almost no new Kashmir sapphires have been mined since the early twentieth century, making them historically significant and exceptionally valuable. Most Kashmir sapphires available today come from estate jewelry collections and auction sales rather than new mine production.
