September Birthstone — Sapphire

September’s birthstone is Sapphire, one of the world’s most treasured gemstones.

While sapphire is most famous for its magnificent blue, it actually occurs in a beautiful rainbow of colours. Sapphires can be pink, yellow, orange, green, purple, white, and even combinations of different colours. These non-blue varieties are often known as “fancy sapphires.”

Interestingly, sapphire and ruby belong to the same mineral family — corundum. When corundum is red, it is called a ruby; other gem-quality colours are classified as sapphires.

Throughout history, sapphire has been associated with wisdom, truth, loyalty and sincerity. Blue sapphire, with its rich and peaceful colour, has also traditionally symbolised faith and devotion.

But perhaps the variety of sapphire colours gives September’s birthstone an additional beauty: there is no single way for a sapphire to shine. Each colour has its own character, from the softness of pink sapphire and the warmth of yellow and orange to the classic elegance of deep blue.

A Thought for September

Just as sapphires appear in many different colours, beauty and strength can take many different forms.

September can be a reminder to appreciate our own individuality and the different qualities we see in those around us. What makes something precious is not that it looks the same as everything else, but that it carries its own unique beauty.