September's Birthstone: The Sapphire

Whether you choose the lovely cornflower blue or a deep indigo sapphire, if you were born in September, you are fortunate to have this beautiful gem as your birthstone.

The sapphire is a member of the corumdum mineral category, an aluminum oxide, in the same gem family as the ruby. Although most of us think of the sapphire as a blue gem, it can be found in many other colors such as white, black, pinkish-orange or tangerine, and a golden or yellow shade. When called only by the name "sapphire" we are making reference to the blue sapphire.

The phenomenon known as the "star" on some sapphires is caused by intersecting light bands on the stone which create the illusion of a star reflection.

Where is the Sapphire Mined?
Sapphires can be found in the United States in North Carolina and in Montana. Mainly they are mined in Kenya, Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia, Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan and India. There is also sapphire mining in Australia, Nigeria, China, Tanzania, and Vietnam.

China yields the majority of the sapphires that are a very deep midnight blue or black color. The lighter cornflower blue shade is mined mainly in the Australian regions, as well as in Sri Lanka and Burma. Sri Lanka and China also yield most of the golden sapphires found.

The rare pink and orange sapphires are mined mostly in Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

Sapphire History and Lore:
The earliest sapphire mining recorded was on the island of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). The Sri Lankan sapphires are still generally regarded as the highest quality of these gems. They gained increasing popularity in modern times when Prince Charles presented one to Lady Diana in an engagement ring.

The popular star sapphire, called so because of the appearance of a sparkle phenomenon in its center, has historically been thought of as a love charm throughout many cultures. It is said that Helen of Troy attributed her battle conquests to a star sapphire that she owned. The bands of light across the stone that created the starlike appearance were said to represent destiny and hope in other societies.

Healing powers attributed to the sapphire include curing snake and scorpion bites. The gem has also been traditionally used for treatment of rheumatism and colic.It has also been thought that the wearing of the sapphire could ward off the powers of evil spirits. It sometimes is worn to promote calm during meditation.

The sapphire is most often linked to qualities of loyalty, faithfulness and honesty. This is why it is a favorite choice for engagement rings.

Sapphires are said to have given wisdom and afforded protection to generations of Kings.In ancient Persia, it was thought that the blue of the sky was actually a reflection of the sapphire. Persians also believed the earth was set in a huge blue sapphire stone. The stone symbolized the heavens in many early religious beliefs. Some cultures believed the Ten Commandments were written on tablets of sapphire.

Sir Richard Francis Burton, a well-known Englishman who traveled widely across Asia, wore a "good luck" talisman of star sapphire and gave credit to the gem for his good fortune and the attention paid to him. He related that because of it he always found good horses and lodging as well as protection from the elements.

The Greeks used the sapphire to advance the opening of the "third eye" of wisdom to tap into the inner mind.

In ancient times, priests often used the sapphire in order to help them to predict the future. It was used commonly in fortune-telling and divination.

Star sapphires were also traditionally worn by the Sinhalese to guard against witchcraft.

In the Bible, the sapphire was one of twelve stones given to Moses to place in the breastplate of Aaron. Sapphires were also placed in the foundation of the walls of Jerusalem.

The Sapphire in Modern Times:
George Gershwin's composition "Rhapsody in Blue" had its foundation in the sapphire, and the first computerized chess champion was called "Deep Blue" in honor of the gem.

The sapphire obtained immense popularity when Prince Charles presented Lady Diana with an oval sapphire surrounded by fourteen diamonds for their engagement.
The Value of Sapphires:
Sapphires are a durable gem, second only to diamonds in terms of the hardness of the stone. Because of this, they are easy-care stones which do not scratch or mar easily. Their value depends on color, transparency, and size.

If the sapphire originates in Sri Lanka or Burma, it is likely to be of higher quality and more valuable.The most valuable sapphire is said to be the true Kashmir sapphire.
These were mined in Kashmir, a region of Pakistan, from 1880-1888 when they were found following a landslide. The value stems from their unusual color which features a violet undertone only rarely found in the sapphire.

However, some sapphires in pink, purple, orange, tangerine and yellow have been found in such widely varied locations as Brazil and Tanzania. Because of the rarity of the color, these gems are also quite valuable.

The star sapphire obtains its value from the quality of the cut of the stone. They must be given a half-dome cut in order to create the refraction for which they are so famous.

If you own a sapphire, you are in possession of a gem with a rich history and with an unusually high life expectancy. You will likely be able to hand down your stone to many generations to come!