Sapphire
The September birthstone is Sapphire – a gem that has been cherished for thousands of years. Although the term “sapphire” usually refers to the blue variety of corundum (ruby is the red variety), and blue sapphires are one of the most popular colored stones. In addition, this birthstone comes in all colors of the rainbow (except red) depending on their trace element content and is usually referred to as “Fancy Sapphires”. Sapphires have been long associated with royalty, as well as, romance. “Sapphire” comes from the Greek word “sappheiros”.
Blue sapphire is also recognized as the gemstone for the 5th, 45th, and 70th wedding anniversaries, and the zodiac gem for Virgo. Also, it is a backup gemstone for the 10th and 21st anniversaries, and yellow sapphire for the 7th and 11th anniversaries; purple sapphire for the 9th anniversary. It has become one of the world’s most popular gems.
Definition:
Sapphires belong to the mineral species corundum, and also apply to any corundum that is not red or doesn’t qualify as red. The mineral corundum is composed only of aluminum and oxygen, and it requires a growth environment that’s free of silicon. However, silicon is a very common element, making natural corundum relatively uncommon. In its purest state, corundum is actually colorless. Colorless sapphires were once popular diamond imitations, and they’ve staged a comeback as accent stones in recent years.
But colorless corundum is rare. Most corundum contains color-causing trace elements. When the trace elements are iron and titanium, the corundum is blue sapphire. Only a few hundredths of a percent of iron and titanium can cause the color, and the more iron the corundum contains, the darker the blue. Chromium causes the red color of rubies and the pink of pink sapphire.
Sapphire comes in a wide range of blues, varying from very light blue to a deep blue that is almost black. The very finest sapphires are a velvet, slightly violetish medium to medium dark blue, often called Kashmir blue, after its original location in India. When pricing sapphires, medium blues are usually the most expensive.
Corundum can show a phenomenon called asterism, or the star effect. This phenomenon usually appears as a six-ray star pattern across a cabochon-cut stone’s curved surface. The star effect can be seen in Ruby or any color of Sapphire, and it arises from white light reflecting from numerous tiny, oriented needle-like inclusions.
Besides Fancy Sapphires and Star Corundum, there’s another interesting variety: Color-Change Sapphires. These fascinating stones change color under different lighting. Their presence adds a special dimension to the already amazing corundum family of gems.
A special orangey-pink sapphire color is called “Padparadscha”, which means “lotus flower” in Sinhalese, the language spoken in Sri Lanka. Stones from Sri Lanka were initially the only ones labeled with this marketable name. There’s no telling how many padparadschas have been sifted from Sri Lankan river gravel throughout history. Sri Lankans have a special affection for the color that’s traditionally been linked with their country.
The History of Sapphire:
For countless centuries, sapphire has adorned royalty and the robes of the clergy. The association was reinforced in 1981, when Britain’s Prince Charles gave a Blue Sapphire (12 carat and surrounded by diamonds) engagement ring to Lady Diana Spencer. Until her death in 1997, Princess Di, as she was known, charmed and captivated the world. It was then given by her son to Kate Middleton, now Duchess of Cambridge. This sapphire ring helped link modern events with history and fairy tales.
The elite of ancient Greece and Rome believed that blue sapphires protected their owners from harm and envy. Clerics of the Middle Ages wore sapphires because they symbolized Heaven and ordinary folks thought the gem attracted heavenly blessings. In other times and places, people instilled sapphires with the power to guard chastity, make peace between enemies, influence spirits, and reveal the secrets of oracles. Ancient Persians believed the earth actually rested on a giant sapphire, which made the sky blue.
Some famous sapphires include the Rockefeller Sapphire, a 62.02 carat rectangular step cut stone that was unearthed in Myanmar (Burma). Acquired in 1934 by financier and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (1874-1960) from an Indian maharaja, the gem was recut and remounted over the years. The sapphire was first set as a brooch and later as a ring featuring two cut-cornered triangular diamond side stones.
Symbolism:
Sapphire has traditionally symbolized sincerity, truth, faithfulness, loyalty, and nobility. In addition, the September birthstone was reputed to have healing powers. Medieval Europeans believed that sapphire cured plague boils and diseases of the eye. Also Sapphires were thought to be an antidote for poisons. It also symbolizes fidelity and the soul.
Sapphire is known as the wisdom stone, each color having its own particular wisdom. It focuses and calms the mind and releases unwanted thoughts and mental tension. Bringing in peace of mind and serenity, Sapphire aligns the physical, mental and spiritual planes and restores balance within the body.
This stone releases depression and spiritual confusion and stimulates concentration. It brings prosperity and attracts gifts of all kinds. Placed on the throat, Sapphire releases frustration and facilitates self-expression.
Kashmir, an historically important source
Location:
Sapphire is found in many parts of the world, but the most prized sapphires are from Myanmar (Burma), Kashmir and Sri Lanka.
Kashmir, Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Sri Lanka are three historically important sources for the September birthstone. Significant quantities of corundum have also been found in Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar, the United States (Montana), among other countries in Asia and Africa.
Sapphires were discovered in Kashmir around 1881 when a landslide high in the Himalayas exposed a large pocket of velvety “cornflower” blue crystals. As the spectacular sapphires began to appear farther south, Maharaja of Kashmir – and his army – took control of the new locality. From 1882 to 1887, thousands of large, beautiful crystals were recovered. The stones faceted from those crystals established Kashmir sapphire’s reputation as one of the world’s most coveted gems. Production has been sporadic since then, but auction houses occasionally sell fine pieces of Kashmir sapphire jewelry.
The Mogok area of Myanmar is another locale famed for producing the September birthstone. Jungle-clad hills hemmed by mountains make a dramatic landscape. Sapphire typically occurs alongside the ruby deposits, but in much smaller quantities. “Burmese” sapphires, as they still called by many, can possess a rich, intense blue hue, which has made it particularly prized.
For more than 2000 years, Sri Lanka has been another source of quality Sapphires. The blue and fancy-color stones mined from the alluvial gravels of this “jewel box of the Indian Ocean” can display remarkable brilliance and saturation. In addition, the island’s milky white “geuda” sapphires can be heat treated to a rich blue color.
Thailand is both a source of sapphire and a major cutting and treatment center. In dense jungle crossed by dirt roads, miners dig for sapphire in the Chanthaburi Province. Sapphires from Myanmar and Cambodia often end up in Chanthaburi for cutting and treatment and are also sent to Bangkok, an important gem hub.
In the 1990s, discoveries in East Africa and Madagascar brought Fancy Sapphires widespread recognition. These new sources supplemented production from traditional ones like Sri Lanka, and Madagascar increased the availability of yellows, pinks, and purples.
Both Blue and Fancy Sapphires come from a variety of exotic sources including Madagascar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia and the United States.
Care & Cleaning:
The September birthstone is relatively hard, ranking 9 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness. It has excellent toughness and no cleavage, which is a tendency to break when struck. This makes it a great choice for rings and other mountings subject to daily wear.
Note, though, that Sapphires are often treated to improve their color or clarity. Heat treatment is common – and the results are permanent – so it is well accepted in the trade. Less common treatments such as lattice diffusion, fracture filling and dyeing may require special care. In some cases, the color induced by lattice diffusion is so shallow it could be removed if the stone was chipped, or had to be recut. Fracture-filled and dyed Sapphires can be damaged by even mild acids like lemon juice. Before you buy a sapphire, always ask if it is treated and by what method.
Warm, soapy water is always a safe choice for cleaning the September birthstone. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for untreated, heat-treated, and lattice diffusion-treated stones. Fracture-filled or dyed stones should only be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Why We Love This Gemstone
Vivid and Saturated:
Sapphire’s blue can be vivid and saturated, like it’s lit from within.
Durable:
It’s so durable, synthetic sapphire is used for the windows of supermarket scanners and spacecraft.
Delicate Silk:
Sapphire often contains delicate intersecting needles of rutile that Gemologists call silk.
Each color of Sapphire has its own quality variations.
COLOR
Sapphires come in a variety of colors. Preferred sapphires have strong to vivid color saturation, regardless of hue.
CLARITY
Blue Sapphires typically have some inclusions, but they generally have better clarity than rubies.
CUT
Sapphire is often cut with a brilliant pattern on the crown and a step cut pattern on the pavilion.
CARAT
Blue Sapphires range in size, and large blue sapphires are more readily available than large rubies.