September is the month of autumn when leaves turn golden and the air becomes crisp. September also marks the month of Sapphire birthstones; an ancient gemstone known for centuries to capture people’s attention with its brilliant blue hue but is also found in pink, yellow, green, and orange shades. Here we explore 10 Interesting Facts About September Sapphire Birthstones that you may not know.

Fact 1: Origins of the Sapphire Birthstone

Sapphires have long been celebrated across cultures worldwide as treasured symbols. “Sapphire” derives from the Greek word sappheiros, which means blue. Sapphires were believed to protect their wearers against harm or evil spirits; ancient Persians believed that Earth rested atop an enormous sapphire, providing blue-hued skies as evidence of its beauty.

Fact 2: Spectrum of Sapphire Colors

Sapphires come in many hues – not just blue – that span from pink and purple to yellow and green hues. The differences are caused by different elements present within their crystal structures, such as iron, titanium, and chromium. Some of these can only be found in Sri Lanka – including rare pink-orange Padparadscha sapphires which boast the rarest status among them all.

Fact 3: Sapphires and Royalty

Sapphires have long been associated with royalty and nobility, including in the British Crown Jewels which boast some of the world’s most renowned sapphires – such as The Stuart Sapphire, which once belonged to the Stuart family but is now part of the Imperial State Crown of England; The Star of India (563-carat star sapphire) also belongs to British Crown Jewels.

Fact 4: Sapphire Healing Powers

Sapphires have long been considered healing stones since antiquity, used to treat eye problems and increase overall vitality and good health. Recently, modern science has shown how sapphires may also have beneficial effects on our thyroid gland and can have a calming influence on both the mind and body.

Fact 5: Sapphire Mining Locations

Sapphires can be found all around the world, including Australia, Thailand, Madagascar and the United States. But their most well-known mines can be found in Sri Lanka, Burma (now Myanmar) and Kashmir – with Kashmir sapphires from the Himalayan region in India being some of the most beautiful examples.

Fact 6: Sapphires in Pop Culture

Sapphires have long been featured prominently in pop culture works, from films and TV shows to songs and literature. For example, the movie Titanic featured the Heart of the Ocean which was said to belong to Louis XVI; the Harry Potter series’ Gryffindor sword features an inlaid sapphire-encrusted hilt; Bonobo wrote an entire song to honor its beauty titled “Sapphire.”

Fact 7: Synthetic Sapphires

Synthetic sapphires are manufactured in laboratories using advanced technology to replicate the natural crystal structure of sapphires, making them an affordable alternative to natural gems for jewelry-making purposes. Furthermore, synthetics come with more colors options available compared to natural sapphires which makes them even more sought-after by jewelry designers.

Fact 8: Sapphire Engagement Rings

Sapphires are a popular choice for engagement rings, second only to diamonds. This trend was popularized by Princess Diana, who received a sapphire engagement ring from Prince Charles in 1981. The ring, which features a large blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds, is now worn by Princess Diana’s daughter-in-law, Kate Middleton.

Fact 9: Sapphires and the Zodiac

Sapphires are associated with the zodiac sign of Virgo, which covers August 23rd through September 22nd. People born under this sign tend to be analytical, practical and hardworking individuals – qualities believed enhanced by sapphires which may bring good fortune or protection.

Fact 10: Sapphires and 45th Wedding Anniversaries

Sapphires have long been considered an appropriate present to commemorate the 45th wedding anniversaries, symbolizing loyalty, honesty, and trust – qualities that come naturally after years together. Furthermore, sapphires also associate themselves with wisdom and knowledge which come through experience alone.

FAQs

What does a sapphire birthstone mean? 

Sapphires are believed to bring wisdom, loyalty and protection for their wearers, along with being associated with royalty and nobility.

What are the different colors of sapphires?

Sapphires come in various shades of blue, pink, yellow, green and orange – with rarer pink-orange Padparadscha sapphires being the rarest varieties.

Are synthetic sapphires as valuable as natural ones?

Although synthetic sapphires don’t possess as much value, they still make stunning and long-lasting gemstones.

What is the history of sapphire engagement rings?

Sapphires became increasingly popular as engagement ring choices after Princess Diana received one from Prince Charles in 1981.

Conclusion

Sapphires have long enthralled people. From ancient beliefs to contemporary jewelry design and scientific study, sapphires continue to fascinate and inspire us today. If you were born in September or simply appreciate sapphires as symbols of wisdom and royalty, these Top 10 Interesting Facts About September Sapphire Birthstones hopefully piqued your curiosity and deepened your appreciation of these gemstones of power and brilliance.