Sapphire Birthstone

Sapphire, the birthstone of September, is also the anniversary stone for the 5th and the 45th years of marriage. Sapphire is considered the divine gemstone - the gem of the heavens, and has been cherished for thousands of years. The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and that its reflection coloured the sky. It is found in all colours ranging from midnight blue to bright blue, to golden to reddish orange to violet. The most famous and valuable sapphires have a medium intense, vivid blue colour. The best hold their brightness of their colour under all lights. Black, grey or green overtones mixed in with the blue will decrease the stones value.

Sapphires symbolize sincerity and faithfulness, and is an excellent choice for an engagement ring. Prince Charles gave Princess Dianne a sapphire ring and this created a wave of popularity amongst the public. Kashmir and Burma are most famous for their sources of sapphires, which are known as Myanmar sapphires. Kashmir sapphire has a velvety rich blue colour and is prized by professionals. Unfortunately, today these countries produce very small quantities of sapphire, and the most fine sapphires on the market today come from Sri Lanka, which produces a wide range of blues. As well, two very new mining areas include Madagascar and Tanzania.

Sapphires are available in every colour except for red, and sapphires in other colours other than blue must be referred to as "fancy sapphires." Sapphires that are clean and have little visible inclusions are preferred. They are most often cut in a cushion shape - a rounded rectangle - or an oval shape. As well, you can find smaller sapphires in round brilliant cuts and a wide variety of fancy shapes including triangles, squares, emerald cuts, marquises, pear shapes, baguette shapes and cabochon cuts (smooth domes). Some sapphires have unusual tiny needle like inclusions and can be cut into smooth domes which display a dancing six ray white star. "Star sapphires" are very popular for men's rings, however they are becoming more rare to find.

About 99.9% of sapphires are enhanced by being heated at very high temperatures to improve the colour and clarity of the stone. It dissolves trace elements in the sapphire. There is no price difference between heated and non-heated sapphires. It is difficult to scratch a sapphire, as it is harder than any other gems but diamond.


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