Birthstones - Brilliant Jewelers


Sapphire is the birthstone of September, Sapphire is for the sign of Taurus and is the anniversary gemstone for the 5th, 45th and 70th years of marriage.


Description

Sapphire - gem of the heavens, the divine gemstone, has been cherished for thousands of years. The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on a giant sapphire and its reflection colored the sky.

Sapphire is found in all the colors: from midnight blue to the bright blue of noon sky, golden sunrise to reddish-orange, and the delicate violet of twilight. The most famous and valuable sapphires are a truly royal blue. Sapphire is the September birthstone, when the most babies are born. Sapphire symbolizes sincerity and faithfulness and is an excellent choice for an engagement ring. When Prince Charles gave Princess Diana a sapphire engagement ring, couples all over the world were inspired to revive this ancient tradition.

Quality sapphires mainly come from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia, Cambodia. United States, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, China and Madagascar also produce some sapphire. The deposits in Montana in the United States produce a range of fancy colors, and deep blue sapphires from one of the world's largest deposits at Yogo Gulch where sapphires are small in size but have a beautiful blue.

Kashmir and Burma are the most famous sources for sapphire. Kashmir sapphire, which was discovered over 100 years ago has a rich velvety color prized by professionals. Burma sapphires, from the same region that produces excellent rubies, are also very fine. Unfortunately, today, these two countries produce very small quantity of the sapphire. Most fine sapphire on the market today comes from Sri Lanka, which produces a wide range of beautiful blues from delicate sky-blue colors to rich saturated hues. Kanchanaburi in Thailand and Pailin in Cambodia are renowned for deep blue, even colors. Two relatively new mining localities are showing promise: Madagascar, which has produced some exceptionally fine stones in small sizes but has no organized mining yet, and Tanzania, which has long produced sapphire in other colors but is starting to produce blue colors as well from a new deposit in the south.

Sapphires are available in every color but red. Sapphire in colors other than blue is often referred to as fancy sapphire. The most valuable sapphires have a medium intense, vivid blue color. The best sapphires hold the brightness of their color under all different types of lighting. Any black, gray, or green overtones mixed in with the blue will reduce a stone's value. In general, a more pastel blue would be less preferred than a vivid blue but would be priced higher than an over dark blackish blue color.

As with all gemstones, sapphires which are "clean" and have few visible inclusions or tiny flaws are the most valuable. However, some very fine sapphires, in particular those from Kashmir, have a velvety mist-like texture which enhances the richness of the blue.

Sapphires are most often cut in a cushion shape - a rounded rectangle - or an oval shape. You can also 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, or smooth domes.

By some estimates 99.9% of sapphires are heated at very high temperatures to improve the color or clarity and reduce cloudiness that is caused by rutile inclusions. This process dissolves trace elements already present in the sapphire. There is no price difference between heated and non-heated sapphires. It is very difficult to scratch sapphire which is harder than any other gem (9 on the Mohs scale) but diamond. Synthetic sapphire is used for scratch-resistant instruments, optical scanners, watch crystals, etc. because of its durability.

Stone Lore

Sapphire is a variety of the mineral species corundum. Sapphires occur in all colors of the rainbow, with the exception of red, which is ruby. The name sapphire is derived from the word sapphires, which was used for lapis lazuli in Roman times. Today, sapphire is mined in Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand. Other producers are Burma, Kampuchea, Kenya, and Tanzania.

They were a sign of truth, royalty and sincerity. Known as the "wisdom stone", each color of Sapphire brings its own particular wisdom. It releases mental tension, depression, unwanted thoughts and spiritual confusion. Sapphire restores balance within the body, aligning the physical, mental and spiritual planes, bringing serenity and peace of mind. It stimulates concentration, brings lightness, joy and peace of mind.

Sapphire is also known as a "stone of prosperity", attracting gifts of all kinds and fulfilling dreams and desires. Sapphire treats blood disorders, combatting excessive bleeding and strengthening the walls of the veins. It is used for cellular disorders, regulates the glands and calms overactive body systems.


 January
 Garnet
 February
 Amethyst
 March
 Aquamarine
 Bloodstone*
 April
 Diamond
 White Topaz*
 Quartz*
 Sapphire*
 May
 Emerald
 June
 Pearl
 Moonstone*
 Alexandrite*
 July
 Ruby
 Onyx*
 August
 Peridot
 Carnelian*
 Sardonyx*
 September
 Sapphire
 October
 Opal
 Lapis Lazuli*
 Tourmaline*
 November
 Topaz
 Citrine
 Zircon*
 December
 Turquoise
 Tanzinite*

* alternative birthstones