Photo of sapphire, the September birthstone, by Christina Rutz on Flickr
- What is the birthstone for September?
- What is the meaning of the September birthstone?
- What is the September birthstone color?
- Where is the September birthstone found?
- What is the history of the birthstone for September?
- What are the largest sapphires found?
- What are the healing powers of the birthstone for September?
What is the birthstone for September?
The traditional birthstone for September is the sapphire. Like the ruby, the birthstone for July, sapphires are mined from the mineral, corundum. In fact, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds have the same crystal and chemical formation. If the corundum is light pink to deep crimson in color, it is called a ruby. If it is green, it is called an emerald. If it is a deep, rich blue, it is called a sapphire. Corundum actually exists in all colors of the rainbow, but the red, green, and blue varieties are the most valuable.
What is the meaning of the September birthstone?
The term “sapphire” was coined from the Greek word “sappheiros” which means “precious stone.” These blue transparent varieties of corundum are among the highly priced. Sapphire’s sister gems are rubies, diamonds, and emeralds, which all come from the corundum.
Christians believe that sapphire’s color of deep blue has the biblical symbolism of heavenly grace.
What is the September birthstone color?
The finest quality of the September birthstone color, sapphire, comes in deep blue. The closer the stone is to a dark velvety blue color, the more valuable it is.
Where is the September birthstone found?
There are various countries where the September birthstone can be found. These include Kenya, Nigeria, Australia, China, the U.S., Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and Kasmir. The most prized sapphires come from Burma.
What is the history of the birthstone for September?
Sapphire is among the oldest gems known to mankind and revered in most parts of the world. In the early ages, sapphires were mined in torrents and riverbeds, where they had been deposited by strong forces of water. Today, sapphires are found under similar conditions.
The Buddhists refer to sapphire as the Stone of Stones, which gives spiritual light and brings peace and happiness to wearers who lead an honorable life. They also believe that sapphire will create the desire for prayer in the person wearing it.
In the Christian Church, the twelfth century saw Pope Innocent III declare that the ring of a Bishop would be cast from pure gold and set with an uncut stone. The uncarved stone would turn out to be the sapphire, since it is associated with revered qualities and virtues to match the distinguished position of a Pope’s badge.
The Jews also adored sapphire. The stone sealing King Solomon’s ring is believed to be a sapphire. According to Exodus, the Jews described Jehovah’s feet as appearing as “a paved work of a sapphire stone.”
What are the largest sapphires found?
There are various popular pieces of this gem in existence today. They are cherished for their size and beauty. A good example is the cornflower blue sapphire belonging to Queen Marie of Romania. The sapphire stone, which weighs at least 478 carats, was purchased at a value of $1,494,480 in 2003.
Another famous sapphire is the unblemished 432-carat gem called the Logan Sapphire. This gem is held on a stunning diamond brooch and displayed in Washington D.C’s Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The Star of India Sapphire is another unique sapphire gem which weighs 563 carats. It is not the largest, but it is unique since it has stars appearing on both sides. You can view this gem at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Recently, geologists claim to have discovered and certified the largest blue star sapphire from Sri Lankan mines. The gem, which weighs 1404.49 carats, has already been nicknamed The Star of Adam and is valued at $300 million. The owner of the largest star sapphire in existence today has chosen to remain anonymous.
What are the healing powers of the birthstone for September?
The September birthstone represents truth, honesty, purity, and dependability. Its significance makes it one of the most popular gems for engagement rings. If given to a loved one, it is believed to shun off evil while enhancing the good tidings of Venus. The mid-century clergy wore sapphire to attract heavenly blessings.
The September birthstone is also believed to curb various health issues such as cancer, burns, inflammation, fevers, and hearing problems.
What are the properties of the sapphire stone?
The sapphire weighs 9 on the Mohs hardness scale and is slightly more malleable than the diamond, which is a 10. It is difficult to find flawless sapphires. Gemologists create most of the beautiful flawless sapphires for sale in the labs. There is a variation of the September birthstone, the star sapphire. It derives its name from the distinctive marks at the center which intersect and connect in a way that creates a six-pointed star.
How do you clean sapphire jewelry?
It is easy to clean sapphire jewelry at home using a mixture of lukewarm water and a mild dishwashing soap. You may brush off any dirt particles gently using a bristle brush. Wipe dry and store separate from abrasive items or other harder jewelry.
How do you care for your sapphire jewelry?
Do not allow contact of your sapphire jewelry with harsh chemicals. Some chemicals such as chlorine can ruin or discolor your sapphire gems.
What is the value of sapphires?
The value of a sapphires vary greatly. To determine the value of sapphire, jewelers appraise its purity and size. A fine quality blue sapphire will increase its price with increasing size of the gem.
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