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Gemstone Spotlight: All About Sapphires

This Gemstone Spotlight is all about Sapphires.  The September birthstone, sapphire is a gem that’s been cherished for thousands of years. Although the term sapphire usually refers to the blue variety of corundum (ruby is the red variety), this birthstone comes in a rainbow of other colors. Sapphires have been long associated with royalty and romance and are also said to symbolize fidelity and the soul. “Sapphire” comes from the Greek word sappheiros and blue sapphire is one of the most popular colored stones. Read on to learn more about the September birthstone, specifically its history and where it can be found. (GIA) Shop our collection of blue and sapphire jewelry here.

 

Gemstone Spotlight: All About Sapphires

Gemstone Spotlight: all about sapphires

Rough Cut Sapphire, GIA

Sapphire symbolizes sincerity, truth, faithfulness and nobility. For countless centuries, sapphire has adorned royalty and the robes of the clergy. 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. Ancient Persians believed the earth actually rested on a giant sapphire, which made the sky blue. Thought to have healing powers as well, Medieval Europeans believed that sapphire cured plague boils and diseases of the eye. The sapphire birthstone was also thought to be an antidote to poison. (GIA)

gemstone spotlight: all about sapphires

Among the more famous records of sapphires includes Princess Diana's engagement ring. Lady Di selected a 12 carat oval cut Ceylon blue sapphire with a halo composed of 14 round diamonds. The blue sapphire was Diana's favorite gemstone, and she was known to wear a lot of blue to bring out the color in her blue eyes. Further, the Princess' jaw-dropping gem brooch was truly fit for a queen, as it belonged to Queen Mary. Diana had this diamond-and-sapphire brooch converted into a necklace with a seven-strand pearl choker, and it remained one of few statement jewelry pieces that she wore through and after her divorce. 

gemstone spotlight: all about sapphires

Polished Cut Sapphire, GIA

In addition to being the September birthstone, sapphire is also the gem commemorating the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries. At Landsberg Jewelers, we offer a spectacular variety of sapphire ring options for the bride of 45 years as well as for the bride celebrating 5 years! See below for a staff favorite - a 5 carat cushion cut sapphire ring in a dazzling diamond setting. View more information here.

 

gemstone spotlight: all about sapphires

5.00CTW Cushion Cut Sapphire Ring, Landsberg Jewelers

 Significant sapphire deposits are found in Australia, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Cameroon, China (Shandong), Colombia, Ethiopia, India (Kashmir), Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Myanmar (Burma), Nigeria, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United States (Montana) and Vietnam.

Information and photography courtesy of GIA. More information here.

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