September birthstone jewellery is the most personal gift you can choose for someone celebrating their birthday in September. Stunning jewellery that also has symbolic meaning? You really can't go wrong.
Imbued with mythology, birthstones have been treasured since ancient times when 12 stones were associated with the 12 signs of the zodiac. So, more importantly, what exactly is the September birthstone? It's the stunningly opulent sapphire, which is associated with royalty and romance, and symbolises fidelity and the soul.
Sapphire, which means ‘blue' in Greek, is similar to July’s birthstone - the crimson ruby - because it's a form of the mineral corundum, which is the second-hardest mineral and makes it pretty damn special.
Aside from elevating any outfit, a piece of September birthstone jewellery apparently has healing and protective powers. Indeed, the Ancient Greeks were convinced that wearing your birthstone during its assigned month could heighten these powers and bring you good fortune. In the Middle Ages, the gem was used as a form of protection, and it also represented loyalty and trust. In fact, Ancient Persians were so dazzled by the allure of sapphire that they were convinced the earth actually rested on a giant sapphire, explaining why the sky is blue.
With an illustrious history, deep symbolic qualities and, of course, captivating colours, it's hardly surprising that sapphires have become one of the most popular and prized gemstones. Read on to discover all you need to know about the September birthstone…
While you might associate sapphire with a deep blue hue of corundum (hello, Kate Middleton’s engagement ring), the September birthstone actually comes in a plethora of different colours. You'll find sapphire in pink, white, black, green, purple, orange, grey and brown (basically any colour but red), which makes this gemstone ideal for zhuzhing up your style for the month of September and beyond.
Sapphires have two main symbolic qualities: to attract wealth and to protect the wearer from envy and infidelity. Royals in the Middle Ages also plumped for sapphire jewellery because it was thought it brought peace, banished social anxiety and helped them in legal discrepancies.
It might look luxe but sapphire doesn’t need to cost the earth. As is the case with all gemstones, the price all depends on the carat weight, clarity, cut, and colour. You can plump for a pair of sapphire earrings for around £25 per carat, or splurge as much as £10,000 per carat depending on the quality. The most expensive sapphire ever sold cost £135,000 per carat. Woah.
The most prized Sapphires are from Myanmar, Kashmir and Sri Lanka and there's two varieties. The rarest sapphire is the Padparadscha, which is a super rare pink and orange stone. The most valuable sapphires are, however, the Kashmir variants, which are a gorgeously velvet blue hue from the mountains in India. Velvety looking sapphires with a highly saturated violet-blue colour are the more rare variety, whilst cheaper sapphire stones will have a murkier colour to them.
A sapphire wedding or engagement ring is hugely popular - and it’s little surprise. This gemstone represents all the ingredients of a long and happy union: honesty, sincerity, good fortune and faithfulness. Of course, the most famous sapphire engagement ring owner is the Duchess of Cambridge, whose beautiful ring features a sapphire surrounded by 14 solitaire diamonds, in an 18-carat white gold setting.
Anyone who's watched The Crown Season 4 might recall the scene where a young Princess Diana Spencer picks out her engagement ring from a selection of designs by Garrard, who was then known as the crown jeweller. There was some truth in that clip, as Prince Charles did actually propose without a ring, allowing Diana to choose one herself. She eventually settled on that sapphire-and-diamond cluster Marguerite ring, one that cost Prince Charles a whopping £28,000. Its design was reportedly inspired by a sapphire-and-diamond brooch Prince Albert had asked Garrard to create as a present for his future wife, Queen Victoria, in 1840.
As well as being the September birthstone, sapphire is also the gem that commemorates fifth and 45th wedding anniversaries so if you're celebrating a special milestone, it could be the perfect wedding anniversary gift.
Convinced by the symbolic power of sapphire as a September birthstone? Of course you are. Scroll down to shop our pick of the best September birthstone jewellery, from earrings and rings to necklaces and cuffs, that make perfect birthday, wedding or anniversary gifts for your loved ones.
After more jewellery content? We've got plenty, including gold jewellery, gold hoop earrings and initial pendants. We've also got friendship bracelets, pearl jewellery, unique engagement rings, Missoma jewellery, Monica Vinader jewellery, resin rings a la Dua Lipa and clip on earrings (yes, really).
