Everyone has a birthstone, and for those born in September, it’s a sapphire. This stunning and timeless stone comes in a variety of different color and has a fascinating history. If you want to learn more about this stunning stone, we found everything you need to know about September’s birthstone: the sapphire!
1 STONE FACTS
Since being first founded in 1865, sapphires have grown to become an incredibly popular gemstone. However, there still are a few facts you may not know about this stunning gem.
To start, sapphires obtain their color from individual trace elements from the mineral corundum. So, while blue sapphires contain iron and titanium, pink sapphires are comprised of trace elements of chromium.
The name sapphire comes from the Greek word sappheiros and the Latin word sapphirus, both meaning blue.
While these stones can be minded globally, they are most commonly found in Australia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Thailand.
Lady Diana Spencer was actually given a sapphire engagement ring by Prince Charles in 1981. Currently, their daughter-in-law, Duchess Kate Middleton, wears the ring.
Under incandescent light, some sapphire’s color can change from medium blue to violet.
2 STONE VARIETY
Similar to other gems, Sapphires come in plenty of colors, shapes, and sizes. Currently, these are some of the most sought-after sapphire varieties!
Pink Sapphire – A popular choice for engagement rings, this stone gets its bright pink color from chromium.
Blue Sapphire – It is the most popular and sought-after sapphire color, therefore this stone can usually be identified by its expensive price and vibrant color.
Yellow Sapphire – This stone’s vibrant color comes from trace elements of iron and has also become a popular choice for engagement rings.
Padparadscha Sapphire – Considered one of the rarest sapphires because of its striking and unique pink-orange color, this stone has also become a popular engagement ring.
3 STONE DURABILITY
When purchasing a sapphire, you might be wondering how durable the stone is. Can it survive a few drops? Is it resistant to scratches? Or is it extremely vulnerable?
Well, it turns out sapphires are a very durable stone. On the Mohs scale of hardness, sapphires got a rating of 9 out of 10. This means sapphires are tough enough to handle a few accidental drops and can be worn or used daily. Moreover, they are not vulnerable to getting scratches or blemishes easily.
4 STONE CARE
To make sure your sapphire lasts a long time, you need to take care of it. For one, once a week, you should cleanse your stone.
To do this, all you need is unscented and mild soap, water, and a lint-free cloth. Cleanse your stone with water and soap, then gently dry it with your cloth. Doing this once a week will keep your stone shiny and in excellent condition. You can also visit a professional once a year to get your stone more efficiently cleaned.