Sapphire for September

Posted by Hannah - 19 September 2016

All gem-quality corundum that isn’t red is called sapphire, yet this name is popularly associated with the colour blue. Variation in colour, due to iron and titanium impurities, spans many shades, but the most valuable is a clear, deep blue. Some stones called colour change show different colours in different lights (a real party stone!). Though blue is not the only colour, you get everything from black to purple from pink to yellow and green to white and pretty much every shade in between!

Wonderful blue green.

Good quality sapphire is found in Burma, Sri Lanka and India. The best Indian sapphire is cornflower blue and found in Kashmir, either in pegmatites (crystalline igneous rock containing crystals that can be several centimeters long) or as waterworn pebbles in alluvial deposits. Sapphire from Thailand, Australia and Nigeria is dark blue and may appear nearly black. Montana produces a sapphire which is an attractive metallic blue.

Finest Sri Lankan cornflower blue.

Sapphire is the birthstone for September (lucky people!) Ever since the Middle Ages, sapphire has symbolized the tranquillity of the heavens, bestowing peace and amiability upon the wearer (if only it worked!) and suppressing wicked and impure thoughts. It also symbolises loyalty, faithfulness, truth, sincerity, constancy and reliability.

Absolute neon pink!

Sapphire is 9 on the mohs scale of hardness (second only to diamond) which makes it a good choice for engagement rings, especially if you fancy a bit of colour!

Pink and blue together!

Due to Jon's sapphire addiction, we always have some fantastic examples here either in the jewellery or loose in our gem box, so if you ever fancy a look let us know!

Bye for now,

Hannah