What Is the September Birthstone? A Complete Guide to Sapphire
Updated: Aug 28
The September birthstone is sapphire. Blue sapphire is the classic choice, but sapphire naturally occurs in many colours including pink, yellow, green, orange and purple. It belongs to the corundum mineral family and is one of the hardest gemstones used in fine jewellery.
If you are buying for a September birthday, sapphire offers an unusual combination: a strong connection to birthstone tradition, a wide choice of colours and enough durability for rings as well as earrings, pendants and other frequently worn jewellery.
September's principal modern birthstone: sapphire
Traditional colour: rich blue, although sapphire occurs in many other colours
Mineral family: corundum, the same mineral family as ruby
Mohs hardness: 9, making sapphire highly resistant to scratching
Popular uses: rings, earrings, pendants, wedding jewellery and engagement rings
Traditional associations: sincerity, truth, faithfulness and nobility
At West Country Goldsmiths in Plymouth, customers can explore sapphire jewellery online or visit us to compare stones, settings and metal colours in person. Browse our sapphire jewellery collection.
What Is Sapphire? Properties, Colour and Strength
Sapphire is a variety of the mineral corundum, chemically aluminium oxide. The word is most strongly associated with blue gemstones, but gem-quality corundum can occur across a broad colour range.
There is one important naming distinction: red gem-quality corundum is called ruby. Corundum in other colours is generally described as sapphire, which is why you will encounter blue, pink, yellow, green, orange, purple and colour-change sapphires.
Colour: Blue is the traditional September birthstone colour, from lighter blue through to strongly saturated royal and velvety blues.
Fancy colours: Pink, yellow, orange, green, violet and purple sapphires provide alternatives to traditional blue.
Hardness: Sapphire scores 9 on the Mohs scale, below diamond but above gemstones such as topaz, quartz and aquamarine.
Toughness: Sapphire has excellent toughness and no cleavage, helping make it practical for frequently worn jewellery.
Lustre: A well-polished sapphire has a bright, glass-like lustre.
Treatments: Heat treatment is common and accepted in the jewellery trade, while diffusion, filling or dyeing can affect both value and care requirements.
From a jewellery-making point of view, sapphire is particularly useful because strong colour and excellent durability can exist in the same stone. That opens up far more options than a birthstone pendant alone.
Compared with aquamarine, sapphire is harder and generally offers stronger colour saturation.
Compared with emerald, sapphire is typically more resistant to everyday wear. Diamond is harder, but sapphire provides a much wider natural colour palette. Ruby is sapphire's closest relative mineralogically: both are corundum, with red material classified separately as ruby.
Why Is Sapphire the Birthstone for September?
Sapphire has been connected with September through the modern birthstone tradition, while the gemstone itself has a much older cultural history. For centuries, sapphires were associated with royalty, clergy, sincerity, truth and faithfulness.
Medieval European clergy wore sapphires and connected their blue colour with Heaven. Ancient Greek, Roman and Persian traditions also attached symbolism and folklore to the stone. These are historical beliefs rather than scientific properties, but they help explain why sapphire accumulated such a powerful cultural identity.
Today sapphire works particularly well as a birthstone because it is both symbolic and practical. It can mark a September birthday while still being suitable for jewellery intended to be worn regularly for many years.
What Colour Is the September Birthstone?
The colour most closely associated with September is blue because blue sapphire is the traditional and best-known September birthstone. However, being born in September does not mean you are limited to blue jewellery.
Fancy sapphires can be pink, yellow, green, orange, violet or purple. One especially sought-after variety is padparadscha sapphire, known for a distinctive combination of pink and orange tones.
Colour is also one of the most important factors in sapphire value. A stone should not simply be described as 'dark' or 'light'; look at hue, tone, saturation and whether the colour remains attractive in different lighting.
September Birthstone Jewellery: What Should You Choose?
Sapphire jewellery can suit very different budgets and occasions. A September birthday does not require a large statement ring: earrings or a pendant can provide the same personal birthstone connection in an easier-to-gift format.
Sapphire Earrings for September Birthdays
Stud earrings are one of the simplest September birthstone gifts because there is no ring sizing to consider. Our current sapphire range includes the 9ct White Gold Sapphire Four Stone Rubover Stud Earrings and 9ct Yellow Gold Oval Sapphire Eye Stud Earrings, both offering a more accessible route into fine sapphire jewellery than many larger diamond-set pieces.
Sapphire Rings
Sapphire's hardness makes it an excellent gemstone for rings. A simple example from our current collection is the 9ct Yellow Gold Oval Sapphire Claw Ring. More elaborate choices include sapphire-and-diamond cluster rings, half-eternity rings and multi-sapphire designs.
For a ring that will be worn most days, the setting matters as much as the gemstone. Claws should securely hold the stone, while rubover or more protective settings can be useful where the wearer has an active lifestyle.
Sapphire Pendants and Diamond-Set Jewellery
Sapphire pairs especially well with diamonds because the contrast between saturated colour and bright white sparkle emphasises both stones. Our collection includes an 18ct White Gold Round Sapphire & Diamond Cluster Pendant as well as more elaborate sapphire-and-diamond designs.
Pink and Multi-Coloured Sapphire Jewellery
Blue is not the only option. Our collection also includes pink sapphire and multi-sapphire jewellery, which can work well for someone who loves the September birthstone connection but prefers warmer or more varied colour.
Here you can view the current sapphire jewellery range. We can access considerably more sapphire jewellery than is shown online, so a consultation is useful if you have a particular colour, design, stone shape or budget in mind.
Where Is Sapphire Found Naturally?
Important historic sapphire sources include Kashmir, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Sapphire has also been mined in Madagascar, Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania and Montana in the United States, among other locations.
Sri Lanka has supplied sapphires for more than two thousand years and remains particularly important to the gemstone's history. Kashmir became famous for intensely coloured, velvety blue sapphires, while Madagascar has become another significant source of gem-quality material.
Can You Find Sapphire in Plymouth or Dartmoor?
If you are searching for sapphire jewellery in Plymouth, there is an important distinction between where jewellery is bought and made, and where gem-quality sapphire occurs naturally. Sapphire is not a gemstone associated with Plymouth Sound or the historic mines of Dartmoor, so the sapphires used in fine jewellery originate from gem-producing regions elsewhere in the world.
Plymouth does, however, have a remarkable historical connection to sapphire jewellery. In 2014 a metal detectorist discovered a medieval gold finger ring set with sapphire in Wembury, just outside Plymouth.
The ring dates from around AD 1100 to 1500 and was probably owned by a high-ranking member of the clergy. The surrounding Wembury lands were associated with Plympton Priory during the medieval period, and sapphire rings were closely associated with senior clergy. The ring was officially classed as Treasure and acquired for Plymouth's permanent archaeological collection based in The Box museum in Plymouth, where it can be seen today.
For a Plymouth jeweller, the Wembury sapphire ring is a useful reminder that coloured gemstones were being worn locally centuries before today's sapphire engagement rings and September birthstone gifts.
How to Choose a Quality Sapphire Gemstone
There is no single grading formula that tells you whether one sapphire is right for you. Colour is particularly important, but cut, clarity, treatment, size and the quality of the setting all affect appearance and value.
Start with colour: Decide whether you prefer vivid royal blue, a lighter blue, a darker inky tone or a fancy-coloured sapphire. Strong, attractive and evenly distributed colour is usually more desirable than simply choosing the darkest stone.
Look at the stone in different lighting: Sapphire can appear noticeably different under showroom lighting, daylight and warmer indoor light.
Assess the cut: A good cut should return light attractively across the gemstone rather than leaving large lifeless or transparent-looking areas.
Consider clarity in context: Natural sapphires can contain inclusions. The question is whether they materially affect beauty or durability, not whether the stone is completely flawless.
Ask about treatment: Heating is common and widely accepted. Other treatments, including diffusion and fracture filling, should be understood because they may affect value and future care.
Compare size with quality: A larger sapphire is not automatically better. A smaller stone with stronger colour and a better cut may be more attractive.
Choose the setting for the wearer: Think about how often the jewellery will be worn and whether claws, rubover settings or surrounding diamonds best suit the person's lifestyle.
Compare metal colours: White gold and platinum create a cooler contrast with blue sapphire, while yellow gold gives a warmer, more traditional colour combination.
Seeing sapphires side by side is particularly helpful because descriptions such as 'royal blue' cannot fully communicate differences in saturation, brightness or tone. At our Plymouth workshop and retail premises, you can compare jewellery in person and discuss alternatives beyond the pieces currently listed online.
Which Metal Colour Looks Best with Sapphire?
There is no single correct metal for sapphire. The best choice depends on the colour of the stone and the overall style you want.
White gold: Gives blue sapphire a crisp, cool appearance and works especially well with diamond accents.
Platinum: Offers a naturally white backdrop and is frequently chosen for sapphire engagement and occasion rings.
Yellow gold: Creates a warmer contrast with blue sapphire and can give the piece a more traditional feel.
Rose gold: Produces a softer contrast and can work particularly well with pink, purple or lighter sapphires.
Two-tone designs: Allow the sapphire setting and the main body of the jewellery to use different metal colours for added contrast.
Is Sapphire Suitable for Everyday Jewellery?
Yes. With a Mohs hardness of 9, excellent toughness and no cleavage, sapphire is one of the most practical coloured gemstones for frequently worn jewellery.
That makes sapphire particularly suitable for engagement rings, wedding jewellery and rings worn regularly. It is also more than durable enough for earrings and pendants, which generally experience fewer knocks than rings.
Durable does not mean indestructible. A sapphire can still be chipped or damaged by a sufficiently hard impact, and settings can wear even when the gemstone itself remains sound. Remove fine jewellery for heavy manual work and have frequently worn ring settings inspected periodically.
How to Care for Sapphire Jewellery
Most sapphire jewellery is straightforward to care for, but the gemstone's treatment history matters. Warm soapy water is the safest general-purpose option for routine cleaning.
Use lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush for routine home cleaning.
Rinse carefully and dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Avoid harsh household chemicals, even though untreated sapphire itself is relatively stable.
Do not assume ultrasonic or steam cleaning is appropriate if you do not know whether the sapphire has been fracture filled, cavity filled or dyed.
Store sapphire jewellery separately from softer gemstones because sapphire can scratch them.
Have claws, settings and frequently worn rings checked periodically rather than waiting until a stone becomes loose.
Untreated and heat-treated sapphires are generally very durable. Fracture-filled, cavity-filled or dyed sapphires require more caution, so if the treatment is unknown, conservative cleaning is the sensible approach.
If a piece needs more than routine home cleaning, our Plymouth workshop can inspect the jewellery before recommending cleaning, repair or setting work.
Using Old Gold to Help Fund New Sapphire Jewellery
A September birthday, anniversary or sapphire engagement ring can also be an opportunity to rethink jewellery you no longer wear. Some customers choose to sell unwanted gold and put the value towards a new purchase, while sentimental pieces may sometimes be suitable for remodelling depending on the design and material.
If you are planning a meaningful peridot purchase and have old or unwanted gold you no longer wear, our guide to selling gold in Plymouth explains how selling gold can help fund a new piece of jewellery.
Choosing Sapphire Jewellery in Plymouth
Shopping online is a useful starting point, but sapphire is a gemstone that rewards comparison in person. Two stones described with similar measurements can look quite different because colour saturation, tone, cut and inclusions influence how they appear.
West Country Goldsmiths is a Plymouth workshop and retailer at Unit 41 Faraday Mill Business Park. We hand-finish our jewellery and create bespoke pieces on site, with specialist offsite work used where required.
If the sapphire design you want is not shown online, that does not mean it is unavailable. We can access a much broader selection of sapphire jewellery and gemstones, making an appointment especially useful for unusual colours, specific stone shapes, engagement rings or a defined birthday budget.
Frequently Asked Questions About the September Birthstone
What are the two birthstones for September?
Sapphire is the principal modern September birthstone. Some alternative or historical birthstone lists also associate September with stones such as lapis lazuli, but sapphire is the standard answer in modern fine jewellery.
Is sapphire a rare birthstone?
Sapphire as a mineral is not exceptionally rare, but fine gem-quality sapphires with outstanding colour, size, clarity and provenance can be very rare and valuable. Rarity depends heavily on quality rather than the name sapphire alone.
What is the lucky stone for someone born in September?
Sapphire is the birthstone most commonly associated with people born in September. Descriptions of it as a 'lucky' stone come from cultural and astrological traditions rather than scientifically demonstrated effects.
Why is September's birthstone sapphire?
Sapphire became established as September's birthstone through modern birthstone traditions, building on centuries of symbolism connecting the gemstone with truth, faithfulness, sincerity, nobility and religious imagery.
Who should not wear sapphire stone?
There is no evidence-based rule saying a particular person should not wear sapphire. Astrological traditions sometimes give restrictions, but from a jewellery perspective the important considerations are personal taste, budget, the setting, metal sensitivities and whether the piece suits the wearer's lifestyle.
What are the six rarest birthstones?
There is no definitive ranking because rarity changes with variety and quality. Alexandrite is frequently cited among the rarest birthstones, while exceptional ruby, sapphire, emerald, natural pearl and certain fine opals can also be extremely scarce in top qualities.
What stones should Libra not wear?
There is no scientific or gemmological rule preventing a Libra from wearing any particular gemstone. Astrological recommendations vary between traditions, so jewellery is better chosen according to appearance, durability, meaning and personal preference.
What is the birth colour of September?
Deep blue is the colour most strongly associated with September because blue sapphire is the month's principal birthstone. Sapphire itself, however, occurs naturally in many colours.
Which colour is good for someone born in September?
Blue is the traditional September birthstone colour, but there is no requirement to choose it. Pink, yellow, green and other fancy sapphires can retain the sapphire birthstone connection while better matching the wearer's taste.
What is the most powerful birthstone?
There is no scientifically measurable 'most powerful' birthstone. Gemstones have different histories and symbolic traditions, but claims about spiritual power are matters of belief rather than established physical properties.
What is the natural birthstone for September?
Natural sapphire is the principal gemstone associated with September. A natural sapphire forms in the Earth, unlike a laboratory-grown sapphire, although both can have the same basic mineral composition.
What two months have three birthstones?
In a widely used modern birthstone list, June is associated with pearl, moonstone and alexandrite, while December is associated with turquoise, zircon and tanzanite. Birthstone lists can vary between organisations and traditions.
Is the September birthstone rare?
Ordinary sapphire is available in commercial quantities, but exceptional sapphires can be genuinely rare. Large stones with vivid, attractive colour and desirable origin or treatment status can command substantial premiums.
What is my lucky stone by birth date?
If your birthday falls anywhere in September, sapphire is the standard modern birthstone. More detailed 'lucky stone' systems based on individual dates, zodiac signs or astrology vary between traditions and should not be confused with the modern monthly birthstone list.
What is the rarest colour of sapphire?
Fine padparadscha sapphire, with its distinctive pink-orange colour, is one of the rarest and most sought-after sapphire colour varieties. Exceptional colour-change sapphires and top-quality stones of other colours can also be very scarce.
What is the modern birthstone for September?
Sapphire is the modern birthstone for September, with blue sapphire being the colour most traditionally associated with the month.
What are the 12 modern birthstones?
A common modern list is garnet for January, amethyst for February, aquamarine for March, diamond for April, emerald for May, pearl for June, ruby for July, peridot for August, sapphire for September, opal for October, topaz for November, and tanzanite for December.
Is sapphire suitable for a September engagement ring?
Yes. Sapphire's Mohs hardness of 9, excellent toughness and strong colour make it one of the best coloured gemstones for an engagement ring intended for regular wear.
Can sapphire be worn every day?
Yes. Sapphire is highly durable for everyday jewellery, although the setting still needs sensible care. Remove rings for heavy manual work and have worn claws or settings inspected periodically.
How should I clean a September birthstone?
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush are the safest general method for sapphire jewellery. If you do not know whether the stone has been filled, dyed or otherwise treated, avoid aggressive cleaning methods until the jewellery has been professionally assessed.
Are you looking for our other posts about the 12 monthly birthstones?
What is the January Birthstone? A Complete Guide to Garnet
What is the February Birthstone? A Complete Guide to Amethyst
What Is the March Birthstone? A Complete Guide to Aquamarine
What Is the June Birthstone? Pearl, Moonstone and Alexandrite
What is the September Birthstone? A Complete Guide to Sapphire
What is the October Birthstone? A Complete Guide to Opal
What is the November Birthstone? A Complete Guide to Topaz
What is the December Birthstone? A Complete Guide to Turquoise
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